Mahnaz Sharif is a Strategic Business Architect. She empowers Mums whose business dreams are buried under family needs.
She tells us that, “Most mums know the feeling of being sandwiched between what their family needs from them and the business they want to create. Through overcoming her own challenges – feeling torn between her dual roles as a business owner and Mum to two teens, Mahnaz developed the H.A.R.M.O.N.Y Blueprint crafted especially for Mums to avoid the struggle with the juggle. It’s not just about business efficiency but also about joy and real focus – to carve out time for you, your life, your family and your business!”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
My childhood was great, loving parents and very supportive and encouraging to work hard, go to University so I could be educated at a higher level than my parents had the opportunity. I grew up in Scotland and have very fond memories with my parents and siblings. I also learnt the value of hard work, my father worked very hard and we saw the opportunities he had because of this – something I have had to work on later in life to unlearn as I grew up with the belief that the harder you work the more successful you can be.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
At the start of lockdown I had a real reflection – what I was doing was not working and I had become addicted to overworking. With my husband and children home, constantly interrupting my work time – I struggled to focus on work. I sat there at my dining table wondering how on earth I could be there for my family without giving up on my dreams. I also had the profound realisation that as mums (including my own late mother) we never ask ourselves “what do I want to do” “what’s my purpose and passion” we are too busy putting everyone else’s needs before our own! That is when I knew I did NOT want to live in regret…. I had to pivot my business, design my business to suit me, work with boundaries so I could prioritise everyone around me including my passion business. I had a deep desire to help other mums build their business and support them however I could – based on my skills and experience.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
I empower Business Mums to Boost Efficiency, Banish ‘Mum Guilt’, and Thrive in both business and in life – all without sacrifice. I created my own H.A.R.M.O.N.Y. Blueprint from my own challenges to help other Mums to have an easier route to creating space for their business dreams as often I find the people closest to us, simply do not understand and are unable to support us – I am dedicated to being that support for Mums who need it. I’m the founder of the Build with Boundaries Academy – a safe space where Mums prioritise their work, take consistent action so they make progress and work super productively with lots of support and resources. My mission is to help Mums create the identity they secretly dream of!
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
I am really proud of what I have achieved so far and that I can work just 4 days a week and fit in all my work so I can be there for my family too. My 3 P’s have been helpful in making this happen – Permission – Priorities – Productivity as these are essential for all business Mums. I’m also really proud of my focus on implementation as this is where the magic is. An example of this is when I launched my Build with Boundaries Podcast (I managed to launch it in just 2 hours from setting the intention) I love creating content for super busy Mums and know super short episodes is what they need plus actionable things, not just learnings for the sake of learning.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would love to see more money in the hands of Mums. Being natural nurturers, carers they are always impacting those around them, the more money they have the bigger positive impact they can create – impact on their children, family, loved ones, neighbours and community.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
I think the more women that rise – they take even more women with them, women seeing other women achieve is amazing and it’s beautiful when women support each other and make waves, in what can often feel like a man’s world.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Believe in yourself – you can accomplish anything you set your mind to! If you do not have the right support around you right now – it just means you need to find support that will help you get there – your purpose is worth it!