Are you also the founder of the Boss Lady Event? If so, tell us about that project and how it came about.
Yes, through Clyn, I learned a lot. Part of it was how difficult it was to access the right resources, especially as a woman. Most of the time, I was the only woman in the room, or the only woman of color in the room. I felt that there might be other incredible women in the Valley who feel the same. This event was born to build a community of go-getters with experience and connections, who are assisting women in Arizona advance in their careers and businesses. The Boss Lady event has so much great feedback! This event ended up changing my life too—I realized I am part of something way bigger, and I can’t wait to do it again on Aug. 8, 2020!
What other challenges have you faced as an entrepreneur?
I face a lot of similar challenges like other entrepreneurs: Funding. This is the entrepreneur’s valley of death. Projects, businesses and great work can stall because of it, and I am familiar with this. I’m still learning how to get funding. Even though it’s hard sometimes, I still enjoy the process.
Sometimes self-doubt creeps in. I can’t count how many times I doubted myself. I use to let self-doubt paralyse me. I would mask it as procrastination—doing busy work so I don’t have to face what I’m scared to do, because I didn’t want to fail. So I use this trick, where I tell myself firmly “Just do it! Commit!”
Most of the accomplishments I’ve gained so far are the ones I was so convinced I’m not worthy to pull off.
My personal demons have been depression and anxiety. My husband and I call it “that person.” I fought really hard to keep that person out of my house (which is my mind), but often times it knocks at the door real loud and I try to tune it out, so I can focus on what’s in front of me.
“I am fulfilling my purpose today. I am a genius marketer. I’m a smart business woman. My name is in rooms and buildings I have not stepped into yet. I am enough and more.”
Have you experienced additional challenges as a woman of color, if so, how did you handle it?
Being a woman of color is a big blessing but yet a difficult road. Often times, when a woman of color doesn’t fit a perceived picture, people are afraid to interact with them because they think it would be too hard to comprehend who they are instead of being interested to learn more. When you picture a millennial leading in the tech industry, you picture a Mark Zuckerberg, not a little African girl like myself.
For example, when I moved to a different college to complete my engineering degree, my scholarships suddenly stopped. I finally had a chance to speak to my advisor and she looked me straight in the eye and said, “Diana, you just don’t seem to look like an engineer.” She said it so calmly and collected like it seemed she really believed what she said.
It took me a while to realize that I subconsciously internalized it, and had to unlearn that lie. I also had to learn to be comfortable being the one who stands out because of how I look, and remind myself that I belong, and I’m smart enough to be in whatever room I’m in.
What advice do you have for other aspiring entrepreneurs?
Your idea is never to dumb, too complicated or far fetched. It may take you a few years but be consistent. Your focus should be improving by 1 percent every time you make a step, whether it’s forward or backward.
Share your favorite quote.
I don’t have a favorite quote, but I have a favorite affirmation I say to myself every morning: “I am fulfilling my purpose today. I am a genius marketer. I’m a smart business woman. My name is in rooms and buildings I have not stepped into yet. I am enough and more.”
For more info on Diana and Clyn app, visit clynapp.com. For The Boss Lady Event, visit EventBrite.
