Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Shekina Farr.
Hi Dr. Farr, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Dr. Shekina Farr, and I run Formidable Woman®, the #1 international confidence and women’s empowerment brand whose mission is to champion confidence in women–globally.
How did I get here? In the corporate world, the path to leadership can be challenging for anyone, but it often presents unique obstacles for women. I embarked on a personal journey to empower women in leadership after a life-altering experience that highlighted the pressing need for confidence-building and support. This is the story of how my own adversity propelled me to create a certification accelerator company for women in leadership.
Having quasi-transitioned from teaching to the corporate realm, I was thrilled about the new opportunities that awaited me. However, I soon encountered a situation that shook me to my core. I became a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, an experience that left me feeling powerless and defeated. Even more, disheartening was the response from management, as the harasser faced no consequences, while I was let go for speaking out against the misconduct.
It was during this dim period of my life that a flicker of inspiration ignited within me. As I reflected, I realized that my then lack of confidence had contributed to my inability to take appropriate action following my removal. I vowed that no other woman should feel the same sense of defeatism or be dissuaded from pursuing leadership roles in male-dominated environments. I recognized the urgent need to provide women with the tools, support, and unwavering confidence necessary to thrive in leadership positions.
Motivated by my own experiences, I set out to establish a platform, a confidence accelerator company designed specifically for women in leadership. Today at Formidable Woman® University, our mission is to equip women with the skills, mindset, and resilience required to excel in their roles and shatter the glass ceiling. We offer comprehensive confidence training programs, coaching, and certification courses that empower women to overcome obstacles, communicate effectively, and lead with conviction.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
People who lack confidence often do not recognize it. It has to be pointed out tactfully. Therefore, most of our challenges are resolved with education on the topic. There is a tendency we have to conflate confidence with high self-image and/or accomplishments. One of the challenges we faced at the onset was being met with rebuttals of “But I am so accomplished,” “I dress well,” or “But I attract opportunities.” So, I knew early on that educating women on the distinctions and imagery of those distinctions would be crucial to our platform. I knew Formidable Woman would need to educate because what we find is very often women look good on paper, but they don’t show up as such. Or they show up as such but inconsistently. Finding ways to tell my story in a vulnerable way with imagery has been very helpful in this educating.
We’ve been impressed with Formidable Woman® University, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our confidence training and certification accelerator company is important for women in leadership, women aspiring to lead, and companies empowering women in leadership because it addresses the critical need for confidence-building and empowerment. By providing women with the necessary skills, mindset, and support, you can help them overcome barriers, excel in their roles, and contribute to a more inclusive and successful workplace.
We address:
Imposter Syndrome
Effective Communication and Influence
Risk-Taking and Decision-Making
Building Resilience
Breaking Stereotypes and Bias
Talent Retention and Attraction
Enhanced Organizational Performance
We serve:
1. Corporate Organizations: Large corporations and businesses can benefit from your confidence training programs to empower women in leadership positions and aspiring female leaders within their ranks. By investing in the confidence development of their female employees, these companies can foster a more inclusive and diverse leadership culture, leading to improved performance and innovation.
2. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): SMEs often face unique challenges in developing their leadership pipeline. Your confidence training and certification programs can provide SMEs with targeted support to develop their female leaders, enabling them to compete effectively in their industries and attract and retain top talent.
3. Nonprofit and Social Impact Organizations: Nonprofit organizations, foundations, and social impact ventures can greatly benefit from your services. These organizations often strive to create positive change and address social inequalities. By empowering women in leadership roles within these organizations, your confidence training can amplify their impact and help drive meaningful change.
4. Entrepreneurial Ventures: Startups and entrepreneurial ventures can greatly benefit from confidence training, as they often require leaders who can navigate uncertainty, take risks, and make quick decisions. Your programs can equip women entrepreneurs and startup founders with the confidence and skills needed to lead their ventures effectively and successfully.
5. Professional Services Firms: Companies in professional services, such as consulting firms, law firms, and accounting firms, can leverage your services to support the career progression of their female professionals. Enhancing confidence and leadership skills can enable women in these industries to take on more responsibilities, secure promotions, and become influential leaders within their firms.
6. Coaching and Training Companies: Our company’s certification programs for coaches and coach trainers can benefit coaching and training companies themselves. By certifying their coaches and trainers in your specialized approach to confidence development, these companies can enhance their service offerings, attract new clients, and differentiate themselves in the market.
7. Educational Institutions: Colleges, universities, and educational institutions can incorporate our confidence training programs into their leadership development curricula. By providing students with the necessary confidence-building skills and mindset, these institutions can better prepare the next generation of female leaders to succeed in their careers and make a positive impact.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
It is critical to be passionate about your purpose. I heard this quote, and it really resonated with me. I am paraphrasing, but it generally explains that the goal is not to change the world but to come alive because when you come alive, you ignite a fire in others in the world to come alive. And what the world needs is for each of us to be fully alive.
Pricing:
- Accelerated Confidence 3 Sessions $5977
- Confidence Coaching 5 Sessions $3177
- Coach Certification LIVE Course $3177
- Open Your Own Academy Coach Trainer LIVE Course $3177
- Open Your Own Academy Coach Trainer Home Study Course $1477
Contact Info:
- Website: www.formidablewomanuniversity.com
- Instagram: @formidablewomanuniversity
- Facebook: facebook.com/formidablewomanuniversity
Image Credits
Drea Nicole Photography
ASU Formidable Woman University
