Emma Burdett, Founder of WILD (Women in Leadership Deliver) network, explains to Maria Botros on the Tell Me Why podcast why getting a good coach and mentor is crucial.
If you want to start a business, work with a coach who has ideally built what you want to build, says Emma
Emma: We often glamorize entrepreneurship, but the struggle is real
As an entrepreneur, I’m very vocal about my struggles because there are days where I’m under the covers and in tears, says Emma
Emma: The vulnerability aspect of a business is difficult because when you’re self-funded, you must earn a salary
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#UAEnews #podcast #entrepreneurship
If you want to start a business, work with a coach who has ideally built what you want to build, says Emma
Emma: We often glamorize entrepreneurship, but the struggle is real
As an entrepreneur, I’m very vocal about my struggles because there are days where I’m under the covers and in tears, says Emma
Emma: The vulnerability aspect of a business is difficult because when you’re self-funded, you must earn a salary
See more videos at https://gulfnews.com/videos
Read more Gulf News stories here: https://bit.ly/2HLJ2km
Subscribe to Gulf News on YouTube and watch more of our videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/GulfNewsTV
#UAEnews #podcast #entrepreneurship
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00:00Women can be the last, sorry, put themselves last.
00:04So it's the family or the holidays or the school fees,
00:09but investing in you and my advice,
00:13having worked myself with four coaches,
00:17that's life-changing.
00:19Get a good coach, get a mentor.
00:22If you want to build a business,
00:24work with someone that has built ideally what you want to build.
00:30Okay, I'm glad you mentioned Saudi because that was my next point.
00:38You signed an MOU with the United Nations Global Compact in Saudi Arabia.
00:42Tell us a bit more about that.
00:43That must be so exciting for you.
00:45And you mentioned that to Joanna as well,
00:47like if she wants to, you know, open up the Saudi market,
00:50she has that too.
00:51So please, yeah, tell us more about that.
00:53Do you know what?
00:54It is actually a little bit unbelievable because, you know,
00:57you launch your business.
00:58The struggle is real.
01:00I think that we glamorize entrepreneurship and it's really difficult.
01:04Of course.
01:05And it's just such a roller coaster of a journey.
01:08It's highs and lows and highs and lows.
01:10And, you know, we are self-funded
01:13and I've used the majority of my money invested in WILD.
01:17But this year we invested heavily in PR and social media.
01:25And so it really has put WILD on the map as a very established brand.
01:32And, of course, I've had WILD five and a half years now.
01:35So a lot of Saudi women were contacting me saying,
01:40oh, we'd love WILD to be here.
01:42When are you coming?
01:43And then it was COVID and obviously that was an awful time for all of us.
01:46It's a whole new podcast.
01:47Yes, exactly.
01:48But, you know, Saudi was very much on my radar.
01:53And then last November I bit the bullet
01:58and I remember standing in Riyadh immigration having never been to Saudi
02:05and literally gulped and was like, oh my God,
02:08tomorrow I'm launching WILD Riyadh.
02:11And the magnitude of what I was about to do just swept over me and this fear.
02:17And I was like, this is a big deal.
02:20Because we're the first and only women's network in the kingdom.
02:23Amazing.
02:24So it is a huge accomplishment.
02:26Yes.
02:27So we did the first event.
02:29It was quite small, but the PR exploded.
02:32And then the next event in February we took over a gaming center.
02:38And we had 130 women.
02:42And the vibe was like it took me weeks to recover from this event on an energetic level.
02:50Diverse women, Saudi nationals, expats.
02:54So then the chairwoman from the UNGC in Saudi was in contact with me
03:03and said, look, what you're doing is amazing.
03:05It's incredible.
03:07And we went through various discussions behind the scenes.
03:10And then, yeah, we announced an MOU with the UNGC.
03:16We also work in some advisory capacity with actually the United Nations Riyadh itself.
03:23They're two different things.
03:25So, yeah, literally a month ago I was in Riyadh at the UN.
03:28Awesome.
03:29I was thinking, oh, my goodness, this is like a pinch me moment.
03:32Yes.
03:33Goosebumps, honestly, while you were talking.
03:35And you were saying that, you know, a lot of people see it from the outside
03:39and they're like, oh, yeah, you're an entrepreneur.
03:41You must have it, you know, all.
03:43But there's so much time and effort and sweat and tears that go into building that brand or that company.
03:51So I'd like to talk to you about the struggle.
03:54Yeah.
03:55Because I think that's really important.
03:56You know, I think it's easy to see the shop front.
03:58Right.
03:59You know, like my LinkedIn, you know, has a huge loyal following that I've built up over time.
04:06And, you know, obviously photos at the UN are amazing.
04:09But, you know, it's really difficult.
04:12And I by no means have it all figured out.
04:17You know, there are days when I'm under the covers in complete tears.
04:23And that's something that I'm vocal about because it's easy to look at all of the success.
04:30You know, we were going to do a huge project in Saudi and it was for a substantial amount of money.
04:39And I went off and invested in an app for our community, which we didn't really need.
04:47And, you know, I'd spent the money and then the deal fell through.
04:51And you're like, oh, my God.
04:53You know, one day you're riding high thinking you're getting this big project.
04:57And you've gone on and invested and signed a contract for an app.
05:01And the next day you're like a heap on the floor thinking, oh, my God, what am I going to do?
05:06So, you know, entrepreneurship is amazing.
05:11It is not for the faint hearted.
05:13I have had many sacrifices for Wild.
05:18You know, Wild is my life.
05:20I've sacrificed, you know, having children and really the commitment to grow in this community.
05:27And that's a choice that's been very personal to me.
05:30It has nothing to do with anyone else. Right.
05:33But, yeah, it's a labor of love.
05:36And it is amazing.
05:38But it is a hard journey.
05:42Definitely.
05:43Of course.
05:44We had a guest on the show, I think, a couple of months ago.
05:47And she was saying a lot of people look at a business after years of struggles and they think, oh, look, where did this business come from?
05:56No, it's been there.
05:57It's just it's taken years for them to be visible and on the map, as you said.
06:03So, absolutely.
06:04There are so many challenges that just that happen behind the scenes that people don't see.
06:09People are unaware of.
06:11Yeah.
06:12I think the other thing to, you know, point out is when you're self funded, you know, every month you have to make a salary.
06:21Right.
06:22And now we have business overheads, you know.
06:25So that it can be quite difficult to forecast some months you don't know.
06:31Am I going to get projects?
06:32Am I not?
06:33So that vulnerability piece.
06:36Yes.
06:37Is very difficult.
06:38Yeah.
06:39And, you know, I met I have a finance coach that gives me amazing clarity.
06:44And I believe that women should really have financial literacy because that's a pathway to freedom as well, you know.
06:52And I was saying even to her, what I've learned hugely this year is patience.
07:01You know, success is most definitely a journey.
07:05It's not somewhere that you get and you're like, oh, I was at the UN.
07:08I'm so successful now.
07:10Yes.
07:11And, you know, also, it takes time to build.
07:15You know, we're five and a half years into Wild.
07:19So, yeah, it's lots of different moving parts.
07:22But I think you need to cultivate a lot of faith and self-belief.
07:29Absolutely.
07:30That's the one.
07:31Absolutely.
07:32You have to have a belief in what you can't see.
07:36And I say this, you know, if I do a keynote that we have a choice at any given time whether we're going to lean into faith or fear.
07:47Because actually both you can't see.
07:50You know, fear is just a story of something that we made up that hasn't happened yet.
07:56And faith is also something that we can't see the road ahead.
08:01And so as an entrepreneur, you're continually oscillating between fear and faith and creativity.
08:09Right.
08:10And to be comfortable in that vulnerability is key.
08:16Of course.
08:17And being like, I've got this.
08:19Yeah.
08:20Yeah.
08:21Okay.
08:22We don't know what's going to happen next month.
08:24We don't know, you know, what projects.
08:27I mean, we have memberships in other programs.
08:29But, you know, being comfortable in the gap.
08:33Yeah.
08:34Knowing.
08:35Is where it's at.
08:36Yeah.
08:37And knowing that there's an element of risk.
08:38Like there is a risk there.
08:40But not letting the fear get to you to the point where you're not making any progress.
08:45Like it's halting your progress and it's really getting to you.
08:47A hundred percent.
08:48Absolutely.
08:49Okay.
08:50So it's nice that, you know, you sort of segued into that.
08:54So what's next for WILD then?
08:56Now that we're talking about risks and, you know, having faith in what's to come.
09:01What do you have planned next for WILD?
09:04So it's funny because I always, even when I wrote the concept for WILD, you know, and
09:11WILD was nothing.
09:12It was literally, you know, me having an experience with butterflies in Thailand after some spiritual healing.
09:21Nice.
09:22And knowing I wanted to use the word wild.
09:24That was it.
09:25Like it was literally nothing.
09:26That was beautiful though.
09:29So even then, I was like, I want to build this women's platform.
09:36Because the other thing with community is providing a safe space for women to be seen and heard.
09:42You know, I want to take WILD to nine countries.
09:47Amazing.
09:48So, you know, next on our list is, I know Jeddah isn't a country, but WILD Jeddah we want to launch.
09:56Nice.
09:57You know, Bahrain, Cairo, Jordan, Oman, all of the neighboring countries where they need a WILD.
10:08They need an outlet for women.
10:11What we're faced with now is I'm one person.
10:15I can't be everywhere at once.
10:18Of course.
10:19You know, WILD is quite dependent on me.
10:22That needs to, you know, that needs to change a little bit, which we're looking at next year.
10:27So definitely to go to new locations.
10:31We also want to potentially split off into verticals.
10:37So we've been talking to lawyers about launching WILD Women Legal.
10:43Nice.
10:44So maybe having something very specific.
10:46But again, it's about resources and it's about time and it's about deciding what's next and where to go.
10:54So lots and lots and lots.
10:56And look, you know, when you've built a brand, ultimately, you can dive us into anything.
11:02We can do clothing, we can do accessories.
11:06We are launching something, if you don't mind me going on and on.
11:10Please, yeah.
11:11I mean, this is your opportunity.
11:13Please.
11:14We saw a gap in the space for very, very senior female women to come together in a mastermind capacity.
11:26OK.
11:27So we have our membership.
11:28We do, you know, leadership training.
11:30We do coaching.
11:32But there was, you know, kind of this niche for really senior women like CEOs, execs, board members.
11:44And we have a lot of those that are very connected to WILD and what we do.
11:48So I was trying to sort of come up with a really good idea.
11:53And then I just went away recently and I was like, yeah, I've got it.
11:57So we're doing a leadership mastermind, which is going to have modules.
12:05And we're going to look at really cool stuff.
12:07So we're looking at AI and innovation, sustainability.
12:12And we actually have the UN Saudi doing a module for us on the SDGs.
12:17OK.
12:18So that is a game changer as well.
12:22We're going to look at wellness, well-being, the self-leadership component,
12:27and providing a space for very senior women to come together.
12:31The output of this is at the end of it, we want to produce a white paper manifesto,
12:38which can be almost a policy change for companies.
12:41Amazing.
12:42So we're really excited about that.
12:45It's not just about women leaders coming together.
12:48It's about the change that we're going to be able to create in the region.
12:51Exactly.
12:52And that's the other thing about female communities.
12:56They infiltrate society and economy.
12:59And we know that when there's more women in leadership,
13:03there's higher corporate returns, there's greater innovation,
13:08increased productivity.
13:09Right.
13:10So the future is WILD.
13:12That's amazing.
13:13The future is WILD.
13:14That's perfect.
13:15I think we should just end it there because that was a really good punchline.
13:18No, but I do actually want to ask you because I feel like the two are not linked.
13:23But, I mean, there can be similar outcomes.
13:26But I want to know what's next for you as Emma.
13:30I mean, away from WILD, away from work, you, in terms of personal growth,
13:36in terms of like your journey in life, like what's next?
13:40Have you thought of that?
13:41That's a really interesting question.
13:43You know, I have been thinking that we would like to get a property in Sri Lanka.
13:53Okay.
13:54And hold retreats there for our WILD women.
13:57Everything is related to WILD.
13:58I was just going to say it's linked.
14:00I am my brand.
14:01Okay.
14:02So that is something that I have been thinking about.
14:06And, you know, at WILD, even though it is a business,
14:09it's my life's work and it's my absolute passion.
14:12Right.
14:13So when you create a business around something that you love, it's not work.
14:18Right?
14:19It becomes your life.
14:20It is your life.
14:21And you live and breathe your brand.
14:23So for me, watching WILD change people's lives
14:30and the social impact component is everything for me.
14:36Okay.
14:37You know, I care deeply about social impact.
14:40And, yeah, that's really the ultimate goal.
14:43That's fantastic.
14:44I like the idea of having a place where you can hold retreats,
14:48be it in Sri Lanka or anywhere else.
14:51Absolutely.
14:52I think it's the whole connection between the mind and the body
14:56and trying to establish that and healing from within.
14:59I like that.
15:00Okay.
15:01Last thing.
15:02Yeah.
15:03I know you have a busy schedule and you mentioned so many things
15:05in the span of like 40 minutes.
15:07No, we're dry.
15:08Can't see.
15:11But my last question is, what would your advice be?
15:14Like if someone were sitting in front of you, I'm a woman,
15:16I came to you and I'm completely overwhelmed.
15:19I'm stressed out of my mind.
15:21I feel like I've hit rock bottom.
15:23Yeah.
15:24What would your advice be for me?
15:26What do you think the next step should be and what's your advice?
15:29I mean, there's so many different components to that, right?
15:34But I think that women need to invest in themselves
15:37and their own growth and development.
15:40Women can be the last – sorry, put themselves last.
15:44So it's the family or the holidays or the school fees.
15:49But investing in you and my advice, having worked myself
15:54with four coaches, that's life-changing.
15:58Get a good coach.
16:00Get a mentor.
16:02If you want to build a business, work with someone that has built
16:07ideally what you want to build.
16:09My coach is in L.A.
16:10Obviously, the time difference is ridiculous.
16:12She's on at night.
16:13I'm on at 5 in the morning.
16:14No wonder you don't sleep.
16:15That's why.
16:16Sleep is very important and I go to bed very early.
16:21And I've also had coaches that have helped me break through fear
16:29and the conditioning and your past because we've all got trauma.
16:38We all have it.
16:40And when we've got that awareness to say,
16:43enough is enough, I'm not here for this anymore,
16:47we have to get out of our own way.
16:50And investing in ourselves with a coach or mentor
16:54would be my absolute number one.
16:56And two, yes, having breaks, not just breaks because we need rest,
17:04but we need to create space.
17:06So when you're running at a million miles an hour,
17:10there's no space in your head.
17:12There's no room for inspiration or downloads or creativity.
17:17So I just was in Sri Lanka completely off the grid
17:23and I knew that I needed to be away to have space
17:28to conceptualize the leadership mastermind.
17:33And I purposefully went away to be able to write the concept for it
17:38and to put it together.
17:40So creating space and investing in our own growth and development
17:44and knowing that anything is possible.
17:48And I love telling my story, Maria, because it just shows you,
17:54I've gone from being fired and having a breakdown
17:58to launching the fastest growing women's network in the Middle East,
18:03having launched in Saudi that's earned us a contract at the UN.
18:08And I did launch Wild with $300.
18:11So I want this story to inspire others that anything is possible
18:17when we get out of our way and believe in ourselves
18:20and work on ourselves.
18:22I work on me like a full-time job.
18:24I spend two hours a day on my own growth and development every single day
18:29without fail.
18:30They're things I don't compromise on.
18:33Absolutely.
18:34I just think we don't prioritize ourselves enough.
18:38And one thing that really hit me right now that you mentioned
18:43is we are not our past.
18:46We fixate on our past so much that it just gets in the way of any progress.
18:52Or future trip.
18:53Exactly.
18:54Which causes anxiety.
18:55Exactly.
18:56And I think that's key.
18:57I think that speaks to me directly, that just let go of the past.
19:01Whatever has happened, we all have our trauma, as you mentioned.
19:04Absolutely.
19:05But it doesn't define us.
19:06100%.
19:07There's always hope for more, and you are a living example of that.
19:11I did my best.
19:12Emma, it was wonderful having you.
19:13Amazing to meet you and to speak to you, lovely.
19:15We're always going to have you back.
19:16I know it for sure.
19:17Awesome.
19:18I'd love to.
19:19I feel like there's a bond here, and we've already established that.
19:21Yeah, yeah.
19:22Absolutely.
19:23Anything I can do to support.
19:24Yes.
19:25If there's any future initiatives that you want to come and talk to us about,
19:27we'd love to have you back.
19:28Yeah, 100%.
19:29And yeah, thank you for joining us.
19:31Yeah, thank you.
19:32Thank you so much.
19:33Thanks.
19:34Bye.
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