Sharena hosts a podcast show called “START UP. START NOW.” and has been campaigning for gender equality in the workplace since 2014, when she founded Aston Women in Business society.
In 2017, I pursued a passion and started Devotion Property Management in Devon and I host a podcast show called “START UP. START NOW.”. I am also studying towards a Master’s in Entrepreneurship at Cambridge Judge Business School (Cambridge University) and held several leadership roles at The Cambridge Union (oldest debating society in the world).
I have been campaigning for gender equality in the workplace since 2014, when I founded Aston Women in Business society, influencing over 2,200 young females, and hosted over 90 female speaker sessions. Working at Microsoft as a Sales intern in 2014 and having attended a WeAreTheCity Women in Tech event opened my eyes to the male dominated environments that young girls were entering and this had a negative impact on my ambition as there was a lack of female role models to aspire to within the workplace. On my graduate scheme at Royal Bank Scotland (RBS), I had the opportunity to contribute to ‘The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship’ (CEO, RBS) and felt privileged to interview her as she was the first woman to lead a major UK bank.
I started “START UP. START NOW.” at the beginning of the pandemic to help aspiring entrepreneurs hear stories of successes, challenges and overcoming setbacks from business founders’. The podcast focuses mainly on what founders’ wish they had known when starting out. The 5-star rated podcast is currently ranked “Top 20 for Great Britain – Entrepreneurship category” and “Top 100 for Global Business” category on Apple podcasts (2022). Most recently I have interviewed UK’s most successful entrepreneurs: Ben Francis (Gymshark), Steven Bartlett (Dragon’s Den), Holly Tucker MBE (Not On The High Street) and Edwina Dunn OBE (Tesco Clubcard). My aim is to provide relatable role models to aspiring entrepreneurs.
I always knew I wanted to start my own business or be a CEO and this was apparent to me because I had an interest in studying business from GCSEs to Masters level. I also looked up to business leaders and I was surrounded by successful business owners at Coutts Bank (subsidiary of RBS) and my housemates whilst living in London. These experiences led to following my passion of having my own business. Now that I have my own business I am able to properly plan where I would like my career to go in the future.
Absolutely!! Personally, my biggest challenge was losing my mum at the age of four and everything changed. Our days out and shopping trips were replaced with hospital appointments and in-patient visits. Dad went from being a businessman to being at home all the time. Our usual home cooked meals were suddenly different and unfamiliar. He was the only dad amongst the many mums at the school gate. During this difficult time, I was very fortunate to meet (Grandma) Paula who was a volunteer at the Home-Start charity which you could read more about here: https://www.home-start.org.uk/Blog/my-home-start-volunteer-inspired-my-love-of-learning
Professionally, I had a number of issues ranging from having inexperienced managers through to running a business during the pandemic.
Undoubtedly, getting into Cambridge University and the opportunity to interview business leaders. This has been a dream come true for me. Other big achievements include, being recognised as “one of the UK’s top 50 brightest young leaders” by Henley Business School and having the opportunity to work alongside the late Jamal Edwards MBE on the digital age debate, an opportunity to discuss how new technologies impact entrepreneurs both personally and professionally.
I am not afraid of asking for help! The biggest factor in aiding my success would be surrounding myself with positive and encouraging people such as friends, family, and mentors as they’ve been my biggest support system. Being an entrepreneur is a very solo path and your vision can be clouded by self doubts and questions about if what you’re doing is right. Being around open minded people has helped me overcome moments of mental blocks and helped me follow my ambition.
Mentoring is free talking therapy. I’ve been very fortunate to have a number of mentors that achieved things that I aspired to such as Roger Wilkinson (owner of Wilkinson Grant and Co.). He was the first business leader that believed in me and entrusted me with responsibilities that I had no experience in. He always paid attention to my curiosities and was more than happy to provide me with his unmatched knowledge that has ultimately helped me to launch off my career in property.
Dr Heather Melville OBE, who I met at RBS has played a significant role in my work in women in business. Last year we recorded an episode for START UP START NOW. You can listen to the full episode here.
Learning the value of mentoring, I now mentor two new undergraduates every year advising on various subjects including internships, graduate jobs and/or side hustles. Additionally, I have been selected for the second year running alongside esteemed CEO’s of FTSE 250 companies to mentor through the “PwC Female Executive Mentoring Programme”.
Recently, I have become a mentor for Virgin for Startups which is exciting!
SPEAK UP. Solving significant issues in society requires unity therefore, we need male allies to become a part of this journey to accelerate the pace of gender equality it’s important that everyone stands up for injustice rather than taking a back seat and disregarding it because “it’s a woman’s problem”.
What you do today, determines tomorrow! Therefore, take every opportunity and live life to the fullest.
Completing my Masters in Entrepreneurship at Cambridge University! My dissertation will focus on the success factors for the fastest growing female-led businesses in the UK and what key learnings can be applied to future aspiring female entrepreneurs.
I am looking forward to interviewing more successful entrepreneurs and growing the podcast in 2022!
Lastly, completing the London Marathon in 2022 for Cancer Research in memory of my mum.
April
29apr11:4514:00Women in Business Networking - London networking - London City
29/04/2025 11:45 - 14:00(GMT+01:00)
The Anthologist
58 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BB
Kick off your 2025 in style by networking with us. A fabulous mix of formal & informal networking over a facilitated business lunch
WIBN networking is here to create a platform for like-minded women, who passionately drive their business forward and collaborate with others to help them achieve success.
WIBN is a business network organisation for women business owners and employed professionals, who network each month over a facilitated business lunch. Our members support and encourage each other through collaboration and the sharing of business contacts and opportunities. The meetings are structured and effective, whilst also being supportive and friendly!
As Women Business Owners we know that one person can transform your business but think what you could achieve with a tribe of supportive and passionate business owners?? At WIBN we recognise that often women lack relevant networking opportunities simply because they network in a different way to men!
Our monthly meetings are a fabulous mix of formal and informal networking which includes your own 60 secs pitch, a focused spotlight session from a member and lunch.Our philosophy in this group is simple – No sister left behind! Come along to our WIBN group as a visitor and experience the potential to grow your business in a more productive way.
WIBN has a professional exclusivity policy so it’s one profession per group – see below * . As long as your profession is not already represented you would be welcome to visit a group twice before deciding if you want to join.
WIBN is a monthly membership group and a 12 month commitment will be required after you have visited a maximum of two times. Full details and prices will be given at the meeting.
*in the event that your profession is already represented at your chosen meeting then the organiser saves the right to propose another place or date. If we cannot relocate you then a full refund will be given.
30apr10:0016:00Women's Health Champion Course (CPD Accredited)
30/04/2025 10:00 - 16:00(GMT+01:00)
Periods, menopause,
They’re everyday realities for millions of women and they directly impact performance, engagement and retention.
But stigma, silence and a lack of knowledge mean many managers and HR professionals don’t know how to spot the signs or have the right conversations.
It’s time to change that.
Our Women’s Health Champion Training is designed to break the silence and build real, practical support in your organisation – every single day.
Delivered by two expert trainers, this engaging course covers:
✅ Menstrual health and managing period-related challenges
✅ Fertility, pregnancy, and baby loss (including returning to work)
✅ Gynaecological conditions like endometriosis, fibroids and PCOS
✅ Menopause and long-term wellbeing
✅ Practical strategies to create a truly inclusive culture
Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Place: Zoom
Cost: £495 per person
Or get in touch if you’d like us to create a bespoke course for your organisation.