Farhana Kabir – Igniting Your Inner Power

We had the pleasure of meeting Farhana this past week and are excited to share her inspiring story of struggle, overcoming obstacles and of “igniting her inner power”

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in Bangladesh by a widowed mom with 6 sisters. I migrated to Canada with my mother when I was 16. I studied fashion designing from Montreal but l always had a passion for entrepreneurship.

What do you do?

I own a corporation for women by women. It’s a real estate and mortgage company that is exclusively for women and run by all women staff. The company is called Deservia.

Do you believe that this is your dream job?

I don’t believe in jobs. I believe in entrepreneurship. My business is my passion and my purpose. I believe in empowering women to become entrepreneurs of their own and that’s what I’m doing each and every day.

What or who inspires you?

My mother and my elder sisters always encouraged me to be who I wanted to be. Even when I lived in Bangladesh and dreams about pursuing my dreams of starting a business, they helped me find a way to pay for my endeavours. I still remember how my mother used the money she had saved for our new eid clothing to pay for my business idea one year. In a country where the norm is for women to be married at age 16 or 17 and where there are limited opportunities for women, my family, my sisters and my mom stood with me, not against me.

In every leadership journey there are ups and downs. What was one of your downs and how did it make you stronger?

My mom passed away a few years ago and that was probably the most devastating thing that could happen to me. She brought me to this country so that I could be all that I wanted to be. But before I was able to become a successful entrepreneur she passed away. I wanted to give her the world and yet she wasn’t there to experience any of it. But this made me stronger and gave me the passion and drive I needed to build my business to where it is today. Today I have over 13 real estate agents at my firm and we’re going strong.

What advice would you give other women that are looking to pursue their dreams?

Don’t judge other women. We are already being judged enough by other men and by society at large. Help other women and it will make your job easier. Go with your passion and allow others to help you along the way. Look for mentors to support you, I know they made a huge difference in my life. As more and more women are becoming entrepreneurs, there is more of an opportunity to reach out to those women that have made it and seek their support and guidance.  In my own profession, real estate, men are still dominating the profession, but we are making some headway. It’s important for us to find our inner strength and make our space in society. I am a feminist, but I don’t believe you need to ask for rights and power from men. I believe women have the power within and it’s our job to ignite this power.

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

I see myself starting a free women’s online university that provides education for the development of women entrepreneurs and the supports that require to remain successful. My goal is to support 180 Million women and to support their development so that they can be financially free.