PHOTO BY: SIGNATURE IMAGERY
But as expected, Toni’s achievements have been met
with many challenges; challenges which she has
today faced, overcame and used as stepping stones to
her advancement. Like most people, Toni had to
overcome financial constraints - and pockets of
discrimination based on the fact that she is a young
black woman. As she stated: “People judge you
based on your youth. We are getting better right now,
but there are still some people that do not take you
seriously because of your age.”
positive light.
She continued to highlight the classism and racism
that still exists in today’s society. On the issue of
gender she lamented, “We as women have been made
to feel like children in terms of taking our own place.
If a woman speaks up, she is seen as crass, but if a
man speaks up, he is seen as very confident. You
never hear anybody refer to a woman as a
maverick.” In this regard, her confident and
outspoken nature has not always been viewed in a
In discussing other challenges facing young female
When asked ‘What would you say are some of your
greatest challenges as an entrepreneur?’ Toni
expressed “As a female entrepreneur, I have many
challenges. It looks glamorous but I can confidently
say that entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted.
Not feeling guilty about charging what my services
are worth has been a constant zone of discomfort.
However, that is definitely getting better.”
entrepreneurs, Toni noted that many are uncertain
about the path they should take to realize their goals.
There is much fear in taking the first step. She, too,
had to overcome this fear along her journey. “It is
hard to tell yourself, ‘let me take this leap of faith and
really believe in what I am doing and push and be a
full-fledged entrepreneur.”
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