Sometimes, when you write about a topic close to your heart, you have so much to share, yet when you finally sit down, you find yourself feeling stuck. It can be challenging to know where to begin!
That’s exactly how I felt with this topic.
When I close my eyes, I can vividly relive each moment from just two weeks ago. It all started with the early morning setup. Although most of the work had been completed the evening before by my incredible team of volunteers, the photo wall presented quite a challenge. After three exhausting hours, we finally conceded. However, watching the same setup come together effortlessly in less than 20 minutes was a moment of relief. I took a deep breath, feeling a rush of pride as our hard work began to take shape. In fact, deep breaths became part of my daily routine throughout the six months of planning, preparing, and organizing this summit for solopreneurs.
I remember wanting to create “something like this” without having a name for it at the time. I aimed to hold this event at the start of 2025; the seed had already been planted in my mind in late 2024. “You must bring coaching out into the open,” my mentor urged. While I was engaged in one-on-one coaching calls, something I still do, I grappled with how to share the benefits of coaching with my larger community of mompreneurs.
What should I call it? During that period, I was participating in another coaching training program when the title “Fear to Fierce” emerged. I loved it! That was it, that’s exactly what we needed. In my head, I imagined these entrepreneurs feel strong, confident, and inspired to take the next steps toward their goals. I had no concrete plan or topics for this meet, I just went with my gut feel. I held onto that title in my mind during the initial days of research, surveys in my community, and conversations with potential partners, community members, my husband, and even my dog, Loki—anyone who would listen.
“What do you call a conference for about 40-50 people?” I posed the question to my new best friend, Poe.com. The AI’s response was simply “Forum.” In that moment, I realized that not everyone might connect with “Fear to Fierce” or understand my vision, it required much more explanation.
Putting on my marketing hat, I recognized that this could be an uphill task, so I opted for simplicity. I settled on the name MAP Mompreneur Forum. It sounded simple, resonated well, and clearly indicated the target audience. However, I still wasn’t ready to announce it.
Menopause, with its many possible symptoms, hit me hard. Brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, sleep disturbances, hot flashes—you name it, I experienced it. The more I contemplated organizing this summit, the more my heart raced, and my anxiety deepened. I vividly recall a meeting with one of my community members, where I shared my thoughts about the event. She took a pen and began jotting down my ideas: potential date—early November, format—panels and keynotes, knowledge leaders and coaches as speakers, and potential ticket price—$700! I abruptly stopped her. “Who is going to pay that much for my event?” Self-doubt crept in, making me want to retreat.
But then she said something that stayed with me, “Anyone who can’t pay that price for what you’re planning isn’t your clientele.” I wrote that down, took my diary and repeatedly revisited that line. The final ticket price was set at $800.
Planning an event of this size, what I was realizing as a solopreneur was that it was perfectly okay to seek help. We often believe that no one can do the job better than us, which made me hesitant to let go of control. However, the universe has a way of guiding us. I came across a trial program for virtual assistants in one of the business support groups, and I thought, “Why not give it a try?” I found myself grappling with the initial challenges of building trust and letting go, but the diligent, respectful, and highly trustworthy team of virtual assistants helped me understand how I could use my time more effectively to scale up my business.
I went to London for a long-awaited summer break, and reuniting with my son filled my heart with happiness. However, the hormonal changes I was going through were still causing havoc in my body and mind, leaving our family holiday often mixed with emotional outbursts. I struggled with low self-esteem and really needed my family’s full attention. Thankfully, they were understanding. I had shared what I was experiencing during this time of perimenopause, and my boys showed such kindness and patience. Their support meant everything to me and made our time together even more special. As I navigated these challenges, I realized that planning the summit truly took a village.
HRT, or Hormone Replacement Therapy, became a term I constantly Googled in search of answers to the brain fog, forgetfulness, and persistent low moods I was experiencing. This wasn’t me—I knew that. While I sought medical solutions, I also began the process of coaching myself through these challenges. I used PQ reps and other mental fitness techniques that I had learned along the way. I understood that progress would take time, and I allowed myself the space to grow, taking it one step at a time.
Back from my holiday, I connected with my community and sent out a survey about the Mompreneur Forum. I included a question asking, “Would you be interested in joining our organizing core committee for this forum?” Many hands were raised, and eventually, two champions emerged who supported me through those initial struggles of building, falling, and rebuilding. As I spoke to another coach, she suggested, “Why forum? Why not a summit? Don’t limit yourself.” This made me stop and reconsider. The word “summit” soon replaced “forum,” and Mompreneur Forum became ‘Mindset Matters’ summit. Two steps forward, one step back. Would I really be able to create something larger than myself?
That was in August, and I initially planned to organize the summit in November. However, I soon realized that November was already packed with numerous events for entrepreneurs. Additionally, the speakers I wanted to invite might not be available on such short notice, and I didn’t want to compromise on that. I spoke to the venue, and they graciously supported me in rescheduling the booking to January 23. A Friday—perfect for winding down the week while still taking valuable learnings home. It felt like the right choice.
While I gathered the courage to start planning the summit—reaching out to speakers and sponsors—I received an invitation from an NGO I supported, inviting us to sign up for the Standard Chartered Marathon. I was intrigued. I had always wanted to participate but had never been disciplined enough to apply on time. I checked the date: it was two days after my husband’s 50th birthday and a week before the summit. Would I be able to manage? Again, familiar doubts began to creep in. “Deep breaths,” I told myself, clearing the cobwebs in my mind and hitting the YES button! I had found a new purpose.
Networking—I extended myself to industry circles, listening, sharing, connecting, creating tiny ripples for the planning of the summit. Mindset Matters was thrown around as a title option that connected but didn’t give us the YES feeling. Then, out of nowhere, “Reboot” emerged— And it stuck! While Mindset Matters received a “yes,” Reboot sparked an enthusiastic “Oh wow!” It was a reaction that filled me with excitement. ”Reboot Your Business” it was!
HRT seemed to be kicking in and as the fog began to clear and my confidence grew, As the Christmas break approached, we went all out to promote the Early Bird tickets. My brilliant team worked diligently behind the scenes—launching the landing page, setting up the ticket platform, and creating marketing merchandise—all coming together beautifully. It was a steep learning curve for me, and I applied all my Sage powers, from showing empathy to myself and others to embracing curiosity and creativity as I navigated this journey. I silently thanked the Positive Intelligence program I had completed a few years ago. Everything seemed to be falling into place, even as I worked through the holidays in Mumbai and Dubai.
January 2026— we were so close. Now back in Hong Kong, I quickly found my rhythm. I had three weeks to go. My calendar was full. I only had the first quiet week to myself before everything would explode, I knew that. Speakers, volunteers, food sponsors, goodie bag sponsors, photographers, and the setup team. At times, I felt like I was orchestrating this whole event, and all I prayed for every morning was that I wouldn’t fall ill. I tried to get good sleep, drink lots of water, and managed a few runs in between. My 10K was coming up soon, and I hadn’t had much practice. I wasn’t worried about my time, all I wanted was to be able to run the whole distance without stopping.
I must mention those several sources of strength that became invaluable in dealing with the challenges I faced, specially towards the end:
- Motivational cards: “I’m Unstoppable” by Roksaan served as a daily reminder of my resilience.
- My Sage line: “Enjoy the Process,” written on my fridge board, helped me control my Hyper Achiever tendencies and embrace the moment.
- Spotify’s “Motivated Mix”: This playlist, featuring my favorite tracks like “The Fight Song,” “A Million Dreams,” and “This is Me,” kept my energy high and my focus sharp.
- Balance: This was key in helping me regain my strength whenever I faltered. My breaks included planning for my husband’s 50th, hosting house guests that week, and enjoying walks and short hikes with Loki.
I discovered that I was getting better at switching on and off. My mind was gradually coming under my control—most of the time, at least. While my summit experiences helped me build mental resilience, my runs were essential for developing physical strength. I became disciplined in my gym routine, focusing on lifting weights that empowered me and contributed to my overall well-being.
With just one week to go, I took a meaningful day off work to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday with family, it was the perfect recharge. Marathon Sunday arrived—I was ready. When I reached the designated MTR station, the sea of people carried a palpable energy, propelling me even further. It opened my mind to vast possibilities beyond myself and reminded me of the extraordinary events that lay beyond my control. I was swept up in the spirit of the human race and the incredible interplay of the universe that weaves it all together. In that moment, I learned to trust deeply.
The week of the summit, ticket sales suddenly picked up again. My team, now extended to our speakers, sponsors, volunteers, friends and family, all pitched in and gave shout-outs on social media! I felt an overwhelming sense of fulfillment—We had done everything I could. With tears of joy in my eyes, I realized we had exceeded expectations. The event was sold out.
Friday, January 23— it was a beautiful sunny day. As I prepared that morning, I made a mental checklist to ensure I had everything I needed—especially my speaking notes tucked snugly in the back pocket of my jeans. I took a quick look in the mirror—my heart raced, and my eyes sparkled. Facing my reflection, I wished myself good luck. Gathering the courage, I checked my phone just before leaving, hoping for no unexpected surprises. Instead, I was greeted by a flood of messages: “Good luck, Mehroo! Best of luck! Have a fabulous day! Hope you have a successful summit!” I had to sit down for a moment, fighting back the wave of emotion threatening to wash over me, careful not to smudge my eyeliner. I whispered a silent prayer of gratitude.
I took the public bus, my familiar mode of transport, pretending it was just any other day. I practiced being present with my PQ reps. As I walked to the venue, I found my breathing steady. As I entered the Hive, I could feel the positive vibe- exchanged good morning greetings and big warm hugs, and saw smiles all around. The photo wall was in place, and I realized I had nothing else left to do; I was ready.
The morning flowed effortlessly, starting with my wonderful MC opening the stage as the Mums@PLAY video played on the screen, giving me goose bumps. I knew I didn’t really need my speaking notes after that! The inspiring keynote speech, the panel discussion filled with questions from the audience. Before I knew it, it was lunchtime, with delicious food from our sponsors, everything ticking along like clockwork. Volunteers worked tirelessly in the background, creating a seamless experience.
Coaching corners were filled with smiles, laughter, and even tears as solopreneurs shared their stories in a trusting space created by the coaches. Photographs, selfies, and videos captured the spirit of the day. Then came the second session with our experts. Before I realized it, it was time for my closing speech.
As I took the stage, a wave of gratitude washed over me. This summit wasn’t just an event; it was a celebration of our shared journeys, struggles, and triumphs. I looked out at the audience of solopreneurs, filled with hope and determination, and felt a profound connection with each person in the room. My heart swelled as I realized that I had achieved what I set out to do: I wanted everyone to leave feeling empowered, inspired, and ready to embrace their own paths. Together, we were not just individuals, we were a community, and in that moment, I knew we were unstoppable.
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