When women empower women, dreams come true.
The world has made most women believe we are in competition with one another. From “You’ll be replaced by someone younger and prettier” to “Find a date ASAP or else…- we’ve been besieged with (false) notions that there is a lack of opportunities making rivalry among women the only conclusion.
But the wonderful truth is that when women empower women, support starts to replace ‘scarcity’ and competition turns into community– and opportunities. Emily’s story is proof.
“Rise & Thrive helped me turn my dream into something real. They gave me business training, but more importantly, they gave me support and belief…They helped me believe it was possible and guided me step by step. They turned my ‘what if’ into a ‘what’s next’” shares Emily.
As a proud supporter of Rise & Thrive, TheOneHourProject (also woman-founded!), is excited to share Emily’s story this women’s month and remind women everywhere that when we help each other rise, we indeed thrive.
Emily is the founder of Kleur Studio (https://www.instagram.com/kleurstudio.sg/), a home-based beauty salon in Singapore. Kleur Studio is a long-standing dream come true thanks to mentorship from Rise & Thrive, a woman-founded nonprofit that helps (primarily) women bring their businesses to life and elevate their entrepreneurial skills. Talk about changing the game – from gatekeeping to goal-chasing together!
A community of women backing you up and mentoring you is especially important with challenges that most women face. Leading a bulk of the family and homecare responsibilities is still mostly seen as a woman’s role. This can be tricky when a woman wants to also pursue career or entrepreneurial dreams for herself or to be more financially stable. Emily confirms “We are expected…to put everyone else first, and hold it all together. When you are always caring for others, there is very little time left for yourself. Many women are still underestimated and made to feel smaller than their dreams”.
But Rise & Thrive gets it – many women face financial instability right alongside managing family needs and income. These are the kinds of nuances that Rise & Thrive understands and helps women navigate and overcome. In fact, most Risers (91 and counting), earn an average of $1,300 a month from home-based businesses that allow women to still spend quality time with their families.
Paying It Forward: Creating calm and confident spaces for women
And when women help women rise, the effect is exponential. In its second year, Kleur Studio is more than a beauty studio – it is a testament to girl power and using that power to overcome challenges and build even bigger than our dreams.
While Kleur Studio offers eyelash extensions and other beauty services, it’s also a space where Emily offers both calm and confidence: “It is about helping my clients feel confident and comfortable in their own skin…For anyone who feels overwhelmed, or alone, I want to offer a safe space in Kleur Studio where they can talk and feel understood. Sometimes we do not need advice. We just need someone to listen.”
Emily’s ongoing success story expands beyond business metrics – a reminder that dreams can come true with a little help from our (girl)friends – and what makes you stronger in your everyday role IS your superpower. “If you are dreaming but hesitating, I understand you. Being a woman can feel hard when it seems like there are more obstacles than opportunities. But the strength you use every day to keep everything together is the same strength you need to build your dream…Just start on chasing your dream, your journey towards it matters more than you think.”
Inspired by Emily’s story? We are, too. If you want to check out Rise & Thrive for opportunities to contribute or simply find out more, check them out at https://www.riseandthriveinitiative.org/.
