Sheena Yap Chan is a keynote speaker, coach, podcaster, consultant, and author on building self-confidence. She currently inspires women through her award-winning podcast called The Tao of Self Confidence where she interviews Asian women about their inner journey to self-confidence.
Her mission is to help Asian Women boost their confidence to live their authentic selves, help Asian Women create a voice in the world, and create a stronger representation for Asian women.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here we sit down with Sheena to know a bit more about her journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Sheena: I wanted to live life on my terms. I was sick and tired of living life for others and knew that life is so short. I didn’t want to leave this world regretting that I wasn’t able to do the things that I wanted to do.
Q. How did you get started?
Sheena: I tried so many different things but failed along the way. It wasn’t until I started my podcast, The Tao Of Self Confidence, that really helped my own confidence along the way. It also led me to help other women to build confidence to show up as their authentic selves and to live life on their terms.
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Sheena: My biggest lesson was the fear of starting something new. As women, we tend to overanalyze and over-prepare a new venture, and yet something still holds us back because we feel like we are never enough. Sometimes the biggest person holding us back is ourselves. That was me, I was so afraid to put myself out there and it delayed my success a lot. I was able to overcome this by learning to ask for help. Asking for help really helped me take action and I realized that just because you are in business for yourself, it doesn’t mean you are in business by yourself. Support is there when you need and there is no shame in asking for help.
Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?
Sheena: The most memorable thing I have done is co-created a book called Asian Women Who Boss Up. As an Asian woman, it’s not always easy to go out on your own to forge your own path. You are not taken seriously when you become an entrepreneur and it’s due to the negative stereotypes we face. I have always been passionate about creating a stronger representation for Asian women and this book does that. It highlights the stories of 18 Asian women who have been able to forge their own path, overcome obstacles and thrive. I also love that the front cover showcases 16 Asian women which you rarely see. Being able to hear the positive feedback from our readers gives me the greatest joy in life because I know we have created something that can inspire others, especially Asian women, to do and be more.
Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?
Sheena: I am going to be biased and say that book I recommend is Asian Women Who Boss UP. Reading other people’s stories is a great way to learn from other people’s experiences and it gives you the inspiration to take action in your own life.
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Sheena: I just want to be able to leave knowing I was able to make a positive impact in the world especially for Asian women because of the traumas they are still facing today. If I was able to help at least one person in this world see their potential, then I have done my job.
Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Sheena: Be confident enough to ask for help, there is no shame in that.
To keep up to date with Sheena and her journey, connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.