Menaca Joji, who is described as “the next Oprah,” is a serial entrepreneur, author, business and resilience coach.
Menaca successfully sold her Dentistry practice after 23 years in the industry and decided to move into the world of coaching, putting her personal and professional experiences into practice. Menaca overcame adversity after walking through the jungle barefoot during the Sri Lankan Civil War.
With a degree in NLP, hypnotherapy and coaching, Menaca is helping others to take control of their lives and turn their dreams into reality. Menaca turned her life from war victim to a divorcee to a successful independent woman. She is a mother and has demonstrated resilience and the willingness and eagerness to continually learn and develop along with the urge to pay it forward. Menaca wants to leave a legacy of change as an individual who left this universe and anyone who crossed her path in a better shape than she found it in.
Speaking at the Annual Migrant Business Show 2019, held at Amba Hotel, Marble Arch, 27th April 2019, Menaca will share her story ‘Roadmap to Resilience’ as a keynote speaker.
Tell us a bit about yourself, background and your current role
After walking for ten days through the jungle & witnessing a woman killed within a foot to my right, I left Sri Lanka & moved to India. After completing my dentistry & working as a lecturer in India, I got married & moved to the UK. I completed my retraining & conversion exams before starting my career here. I went through a divorce becoming a single mum to my five-year daughter and bought my dental practice. I sold my practice after 23 years in Dentistry, turning it into 5x turn over after being a trainer, coach & mentor for dentists and team members.
I’m passionate in raising awareness about burnout & ill health (which I personally suffered) amongst entrepreneurs and organisations. I’ve a platform to empower women aiding you to discover your passion, lead a fulfilling life and be in charge of your destiny regardless of your background.
I’m publishing my book ’Resilience Learned’ this Summer!
Did you ever sit down and plan your career?
Though I have sat down and planned my career a few times, my career hasn’t always panned out to my plan. Many adversities and setbacks in my life has changed my trajectory of my life forever.
Have you faced any challenges along the way?
War: My first brush with my death was at age nine. Walking through the jungle for 10 days and witnessing a woman on my right within a foot getting killed. Also, going through divorce with a five-year-old daughter in a foreign land, and the experience of burn out and stress related illness.
What has been your biggest achievement to date?
Becoming a dentist after a major setback (fleeing war) and settling down in a foreign land twice.
Turning the turnover of my practice into 5x and patient base to 6x and to be recognised as a finalist in three categories for the London Business Awards, being the Best practice of BDA (British Dental Association) over five years.
Being an international speaker at the Women Economic Forum convention in India (2019) Receiving an international award “Iconic Woman Creating a better World for All”
Finishing my book ‘Resilience Learned’ which will be published this summer.
What one thing do you believe has been a major factor in you achieving success?
Resilience and finding the positives in every situation. Learning from others and developing myself unceasingly. Having inspiring mentors and supportive family and friends.
How do you feel about mentoring? Have you mentored anyone or are you someone’s mentee?
I think mentoring is a great tool where both the mentor and mentee benefit from each other. I have been a mentor and a mentee and have seen great results in both.
If you could change one thing to accelerate the pace of change for Gender Parity, what would it be?
Raise our girls with the belief there is no limits to what they can achieve and raising our boys to respect the dreams of women, instilling the value of inspired and motivated women to the society at large.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self what would it be?
See the gift within each situation though it’s a challenge at that moment.
Finding my path and discovering myself:
There was a time when as I was blossoming, I cringed, winged and wallowed.
One day I began to understand that the universe had been preparing me for this all along directing, propelling and evolving me to fulfil my purpose.
I now realise the many lifecycles were to collect strength through recovering from setbacks and help me grow.
I realise I had to wear the badges of a victim, a survivor and many other failures to shape me to find my truth.
I realise the inner battles and heartaches were to help me listen to my inner-soul
I realise all the triumphs and tribulations were there to aid me to find the inner secret code.
I now realise the key to growth, & wisdom could have never been revealed without falling and standing up.
My life couldn’t have been transformed stronger without discovering the treasure trove within me.
My journey has been a gift to help me inspire and motivate and create change!
What is your next challenge and what are you hoping to achieve in the future?
I’m passionate in raising awareness about burnout & ill health (which I personally suffered) amongst entrepreneurs and organisations.
I’ve a platform to inspire women to reimagine success by aiding them to discover their passion, lead a fulfilling life and be in charge of their destiny regardless of background.
