Very little is as powerful as an inspiring story told from the heart.

Last week, I was proud to add my story to several others told by inspiring women at the Annual Women’s Leadership Conference for TeamWomenMN. I was part of an “Inspirational Panel” of diverse women from a diversity of experiences (Diversity among Diversity). We were each asked to share the lessons we’ve learned along our journeys, with about 400 other women at the Minneapolis Event Centers.

I was in good company:

• A woman of Mexican descent, born and educated as a lawyer in Mexico, who chose to establish herself as an entrepreneur in MN by buying a Cigar Shop. She sees “Perfect Ash” as offering a lifestyle choice.
• An African American woman, who got her start in business as a model, having to overcome the stereotypes of being an attractive woman who wanted to be taken seriously in the business world.
• A woman of Hmong heritage, who emigrated from the Laos camps, and became an award winning author of “The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir.”
• A physical therapist and clinical wound specialist who struck out on her own and started her own successful female-focused business, Femicorp.

Each of our stories were remarkably different. But the common themes that emerged were, perhaps, just as remarkable:

• Believe in yourself.
• Set your goals high.
• Don’t be threatened by competition. Embrace it to become better.

These guiding principles hold true regardless of gender or ethnicity – whether personal or business.

I am inspired, and so glad I shared.