Behind every successful man is a woman, they say.

And behind every successful woman is….

?? Another woman empowering her.

Take Michelle Obama and her mother, Marian Robinson, for example. Marian was instrumental in shaping Michelle into the strong, confident leader she is today. Marian always emphasized the importance of education, independence, and resilience, encouraging her daughter to be ambitious and stand her ground—values that have defined Michelle Obama’s journey as the First Lady and a powerful advocate for women’s rights.

This happened in the 1960s and 70s, but the lessons still resonate today.

When I, Ria, founded Risah Careers, my vision was clear: I wanted to empower women in their careers and lives. At Risah Careers, we set out to help women navigate workplace challenges, break glass ceilings, and emerge as confident leaders. The mission was to give them the tools and support they needed to take control of their professional journeys.

But as we worked with ambitious women eager to rise in their careers, I noticed a subtle hesitation—not from the women themselves, but from the influential men in their lives.

This hesitation isn’t a personal shortcoming on the part of these men. It’s not about husbands doubting their wives’ capabilities or fathers being overly protective of their daughters. It’s about societal conditioning—a deeply ingrained belief that women need someone else to guide them, especially when it comes to navigating the world of business and career growth.

For centuries, women have been taught to rely on men for career decisions, and while times are changing, we’re still battling the remnants of these outdated norms.

Our mission at Risah Careers isn’t about creating a divide between men and women. It’s about battling the societal expectations that hold women back from owning their career paths.

We aim to break through the stigma that suggests women aren’t as capable of navigating high-level career decisions. Instead, we provide women with the knowledge, mentorship, and community to grow into their roles as leaders. At Risah Careers, we’re not just helping women land jobs; we’re helping them find their voices in the workplace.

Through mentorship programs, leadership workshops, and collaborative experiences, we’re creating a space where women can share their ambitions, support one another, and thrive. We’re building a community where they can pursue their dreams without having to ask for permission.

Ultimately, the vision for Risah Careers is a world where every woman feels confident and empowered to lead her professional journey, free from the constraints of outdated expectations