Celebrating Two Years of Empowering Female Leadership and Embracing Sisterhood as an Entrepreneur

As I just celebrated my 2nd-year anniversary as the Founder of SparkVision, I am filled with the desire to reflect on the unexpectedly wild and fulfilling journey this experience has afforded me. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about who I am now, compared to who I used to be. And I don’t even know the girl from 2015 who decided to take a leap of faith in building something of her own. That MaryBeth was so naive, insecure and unsure of what she had to offer the world. But those around me pushed me to believe in myself more than I ever did (or even do today) forming a new kind of sisterhood.

Today when people ask me the best part of being an entrepreneur, I always know how to answer. That I get to spend my time with people who fill me up and not waste it on those who drain me. And in particular, the female Boss Ladies that I get to call my sisters.

Sadly, in almost all my years leading up to this point, my professional experiences with women were not always rewarding. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had incredible women in my life every step of the way, but sadly our brains and emotional wounds tend to bare more weight on the negative experiences than the positive ones. Those who didn’t understand me or thought I was ‘too big for my britches’, made it clear where I stood on the totem pole. It crushed me. There were times that I lost myself with the clawing desire to understand why they didn’t like me? and what I was doing wrong?. I had come to the conclusion that “that’s just how female executives are in the workplace”.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. 

With the ability to decide who I surround myself with and give my energy to, I am in a new space of freedom, love, and overwhelming support. I’m humbled by the female warriors who have my back unconditionally every step of my journey. Many of them have been in my life for years and some just entered in the last few months. It’s amazing what happens to your network when you raise the bar on who gets access to your joy. Thanks to them, I finally know what it feels like to be a part of a sisterhood.

I look up to them, see my best self through their eyes and have immense gratitude for all they’ve given me. From building me up in my times of doubt to celebrating our connection through humanity and the meaningful lives we lead in this world. They’ve given me the gift of a new lens to the beautiful side of female leadership.

So as I look back, I celebrate everyone who has been on my team and thank those who have not. For if it weren’t for the haters, you’d never truly appreciate the lovers. Thank YOU for serving as role models, friends and a dynamic source of never-ending inspiration. I am grateful for every ounce of it and promise to lift others up around me, just as you have shown me how.