At the 2022 Women in Retail Leadership Summit, a panel of women entrepreneurs discussed their experiences leading their startup companies. Moderating the panel was Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, co-founder and managing partner, Clerisy, a growth equity stage private equity firm. Joining Wilson on the stage were Nadia Boujarwah, co-founder and CEO, Dia & Co; Yve-Car Momperousse, founder and CEO, Kreyol Essence; and Melanie Travis, founder and CEO, Andie Swim.

We all have a superpower, whether it’s known to the world or not. The women on stage at the Summit have used their superpowers to propel their careers and businesses forward. Unsatisfied with the current options in retail, each woman took it upon themselves to create their own accessible brands.

“If everyone is complaining about this experience, there’s a different way,” Travis said.

What’s Your Superpower?

Travis expressed that she’s not someone who can sit idly by, making her superpower confidence. The swimsuit industry of yesterday was already failing, leaving customer expectations fairly low. Without hesitation and relying on her internal confidence, Travis was able to kick-start Andie Swim into the growing brand that it is today.

For Boujarwah, she has always had a good head on her shoulders, making her superpower her calmness. This sereneness and levelheadedness has enabled her to remain calm even in times of crisis, helping her to make sound, thought-out decisions.

A heightened intuition is a skill that all successful entrepreneurs have, according to the panelists.

“Knowing when something doesn’t feel right, even if it looks right,” Momperousse said, “and trusting later on that it will make sense.”

Momperousse describes her superpower as her “spidey-senses.” She knows when she needs to follow her gut and take initiative, an integral skill for entrepreneurs.

It’s easy to assume that these women have many superpowers, reflected in just the state of their small businesses. They each aim to provide higher quality, more inclusive products, and a seamless shopping experience to their customers. That, along with their individual superpowers, have led to the success of their businesses.

Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can watch the full recording of the “How She Built This” panel from the 2022 Women in Retail Leadership Summit here. Not a member? Apply today.