Step into the very first edition of Build Your Power, a digital careers magazine created to inspire, equip, and elevate ambitious professionals from diverse backgrounds. This debut issue brings together powerful stories, practical career guidance, and voices that reflect the richness of our global community. Inside, you’ll discover insights on building a career with clarity and confidence, features that celebrate women redefining leadership, and tools to help you grow with purpose. Whether you’re navigating your next step or shaping a long‑term legacy, this magazine is your space to learn, reflect, and rise. Build Your Power is more than a magazine — it’s a movement. A reminder that your story matters, your voice has impact, and your career is a legacy in progress. Welcome to Issue One. Your power starts here.
APRIL 2026
CAREERS MAGAZINE ISSUE 01
Build Your Power
WHAT ENTREPRENEURS WANT YOU TO KNOW THE NEW RULES OF NETWORKING
TOOLS & RESOURCES
CHECK OUT THE TWO CAREER QUIZZES. PLUS THE BUSINESS & COACH DIRECTORIES INSIDE
7 QUIET STRATEGIES TO BUILD AUTHORITY AND INFLUENCE STOP SHOUTING:
COVER STORY
HOW MELESIA ADDERLEY BUILT A GLOBAL BRAND
DEBUT ISSUE
THE POWER FRAMEWORK FOR CAREER SUCCESS MASTER THE FOUR ESSENTIAL PILLARS: KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE, COMMUNITY, OPPORTUNITY, AND VISIBILITY
Table Of Contents
05
Editor’s Letter
Founder and Author Beverly Vanterpool welcomes you to Build Your Power.
Career Growth & Leadership
06
You Don’t Have to Shout: 7 Personal Branding Strategies for the Quietly Ambitious
Seven powerful strategies for introverted and underrepresented professionals to build authority and pivot your career, featuring advice from two Stories by Career Sistas podcast guests. 10 Progression Isn’t Just a Moment, It’s a Marathon The strategic plan for long-term career success: master the four essential pillars to position yourself for promotion. 13 Quiz - How Career ready are you? Assess your readiness for career success by testing the stability of your Knowledge & Experience, Community, Opportunity, and Visibility foundations to Build Your Table. 15 The Art of Networking: Insights from Three Entrepreneurs Transform your career and build a powerful community, with insights from three inspiring leaders.
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19 Build Your Power: The Corporate Leader Who Pivoted to Build a Global Brand Melesia Adderley's inspiring journey: Pivoting from her corporate career to launch Women’s Haven®, the Caribbean's first female-owned organic feminine care brand, built on education and endurance. Entrepreneurship & Purpose ‑ Driven Work
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BUILD Business Directory
Businesses United for Inclusion, Leadership & Diversity: The Essential Directory to Build Your Power. 26 From Participant to Architect: Women, Power, and Entrepreneurship Exploring how visibility, funding, and digital access shape women’s entrepreneurial journeys – and what it takes for women to move from simply navigating the economy to actively redesigning it for themselves and others.
Support Systems & Power Networks
29 Women We Celebrate A new feature honouring the women who shape our world quietly and boldly. Nominate yourself or someone you admire for a chance to be featured in our next issue.
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Quiz - Build Your Power Team: Do You Need a Coach, Mentor, or Sponsor?
Do You Need a Coach, Mentor, or Sponsor? Identify the difference between advice and influence to get the appropriate support for your career right now. 33 POWER Coach Directory Progression, Opportunity, Wisdom, Executive Development, Representation: The essential directory to find the expert support you need to accelerate your career and Build Your Power. 35 STAY CONNECTED Join the Career Sistas community, explore the Build Your Table book, and advance your career with Build Your Power magazine.
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Build Your Power Careers Magazine
TEAM AND CONTRIBUTORS
Founder and Editor in Chief Beverly Vanterpool
Cinzia Appetecchia
Layout Designer
Contributing Writer Corragh-May White
Guest Reviewer Mya Griffith
Guest Reviewer Karen Vanterpool
careersistas.com buildyourtable.com beverlyvanterpool.com
A new careers magazine by Career Sistas Career Sistas has grown rapidly over the past 12 months, evolving from a space on social media into a multi ‑ platform ecosystem for storytelling, empowerment, and career clarity. In that time, we launched the podcast Stories by Career Sistas , amplifying real experiences and honest conversations about work, ambition, and identity. We also published Build Your Table , Beverly Vanterpool’s book for anyone who has ever felt that traditional systems were not built with them in mind. Now, we’re expanding that mission even further with Build Your Power , a careers magazine designed to reach an designed to welcome an even broader community of professionals and entrepreneurs. Together, these platforms reflect our commitment to elevating voices, widening access, and helping every individual rise with purpose.
04
Editor’s Letter
Build Your Power was created to amplify the wisdom, stories, and insights that so many of you (especially women of colour) have generously shared with me and with our wider community. Time and again, I have been inspired by your resilience, your brilliance, and your determination to carve out space in rooms not built with you in mind. This publication is a home for that energy. Whether you are just starting out in your career, looking to advance, preparing to pivot, or redefining what success looks like for you, we hope you find something here that supports, guides, and inspires you on your career journey. And as we look ahead, our vision is to build not just a magazine, but a movement. A growing ecosystem where those from underrepresented backgrounds and especially women of colour and beyond can learn from one another, collaborate, and shape the future of work on our own terms. Our goal is simple: to share meaningful content, spark collaboration, deepen connection, and create opportunities for learning, growth, and collective empowerment. I hope you enjoy this first issue and feel the intention woven through every page. And as always, I’d love to hear what more you want to see. If something here resonates with you, please share it with a friend, colleague, or someone who needs a reminder of their own power.
WELCOME TO THE BUILD YOUR POWER MAGAZINE
Welcome to the very first issue of Build Your Power. Launching this magazine feels like a natural extension of the work I have been doing as the author of Build Your Table, the host of Stories by the Career Sistas, and the founder of Career Sistas. Additionally, even before this phase across my corporate career and entrepreneurial journey, one thread has remained constant: a deep commitment to sharing knowledge, elevating overlooked voices, and ensuring that people from underrepresented backgrounds are truly seen.
This magazine is another step on that path.
Here’s to building - together.
Beverly Vanterpool
05
April 2026
You Don’t Have to Shout: 7 Personal Branding Strategies for the Quietly Ambitious Unlocking career growth without being the loudest in the room, featuring insights from the Stories by Career Sistas podcast.
In a professional landscape that is constantly vying for our attention, standing out can feel like an exhausting uphill battle. For those from underrepresented groups navigating their careers in both corporate and entrepreneurial spaces, the stakes of personal branding are often higher, and the pressure to be "visible" can feel overwhelming.
In recent episodes of the Stories by Career Sistas podcast, host Beverly Vanterpool sat down with two powerhouse guests: Kanika Bailey (Episode 17), a US-based tech enthusiast and romance author, and Ronke Lawal (Episode 24), a UK-based PR consultant and branding coach. Together, they dismantled the myth that you need an extroverted, larger-than-life personality to succeed. Here are seven essential personal branding tips for the quietly ambitious, curated from their conversations.
But does building a brand mean you have to be the loudest person in the room? Absolutely not.
Ronke Lawal
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1. Let Your Headline Speak When You Can't You don't need to be online 24/7 to make an impact. Kanika Bailey, who successfully pivoted her career into technology, emphasized the power of a specific LinkedIn headline.
Kanika Bailey
The Takeaway: Curate your profile to target the exact opportunities you want. A crisp, bold headline speaks for you when you are not in the room.
She updated hers to read "Microsoft Dynamics enthusiast" simply because she considered herself a "Microsoft girly" and saw someone else use a similar tag. The result? Her profile began working for her even when she was not physically online. "My last few jobs, they've all reached out to me from LinkedIn, so I didn't have to actually apply," Bailey revealed. 2. You Can Whisper, As Long as You Show Up A common misconception is that personal branding requires you to have a huge personality or be a bold leader from day one, Ronke Lawal challenges this entirely. "I always say to clients, you can whisper. But just keep showing up," Lawal advised. You don't need to shout. You can show up through consistent, quieter methods like writing blogs, crafting thoughtful LinkedIn captions, or curating a newsletter.
The Takeaway : Consistency beats volume. Whether you are an introvert or simply busy, find a medium that feels authentic to you and stick to it. 3. Flip the Script on Networking (The Introvert’s Hack) Networking can be draining, particularly for those who identify as introverts. Bailey, who described herself as a "shy child" who grew up with her nose in a book, found a brilliant hack: become the speaker. The Takeaway: Move beyond your job title. Identify the specific value you add to your industry so
that your name becomes synonymous with results.
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6. Invest in the "Messy Middle” We often celebrate the start of a career pivot and the successful end result, but we ignore the middle. Lawal reminds us that transitions require real investment, not just dreams. "The middle requires investment. It requires financial investment... It requires social investment," Lawal notes. This means dedicating time to build new relationships, spending money on workshops, or sacrificing leisure time to learn a new skill. The Takeaway: Be realistic about the cost of your ambition. Whether it is the financial cost of a course or the social cost of networking, be willing to pay the price for your transformation. 7. Write the Story You Want to Read Finally, when you are struggling to make a bold move or feeling stuck, project yourself to the very end. Lawal offers a profound "legacy test" for decision-making. "On their final day... would they be happy to read that story back to themselves?" Lawal asks. Life allows us to edit our stories, rip out pages, and start again. The goal is not to be famous, but to be "well regarded and honoured" for the work you did. The Takeaway: Do not let fear of failure stop you. As Bailey echoed in her episode, "The world will not end because you get laid off... Go explore and see what you can do next".
“If I want to meet people more organically, I will apply to present a session," Bailey explained. By positioning herself as the expert on stage, she avoids the awkwardness of "holding a drink" and trying to break into circles. Instead, people approach her with questions, allowing for the "smaller group intense, intentional conversations" that introverts prefer. The Takeaway: If small talk drains you, change the dynamic. Public speaking establishes your expertise and allows others to come to you. 4. Be the Solution to a Business Problem Lawal defines personal branding simply: "It’s how you want people to talk about you... when you’re not in the room". But for the ambitious professional, she takes it a step further. When stakeholders think of your name, you want to be identified as "the solution to a professional business problem". 5. Root Your Presence in Your Values For women of colour, executive presence is often critiqued through the lens of bias. Lawal acknowledges this reality, noting that "there will always be... a perception about Black women and women of colour.” To combat this without burning out, Lawal suggests rooting your presence in your core principles. "What are your values as a leader?" she asks. When you are clear on your principles, you can walk in your power and drive change without trying to force respect from others. The Takeaway : Authentic presence comes from internal clarity. Know what you stand for and what you are not willing to compromise on.
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7 Personal Branding Strategies for the Quietly Ambitious
1. Let Your Headline Speak When You Can't
Curate your profile to target the exact opportunities you want.
2. You Can Whisper, As Long as You Show Up
You don't need to shout. You can show up through consistent, quieter methods.
3. Flip the Script on Networking (The Introvert’s Hack)
If small talk drains you, change the dynamic.
You want to be identified as "the solution to a professional business problem".
4. Be the Solution to a Business Problem
Authentic presence comes from internal clarity
5. Root Your Presence in Your Values
Transitions require real investment, not just dreams.
6. Invest in the "Messy Middle”
When you are struggling to make a bold move or feeling stuck, project yourself to the very end.
7. Write the Story You Want to Read
For more inspiring conversations and practical career strategies, listen to the Stories by Career Sistas podcast hosted by Beverly Vanterpool.
About Kanika Bailey Kanika Bailey is a Tech Enthusiast and Romance Author based in the US. Find out more at this link . About Ronke Lawal Ronke Lawal is a PR & Comms Consultant and Personal Branding Coach based in the UK. Find out more about her at ronkelawal.com.
Catch Kanika Bailey in Episode 17 and Ronke Lawal in Episode 24.
Available now on all major podcast platforms and via the website below:
www.careersistas.com
Build Your Power | April 2026
09
Progression Isn’t Just a Moment, It’s a Marathon
The strategic plan for long-term career success: Master the four essential pillars: Knowledge & Experience, Community, Opportunity, and Visibility, to position yourself for promotion
Spotlight on the Community Pillar Careers don’t grow in isolation. Mentors, sponsors, peers, and advocates all play a critical role in progression. Community provides perspective, guidance, and crucially, people who speak your name in rooms you’re not in. Career progression is often thought of as a single moment: a role opens, a decision is made, a title changes. In reality, career progression is a marathon, built through consistent, intentional effort over time. The key to moving forward? Four essential pillars: Knowledge and Experience, Community, Opportunity, and Visibility. Together, they explain why some careers thrive while others plateau, even when performance is strong.
Beverly Vanterepool
Developing
relationships
beyond
your
immediate role Seeking mentors who can offer perspective and challenge your thinking Finding sponsors who are willing to speak about your potential when you’re not in the room For many, especially those who have felt like outsiders in traditional career spaces, community can be the difference between being overlooked and being supported. Promotion, then, isn’t just about being good at your job. It’s about building a strong, stable network, one that can support long- term growth.
Ask yourself: who knows my ambitions, and who would advocate for me?
Behind most promotions is a network of people: mentors who advise, sponsors who advocate, and colleagues who collaborate and vouch for your impact. Building community means:
Developing
relationships
beyond
your
immediate role Seeking mentors who can offer perspective and challenge your thinking.
Build Your Power | April 2026
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Spotlight on the Visibility Pillar Being great at your job and having a strong community are essential, but if no one knows about your contributions, your career can plateau. Visibility is about making your work, your skills, and your ambitions known in ways that are authentic and strategic. Ask yourself: How often do the people who make promotion decisions see the impact of your work? Are you creating opportunities to be recognised for your achievements? Building visibility means: Sharing your accomplishments; document and communicate key wins, whether in meetings, via project updates, or on professional platforms like LinkedIn Taking on high-profile projects; volunteer for initiatives where your skills can shine in front of decision-makers Using your voice in meetings and groups; even small contributions in discussions show engagement and thought leadership Supporting others publicly; celebrating colleagues’ successes not only builds goodwill but also demonstrates your leadership qualities. For many professionals, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, creating visibility can feel uncomfortable or even risky. But consistently demonstrating your value ensures that when opportunities arise, your name is the one that comes to mind. Visibility, like community, isn’t about self-promotion for its own sake, it’s about making sure the people who can support your growth see the real value you
bring. Combine it with strong networks, and you turn potential into tangible progress.
The 4 pillars: Knowledge & Experience, Community, Visibility and Opportunity
What Can I Do? Practical Actions You Can Take Today Tell one person what you’re working towards. Have a brief conversation or send a message to someone you trust; your manager, a senior colleague, or a peer and say. “I’m keen to progress into [next role/area]. I’d really value your perspective on what I should focus on.” Promotion starts when your ambition is known, and when others can connect you to the right advice, opportunities, and people. Take the Career Pillars Quiz: This short quiz on page 13 helps you assess the strength of the four essential pillars supporting your career table: Knowledge and Experience Community (including networking) Opportunity (including sponsorship) Visibility (including managing your personal brand) Understanding which pillar needs attention helps you invest your time where it will have the greatest impact.
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Build Your Power | April 2026
This Week
Career progression is rarely accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate investment in your skills, your relationships, your opportunities, and your visibility. When you strengthen each pillar consistently, you stop waiting to be noticed and start positioning yourself to be recognised. Careers are not built in a single breakthrough moment, but in the quiet, intentional actions taken every day. The marathon rewards those who prepare for it. The question is not whether an opportunity will come, it’s whether you will be ready when it does.
Strengthen one relationship beyond your immediate role. Schedule a coffee chat or virtual catch-up with someone outside your direct team, ideally someone whose work you admire or who has insight into areas you’d like to grow into
This Month
Identify and approach a potential mentor or sponsor. Ask for a short conversation focused on learning, development, and visibility, not job titles.
This Year
Become visible in a community that matters. Join and actively contribute to a mentoring circle, employee network, or cross-functional initiative. Aim for consistent participation rather than one-off attendance.
Build Your Table Build the Career You Deserve.
A practical guide for professionals ready to build their careers . Build Your Table gives you the frameworks, tools, and strategies to navigate your career with confidence. Already transforming careers across industries. And the reviews speak for themselves.
See what readers are saying: Build Your Table Reviews
Get your copy today and start building your path forward.
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1. Knowledge & Experience: I regularly develop my skills and seek continuous learning relevant to my field (e.g. courses, certifications, or new technologies like AI). 2. Knowledge & Experience: I intentionally seek out opportunities to gain practical experience, such as through special projects or volunteering, even if they are outside my day-to-day role. 3. Community (including Networking) : I regularly dedicate time to networking and having one-to- one discussions to strengthen my professional connections. 4. Community (including Networking) : I have a trusted 'inner circle' or community that I rely on for honest career advice and perspective. 5. Opportunity (including Sponsorship) : I actively work to identify and build relationships with sponsors who have the power to advocate for my advancement. 6. Opportunity (including Sponsorship): When a high-profile assignment or opportunity arises, I proactively put myself forward to seize it. 7. Visibility (including Personal Brand ): I ensure key decision-makers (e.g. leaders or sponsors) are clearly and consistently aware of my professional aspirations and career goals. 8. Visibility (including Personal Brand ): I have defined my personal brand, and my professional profiles (e.g. LinkedIn) consistently reflect my desired reputation and strengths Track your answers as to whether YES - you do it consistently, NO - you don’t do it, or SOMETIMES - you do it occasionally. The strength of your career, like a solid table, depends on Four Pillars: Knowledge & Experience, Community, Opportunity, and Visibility. To truly thrive, you must focus on what is within your control and your sphere of influence. This simple quiz is designed to provide an overall view of readiness for career success based on the combined core components necessary to Build Your Table. It considers the stability of the Four Pillars supporting career success - Knowledge and Experience, Community, Opportunity, and Visibility as outlined in the book, Build Your Table by Beverly Vanterpool. Quiz - How Career ready are you?
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Build Your Power | April 2026
How to Count your Points Yes - 3 points Sometimes - 2 points No - 0 points
The results! 18+ Points - Strong Foundation: Your Table is Stable You are intentional about managing your career and leveraging key resources for success. Direct your energy toward growth opportunities and continuous development. 7 - 18 Points - Developing Stability: Your Table Needs Work. You have some legs in place, but gaps in one or more areas (Knowledge and Experience, Community, Opportunity, or Visibility) may be holding you back. Focus on identifying where you can be more intentional. 6 > points - Wobbly Base: Your Table Needs Immediate Attention. You are likely relying on hard work alone, which is insufficient for success in complex environments. You need to focus on assessing which areas need work and building upon these fundamental pillars to achieve career success.
IF YOU PREFER TO DO THIS QUIZ ONLINE, CHECK OUT OUR GOOGLE FORMS VERSION AT THE LINK BELOW. CAREER READINESS TASTER QUIZ
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Build Your Power | April 2026
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The Art of Networking: Insights from Three Entrepreneurs The Power of Networking: Insights from Three Inspiring Entrepreneurs
Networking often gets a reputation as a superficial activity, a quick exchange of business cards or LinkedIn connections. But for these three dynamic entrepreneurs, networking is far more profound. It is about building relationships, unlocking opportunities and fostering community. Let’s explore the stories and advice of three powerful women who have mastered the art of networking: Selina Thompson, Vanessa Sanyauke and Vishaka Agarwal.
Selina Thompson: Redefining Digital Transformation Through Networking
Selina Thompson’s move from London to the Netherlands illustrates how intentional networking can drive career transformation. As the founder of Forward Transformation, she helps organisations navigate change and digital adoption. In one recent engagement, she supported a global technology company in streamlining its sales and customer ‑ relationship ‑ management systems, improving cross ‑ team collaboration and the customer experience, demonstrating the impact of her work. Arriving just before the pandemic, Selina needed to build her network from the ground up. With no local contacts, she committed to a relationship ‑ first approach, focusing on communities aligned with her values and expertise.
Selina Thompson
Amsterdam, international keynote speaking engagements and long term business partnerships. For Selina, networking is not transactional. It is about building meaningful relationships that support long ‑ term goals. She prioritises curiosity, value ‑ adding conversations, and genuine connection rather than expecting quick results. Her approach is strategy ‑ led and grounded in the belief that the strongest networks grow steadily over time. Build Your Power | April 2026
What followed was a series of impressive milestones, including building visibility in
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Selina’s Top Tips for Networking Start with a clear vision. Networking has more impact when aligned with your long ‑ term direction. Lead with authenticity. Not every connection needs to convert to a result and that’s perfectly fine. Use technology intentionally. Digital platforms can amplify your reach; tools like LinkedIn, online communities, and virtual events help you stay visible, build on relationships, and connect across borders. Nurture relationships. Follow up, add value where you can, and build gradually. Be intentional about your community. Surround yourself with people who share your mission, values, and momentum. Selina’s experience demonstrates that thoughtful networking not only opens doors you may never have anticipated, but also strengthens the communities you belong to.
brands. One of her standout initiatives, the Black Girls Tech Summit, has grown into one of the largest networks for Black women in technology, with a focus on skills development, leadership growth, and access to new opportunities. For Vanessa, networking is more than professional advancement, it is a lifeline. As a solo founder, she has faced challenges ranging from the isolation of entrepreneurship to the complexities of scaling a growing organisation.
Vanessa Sanyauke
“Networking isn't about asking for something and expecting it instantly. It's a conversation, you nurture it over time.” - SelinaThompson
She reflects: “That’s been really integral in terms of getting feedback, getting people to open those doors… especially when you are a solo founder, it can be quite isolated. You don't have someone to bounce ideas off and no person is an island.” She credits her success to a strong network of mentors, champions, and peers who have supported her throughout her journey.
Vanessa Sanyauke: Empowering Women Through Networking Vanessa Sanyauke, founder of Girls Talk and the Black Girls Tech Summit, understands first-hand the power of networking in building both business and community. Since 2013, Vanessa has been committed to empowering women, particularly those from underrepresented groups, by connecting them with opportunities, mentors and
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Vanessa’s Insights on Networking
By embracing these elements, she expanded her professional confidence and positioned the business for long-term growth and influence.
Build a community, not just a network . Surround yourself with people who genuinely care about your mission and who will advocate for you. Mentorship is invaluable . Seek mentors who can guide you, particularly during challenging periods. Embrace resilience. Entrepreneurship includes setbacks, but a strong network can help you recover and move forward. Diversity matters . A diverse network leads to broader opportunities, and fostering inclusivity benefits everyone. Vanessa’s ability to create meaningful connections shows that networking is not solely about personal advancement. It is about building a support system that enables both you and others to thrive.
Vishaka Agarwaal
Vishaka Agarwal: From Introvert to Networking Professional
Through persistence and resilience, she built a thriving enterprise and discovered that networking was far more than simply meeting people.
Vishaka Agarwal’s journey into entrepreneurship began as a personal challenge. As a self- described introvert, stepping into the spotlight did not come naturally. Yet what began as a stretch beyond her comfort zone became the foundation of a remarkable entrepreneurial path. Today, she has successfully scaled her social enterprise, Tea People, alongside her husband and co-founder, building a purpose-driven brand that delivers both commercial success and meaningful community impact. Early on, Vishaka recognised that sustainable business growth required more than a strong product and vision. It required visibility, relationship building and strategic networking.
“I think it’s very important to be able to meet people, seek help and talk to a lot of people. There are so many interesting people and so much help available in the world around.” - Vishaka Agarwal
For her, meaningful connection became a key driver of opportunity, learning and support.
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Despite challenges including failed ventures and moments of self-doubt, Vishaka credits networking and community as central to her success. Equally important, she emphasises the value of patience and persistence, noting that progress often comes gradually. “The other thing is be patient, be persistent,” she says, a reminder that building a business is rarely an overnight achievement. Vishaka’s Networking Philosophy Do not be afraid to ask for help. The world is full of resources and support if you are willing to reach out. Be patient and persistent. Business success rarely happens overnight. Resilience is essential during difficult periods. Follow your passion . Passion sustains motivation and keeps you aligned with your goals. Step outside your comfort zone . Whether
For more inspiring conversations and practical career strategies, listen to the Stories by Career Sistas podcast hosted by Beverly Vanterpool. Catch Selina Thompson in Episode 3, Vanessa Sanyauke in Episode 5 and Vishaka Agarwal in Episode 18.
Available now on all major podcast platforms and via the website below:
www.careersistas.com
About Selina Thompson Selina Thompson is the Founder of Forward Transformation and Digital Adoption Consultant. Find out more about her at this link. About Vanessa Sanyauke Vanessa Sanyauke is a Founder of The Hill and Girls Talk. Find out more about her at this link. About Vishaka Agarwal Vishaka Agarwal is Social Entrepreneur and Master Blender and Co-Founder of Tea People. Find out more about her at this link.
introvert or extrovert, the willingness to connect with others is vital for growth.
Conclusion: Networking as a Lifeline The stories of Selina, Vanessa and Vishaka demonstrate that networking is not merely a business tool. It is a fundamental component of personal and professional development. Whether establishing yourself in a new country, building a purpose led community or stretching beyond your comfort zone, networking can support the achievement of your ambitions. When approached with intention, authenticity and patience, networking enables the formation of lasting relationships and opens doors you may not have imagined possible.
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Build Your Power: The Corporate Leader Who Pivoted to Build a Global Brand
Melesia Adderley
Introduction In the world of entrepreneurship, Melesia Adderley is a force of nature. A night owl founder with an ambitious work ethic who embodies the very spirit of building your own power. Stepping away from a robust corporate career in 2017, the Cayman Islands-based CEO and Board Director didn’t just start a company; she constructed a real business with real infrastructure—from manufacturing and supply chains to governance and distribution. Her venture, Women’s Haven®, is now the Caribbean's first female-owned organic feminine care brand of its kind, operating across 15
countries with products in over 100 retail stores. The journey from a simple idea to a global, mission- driven enterprise that has sold over 3 million products is a masterclass in resilience, empowerment, and seizing control of one’s destiny. The Power of the Personal Pivot Melesia’s idea for Women’s Haven® didn’t begin with a business plan; it was born from a frustrating, personal health journey. Recognising a significant gap in access, education, and affordable, safe products, she saw that women across the Caribbean were "normalizing discomfort”, pain and health" due to toxic ingredients in conventional feminine hygiene brands. Build Your Power | April 2026
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She realized the power lay not just in selling better products, but in building trust, relevance, and education. Backed by a Master of Science in Organizational Learning & Leadership, Melesia approached her company as an educator first. “All I can do is educate,” she explains. This philosophy of knowledge over sales became the foundational blueprint for Women’s Haven's scale and is a powerful lesson in making your brand synonymous with competence. The Endurance of Scalable Systems Ask Melesia for one word to describe her work ethic, and she won't hesitate: “Ambitious.” This ambition was critical because her business model required high upfront capital, long lead times, and entry into highly complex supply chains, all without traditional funding. She details the harsh reality of being a Black female entrepreneur in the region: “I don’t have investment... It’s just me using all of my personal money, taking a gamble with my life to start this business.” For years, she and her team had to pull their own funds together. Her advice on overcoming this hurdle is grounded in strategic endurance: "We may not drop in our lap the million dollars that we hope to invest... but a lot of the times, if you are creative, if you work within your community, you could often find a path to step forward, even if it’s not the giant leap that you might have imagined." Her philosophy; the Brick by Brick approach, is her guiding principle for building power. "Build women one brick at a time. Eventually, you’ll have a wall, you’re gonna have a house, you put
your roof on, you can have a mansion."
Building Power Through Shared Influence. “We have CEOs of Women’s Haven in each respective country... They get exclusive rights to the Women’s Haven brand in their respective country.” These women, all taking a risk on the mission, earn and retain 100% of their profits. Melesia actively encourages and celebrates their success: "When I see my distributors doing better than me, that makes me feel so good... that’s what this is about, building a table for us because no one’s inviting us and allowing us on their table. I built my own table.” She leverages her position not just for profit, but for influence, serving on boards and contributing to policy on small-business advocacy and workforce planning. The Superpower: Wisdom and Mindset When asked what superpower she would choose to help her career, her answer was simple and profound: wisdom. It's this intentional mindset that she urges all entrepreneurs to adopt. She cautions against the glamour of the journey: “Your efforts will go unnoticed... be okay. No one said that to me...
Success rarely looks impressive at the very beginning to anybody who’s looking in on your business.” - Melesia Adderley
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“Entrepreneurship to me is not about talent, it’s more about endurance. If you’re worried about the cost of going for it, just consider the price of staying exactly where you are. Your mindset is the software for your mind. It runs your life. Upgrade it.” - Melesia Adderley Melesia’s final piece of advice to women starting out is a powerful call to action to seize control of your own narrative:
For more inspiring conversations and practical career strategies, listen to the Stories by Career Sistas podcast hosted by Beverly Vanterpool.
Catch Melesia Adderley in Episodes 32 and 33.
Available now on all major podcast platforms and via the website below:
www.careersistas.com
About Melesia Adderley Melesia Adderley is the Founder and President of Women’s Haven, a health and wellness brand based in the Caribbean. Find more information about her at this linktree .
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BUILD Business Directory Businesses United for Inclusion, Leadership & Diversity: The Essential Business Directory to help you Build Your Power.
Qube Catalyst Technology & Digital
Bedfordshire, UK 🌐 qubecatalyst.com
📧 pearlo@qubecatalyst.com 🔗 linkedin.com/in/pearl-oguchi
Delivery Model :Online
About: Qube Catalyst is an independent delivery partner for non-technical founders and agencies building software. We provide experienced, independent clarity before scope is approved, builds are signed off, or products are launched. We assess what’s ready, what isn’t, and where risk sits — so decisions are deliberate, not reassurance-driven. We don’t replace developers. We help decision-makers see clearly, reduce hidden risk, and move forward with confidence
The Vonnie & Ollie Agency Professional and Business Services Nashville, TN, US 🌐 www.vonnieollieagency.com 📧 VonnieOllieAgency@gmail.com 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-jackson/
Delivery Model: Online
About: The Vonnie & Ollie Agency is a full-service book marketing consultancy serving traditionally published and self-published authors across genres — from mainstream fiction to multicultural and faith-based markets. We craft bold, tailored campaigns that build powerful author brands, drive pre-order sales, launch new titles, and revitalize backlist books. Our goal is simple: unleash your book's potential so you can focus on what you do best — sharing your story.
Build Your Power | April 2026
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Forward Transformation Technology & Digital, Education, Training & Coaching
Rotterdam, Netherlands 🌐 www.forwardtransformationchange.com/ 🔗 linktr.ee/ftdigitalppl
Delivery Model: Hybrid
About: Forward Transformation is a digital adoption consultancy helping individuals and organisations confidently navigate and embrace digital tools and technologies. Founded by Selina, we support clients in building the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an increasingly AI-enabled world. Our tailored approach bridges the gap between technology and the people who use it, empowering lasting change. We serve Business Leaders, Learning & Development teams, and Entrepreneurs — online and hybrid.
📇 Add Your Listing to a Future Directory Each issue of Build Your Power includes two community directories designed to help readers discover inclusive businesses and trusted career support:
• Business Directory For founders and businesses across industries.
• Coaches Directory For career, leadership, and executive coaches, as well as practitioners supporting professional growth. If you’d like to be included in a future issue, you can submit your details through the forms on our website. Basic listings are free, with standard and enhanced options available at a nominal cost for those who want additional visibility. Directory spaces are offered based on capacity for each issue, and we welcome submissions from across our community. To apply, visit the directory section on our website and complete the relevant submission form. Build Your Power Directories
We look forward to including more brilliant businesses and coaches in future editions.
Build Your Power | April 2026
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Imiebi Rose Limited Professional and Business Services, Media, Creative & Marketing, Social Impact & Community Essex, UK 🌐 https://mrskrose.com/ 📧 rosemaryaugustinek@gmail.com 🔗 https://www.instagram.com/mrskrose
Delivery Model: Online/Hybrid
About: Author, Speaker and Book Publisher. Offering Coaching for writers and custom packages for those who would like to publish and promote their book. As this work is done online, target market is global. This year will be my 10th year in business.
Women’s Haven® Health, Wellness & Beauty, Technology & Digital, Industry, Trade & Logistics
Delivery Model: Online/in person
About: Women’s Haven® is the first Caribbean-born, female-led organic feminine care brand founded in the Cayman Islands. With education at its core, the company provides certified toxin-free menstrual and intimate wellness products while advancing menstrual health awareness and access across 15+ countries. Through retail partnerships, distribution networks and community initiatives, Women’s Haven® is raising the standard of menstrual care across the region.
Cayman Islands 🌐 www.womenshaven.com 📧 info@womenshaven.com 🔗 @thewomenshaven - Instagram
Delivery Model: Online/Hybrid/In Person
Victorious Living Foundation Health, Wellness & Beauty, Education, Training & Coaching, Social Impact & Community Philipsburg, St. Maarten 🌐 www.victoriouslivingfoundation.com 📧 dr.nfranciscotton@victoriouslivingfoundation .com 📱 +1-721-524-8731
About: "People who encounter Victorious Living Foundation are never the same again. Since 2002, rooted in St. Maarten and reaching across the Caribbean and beyond, we transform individuals, couples, families, and communities — not with temporary fixes, but through deep inner healing and lasting personal, corporate, and community transformation. Our trauma-informed, culturally and spiritually sensitive approach brings enlightenment, empowerment, and wholeness. As a non-profit, we offer need-based support — because transformational healing should never be out of reach."
Build Your Power | April 2026
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CS ARCHI + DESIGN Ltd Property, Home & Real Estate
Delivery Model: Online
About: CS Archi + Design is a design-led architectural and property consultancy supporting practices, developers and investors. The business provides architectural design, planning strategy and development advice, bridging creative design with commercial property thinking. Alongside consultancy, the business is building a portfolio of buy-to-let and HMO investments with a focus on well- designed, high-performing residential spaces. CS Archi + Design also offers mentoring, speaking and insights on architecture, property and development.
London, UK 📧 csarchitectureltd@gmail.com 🔗 www.linkedin.com/in/charlotteshields
Innovation Law Limited Finance & Legal
Delivery Model: Hybrid
About: At Innovation Law, we provide legal advice and business consultancy for SMEs. This includes company set up (England and Wales), website terms, data protection compliance and contracts. Where you need other legal services, we bring in expert consultants. We also leverage our network to provide introductory services where requested and appropriate.
London, UK 🌐 www.innovation-law.co.uk 📧 Sharon_zachariah@innovation-law.co.uk
Garble Education, Training & Coaching
Delivery Model: Online, Hybrid
About: Garble’s founder, Heather Wallerson Krog, offers Psychologically Safe and Culturally Sensitive Goal Attainment Coaching. Clients gain insight from Heather’s 20+ years of experience with studying, working, and living abroad. Clients also benefit from her relentless focus on teaching and learning about Work/Life Balance, as a Guyanese-American living in Denmark. In a safe and authentic coaching conversation, coachees become energized by co- creating strategies to reduce the mental strain of studying and living abroad.
Copenhagen, Denmark 🌐 www.garble.dk 📧 Heather@garble.dk
Build Your Power | April 2026
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LYC Health, Wellness & Beauty, Education, Training & Coaching, Travel, Events & Lifestyle UK 📧 louiseculyer@outlook.com 🔗 @louiseculyer - Instagram/Linkedin 📱 +44 7778755622
Delivery Model: Online
About: A coaching business that helps high-achieving professionals improve their confidence, health, and overall wellbeing so they can perform at a high level without burning out. It combines mindset coaching with practical guidance around fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle habits to create lasting personal change. A travel business that helps people create more freedom in their lives by building income through the travel industry and accessing global travel opportunities. It focuses on helping individuals design a lifestyle with greater flexibility, independence, and the ability to work and live from anywhere.
Disclaimer: The businesses listed in this directory have provided their own information for inclusion. While we aim to avoid featuring organisations that appear fraudulent, we do not conduct independent checks or due diligence. Please review and assess any business with the same care you would use when engaging with organisations online. Inclusion in this directory does not constitute an endorsement, and any agreements, payments, or arrangements are solely between you and the listed business. Each organisation is responsible for the accuracy of the information they submit.
Build Your Power | April 2026
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From Participant to Architect: Women, Power, and Entrepreneurship Exploring how visibility, funding, and digital access shape women’s entrepreneurial journeys – and what it takes for women to move from simply navigating the economy to actively redesigning it for themselves and others.
Recently, I joined a global conversation on women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, hosted as a parallel event under the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women as a virtual participant from the UK.
Those conversations, my experiences, and my own discussions with professional women of colour, sparked this reflection on what it really means for women to shape not just survive the economy. Visibility: when women are seen, others step forward Everywhere, the pattern is the same: “When women start and grow businesses, economies shift. But it is not just GDP that moves.”
Visibility, influence, and representation move too.
Women entrepreneurs become more than business owners; they become agents of social transformation. When women are visible as founders and leaders, they send a powerful signal. That visibility is especially critical for women of colour and anyone who has rarely seen themselves represented at the top of organisations. A visible founder can be the difference between “people like me don’t do that” and “maybe I can,.” serving as role models and inspiration for the next generation.
Listening to women entrepreneurs, academics, and ecosystem builders from different countries, one idea came through clearly and powerfully: We cannot only be quiet participants in existing economic systems; we need to be architects of them.
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Technology: access or another layer of exclusion? In those global discussions, digital transformation came up repeatedly. On one hand, technology has opened markets and information in ways that were unimaginable a generation ago. Women can now: Sell to customers around the world from their living rooms Learn new skills and access expertise online Use digital tools to manage and scale their businesses Build networks and collaborators across the world On the other hand, many women are still invisible in the digital economy particularly in rural communities, informal work, and micro- businesses. They may lack: Reliable internet access and devices Digital skills and confidence The time, money, and support to get online and stay there
Funding: Women, and especially women of colour, receive a tiny fraction of available investment and lending. Brilliant ideas stall because the money never reaches them. Networks: Opportunities still move through closed circles. If you are not “in the room” or in the online group you may never hear about the deal, the grant, or the partnership. Confidence : It is tempting to frame this purely as a personal issue, but confidence is shaped by years of working in systems that question, minimise or appropriate women’s ideas. “The issue is not a shortage of ambition or creativity. The issue is the infrastructure (or lack of it) around women’s ambition.”
Technology should be a bridge, not a barrier.
If we are serious about women as economic architects, digital access, skills, and safety must be part of the conversation, not an afterthought.
The familiar barriers: funding, networks, confidence Across regions and sectors, the same obstacles kept surfacing, echoing what many of us already know:
From system user to system shaper So, what does it mean, in practical terms, to be an architect rather than just a participant? It won’t look the same for everyone, but it might include:
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