The Rise Of A Powerful Woman
Want some inspiration from a powerful woman? Armed with just R1 000 in her pocket, a laptop and a cellphone, and sitting on her bedroom floor, this “can-do” woman, Farah Fortune famously started African Star Communications in 2008.
Today, Farah Fortune is a well-known businesswoman behind many successful corporate and celebrity brands throughout Africa. She is better known to her clients and the industry as ‘The Pitbull in Heels’. Her email signature says describes her as ‘Defender of the Galaxy.’
I first met Farah when we were sitting next to each other at a Woman of Worth networking dinner with the inimitable women’s empowerment champion, Margaret Hirsch. What struck me at that time about Farah was her humility, clarity, and feminity.
The ‘Pitbull’ in her refers to how she gets results for her clients. The ‘Defender’ in her refers to her commitment to empowering women and marginalised communities.
She says, “Being a powerful woman is only valid if you use that power to help other women.”
The conversation covers:
- Starting a business in a man’s world
- Barriers to entry
- Advice for female entrepreneurs
- Using one’s platform and success to help other women
- Changing narratives that no longer serve us
- What drives Farah to succeed
“When I was really battling in the early stages of the business with cashflow, my mom gave me this piece of advice that I live by: ‘Because you’re chasing money, you’re never going to get it. You’re going to keep chasing it. If you chase money, you will keep chasing it. So chase your passion and let the money follow.’ And she was right.”
Farah Chirene Fortune, founder & director of African Star Communications
“I’m coloured. There’s very few coloured role models in my community; we also have very few female role models. I never wanted to be anyone’s role model, but I definitely wanted to show people that there’s a way out, or a way up. ”
Farah Chirene Fortune, founder & director of African Star Communications
“You can never stop networking. You can never meet enough people. You can never have enough knowledge.”
Farah Chirene Fortune, founder & director of African Star Communications
“Mentors are so important, I always feel like mentors, especially in the early days of your career, are important because they’ve been there. They understand it; they know what works. Listen.”
Farah Chirene Fortune, founder & director of African Star Communications
“As an entrepreneur, I don’t think you can ever put yourself in a position where you can say, ‘Okay, I’m done. I know everything I can’. I’ve never felt that because, like the quote says (and I take it very seriously), ‘if you are the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”
Farah Chirene Fortune, founder & director of African Star Communications
“If there is one thing about being an entrepreneur, it’s that you have to keep evolving. Entrepreneurs are very much like pop stars – Madonna is still going strong because she’s constantly rebranding and reinventing.”
Farah Chirene Fortune, founder & director of African Star Communications
“Start your business, do what you feel you need to do because who is anyone else to tell you what you’re capable of? There’s no rewind button on this thing called life. Once you press play you can only go forward.”
Farah Chirene Fortune, founder & director of African Star Communications
For more inspiration read my blog: Women You Can Take The Lead Or Be In The Chorus
Leave A Comment