We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dora Farkas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dora, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As a single mom of two girls, I understand the challenges of balancing motherhood, career, and personal well-being. The journey has not been easy, but it has shaped my mission to empower women—especially mothers—to take control of their careers, their health, and their lives.

Raising two children alone, navigating custody battles, and managing the demands of everyday life have taught me resilience. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, questioning if I could do it all and do it well. But through these experiences, I learned that I didn’t have to choose between being a good mother and having a fulfilling career—I could do both. And so can other women.

In addition to motherhood, I hold an engineering degree, which has presented its own set of challenges. Engineering is a male-dominated field, and I understand the struggle of being the only woman in the room and having my ideas dismissed. These experiences taught me that being intelligent, educated, and capable isn’t enough if you don’t value yourself and assert your worth. Unfortunately, I’ve seen many women undervalue themselves despite their intelligence and education. They often shy away from leadership roles, negotiate lower salaries, or downplay their contributions. This is a barrier that holds many women back from reaching their full potential.

To empower myself and others, I’ve always sought opportunities for growth. Since 2010, I have supported Women for Women International, an organization that empowers women survivors of war to regain control over their lives. I also joined Toastmasters International to build my speaking skills and share my ideas with others. Through these experiences, I realized the power of community and mentorship, and I wanted to create a similar support network for women in my own life.
I joined Rotary International and was fortunate to win a grant to sponsor a sister through Women for Women International. It was an honor to contribute to the empowerment of a woman who had survived unimaginable hardships and was now finding her voice and strength. I have also empowered my daughters. I encouraged my older daughter to study electrical engineering at Purdue University, a traditionally male-dominated field, and I supported her as she pursued her dreams. Similarly, I empowered my younger daughter to lift heavy weights and start a girls’ fitness club at her school, showing her the importance of physical strength and self-confidence.

In 2009, I published The Smart Way to Your PhD, a guide designed to empower PhD students to navigate the challenges of graduate school and complete their degrees. As someone who overcame language barriers and a lack of formal writing training, I wanted to offer support to those who might feel overwhelmed by the academic journey. This book is a testament to my belief that no challenge is insurmountable, and that perseverance and support are key to success.

My novel, Choice, published in 2024 is the story of a single Mexican-American mom and quantum physicist navigating a male-dominated field and a custody battle at the same time, all while striving to balance motherhood with her professional ambitions. Through her journey, she learns how to trust her intuition and harness her inner strength to overcome the obstacles in her path.

Through my experiences and my work, I’ve learned that empowering women goes beyond offering advice—it’s about creating a space where they can share their struggles and triumphs, and find the encouragement they need to move forward.

Although fictional, Choice reflects the journey of many women, and is a testament to the power of resilience, intuition, and community. Through my writing and coaching, I hope to inspire other women to trust their instincts, recognize their value, and break free from the barriers that hold them back. When women lift each other up, we create a force that can change the world. I am proud to be part of that movement.

Dora, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a single mom of two daughters, an engineer, a writer, and a passionate advocate for empowering women to tap into their intuition and break through the perceived limitations that hold them back in both their personal and professional lives. My journey has been shaped by navigating a male-dominated field, overcoming personal challenges, and learning to trust my instincts to guide me through life’s obstacles. Now, I help women do the same.

As an engineer, I faced the unique challenges that come with being a woman in a predominantly male industry. Over time, I discovered that true success wasn’t just about intellect or hard work; it was about learning to trust my intuition and using it to guide my decisions. This insight led me to create a mission dedicated to teaching women how to use their intuition to navigate challenges in their careers, relationships, and beyond.

I offer a range of services specifically designed for women, especially moms, who need the flexibility to learn and grow at their own pace, from the comfort of their own home. Age, education, and language barriers no longer limit their ability to create the lives they desire. Through my online courses, speaking engagements, private coaching, and books, I show women how to follow their hearts, pursue their passions, and even get paid for doing what they love—on their own terms.

My online courses are designed to provide women with practical tools and techniques for harnessing their intuition in both their personal and professional lives. These self-paced courses can be completed from home, making it easy for busy women to learn at a time that works best for them. Whether they’re looking to make a career shift, navigate a difficult situation, or become more in tune with their inner guidance, my courses offer the structure and support they need to move forward—without disrupting their busy schedules.

For those seeking more personalized support, I offer private coaching, where I work one-on-one with women to uncover the limiting beliefs and fears that are holding them back from achieving their goals. These coaching sessions are tailored to each client’s unique needs, and can be done remotely, making it easier for women to receive the guidance they need from anywhere.

In addition to coaching and courses, I’m the author of two books: *The Smart Way to Your PhD*, a guide for navigating the challenges of graduate school, and *Choice*, a novel that explores the themes of intuition, reinvention, and balancing motherhood with professional ambition. My books serve as valuable resources for women looking to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams.

What sets me apart is my ability to combine intuition with practical action. I empower women to not only trust their inner guidance but also to take concrete steps toward their goals, enabling them to achieve tangible results. I help my clients bridge the gap between where their intuition guides them and the actionable steps they need to take, so they can turn their visions into reality.

Whether through online courses, private coaching, speaking engagements, or my books, I’m committed to helping women step into their full potential and live the life they’ve always dreamed of—on their own terms. The possibilities are endless when you trust your heart, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Until 2014, I worked as a senior scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. Although I was thriving in my career, the demands of the job—long hours and a long commute—meant that I was rarely home with my daughters, who were still young at the time. It was a difficult decision, but I realized that I wanted to be more present in their lives and find a way to balance my career with motherhood. So, I made the pivot to leave the pharmaceutical industry and start my own business as a stay-at-home mom.

I began offering courses and coaching for PhD students, helping them navigate the challenges of graduate school and finish their degrees. It was a shift from the scientific work I had been doing, but I quickly realized that by combining my intuition with practical action, I could make this new venture successful. I trusted my instincts to guide me in building my business and serving a community of people who needed the support I could offer.

By 2016, my business had grown into a six-figure venture. I was able to do this work while still being there for my daughters, and I felt fulfilled both personally and professionally. The ability to blend intuition with practical steps gave me the confidence and clarity to move forward and make this transition, and it’s something I continue to use in every part of my life and business today. This pivot not only gave me the opportunity to be a more present mom but also allowed me to empower others to overcome challenges in their own lives and careers.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

My side hustle, which was just a blog for PhD students, turned into my full-time business, and it’s been an incredible journey. When I left my job in the pharmaceutical industry in 2014, I decided to start my own business offering courses and coaching to PhD students. At the time, my goal was to create a business that allowed me to be present for my young daughters while still doing meaningful work. I started small, working from home, and focused on helping PhD students navigate the challenges of graduate school.

One of the key elements that allowed me to scale this business into a six-figure income was my ability to manage my time efficiently. As a stay-at-home mom, every minute counted, so I became very good at taking advantage of small time fragments throughout the day to get work done. Whether it was during nap time or after the kids were in bed, I made the most of every opportunity to build my business.

I also sought help from coaches who guided me on how to create impactful programs that resonated with my audience. They helped me structure my offerings in a way that addressed my clients’ biggest pain points, allowing me to create real value and establish myself as an expert in the field.

Investing in myself was another crucial step. I enrolled in courses that taught me how to market my business and position myself as an authority in my industry. These courses helped me build a solid marketing strategy, expand my reach, and ultimately grow my client base. It wasn’t just about learning the business side of things—it was about learning how to communicate the value I offered and how to attract the right clients.

Listening to my audience was key to refining my services. I made sure to engage with my clients regularly, gathering feedback on what they needed most. I then adjusted my offerings accordingly, ensuring that my programs always addressed the most pressing issues my clients faced. This feedback loop allowed me to continuously improve my products and ensure they met the evolving needs of my audience.

Persistence was another major factor in my success. I learned from every experience, whether it was a success or a setback, and used that knowledge to offer better products and services each quarter. I remained dedicated to my mission and kept moving forward, even when challenges arose.

These milestones—time management, seeking guidance, investing in myself, listening to my audience, and persistence—were all critical in scaling my side hustle into a six-figure business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dorafarkas.com
• Instagram: dorafarkasphd
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dora.farkas
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorafarkas/