“To fail simply means, to me, first attempt in learning.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I have found myself with a great passion for the beauty industry and making others feel more confident in themselves. Especially with semipermanent makeup for the ladies who have lost their eyebrows over time; some of the reactions after treatment truly are amazing and make it worth while.
During the pandemic and my business being hit drastically, I then started a few other projects to keep myself busy, but to also connect with other women. I started a Facebook group for women wanting to grow in their careers or run their own business to connect and network. There are a few groups online already; however, I found them filled with a lot of spam and very hard to find value in most of the posts. So, I set out to fill the group with educational posts.
My aim was to inspire, motivate, and educate. Around this same idea, I have also cowritten a book. Me and my team want to release a series of books aimed toward women in business. This first one is to help women grow their leadership skills.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Growing up, I was always fairly good at school; I tested well and I never failed any class, but I knew I lacked the motivation to continue with academic education.
I always knew deep down I needed to work for myself, but the ’system’ always wanted the student to go to university/college and aim toward an academic education.
I went back to education a little later in life, around 23 years old. I did open university, which is online based, to pursue a psychology degree; however, I again dropped out after the first year knowing it wasn’t for me.
I couldn’t see a future in working for anyone else. Which then whilst working part-time in a job I hated, I stumbled into beauty treatments, which made me money fast, and I loved my clients. I’m lucky to call many of them friends now. I found a passion in making them feel great. Which makes me feel valued.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: After speaking to many many women, one of the main topics was they are scared of failure. Which really upsets me!
As children, we are always finding our way and never get it right the first time! Why is it we’re expected now as adults to be perfect [the] first time. We never stop learning, which means we will never stop making mistakes!
Some of my biggest breakthroughs were learning from mistakes! We throw around the saying “learn from your mistakes,” but I don’t think people truly resonate with this. To fail simply means, to me, first attempt in learning.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: I want equality for women in business. Only 7% of CEOs are women. Only 17% of the new businesses set up in 2019 were by women.
Now, a lot of this can be reasoned to the inequality and subconscious biased that still exists against women, but it is also the consequences from the years of inequality women have had to face; most of us have lost the confidence.
So, I want to bring back that confidence for women. I think the pandemic has been profound for women who work full-time office-based jobs, since they were able to prove they can work effectively from home.
Which I think is incredible that now, finally, women are able to maybe manage that work/family life more and keep their careers instead of having to step down from their positions to start a family.
MORE FROM JEMMA: I love collaborating with other women and do believe that we need to work together if anyone resonates with this also, you can find me on:
We’re starting 2026 the right way! We’ve selected some of the best words of wisdom from a few of our past featured women from the 2025 Woman Wednesdays. Happy New Year, everyone! Let’s do our best to make it the best year yet!
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Joy from Ondo, Nigeria, says: “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life is to take charge of your own journey early on because you can’t always rely on others to help you.
“When you’re passionate about something especially if it’s a good and meaningful pursuit, give it your all. Invest your energy and effort to do it to the best of your ability.” Read full article here.
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Jen from Johannesburg, South Africa, says: “Family and upbringing shaped so much of what I do today. I personally experienced patterns of trauma, emotional suppression, and conditioning that kept me small. It took me years to realize that healing is not just about what happened to us – but about how our body and mind stored those experiences. That realization set me on the path I’m on today.
“You are not broken. You are operating from patterns of protection that your nervous system and subconscious mind created to keep you safe.” Read full article here.
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Jocelynn Mitchell from Hill Country, Texas, says: “I’ve learned that it is possible to make your dreams happen! I never imagined that I would be where I am today, but here I am, 15 years old with four published books! I want others to learn to believe in themselves because, if you put your mind to it, you can do it.” Read full article here.
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Vinti from India, living in San Diego, California, says: “Life is the most valuable thing we have. It is the root of everything, the chance to feel, to grow, to create, to love, and to be loved. We should cherish every moment we have with our loved ones and surround ourselves with people who care and uplift us. Stay humble and close to our roots.” Read full article here.
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Lucie from Quebec, Canada, living in Mexico says: “Your story is not over. In fact, the best chapters might still be ahead. I’ve learned that clarity and confidence can come at any age, but only when you give yourself permission to evolve.
“I want women to know they’re not behind—they’re just getting started.
“When we embrace our age as a superpower, we become unstoppable.” Read full article here.
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Joelee from Kingston, Jamaica says: “What I’ve learned is that consistent self work is the key to becoming your best self. Using your voice is how you change your life and create an impact. Creating your life vision and clarifying your “why” is how we truly life a happy life. And lastly, happiness is something that we create, craving out our happiness is a long-term goal that we should thrive to achieve.” Read full article here.
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Nadine fromthe beautiful island nation of Niue says: “I’d like to encourage others to explore and celebrate their own cultural roots. I also value one’s voice– speaking your truth and holding yourself accountable to what matters to you, regardless of what others think, is crucial.
“If you believe in yourself, nothing can change your mind, if it’s for the greater good. In this world where we self-sabotage and compare, it can be challenging to block out the negativity and stay true to who you are. There is power in knowing who you are. Seeking out what’s already yours, what is meant to be will find you, with the right conviction. Knowing self is knowing God.” Read full article here.
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Alisha from Dallas, Texas, says: “Obstacles aren’t stop signs; they’re detours that can build strength and wisdom if you don’t give up.
“I want others to take from my story that faith, persistence, and purpose-driven action can change the trajectory of your life.
“You don’t have to come from privilege to build a legacy; you need the courage to keep moving forward.” Read full article here.
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Sabrina from Oliver, British Columbia, Canada, says: “Growth begins when you commit to moving forward before everything feels perfect.
“It may sound counterintuitive to someone who builds systems, but iteration is part of reality.
“Holding out until version one feels flawless only makes it harder to reach version two, three, or four. That lesson was shaped and reinforced when I went back to school as an adult. It wasn’t about timing or convenience; it was simply about starting, and then starting again, until I reached the finish line.” Read full article here.
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Lychee from Brussels, Belgium, says: “I think one thing that I’ve learned is that whenever you think a story has ended, there is always a new beginning coming; it’s really just a matter of perspective.” Read full article here.
Tune in every Wednesday to read about a new featured woman!
Q and A with Maria T., Entrepreneur Coach, Philippines
“True abundance isn’t about what you have. It’s how comfortable you arebeing you, doing you, and staying you.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I love making the impossible possible—turning “crazy ideas” into reality.
Born into an entrepreneurial, immigrant Chinese family, I was wired into the “work hard, stay in your place, be practical” mentality.
Pictured: We had the “work hard” mentality, but humor was a big part of our lives! Here I am in my early twenties with my parents and siblings.
Anything outside the norm wasn’t accepted, and everything that had to do with dreaming differently wasn’t encouraged. Hobbies, passions, interests that didn’t result in direct payout/profit were kept as such. Little effort would be put into something “frivolous” like playing the piano or theater arts. As a result, I grew up with such a scarcity mindset and lots of self-limiting beliefs.
What’s curious though, I inherited my ancestors’ entrepreneurial skills and was making money from the age of 6 by buying and selling stationery and confectionary items, dried foods, and other things I could sell. Later, I was selling my services as a teacher and consultant. For someone so “young,” I had my choice of clients and was paid above the market rate.
Pictured: Me facilitating a communications workshop in Taipei, Taiwan.
But I felt something was missing. I needed to BE MORE and think beyond what to sell next and how to make more money. I talked to my mom about the meaning of life and she pretty much dismissed my question as something frivolous and overreaching. I can’t blame her though—she comes from a generation where having a white picket fence was the dream). After that talk, I went even deeper into depression. I was living my life void of any life. I would go from one task to the next and have no memory of doing so.
I was honestly contemplating to end my life, but something in me said: “I can’t give up on myself—life has got to be better than this.” I went full-on into exploring my spiritual gifts and somehow I embraced being an empath. When I talked to people, I just knew which buttons to push to help them talk about what really mattered to them. Today, I am able to combine that spiritual gift with my talent in teaching, consulting, and seeing the big picture.
I now coach “Misfits,” aka people who feel like they can’t conform to the norm and what’s expected of them, to turn their “deepest desires” and “crazy impossible dream” into reality. I help elevate their lives by guiding them in creating an eco-system around who they are and what they offer.
Q: What is something valuable you’ve learned that you’d like others to know?
A: True abundance isn’t about what you have. It’s how comfortable you are being you, doing you, and staying you.
I’ve made money from an extremely young age. In fact, making money comes easy to me because I’m good with people and I can sell lots of things. When I was selling my products and services to anyone who wanted to buy, I was working day and night. The money came in fast. But my scarcity mindset back then simply drove me to doing more and feeling disconnected with the part of me that knew I was meant for more.
I couldn’t enjoy the money I made and was so concerned about how other people saw me and my means. I made monetary decisions out of the fear that people would look down on me and think I couldn’t afford something. What should be a blessing became a burden. Only after I embraced my spiritual self and embodied a more abundant state of being did I fully appreciate life and find joy in my existence.
This may sound like a cliche, but the moment you embrace the totality of who you are, the money will come anyway. So be you, stay you, do you. There is no one like you and the moment you appreciate that about you, the rest of the world will!
Pictured: This was a big milestone in my life. Since 2013, I sat on different boards and committees of non-profit organizations (Rotary Club and the International Women’s Club). But nothing brought me more honor than being part of an education foundation in 2018. I was a recipient of scholarship since I was 11 until about my college years. To be part of this education foundation was me paying it forward.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: I was actually brought up in a matriarchal society. Even within my extended families, women are held in high regard. In fact, women can be so strong and as capable as the men in my family, but they wouldn’t be dressed down for “failure” as a male would.
When I left my home country (the Philippines) to pursue my tertiary education is when I saw the favorable treatment to men. I was harassed by a male professor and when I asked an administrator where I could file a complaint, I was strongly suggested not to. The reason was simply “You’re female and you’re from the Philippines. In this country, people listen to males, especially those that came from a developed country.”
I never felt more violated than the moment I heard that. And I vowed since then never to let my nationality or my gender get in the way of empowerment. Feminism, for me, isn’t about equal rights. It’s about mutual respect and compassion. That country had “equal rights” but the societal beliefs then were programmed against women.
The way I was brought up, women are heard. When a woman isn’t happy, the entire family walks on eggshells. Women are loved for being caring and nurturing, for thinking of everyone’s needs, and for being non-linear in their thinking. Women are respected because they make life easier.
That, for me, is feminism.
Connect with me! I’d love to chat with you!
Maria Tan is an Entrepreneur Coach for Misfits (people who don’t like to conform to the norm), Multipassionates (people who are extremely multifaceted and multitalented), and Millennials (people born between 1981-1996). She helps her clients create an eco-system around who they are and what they offer. She’s taught more than 1000 people from all over the world! Connect with her on her website (www.maria-tan.com).
We’re starting 2025 the right way! We’ve selected some of the best words of wisdom from a few of our past featured women from the 2024 Woman Wednesdays. Happy New Year, everyone! Let’s do our best to make it the best year yet!
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Lyudmyla from Ukraine says: “You’re one of a kind. Embrace everything that makes you, you. Your quirks, your dreams—they’re what make you special. Fear is okay; it’s a sign you’re growing. Don’t shy away from challenges; they’re stepping stones to something amazing. Be brave. Be you. Don’t follow the crowd if it doesn’t feel right. Be brave enough to be yourself, and amazing things will follow. You’ve got this! Your journey is yours, and it’s going to be amazing.” Read full article here.
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Iesha from Delaware, United States, says: “What I have learned through my journey through life is that as you keep going, you will come through on the other side and there’s life after.” Read full article here.
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Shannon from California, United States, says: “It’s a common assumption these days to feel burnt out and say you need to take a vacation. Or go to the spa, or go shopping, or treat yourself, or to do something relaxing. While traveling and these other things do help with self-discovery, they don’t help with healing, reprogramming the subconscious, or unlocking potential! Not to mention, there’s a whole world of self-development and spirituality accessible to us. Things like manifesting can be fun and life-changing!” Read full article here.
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Michelle from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, says: “Take chances and make mistakes! Lots of them. If you really feel for something, do it! Do it no matter how unlikely it may seem. Unlikely things can happen all the time. And like I tell my children every day: ‘You do you! Do not care about what others think.’ It’s our daily mantra. I wish someone had been whispering or shouting this in my ear when I was young and naive.” Read full article here.
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Philomena from Dublin, Ireland, says: “Once I got into personal development, things started shifting. I learned that I wasn’t powerless, and I didn’t have to wait around for life to change. I could take control of the narrative and create the life I actually wanted. It’s funny because once you start working on yourself, you realize just how much power you’ve been giving away. And here’s the thing: it’s not some overnight, magical transformation. It’s daily work.” Read full article here.
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Ginny from Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, says: “One of the main things I would say to people is to trust your own intuition; it is your compass that will help you through life, keeping you safe and leading you on your true path. I believe every one of us has a mission here, to be kind, compassionate, and to treat others how we would like to be treated ourselves. Once all of humanity starts to live like this, we will truly create the new earth. It is our destiny to make this world a better place for our children and grandchildren.” Read full article here.
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Valencia from Maryland, United States, says: “I’ve embraced the principle of trusting the process and resisting external pressures to conform to someone else’s expectations. Early on, I recognized that I may not resonate with everyone, and I’ve come to accept that as a natural part of life. Embracing my authentic self has become a paramount aspect of my identity, and I navigate life with the unwavering confidence to be true to who I am without hesitation.” Read full article here.
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Archie from Baguio City,Philippines, says: “One of the most valuable lessons life has taught me is the transformative power of resilience. In the face of adversity, it’s our ability to bounce back, learn, and adapt that defines our journey. Growing up in challenging circumstances, facing financial hardships, and the loss of my mother at a young age, I learned firsthand the importance of resilience. It’s not about avoiding difficulties but about navigating through them with determination and a positive mindset. I’d like others to understand that setbacks are not the end of the road but rather opportunities for growth. Every obstacle, every tough moment, is a chance to discover your inner strength and capabilities. Embracing challenges, rather than fearing them, can lead to personal and professional breakthroughs.” Read full article here.
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Maria from Bogota, Colombia, says: “I feel like the most valuable tool I have and what has helped me the most has been prayer/meditation. Being able to ask for divine guidance and really taking the time to listen will help you take the steps needed that are in alignment with your true purpose.”
“Remembering that we all put our pants the same way in the morning keeps me humble and grounded; it allows me to expand from a more authentic and empathic place, and to really take the time to listen to others…sometimes it’s important. To be of service is important. Walking without judgment is growth. Everyone is their own world, and oftentimes, we forget people are fighting battles we don’t know about. Being kind is important. A life of service is a life well-lived.” Read full article here.
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Dr. Satabdi from Assam, India, says: “Some life lessons that I learned: (a) Make yourself necessary and you will be needed. (b) Listen to advice from others, but never let others make decisions on your behalf. (c) Accept what you are, acknowledge your deficiencies, and try to be better. But never become someone else to gain acceptance in society as such fame is short-lived. (d) Never play the role of a victim; wake up and fight back. To fight back is the demand of the universe, even though people may call you the villain.” Read full article here.
Tune in every Wednesday to read about a new featured woman!
We’re starting 2024 the right way! We’ve selected some of the best words of wisdom from a few of our past featured women from the 2023 Woman Wednesdays. Happy New Year, everyone! Let’s do our best to make it the best year yet!
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Mary from the Philippines says, “Your story can be your most powerful tool. Everyone has their own fight, whether chronic diseases or not, personal or not personal, all of us have our own fight. If I have a chance to help you, that would be to teach you how to win your fight and turn it into a breakthrough. I have won five times against cancer, and I know cancer can start the fight again, but definitely, I’m the one who’s gonna end the fight.”
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Shivaun from Jamaica says, “Something valuable that I hold close to my heart is to walk in your own purpose and focus on your journey because God’s timing for everyone is different. Also, learn to celebrate the small wins and enjoy the journey to the next goal.”
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Shellece from Utah, United States, says, “When my babies were born, I stayed home with them and we had to live extremely frugally because we were living on less than $20,000 a year and my husband was still in school. As a matter of fact, I thought we were rich when my husband got a raise to $20,000 a year. I worked my tail end off doing meal planning, budgeting, sewing clothes for my girls, and taking the best pictures I could of my babies. I learned how to make bread to save money. We basically lived off of homemade bread, egg burritos, macaroni, and hot dogs for about four years. I felt like I was drowning and I was scrambling trying to think of ways to make some money on the side. I remember one week we had $16 for groceries. I had some food storage, so we made it work. I spent occasional weeknights drawing and painting when my girls were in bed and I had friends and family who paid me to paint custom portraits of their loved ones and I taught some art lessons. Other good friends paid me to do some photography for them. Those difficult few years were extremely stressful, but I gained some practical skills that I appreciate and use now.”
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Michelle from South Florida, United States, says, “You are enough. The “rules” you were taught are only your rules; no one else is going to follow them, so you might as well throw them right out the window. When I look back, believe me, I have a lot to look back on…I see a young person who was afraid to not follow the rules, this limited me and kept me from exploring all the things I could have. But obviously, my personality and confidence led me to push forward and break the rules. There were a couple of quotes that always rang true, “…leap and the net will appear…feel the fear and do it anyway.” At the time, I didn’t quite understand what they meant, but now I am much better at doing it and asking for forgiveness later. Whatever you think you want to do, do it.”
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Aja from Missouri, United States, says, “Growing up, I was the weirdo. Now, it’s a badge I wear proudly, but when you’re at an age where you’re learning who you are and want to be, not being like “the other kids” isn’t so great. The problem was that I actually really liked myself. [She laughs.] So, I kept on being weird. I never vibed with the ways I was told to live and be in the world. You see, I love change. I used to change everything: my hair, my style, my room, my interests, and my food. And, as an adult, I changed husbands, and my favorite change of all besides my self-concept is changing homes…We’ve been taught that change isn’t okay and if you want to get ahead (especially in business) your business has to look a certain way. I’m here to show MIMs there’s a different way. Our way! Our rules! There’s nothing wrong with us. I’m here to let them know that their perceived flaws are their formula for freedom and fulfillment for going from dream chaser to dream catcher.”
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Jennisha from Suffolk, England, says, “While I enjoyed the playful side of life, education wasn’t a top priority for me during my early years. However, around the age of 14 or 15, I found God. Around the same time, I had an epiphany about the importance of education. This realization sparked a significant shift in my attitude, perspective, and behavior. From that point onward, I committed myself to academic excellence, consistently achieving high grades throughout my educational journey…Despite my initial dislike for school, I am now pleasantly surprised by how much I have grown to love learning. It became evident to me that God and knowledge opened doors to opportunities and personal growth. Eventually, I graduated from university with a degree in marketing, advertising, and public relations. It’s remarkable how my perspective on education evolved, transforming into a genuine passion for acquiring knowledge and expanding my horizons. Reflecting on my early years, I recall a specific interest in decluttering and organization. Even as a child, I found joy in clearing out my nanny’s junk drawer and assisting my aunt in tidying her flat. Little did I know back then that these experiences would shape my journey in helping others with decluttering and organization tasks. These early memories of creating order and finding harmony within spaces laid the foundation for my current passion and expertise in home organization. Childhood interests should not be overlooked, as they can provide a foundation for pursuing meaningful endeavors.”
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Coryn from Tennessee, United States, says, “While it’s important not to be too hard on yourself, it’s equally crucial not to be too easy on yourself either. You have to be your biggest motivator and your toughest critic. Recognize your strengths, but also acknowledge and work on your weaknesses. Embrace your failures and use them as stepping stones to move forward. Pursuing your dreams is not an easy task, but with self-belief, perseverance, and a willingness to push yourself out of your comfort zone, you can achieve great things.”
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Freja from Denmark, says, “I have taken the experience of my mom’s burnout with me and have been very aware of taking care of myself with quality nutrition, walks in nature, meditation, exercise, etc. to make sure that I didn’t hit a wall and fell into burnout. But I have always felt a bit torn because, besides my passion for holistic health, I am also a singer-songwriter and feel like it is my mission to get my music out into the world. So, a couple of years ago, I had been working intensely for two years on my album besides working full-time as a medical doctor, and finally, everything was written, arranged, and recorded, and I released my album. I felt amazing! But after the release concert, I suddenly felt different than I had ever felt before. I felt empty and with no energy whatsoever to do the work to spread the news and get the music out into the world. And it occurred to me that I had completely forgotten to take care of myself while working on my album.”
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Ale from Mexico City, Mexico, says, “Life is not static, and we come to enjoy life. Allow yourself to transform, be authentic, and always do what you love, what is aligned with your core values, and what you feel and what your intuition tells you is your mission in this life. Life is tough, yes, but if there weren’t challenges, life would be so boring. What has brought so much joy in my life is learning to neutralize what has happened to me. See life as a sum of experiences that build you up, and maybe this can be of help to you.”
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Haley from North Carolina, United States, says, “I grew up in various places around the world, in Germany, the U.S., Venezuela, and Brazil. I believe that seeing different cultures made a huge difference in my view of the world, and compassion for different people, and viewpoints. I think that a lot of times, we, as humans, forget that just because something isn’t our view, it doesn’t make it wrong. Diversity of thought is a beautiful thing. There isn’t a single right way that always works. There are many different ways to achieve an answer.”
Tune in every Wednesday at 8 A.M. EST to read about a new featured woman!
The Woman Wednesday Blog 