The simplest way to solve any problem is to divide it into as many sub-questions as possible and answer them. Like the problem of women’s empowerment. If we want to solve this issue, we must break it into sub-questions.
The first and foremost question is: How to empower women? The answer is by treating them equally.
Pat! The next question arises, ‘What will happen if we treat our mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, fellow companions, and colleagues equally? They will begin treating themselves equally and thinking independently.
What will happen if women will think independently and treat themselves equally? They will come out from the confines of their lives and start participating in every aspect of society and every sector of the economy. It will eventually lead to more women becoming enterprising, immensely contributing to economic building and national growth.
That is how they will emerge as the most powerful women entrepreneurs in our society to watch for other aspiring women entrepreneurs to follow.
What are the qualities of the most powerful woman entrepreneur?
When we asked Ayesha Begum, the Co-founder and Director of fnCyber – India’s leading cybersecurity startup, her eyes shined with a starlight. She thought momentarily and sighed, ‘A powerful woman entrepreneur should possess resilience, adaptability, and a vision. She must have the courage to face challenges and the wisdom to learn from every experience. Empathy and effective communication are vital, enabling her to genuinely lead and inspire her team. A strong sense of purpose, unwavering determination, and integrity are essential to navigating the entrepreneurial journey. She must be a lifelong learner, stay up-to-date with innovations, and cultivate an inclusive, empowering environment, fostering diversity and mutual growth. Ultimately, her passion and commitment drive her enduring impact.’
Being Enlightened
It is an independently exuberant definition, of which Ayesha herself is a living example. She is one of the Directors of fnCyber. She leads the startup efforts and other support; “We are all investors in the same startup,” she says.
Her own entrepreneurial saga is worth telling. Ayesha’s journey into entrepreneurship was initiated from a place of curiosity and a desire to contribute beyond her fulfilling role as a homemaker. For 15 years, she cherished her family life, learning and growing alongside her husband, a cybersecurity expert. She recalls, “Our enlightening discussions about the subject sparked my latent desire to delve deeper and explore the uncharted waters of entrepreneurship.”
The inception of fnCyber was an exhilarating leap, blending her husband’s domain expertise with her people-centric approach and passion for contributing to a larger cause. It wasn’t a transition out of struggle but a pursuit of extending her realm of influence and impact. It has been a journey of learning, fulfilling her commitment to employee well-being, and reinforcing the indispensability of cybersecurity in today’s business landscape, all while embracing the ethos of collaboration and mutual growth.
A Flame Ignited
Ayesha furthers that her venturing into the corporate world was inspired by a confluence of interesting dialogues and a burgeoning realization of the palpable gap in the cybersecurity sector, especially for smaller and medium organizations. The intricate security-oriented connections between software and digital entities, often discussed at their dinner table, provided visuals of possibilities within this domain.
She says, “The synergy of my husband’s profound expertise and my aspiration to effectuate meaningful change acted as the catalyst.”
Ayesha’s journey was not about seeking a place or position in the corporate bastion but about manifesting her conviction to make a substantive difference in the digital economy.
Conversations during the lockdown made her ideas clearer. They strengthened her resolve to start something new, focusing on blending good business with good cybersecurity to help make the online world safer.
At fnCyber, Ayesha believes in genuine care and commitment. She gets deeply involved in everything she does and gives her best to ensure the output is of utmost value. Her leadership is not about being at the top but serving and uplifting everyone around her. Her approachability and willingness to listen are admired, allowing for an open and collaborative environment.
Ayesha’s passion for people’s well-being and development is evident, and she’s dedicated to creating a place where people come to stay and grow. “I value honesty, mutual respect, and a collective drive for excellence,” she says. Her blend of empathy, resilience, and commitment to her team’s collective success resonates most with those around Ayesha.
A Multidimensional Aura
Ayesha’s unique selling points revolve around a harmonious blend of care, commitment, and a robust understanding of people, their needs, and organizations and their needs. While her venture is steeped in technical expertise, her approach is profoundly human-centric, focusing on creating an environment that values each individual and their contribution. This balance of technical proficiency and human connection is rare, setting her and fnCyber’s venture apart.
Ayesha’s multidimensional personality stems from her diverse experiences, from homemaking to leading a startup in a highly technical field. These varied experiences have endowed her with a rich perspective and a unique ability to connect, understand, and drive collective goals. She shares, “My pursuit is not just about business success but creating meaningful, enduring relationships and contributing to the collective good, making me a dynamic personality in the entrepreneurial landscape.”
A Symbiosis of Dynamism
Talking about their professional offering and what makes fnCyber stand out in today’s knowledge economy, Ayesha says their professional offering is a symbiosis of advanced cybersecurity solutions and a profound understanding of organizational dynamics. She adds, “We deliver top-tier digital protection services, especially to smaller and medium organizations, bridging a significant gap in the market.”
Their unparalleled commitment to the profession makes us stand out within and outside their organization. It’s not just about securing data; it’s about instilling a sense of safety, security and support among our clients and team. Their holistic approach to cybersecurity—blending technical insight with an emphasis on human service-oriented values and relationships— “Differentiates us in today’s knowledge economy. We are not just service providers but collaborators, partners, and protectors, driven by a shared goal to secure cyberspace and foster enduring relationships, ensuring sustainable growth and mutual success in an increasingly interconnected world,” says Ayesha.
Staying Abreast in the Cyber-Realm
Being an experienced leader, she shares her opinion on how adopting modern technologies like AI and ML impacts her industry and how they adapt to change. Ayesha says that embracing AI and ML in cybersecurity is pivotal, enhancing their ability to predict and mitigate threats efficiently. “At fnCyber, we’re integrating these advanced technologies to enhance our services, staying abreast of evolving cyber threats,” she adds. They focus on adopting and fostering an understanding among their team and clients, aligning technology with its application in a particular business environment. “This approach keeps us and our clients ahead in securing our digital landscapes.”
Turning Challenges into Success
In the current changing scenarios, obstacles are inevitable. Ayesha says that challenges in the dynamic cybersecurity landscape often arise from rapid technological advancements and the need for continual learning. Being a woman leader adds a layer, given the sector’s shortage of skilled womanpower. However, these are opportunities to learn, adapt, and set new benchmarks.
“My approach is rooted in resilience, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to our goals. I focus on fostering an inclusive environment and promoting diverse thoughts and innovation. By staying true to my values and maintaining a relentless pursuit of excellence, I navigate through challenges, turning them into stepping stones for collective growth and success.”
A Catalyst for Societal Progress
All these leads to our next sub-question of the issue of women empowerment through women entrepreneurship and how crucial it is in the concurrent times, and what efforts Ayesha, being a powerful woman entrepreneur herself and at a position of authority, is taking to ensure more women opt for it to become mentally and financially independent.
Ayesha’s answer is profound: Women’s entrepreneurship is vital today and any day as a catalyst for societal progress and economic empowerment. It brings diverse perspectives, fostering innovation and resilience. “At fnCyber, we actively encourage and support women, creating an inclusive and empowering environment. We offer mentorship and opportunities for learning and growth, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and independence. By promoting a culture of equality and respect, we aim to inspire more women to embrace entrepreneurship, helping them to realize their potential and contribute meaningfully to the evolving entrepreneurial landscape.”
A Live Advice
In her advice to budding entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, who aspire to venture into any industry they wish to, Ayesha says, ‘Embrace your passion and persevere, irrespective of the industry. Research thoroughly, be prepared to learn continuously, and don’t fear failure—it’s a stepping stone to success.’
‘For women, believe in your worth and capabilities, don’t hesitate to voice your ideas, and seek mentorship and support. Create a robust support system and network extensively. And, very importantly, maintain a balance between confidence and humility. Entrepreneurship is a journey of constant learning and adaptation, and your unique perspective as a woman can be your greatest strength.
Be Fearless—Be Resilient—Be Yourself’
On envisioning moving ahead along with team fnCyber, Ayesha reveals they foresee fnCyber as a flag-bearer of holistic cybersecurity solutions, continuing to innovate and adapt to the dynamic digital landscape. They’ll intensify their focus on fostering an inclusive, learning-centric environment, enabling their team to evolve continually.
Ayesha states, “Our journey will be marked by a steadfast commitment to our clients, offering them unparalleled service and support.”
“We aim to deepen our engagements, build enduring partnerships, and contribute significantly to creating a secure, resilient digital ecosystem.”
“Our future is about harmonious growth, enlightened progression, and unwavering dedication to excellence and mutual success,” she concludes.
