Four Lessons from our Fierce Femmes

We have always defined Peervest Global as an organization that aims to disrupt. Therefore, it is only logical to talk about another disruptive force in the Startup ecosystem, women entrepreneurs. This Women’s Month,?we thought we would share messages derived from the stories of Pakistani women who have not only changed the startup game but also paved the way for future female entrepreneurs. ?

1. “Be the author of your own story”- Kalsoom Lakhani, Co-founder i2i Ventures?

What better message for women today than this? This is something that seems relatively trivial; however, how often do we see immense potential go to waste as women live roles written centuries ago???

True to her words, Kalsoom started Pakistan’s first startup accelerator, i2i, driven by her patriotism and dislike of wasted business potential. Following the accelerator came two verticals, i2i Ventures and i2i Insight. The prior invests in early-stage technology enabled startups, and the latter provides market data and insight for more informed decisions.?

?2. “Invest in yourself”- Meenah Tariq, Founder Karavan?

Meenah urges you to “Invest in yourself”. Another tale as old as time, one prevalent in our society, the tale of “what ifs”. Allow yourself to explore and venture off into the unknown. Failure is not something you should be worried about. What should scare you, and in turn motivate you is the multitude of possibilities, of doors that will open if you take the path less chosen.??

Her childhood shenanigans would revolve around business ideas. As the founder of Karavan, a venture capital firm, where once she would manifest her own imagination, she now helps others do the same. Meenah owes what she is to the amalgamation of her experiences, which would not have happened if she was scared to take a risk.??

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3. “Take out time for yourself”- Mahlaqa Shauqat, CEO of AimFit?

Every woman can think of herself as?Mahlaqa, who is a mother and an entrepreneur. She started a movement that aims to make 110 million women in Pakistan physically fit, and today Pakistan knows it as Aimfit, Pakistan’s first training gym for women. She advocates for women to find time for themselves and their health, as in her words “Fitness is your pension fund”. Let’s be honest, we have seen it time and time again how women juggle their family and professional responsibilities, forgetting to take care of their own physical health.??

Being a full-time mom and CEO, Mahlaqa understands how time is truly of the essence. This?is why AimFit is here to challenge the notion of fitness for Pakistani women by motivating them to workout at home without any equipment. Their philosophy is ingenious; having female instructors leading workouts and educating their clientele to the extent that they too can lead classes. Talk about “Behan chara!”(Sisterhood).?

4. Pain into power- Farwa Ali, Founder Marham?

?Turning pain into power, Marham’s founder, Ms. Farwa Ali, took something very real and personal that happened in her life and rather than letting it hold her down she made sure, in her capacity, that it will not happen to anyone in the future. That was her idea behind Marham. Her father’s sickness opened her eyes, and her vision has never been clearer. Farwa’s empathy does not end in the field of medicine. She tends to solve more problems close to her heart, including legal issues. Seeing her adamancy we certainly do not doubt her rigour!??

Marham is an online medical platform which helps its users connect with doctors. This is to bridge the gap between medical professionals and the masses. What is most commendable about this idea is how it has managed to survive and grow, unlike similar services of its kind.??

We know that we have a long way to go in this journey of having women lead the business ecosystem in Pakistan. However, it is easier today than ever before, with ease of transport, access, digitization and the spirit of today’s Pakistani woman to go beyond barriers. So, take that first step and venture off into the uncharted territory of entrepreneurship. We can all take inspiration from these awe-inspiring females, their struggles, and their success, to believe that any one of us can become Pakistan’s next Superwoman. For great ideas do not discriminate and?great ideas do not see gender.