Emma Grede

Being able to work within the realm of your purpose is a privilege because for most people, that's not a choice.

They're waking up, they're doing something that they don't really like to pay the bills.

And so I don't want to sit here and smugly say, oh yeah, you know, I made this big decision.

I was given the opportunity because I started work so early.

I never went to

to college.

I started in the workplace early.

So I had a bit of a headstart.

I made a name for myself.

I had a lot of luck.

I'd like really doubled down on that luck.

And so by the time I got to my early 30s, I had choice.

And that choice allowed me to then say, you know what, I'm going to choose the project and I'm going to choose something that aligns with how I see the world and the type of woman that I want to be.

So that's the first thing.

What I will say is I think it's a little bit of a slippery slope when we start to talk about women and purpose as it relates to business.

And this is the reason.

When we talk about these stats that women get 3% of venture capital, right?

And a measly amount given how ingenious and innovative and brilliant we are when it comes to running businesses.

Sometimes we might have to take a little step back and understand in the spirit of Start With Yourself, what part we have to play in that equation.

oftentimes what I see are women will pitch impact over profit.