Sheila’s Story: Leveraging a Growth Mindset to Overcome Adversity
As a budding and ambitious entrepreneur, you can hear the energy in Sheila’s voice as she talks about her growing business, young family, and eagerness to support women in her community. But as she recounts her journey, Sheila’s tone changes. Her path to get to where she is today hasn’t been easy.
Sheila at her business.
Sheila remembers a particularly turbulent childhood growing up in Machakos County, Kenya. At times, she recalls having nowhere to sleep. There was rarely enough food to sustain Sheila and her siblings and money was always scarce — so scarce that she vividly remembers the sinking feeling when she was sent home from school because her family could no longer afford the fees.
Sheila felt like her dreams were shattered when financial challenges forced her out of the classroom. But never one to yield to challenges, Sheila persevered. Turning towards the informal economy, she started her own business selling snacks, water, and soft drinks in town. But despite her resourcefulness, Sheila’s hardships mounted. Unable to sustain momentum amidst the pandemic, she was forced to close her business. Then, the unthinkable happened — Sheila lost her 1-year-old baby. Heartbroken, her hope waned.
These were impossibly dark and difficult years for Sheila. But drawing on her personal strength and the support from her family and community, she fought to move forward. “Without my mother, friends, and faith, I don’t know how I would have kept going.” In the spring of 2022, Sheila heard about Educate!’s bootcamp and decided to join.
Through participation in the bootcamp, designed to equip youth unable to access traditional education with the skills to build their livelihoods, her entrepreneurial drive deepened, and she gradually began to chart her next chapter — one in which she would take the lead.
Over the course of the bootcamp, Sheila soaked in each opportunity to strengthen her skill set. When doubt crept in, she would remind herself of one of the first bootcamp lessons: developing a growth mindset. The concept had instantly resonated; despite the adversity she faced, Sheila recognized her power to remain resilient.
“I no longer have a fixed mindset. Challenges will always be there, but you cannot give up.”
Armed with new tools and knowledge, and fueled by her growing independence, Sheila set out to revive her small enterprise. Sticking to the business plan she created through Educate!, she began waking in the early hours of the morning to target the first wave of customers. Thinking strategically, she moved closer to the bus station to catch passengers heading toward the city. She even acquired new products, such as fruits for young children. Her efforts paid off. On just her first day back, Sheila earned more money than she ever had on a single day.
Through passion, grit, and unrelenting persistence, Sheila is creating the life she envisions. At the same time, she’s found power in her story — one that she believes can inspire other young mothers in her community. Sheila is especially passionate about supporting victims of gender-based violence and helping women understand their inner strength. Balancing business ownership and motherhood, Sheila is more determined than ever. “My children give me strength,” she says, as she works to build security and opportunity for her young son and newborn daughter.