Women Thrive Magazine - Feb 2025

From Executive to Entrepreneur: Career Transitions with Purpose

Listening to the Quiet Call of Purpose

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to redefine your career completely? What if you had to leave behind years of hard-earned success to pursue something deeply personal and meaningful? Navigating a career transition can be one of the most daunting yet transformative experiences of a lifetime. For over two decades, I thrived as a senior executive in the chemical industry, a space where women leaders were few and far between. While I took pride in breaking barriers and succeeding in a male-dominated field, my professional identity became tethered to my title and achievements. The question lingered: was this truly aligned with my purpose? My journey from corporate executive to purpose-driven entrepreneur was not without challenges, but it taught me invaluable lessons about identity, risk, and empowerment. Today, I lead two ventures—The Mira Shoppe, a socially-conscious jewelry brand, and Amanat Strategic Advisors, an investment firm. Both are aimed at uplifting and empowering others.

Lesson 1: Redefining Identity Beyond the Corner Office

For years, my identity was intricately tied to my corporate career. As a senior executive in the chemical industry, I was often the only woman in the room. While this position was a testament to my resilience and expertise, it also came with immense pressure to continuously prove my worth. Over time, I realized that my title and accolades, while meaningful, were not enough to fulfill me. True fulfillment lay in aligning my career with my values and purpose.

Decoupling my identity from my corporate role required a mindset shift. I had to ask myself: What impact do I want to leave on the world? This question became the compass guiding my transition. By stepping away from a traditional path, I gained clarity on the deeper purpose that would shape my next chapter. Research by the Harvard Business Review found that 9 out of 10 people are willing to earn less money to do more meaningful work, highlighting the universal desire to align careers with values. Moreover, data from the same source reveals that meaningful work is a top priority for 70% of professionals worldwide, underlining the importance of this pursuit.

Lesson 2: Embracing Risk as a Catalyst for Growth

The decision to leave a stable and successful career to start my own business was not easy. The Mira Shoppe was born from a personal passion for craftsmanship and a desire to support women artisans globally. My first step into entrepreneurship was both exhilarating and terrifying. I traded boardroom meetings for craft fairs and started learning the nuances of running a small business from scratch.

With The Mira Shoppe, I aimed to empower women through beautiful, handcrafted jewelry that carries a story. Each piece—whether sterling silver from Taxco, Mexico, or handwoven bags from Colombia—represents a commitment to empowering women artisans and supporting girls’ education worldwide. According to the National Women’s Business Council, women-owned businesses account for 42% of all businesses in the U.S., employing 9.4 million people and generating $1.9 trillion in revenue. The leap into entrepreneurship taught me to trust my instincts, embrace failure as a learning tool, and remain grounded in purpose. It’s a reminder that taking risks often leads to the most rewarding outcomes.

Lesson 3: Empowering Others Through Financial Independence

As I grew The Mira Shoppe, I recognized an even broader opportunity to create impact—through financial empowerment. Women often face systemic barriers in accessing financial resources, whether to grow their businesses, support their families, or secure their futures. My next venture, an investment firm launching soon, is dedicated to addressing these barriers. By focusing on early-stage investments and financial education, the firm will provide women with the tools they need to build wealth and achieve independence.

Organizations like Camfed, which empower girls through education, have demonstrated that educated women reinvest 90% of their earnings into their families and communities, compared to 35% for men. This statistic underscores the transformative potential of empowering women financially. Similarly, research from Camfed highlights that every additional year of schooling increases a girl’s future income by up to 20%. My goal is to create a similar impact: empowered women investing in themselves, their families, and their communities. Through both of my ventures, I hope to demonstrate that purpose-driven work can be both impactful and profitable.

Creating a Legacy of Empowerment

My journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship has been one of self-discovery, courage, and purpose. By stepping away from a career that no longer aligned with my values, I found fulfillment in creating opportunities for others. Whether through The Mira Shoppe or my investment firm, my mission remains clear: to empower women and girls to lead with confidence, resilience, and independence.

To women considering a career transition, I offer this advice: listen to the quiet pull of your purpose. Take the risk. Embrace the journey. The impact you create will not only transform your own life but will inspire others to do the same