From Pink Stereotypes to Boardroom Strategies: My Raw Journey as a Young Female CEO in Digital Marketing

‘It was the High Heels Dilemma: Walking Tall in a World Built for Men’

Though I never saw gender as a factor in leadership, the world around me often forced me to turn heads & encounter the stereotype.

A mirror I never chose to see myself on but was forced to face, time & again!

The Story They Don’t Want to Hear!

Being a young female CEO wasn’t about breaking the glass ceilings. It was about dealing with the shards beneath your feet.

At 23, when I started my digital marketing agency, it was not just that I wasn’t seen as a leader, in fact, I wasn’t even seen. & the times I was seen, I was seen as a ‘trial run.’

I noticed every boardroom I entered had one thing in common: Men who questioned my ability before I even spoke.

The Meeting That Changed Everything!

One day, a potential client asked me to ‘bring my boss’ to the next pitch meeting.

I stopped, smiled, and said, ‘You’re looking at her!’

But it wasn’t actually the remark that sealed the deal. IT WAS THE RESULTS I DELIVERED. That day, I learned that respect isn’t demanded; it’s earned - & sometimes wrestled from stereotypes.

Lesson: Start Building Your Voice, Not Just Your Business

Success is louder when you back it with data, clarity, and boldness. Know your numbers. Know your value. And speak it like you mean it!

Look Around. Do You See Your Story in Theirs?

Stories That Mirror Our Struggles:

Indra Nooyi - The DUAL BURDEN of Leadership & Family

In the opinion of Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, when she got home from work after being promoted to CEO, her mother handed her a grocery list. When she mentioned her promotion, her mother remarked, “Leave that crown in the garage. The milk still needs to be bought.” Nooyi's story echoes the subtle battles that women face every day: balancing world-changing leadership with cultural expectations of their domestic roles.

Sara Blakely - Turning Pain into PLAIN POWER!

Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, was repeatedly advised by male investors that her idea for shaping undergarments was not worth investing in. Instead of backing down, she marketed her product directly to female customers. Her tireless effort not only made her a billionaire but also changed the way women dressed. Not a small thing right? Blakely's journey exemplifies making possibilities when the world does not provide them.

If you are in the middle of writing your story, keep scrolling:

The Myth of the Perfect Leader

Leadership is messy. Society expects women to be perfect! - Calm yet assertive, intelligent but not intimidating. But the truth about perfection is that it is overrated.

Here’s what works instead:

• Clarity over confidence: Women often wait until they feel "ready." Truth? You’ll never feel 100% ready. So I say just start anyway!
• Action over affirmation: A great step is to Stop seeking validation – Because Results speak louder than anyone’s approval.
• A little Empathy over ego: Leading but with kindness – It isn’t a weakness. It’s your ultimate power play.

Stats You Must Know as a Woman Before You Start

• Regardless of receiving fewer than 2% of venture capital funding, female founders get 63% greater returns than their male counterparts.
• Female-led companies see higher profits, retention, and innovation rates. The takeaway: You are more than just a part of the corporate world; you are a game changer.

Takeaway: You’re not just part of the business world - you’re a game-changer in it.

Building Your Own Playbook

I created a cheat sheet for not just surviving but thriving as a female leader. I don’t mind sharing it:

1. Define Your Non-Negotiables

Boundaries are your hidden weapon. Setting firm boundaries, whether it's a ‘no calls after 7 PM’ rule or refusing initiatives that contradict your principles, does not make you tough. It helps you become more strategic.

2. Master the Art of Reverse Marketing

Flip the script. Use their doubt as your pitch! When they questioned my experience, I didn’t defend it at all. I simply showcased the bold campaigns only a fresh, fearless mind could craft.

So, here’s how you can do it!

Build a brand that speaks before you do. Your work is your microphone.

If you don't receive it, create your own opportunities!

Waiting for a handout? You'll be waiting forever. I founded The Factory, a hub for productized marketing services, after noticing a gap in how businesses were treated. The lesson? If you can’t find it in there, build it.

For Successful Women Still Struggling Out There

I am not here to give you some women empowerment speech or sympathize with you. But believe me. I know what it feels like to walk into rooms where your opinions sound smaller than the air conditioner. But here’s the thing: They don’t own the room. You do!

Every rejection, every second-guessing remark, & every micro-aggression – secretly they are all training the ground for YOUR COMEBACK.

“Strong women aren’t born. They’re built – But often by fear, doubt, & a nonstop drive to prove the world wrong.”

Don’t stick to the History:

Get Busy Rewriting your Story:

Here’s my challenge to you: Next time someone questions your ability, ask yourself – ‘Who am I building this for?’

The answer is you. Your voice! Your legacy.

These stories aren’t just theirs. They are ours. Which moment in your life forced you to rise above the pre-set societal expectations?

No matter if you reach the moon & back - the world still has a lot of questions about women leaders. What’s your answer to that?

I’m waiting to read them in the comments below!