We recently connected with Mona Abow and have shared our conversation below.

Mona, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

A Single Mother’s Quest for Financial Freedom I came to Canada as a refugee, and I left school to be a stay-at-home mom, but when I got divorced, I became the sole financial provider for my three kids. I had multiple side jobs because I was motivated by financial security. And I believed if I work hard and constantly put myself out there, I would achieve it. In 2018 I had a great management job but I was the sole provider at home and I still wasn’t where I wanted to be financially, so I continued working my side hustles.

But one day I was in a workshop and the facilitator said something that blew me away. They told us how there’s an infinite amount of resources – time, money and knowledge for us to tap into – right now. I was amazed, I’ve never heard of anything like that before.

Soon after that day, I signed up for a vision board workshop, where I started to ask myself; if I could have it all and really live my dream, what would it look like?

Seeking Guidance and Taking A Risk
Realizing I needed support to bring my dreams to reality, I invested in a Coach and became a certified coach myself. And I started stepping into the woman I wanted to be and creating the world I envisioned.

When my Coach asked me if I was going to run my business The Boundless Mindset, full-time, I had doubts. But in order to fulfill my dream of supporting women of colour, I knew I had to quit my job and follow my passion – full force.

All that hustling got me to where I needed to be, but it wasn’t serving me anymore. It wasn’t centred around my core purpose. I was putting my energy towards things that were not aligning with me. And I knew my purpose was in helping Black entrepreneurs to fulfill their dreams. I had a conviction that was so strong I was willing to put everything on the line, nothing else mattered.

And I bet on myself, with no plan B.
An Opportunity for Expansion
Betting on myself was the best decision I could have made. I was honoured to guide and support many WOC entrepreneurs in making massive mindset shifts. And they began to create the life they’ve always wanted. I remember getting ready for work one morning, with tears streaming down my face.

And it hit me.

I was meant to do this, I was meant to help people find their potential. The Boundless Mindset flourished and I was getting noticed very quickly. As my consulting business grew the barriers to entrepreneurship within the black community became evident.

One of the biggest barriers was the limited financial resources of potential Black entrepreneurs to access the support they needed to start a business.

I also noticed there weren’t enough business startup resources or mindset support that centred around the unique identity of Black entrepreneurs and the challenges of the Black community.

So, I expanded into The Chnge Mker Innovation Hub, a place where Black entrepreneurs could find tailored one-to-one support at every stage.

A place where we eliminate any of their barriers to entrepreneurship so they can build the business of their dreams.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Here’s a crafted response:

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Funding your business is a pivotal step in turning your vision into reality. My journey in financing the start-up of my business took a rather unconventional turn. I made a significant decision to sell my house and downsize, channeling the proceeds into my business’s initial capital. This choice was driven by my desire to eliminate financial worries during the critical early years of business development, recognizing that it often takes time before a business becomes profitable enough to sustain its owner.

While this approach may not suit everyone, it was the right decision for me at that time. I reached a point where wholeheartedly focusing on nurturing my business was my top priority. Taking this risk on myself proved to be transformative. It not only accelerated my business’s growth but also instilled in me a deep sense of courage and confidence in my abilities.

I believe that each entrepreneur’s path to securing start-up capital is unique. It’s essential to follow what resonates with you and aligns with your business objectives. What matters most is making informed decisions that empower you to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams with conviction.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building a strong reputation within my market has been a journey shaped by several key factors. At the core of it all is the emphasis on authenticity and genuineness. I’ve found that being true to myself and consistently sharing genuine content, along with my personal truths, has been instrumental in resonating with my audience and fostering trust.

Moreover, creating a space where others feel encouraged to embrace their authenticity and celebrate their uniqueness has made a significant impact. This approach not only cultivates deep connections but also attracts a tribe of individuals who share common values and resonate with each other’s journeys.

Furthermore, I firmly believe in going above and beyond for each client and offering support in a tailored and unique manner. This personalized approach not only strengthens relationships but also contributes to building a solid reputation based on trust, reliability, and genuine care for my audience and clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theboundlessmindset.com
• Instagram: @the_boundless_mindset
• Facebook: @MonaAbow
• Linkedin: @MonaAbow
• Twitter: @MonaAbow

Image Credits
Chnge Mker Hub Cohort 1 Group picture Saunia Keddon Khadra Elmi Zeinab Haji Aden