Manchester MBA Voices - Gloria #mba #businessschool #entrepreneurship

Why It Matters

The advice equips women with actionable strategies to overcome systemic barriers, boosting gender diversity in leadership and entrepreneurship, which drives stronger business performance.

Key Takeaways

• Lean in when you feel like leaving the room
• Build your own ventures if the table excludes you
• Seek allies and sponsors beyond gender for support
• Remember women’s progress: voting, accounts, leadership opportunities have expanded
• Community of women exists; don’t navigate leadership alone

Summary

The video, recorded for International Women’s Month, features a Manchester MBA alumna offering concise guidance to women aspiring to business leadership and to current students. She frames her advice around three core actions: lean in when you feel the urge to quit, create your own ventures when existing structures fall short, and actively seek allies and sponsors beyond gender lines.

She underscores the historical context, reminding listeners that women once lacked basic rights such as voting or owning bank accounts, and argues that today’s challenges demand a proactive stance rather than retreat. The speaker emphasizes that leaning in is a signal to persist, building a venture is a way to reshape a non‑accommodating table, and cultivating a supportive network is essential for thriving.

Memorable lines include, “When you feel like leaving, that’s probably the time you need to lean in,” and “You were not meant to do this alone; there’s a community of women waiting for you.” These quotes illustrate her blend of motivational rhetoric with practical counsel, urging listeners to harness both personal resolve and collective support.

The implications are clear: business schools and corporations must foster environments where women feel empowered to stay, innovate, and find mentorship. By internalizing these takeaways, emerging female leaders can accelerate their career trajectories, drive entrepreneurial activity, and contribute to a more inclusive corporate landscape.

Original Description

"For any entrepreneur struggling... if the money isn't coming, try to find the partners."

In this snippet, MBA candidate Gloria Cherono speaks with host Riya Malik about the realities of entrepreneurship as a woman — from barriers to finance to the power of partnerships and finding the right community.

Massive thanks to the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre for supporting Gloria with her journey 🙌

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