We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Urmi Hossain. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Urmi below.

Alright, Urmi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

The most important lesson I have learned in my previous job is that no job is ever 100% guaranteed.
The world is constantly changing and evolving, with new technologies and innovations emerging everywhere.

There are times when it’s cheaper for companies to hire labor from elsewhere or even replace human work with machines.

This happened to me early in my career when my very first job was outsourced just two years after I started. The news came as a complete shock, especially since I was fresh out of university and it was my first professional experience.

From that experience, I have learned that even after 9–10 years that I have been in the industry, no job is ever fully secure.

But there are practical ways to approach this reality:

– Embrace change — see it as an opportunity to grow or reinvent yourself.

– Continuously upgrade your skills to stay relevant and confident.

– Stay informed about current trends and use them to complement what you already know. For example, artificial intelligence is something we are currently hearing about — take classes on it and learn how to apply it to your advantage.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a woman who wears many hats. I am a financial professional, mentor, speaker, YouTuber, podcaster, and blogger.
Besides my 9–5 job, a big part of my time is focused on giving back to communities led by women and built by women.
I am a mentor with Dress for Success Montréal and the Co-Chair of the Women in Leadership Foundation ( Montréal Chapter)
A lot of my work is focused on empowering women in the community by providing leadership support and tools to help them feel more confident in both their professional and personal lives. Many of the connections I’ve made with women are centered around building confidence and encouraging them to use their voice. Indeed, I’ve mentored women of color, women from different career paths, and younger women who are looking to build their careers.
There is so much learning that one can get even by being a mentor. The human and mentoring connections are just priceless.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Whether you’re a business owner or a corporate professional, having an online presence is fundamental.

My journey has started with baby steps. I first created a blog, then launched my YouTube channel, started my podcast, and eventually began appearing on other podcasts and speaking on panels.

The very first step was really putting my story out there. It wasn’t always comfortable, but I needed to do it so my audience could understand who I was and what I stood for. I also had to figure out what felt right for me. As I always say, it was all part of a trial-and-error process — I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into until I tried different ways to build a presence.

I kept my blog for about four years before shifting my focus more toward YouTube interviews and other channels. No matter what I did, I stayed consistent with my image and personal brand. My message needed to be the same wherever my audience encountered me.

For anyone starting, I recommend beginning with just one platform — whether it’s YouTube, blogging, or podcasting. Choose what feels the best fit for you and what you’re comfortable doing. For example, if you’re an introvert, you might prefer working behind the camera with blogging or podcasting. If you enjoy being on camera, create solo video content.

No matter what you choose, stay consistent with your image and your message.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I very much enjoy listening to the podcast Boss Babe, which is heavily focused on providing resources and tools to run and manage your business.

What I enjoy about it is that it features both solo episodes and interview-style content with entrepreneurs who share their own struggles with running businesses as well as their methods for succeeding in them.

The podcast also provides actual tools when it comes to turning a potential lead into a client, managing your time, and delegating your work. It is very practical and hands-on, and it’s made for women business owners by other business owners.

I highly recommend it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.womeninleadership.ca/montreal
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesbeyondborderspodcast/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urmihossain/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@urmihossain
• Other: https://www.amazon.ca/Discovering-Your-Identity-Interracial-Struggle-ebook/dp/B0B75X14G7