Spill the Tea with Sarika – First Edition
From the Floor to the Boardroom: My Leadership Journey
I still remember my first real job interview like it was yesterday. Young, naïve, clueless — and honestly, a little rebellious. I grew up in a very conservative home where everything had rules, expectations, and “the way things should be.” But something in me always whispered, break the pattern. She was young and fearless from the start.
At just 21 years old, determined to rewrite the script, I arrived at my interview an hour late. Yes… an hour. That story deserves its own edition, but let’s just say life was already teaching me that leadership doesn’t begin in the boardroom — it begins in the chaos.
I walked into reception, heart pounding, and asked to see the lady who had called me for an interview as an admin clerk. A few minutes later, I found myself sitting across from two very stern-looking women. Their faces said, “Why should we even consider you?” Mine probably said, “Please, I need this job,” mixed with a little charm and a whole lot of determination.
Whether it was the desperation in my eyes or my natural ability to connect — God knows — but that moment became the beginning of my career. That tiny admin desk was the first stepping stone in a journey that would take me from the floor to the boardroom.
The Lessons That Shaped Me
1. You don’t need permission to rise
No one hands you confidence. You build it. You fight for it. You grow into it. Showing up late could’ve ended everything — but showing up anyway taught me that courage often looks messy.
2. Leadership starts long before the title
I didn’t have a fancy role. I didn’t have qualifications. What I had was grit, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Those qualities carried me through retail floors, sales targets, training rooms, and eventually into leadership.
3. Women lead differently — and that’s our power
Over 20 years, I’ve led and developed thousands of women. I’ve seen the same patterns repeat: doubt, fear, shrinking, apologizing for taking up space. And I’ve also seen the magic that happens when a woman decides she’s done playing small.
4. Setbacks are part of the curriculum
I faced seasons where I felt stuck, overlooked, exhausted, and unsure. But every setback sharpened my voice, my resilience, and my coaching philosophy.
5. Your story becomes your strength
Everything I’ve lived — the early marriage, the pressure, the expectations, the late interview, the long hours, the promotions, the failures — all of it shaped the coach I am today.
Why This Story Matters for You
Because somewhere out there is a woman who thinks she’s too late, too inexperienced, too overwhelmed, too stuck, too unsure.
And I want her to know: You can start anywhere. You can rise from anywhere. You can rewrite everything.
My journey didn’t begin with confidence — it began with chaos, fear, and a late arrival. But it grew into leadership, impact, and a mission: To help women rise, grow, and achieve what they are truly capable of.
