In our recent episode of The Wealth Exchange podcast’s Women’s LEAD segment, Narges Nirumvala joined us to share her incredibly inspirational story of a successful immigrant journey, in which she transformed herself from feeling worthless to becoming worthy. It all began in 2008 when she experienced a significant turning point. Unemployed, broke, and pregnant, she didn't realize it at the time, but her situation was a gift. Looking back on that period, she realized that feeling worthless propelled her forward towards success.
The support of her husband inspired her to embark on an entrepreneurial path. His encouraging words, "If no one is going to hire you, hire yourself, and show them what you can do," motivated her to take action. Her business, ExecutiveSpeak Coaching International, has been a tremendous success, allowing her to demonstrate her value and potential.
Self-worth is a personal belief that goes beyond one's work. It involves believing in oneself and being able to advocate for oneself, ultimately becoming one's own greatest champion. Without this self-belief, it becomes difficult to expect others to recognize one's worth. This is a lesson I've learned over the years: we must find our voice, as it is our superpower.
Communication is key, which is a driving force behind Narges' talent and a core aspect of her business. However, I still struggle at times with speaking confidently and proudly about my own achievements. As women, we often find ourselves apologizing or feeling guilty for our success. Speaking with Narges validated the importance of women, especially women of colour, speaking up and sharing their successes. By doing so, we can inspire and guide others towards their own paths to success. It's crucial for others to see role models who look like them and pave the way for their aspirations.
Narges has built an incredible and meaningful life, and I am proud to see her among the 75 finalists for the 15th annual 2023 Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Awards. These awards hold significant impact as they acknowledge Canadian immigrants who have overcome adversity to achieve success, providing hope to others.
From our conversation, I have taken away some invaluable lessons:
- Be proud of your accomplishments and own them.
- Stay true to yourself and don't let society's expectations define you.
- Never give up and make sure others recognize your potential through effective communication.
- Build confidence and take action, as confidence comes from doing rather than just thinking or planning.
- Being busy should not be seen as an achievement; instead, focus on prioritization and aligning with your purpose.
- Learn to say no when necessary.
- Embrace and take pride in your age.
As a parent and a fellow "Chief Mom Officer," Narges' quote on social media resonated with me: "If I could give my daughter three things: the confidence to always know her self-worth, the strength to chase her dreams, and the ability to know how deeply loved she is."
As a two-time bestselling author, my favourite quote from Narges' most recent book, co-authored with others, "Women of the 21st Century: Women Transforming the World," is: "We are all worthy and precious, each with unique gifts and talents. But it is our responsibility to do the necessary hard work to find our purpose and build a meaningful life, thus creating a positive impact on the world."
