The Relationships You Haven’t Built Yet
One of the things I love most about Athena is watching relationships evolve into something meaningful.
When I first met Megha Singh through Athena, neither of us could have predicted that we would go on to co-found the Makers & Shapers Awards together. Yet it perfectly demonstrates what can happen when women connect, collaborate and build on a shared vision.
More Than Referrals and Opportunities
As business owners, networking is often viewed through the lens of referrals and opportunities. Those things matter, of course. But sometimes the greatest value comes from finding people whose values align with yours and who share your desire to create something that makes a difference.
Spotting a Gap in Singapore
Both Megha and I felt there was a gap in Singapore’s business landscape. We saw incredible female founders building remarkable businesses, often whilst juggling family responsibilities, caring commitments and the many demands that come with entrepreneurship. Yet many of these women were quietly making an impact without the recognition they deserved.
From Coffee Conversations to the Makers & Shapers Awards
What started as conversations over coffee grew into an idea. That idea became the Makers & Shapers Awards, a platform designed to celebrate female founders who are creating businesses with purpose, integrity, kindness, innovation and impact.
This year we received 64 applications across 150 category entries, showcasing an extraordinary community of women building businesses that are changing lives, supporting communities and proving that success can be achieved without compromising values.
Recognition Done Properly
The awards themselves are something we are incredibly proud of. No public voting. No popularity contest. No pay-to-win model. Instead, a rigorous judging process led by respected business leaders who generously volunteered their time to recognise excellence.
And whilst Megha and I were careful to step completely away from the judging process, we couldn’t help but feel incredibly proud to see Athena women recognised on the night.
Athena Women in the Spotlight
Athena members took home four awards across the evening. Dr Rebecca Heywood won the Impact Award for her work raising awareness and support around hearing loss. Hsiao Bond was recognised in the Overcoming Adversity category, transforming her own challenges into a business that helps others overcome similar obstacles. Dr Ronina Stevens won Community & Collaboration for her not-for-profit organisation, The Nest, which provides vital support to those who struggle to access mental health services. And Jasmin Dhillon, one half of the team behind The Forties Formula podcast, received the Podcast for Impact Award for creating conversations that inform, inspire and support women navigating midlife.
Their success is a wonderful reminder of the calibre of women within our Athena community and the difference they are making every day.
What I Am Proudest Of
But perhaps what I am proudest of is how the awards came to life in the first place.
They are proof that strategic alliances can emerge from authentic relationships. They are proof that when women support women, bigger things become possible. And they are proof that networking is about so much more than growing your business. It is about growing ideas, impact and opportunities together.
The Opportunity Sitting Opposite You
The next time you attend an Athena meeting, remember that the person sitting opposite you could become a collaborator, a champion, a trusted advisor or even a business partner.
Because sometimes the most powerful opportunities do not come from the people you already know. They come from the relationships you haven’t built yet.
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