A Year of Being EMPOWERed – My Story! By Aneeka Syed

Last month, I was honored to attend an insightful event organized by the Amber Foundation, focused on financial empowerment. A special thanks to Sheetal Sarup for This past year has been a journey of incredible growth and empowerment for me. It all began when I decided to join EMPOWER by The Amber Foundation. I remember the day I applied, and it was Soundari who interviewed me during the application process. That marked the start of an empowering journey that would change my life in ways I never imagined.

The Beginning: Joining EMPOWER

I had a dream to launch my own fashion brand, but I lacked the guidance and support to turn it into a reality. EMPOWER offered exactly what I needed—a community of like-minded individuals and mentors who could help me navigate the entrepreneurial world.

At the first EMPOWER workshop, I met my incredible mentor, Anisha Sakhrani, and my fellow cohort members. Anisha's belief in me and my project was a turning point. She encouraged me to pitch my idea and form a team, which became the foundation of my entrepreneurial journey.

Building a Team and Networking

With Anisha's support, I formed an amazing team. We were supported by EMPOWER, which connected us with valuable networks like the Women Entrepreneurs Network and TEDx Tin Hau. These connections opened doors to new opportunities and provided us with the resources we needed to grow.

Competitions and Funding

This year, we achieved some incredible milestones. We became semi-finalists in the Hong Kong Social Enterprise Challenge (HKSEC) and won the Best Pitch Award at the Impact Innovation Labs Ideation Bootcamp by MakerBay Foundation. But the highlight was when we secured HKD 100,000 in funding after passing the final pitch at Impact Innovation Lab. It was a moment of pure joy and validation for all our hard work.

Top 8 Grand Finalist in HKSEC

Later, we made it to the top 8 grand finalists in HKSEC, which was a testament to our team's dedication and innovative spirit. This achievement not only boosted our confidence but also showed us that our ideas had the potential to make a real impact.

Personal and Professional Growth

Throughout this journey, I've grown both personally and professionally. Being part of a support group with Anisha as our mentor and my fellow cohort members has been a source of strength and inspiration. We've shared laughter over dinners, bowling nights, and soon, a hike and a beach picnic. It's been a journey of learning about financial independence and personal finance management.

Overcoming Challenges

When I faced team management troubles, I reached out to Felicity McRobb for guidance. She generously offered consultation, providing valuable insights that helped me navigate those challenges. Her support was instrumental in strengthening my leadership skills.

Budgeting Advice

I also had the opportunity to review my budget plans with Elizabeth L. Thomson. She sat down with me and provided detailed advice on managing finances for the next six months. Her guidance was invaluable, helping me refine my financial planning and ensure a stable foundation for my business.

Networking and Mentorship

EMPOWER connected me with incredible people like Nicole Denholder, who shared her expertise in startup finance, and Anupama Rao Poduri, who will be advising me in marketing strategies. These connections have been invaluable.

As I look back, I'm filled with gratitude for the people who have supported me along the way. My team—Donna, Sabiha, and Kaynat—has been my rock, and I couldn't have done it without them. To everyone at EMPOWER, thank you for believing in me and empowering me to take bold steps towards my dreams.