From Teenage Mom to Business Leader: Lessons in Resilience and Leadership

I was just 17, a teenager preparing for exams, when I discovered I was pregnant. As a curious young woman, I was unprepared for the consequences of my actions. It felt like the saying, "99 days for the thief and one day for the owner," had come true for me. The options were limited, and support systems were often nonexistent.

Many young girls like me felt isolated, unsure of what to do next. In most cases, girls were even kicked out of school, left to navigate a path filled with uncertainty and judgment.

Years later, when my daughter told me she was pregnant and had decided to keep her baby, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. It was a moment that made me reflect deeply on my own journey as a single mom and what it must have been like for my parents when they found out I was pregnant. Unlike my daughter, I was just a teenager. Life was tough for my parents. Our home wasn’t just a refuge for their eight children but also for countless cousins. It took me months to gather the courage to tell them, knowing how frowned upon such actions were in our traditional Catholic family. The fear of harsh repercussions weighed heavily on me.

Suddenly, the weight of responsibility, the questions, the doubts—they all came rushing back. The decision to keep the baby was made, and it marked one of the most challenging periods of my life. But as I look back now, I am proud of the choice they helped me make and the resilience it instilled in me.

There’s a popular saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In the context of business, that village is your team, stakeholders, suppliers, customers—everyone who plays a part in your journey. The way you engage with them determines how your business grows.

Like raising a child, every contribution counts, whether you bring people in or let them go.

This experience taught me some of the most valuable lessons of my life—lessons that would later guide me in my business. I learned that the people you turn to for advice and support during tough times will shape the person you become. Running a business is much like raising a child. It requires constant attention, tough decision-making, and a deep sense of responsibility. You must be fully committed to nurturing and guiding your business through every stage of its growth, just as you would with a child.

The resilience I developed as a young mother became the bedrock of my strength as a business leader. It taught me to persevere, to face challenges head-on, and to remain steadfast in my commitments.

As I reflect on my journey, I’m reminded that every challenge we face, whether in our personal lives or in business, is an opportunity to grow stronger, to become more resilient, and to shape the future we desire.

Listed below are some of my key learnings gathered from my experiences...

1. The Importance of Support Systems

- Lesson: The people you turn to during difficult times can significantly impact your decisions and the path you take. When I found out I was pregnant at 17, I felt isolated and unsure of what to do. The support I eventually received from my parents, despite the initial fear and uncertainty, shaped my future big time. They assured the continuation of my education, a nanny to look after my kid and a private tutor to help me catch up with school work in preparation for GCES.

- Application to Business: In business, the same principle applies. The team you build, the mentors you seek out, and the network you cultivate will all influence your ability to navigate challenges. Surrounding yourself with the right people can provide the guidance and support needed to make sound decisions, especially during tough times.

2. The Parallels Between Parenting and Business

- Lesson: Running a business is much like raising a child. Both require constant attention, tough decision-making, and a deep sense of responsibility. Just as a parent is committed to the well-being and growth of their child, a business leader must be equally dedicated to the health and development of their company.

- Application to Business: This means being involved in every aspect of your business, from the small daily tasks to the big strategic decisions. It also means being willing to make sacrifices for the long-term success of the business, just as you would for your child's future. The commitment to nurturing and guiding your business through each stage of its growth is crucial for sustainable success.

3. Resilience as a Foundation for Leadership

- Lesson: The resilience I developed as a young mother, facing the challenges of early pregnancy and motherhood, became the bedrock of my strength as a business leader. It taught me to persevere through adversity, to face challenges head-on, and to remain steadfast in my commitments, even when the road ahead seemed uncertain.

- Application to Business: Resilience in business is about maintaining focus and determination despite setbacks. It’s about bouncing back from failures, learning from them, and continuing to move forward. As a leader, your resilience will inspire your team and build a culture of perseverance within your organization. It’s this resilience that enables you to keep pushing forward, innovate, and adapt in a constantly changing business environment.

4. The Power of Commitment

- Lesson: Whether it’s raising a child or running a business, the commitment you bring to the table is a key determinant of success. In both cases, it’s not just about starting the journey; it’s about staying the course, even when challenges arise.

- Application to Business: In business, commitment means being fully invested in the success of your enterprise. It involves dedicating the necessary time, energy, and resources to ensure that your business thrives. This unwavering commitment is what will see you through the toughest times and enable you to build something that lasts.

5. Decision-Making and Responsibility

- Lesson: Making tough decisions is a critical part of both parenting and business. When I chose to keep my baby, it was a decision that carried immense responsibility, one that required careful consideration and courage.

- Application to Business: As a business leader, you will be faced with difficult decisions that can shape the future of your company. These decisions require a balance of courage and careful analysis. Taking responsibility for the outcomes, whether they are successes or failures, is a hallmark of effective leadership. The ability to make informed, responsible decisions will set the direction for your business and ensure its growth and sustainability.

By drawing these parallels and applying the lessons from my personal journey to my business, I’ve come to understand that the qualities needed to be a good parent—

resilience, commitment, responsibility, and the importance of a strong support system—

are the very same qualities that make a successful business leader. Each challenge faced, whether in personal life or in business, is an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to build a stronger foundation for the future.