The Path To Fulfillment Is Not Paved Alone
Some Assembly Required Issue #5
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Ashima Sharma founder of Dreami
Before you read any further, ask a leader whom you admire what is the reason for their success. Maybe you'll get some answers about having the courage and taking risks. Well, I asked this exact question to over 100 women leaders across Tech, Finance, and CPG. One of the most common answers I heard was "I was lucky enough to have a great mentor". Let's pause on that for a bit: "lucky enough"? This phrase resonated with me, but in the most negative light.
While I do believe being at the right place at the right time plays a pivotal role, I felt let down hearing that finding a great mentor required "enough" luck. But as downtrodden as I felt, the truth was that I completely understood the struggle of finding mentorship.
I started off my career as a Chemical Engineer working in the Energy industry. I had no one I could relate to and didn't know who I could consult with to get a more experienced opinion. I felt the pressure to have all the answers to overcompensate for all the doubt that I had to face every day. Plus, it felt difficult to be open and vulnerable about a potential career pivot. I eventually took the plunge and pivoted to Tech, but it took many mistakes, very little guidance, and feelings of confusion and loneliness.
That same problem was echoed by many of my peers who had ambitious dreams but no one to help guide them to their true potential. Of course, this issue was only further exacerbated by the pandemic. On a backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada, I came up with the solution: a scalable mentoring platform that matches ambitious mentees to accomplished mentors. Dreami soon came to life. I had the realization that I have a passion to make sure no other person feels that they do not have the access they deserve to a great mentor.
We are on a mission to democratize career guidance. Dreami is an open platform that makes mentorship accessible and we are proud to be inclusive of every industry, work experience, and role. Any individual can sign up on the platform, fill out a quick quiz letting us know some areas she or they would want guidance on, and get matched by an algorithm to the best mentor possible for their goals. All scheduling takes place on the platform itself, reducing the friction of finding a time to meet. We've been featured in Business Insider and Thrive Global so far!
We're actively seeking out organizations interested in partnering with us to scale mentorship efforts! Check us out a dreami.io or send us an email at hello@dreami.io.
Fulfillment Adventures Podcast
The Fulfillment Adventures Podcast is for women of color who desire and have decided to claim lives filled with pleasure and freedom no matter how big or small. This podcast is for women who are ready to put down the mantle of sacrificial strength. Join host Michelle B. Holder, PhD as she shares her own adventures of fulfillment. You will also have the opportunity to listen to the fulfillment stories of other badass and amazing women of color. Subscribe to be notified of the release of each episode.
Podcast host Michelle B. Holder, PhD is a former college professor who started a nonprofit called Food at the Center where she has worked with her mom to share knowledge about the culinary heritage of her Jamaican ancestry. The Fulfillment Adventures Podcast was created to satiate the non-dietary cravings and desires Michelle has and make room for pleasure and fulfillment in all areas of her life.
Find the Podcast @fulfillmentadventures
Find Michelle Holder @Foodatthecenter77
I can’t be the only one that kills my succulents
Black-owned rideshare is centering women and femmes
Black Food History. WATCH: Hight on the Hog. If you’re more into books, read the book of the same title by Dr. Jessica B. Harris.
Gifspiration
