AFA #65: Voiceless and Visible

Have you ever felt like you’re holding back — not speaking up, not sharing your experiences, or not using your platform to its fullest potential? I know I have. There have been times when I’ve been surrounded by opportunities to share my knowledge, skills, and hard-earned lessons, yet I’ve hesitated. I convinced myself that staying silent was easier, that maybe my ideas weren’t good enough, or that sharing too much might make me seem vulnerable.

But here’s the truth: staying silent in those moments didn’t protect me — it held me back.

The Struggle of Silence in the Spotlight

When I launched African Fashion Week Paris, I found myself forced into a position of visibility. Not necessarily in the context of being "high-profiled" but in the literal definition easily noticeable. I had a platform and a vision, but the road to making it a reality was anything but smooth. I was learning on the job, managing a team and partners, sometimes making mistakes, and often doubting myself.

I had so much to share about the challenges of building something from the ground up, navigating the fashion industry, and creating space for African designers on a global stage. But I hesitated to speak up. I told myself I needed to wait until everything was “perfect” — until I had a neat success story tied with a bow.

At the same time, my consulting work in the luxury industry was taking hit after hit. Projects were canceled, the industry was in decline, and large contracts I relied on simply weren’t coming through. Again, I stayed silent. I thought, “Who wants to hear about struggle? No one wants to see you trying and failing.”

But in staying silent, I missed opportunities to connect with others, to share my journey, and to invite people into the story I was building.

Why Staying Silent Doesn’t Serve You

What I’ve learned from these experiences is that silence doesn’t protect you. It isolates you. It cuts you off from the very people, opportunities, and solutions that could help you grow.

We often think that showing up as vulnerable — admitting we’re still figuring things out — will diminish our credibility as professionals. But in reality, it’s the opposite. When you share your journey, people see you as authentic. They’re drawn to your resilience and your willingness to keep moving forward despite the challenges.

Think about it: What’s the point of having a network you don’t use? Or skills and knowledge that you never put into action?

We all have something valuable to share. Whether it’s lessons from a tough year, insights from a project that didn’t go as planned, or ideas for solving challenges in our industries — your voice matters. And when you use your voice, you not only help others, but you also create opportunities for yourself.

The Power of an Authentic Story

When I finally started sharing the authentic story of my journey — I noticed something shift. People weren’t turned off by the struggles. In fact, they were inspired. They wanted to learn more about how I overcame those obstacles, how I kept going when things got tough, and how I turned challenges into stepping stones. If you recall last week's newsletter, I had a panelist opportunity off that EXACT experience "Cured Conversations: Grace to Embrace it All".

Sharing my story helped me connect with others on a deeper level. It opened doors to opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It showed me that being visible isn’t enough — you have to use your visibility to share your voice.

Your Voice As Your Greatest Asset

If you have a platform, a skillset, or knowledge that could benefit others, don’t let fear or doubt hold you back from sharing it. The world doesn’t need your perfection — it needs your authenticity.

Take a moment to reflect:

• What’s a lesson or skillset you’ve learned that others could benefit from?
• What’s an idea you’ve been sitting on, waiting for the “perfect” time to share?
• What’s the story you’ve been hesitant to tell, but know could inspire someone else?

Let’s Build Your Confidence to Speak Up and Get the Solutions You Need

If this resonates with you, and you’re ready to step into your full potential by using your voice/message to get you where you need to be, I’m here to help. As a multihyphenate working in the luxury space globally, I specialise in helping other professionals like myself unlock the power of their story, build confidence in their skills, and use their platforms effectively to accelerate their career journey.

Your experiences, knowledge, and ideas are valuable. Don’t let them sit in silence. Together, we can create a strategy to amplify your voice, connect with the right opportunities, and turn your visibility into tangible success.

What You’ll Learn in The Luxe Leap

• How to discover your niche and position yourself as a global expert.
• Strategies to pitch your services to luxury brands and secure high-paying clients.
• How to design a lifestyle and career that reflects your unique talents and passions.

How to Get Started

Here’s how you can join this incredible journey:

1. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about me and the program.
2. Join the waitlist for our next coaching cohort, starting in February.
3. Stay connected for tips, strategies, and community inspiration.

Curious? Inspired? Ready to take action? Let’s talk [email protected] .

Until next week,