Female Founders: Valene McDougall of UpComms PR On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman Founder
An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
Develop self-care routines from early on. Our health and wellness are very important to our frame of mind. Forming enjoyable fitness routines like nature walks, hiking, jogging, and cycling are helpful. Reduced stress levels, increased energy, and a general feeling of well-being are just some of the benefits associated with fitness activities.
As a part of our series about “Why We Need More Women Founders”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Valene Mc Dougall.
Valene Mc Dougall is a perceptive and multifaceted communications professional with over eight years’ experience in public relations and video production at academic institutions, government agencies, and private organizations in Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. She is the Founder and Lead PR Consultant at UpComms PR where she aims to help scientists and scientific organizations tell their stories and build pivotal relationships.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I grew up in Trinidad and Tobago in a ‘sciencey’ household in many ways. In fact, my father, now retired, was a science teacher who studied chemistry in the United States, and my mother, a dietetic technician who studied nutrition at the same university which my father attended. I was surrounded by many science books, and I relished science magazines and programs shown on channels like National Geographic, Discovery Channel and PBS. Incidentally, I also loved creative writing. Following my parent’s stead, I soon migrated to the US as well and pursued studies in communications, journalism, and eventually strategic public relations. All that led to a job at the National Science Foundation where my two loves came together.
After many years, I returned to the country of my birth, and began working in several other public relations disciplines. Some more years would go by before I rediscovered my passion for communicating with and for scientists. Overall, my experiences merged to build a public relations entity that could marry my passions as well as allow me the flexibility of work-life balance to benefit my family and further shape my career.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
When I think about some of the scenarios that have led me to where I am, I think about “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Goldilocks tried three bowls of porridge. The first was too hot; the second was too cold, and the third was just right. In essence, I began my journey with a desire and a general idea to help small businesses communicate better. However, the more I dug into what energized me — what I loved doing, and what came naturally to me — I discovered that my initial direction was either too broad or too bland. With some internal analysis and connecting of dots, I realized my truest desire was much more specific than helping small businesses improve their communications. Instead, I unexpectedly found my niche one that was there all along and it instantly felt “just right.”
For me it was science public relations. I merged an early love of science and writing with experiences in public affairs that I had no idea at the time would lead me to this path.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I’m still a newbie founder, but the funniest story so far — and that’s funny as in an epiphany, and not so much “ha-ha” funny, though I can laugh now — has to do with the building process for my website and its content. After doing a lot of research, which involved looking at other websites within the industry, I began by somewhat following the general style of others. However, I soon found I had to be true to my own vibe, my own story, and my own vision. So, my building process redirected with the aim to reflect more of me and the needs of my intended audience. In some ways this is an ongoing task.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
There are many people who have helped me along the way from my spouse to my parents, colleagues, friends, leaders …. So many. However, one of my more recent influencers is the coordinator of the Brandprint Summit, Jamila Bannister. She is a mastermind when it comes to personal branding and her creativity led to the putting together of the virtual Brandprint Summit, which I recently attended. It provided much insight for the building of my business, especially because I’m still in the early stages of my entrepreneurial journey. It also provided a platform to meet other founders and to be buoyed by their success stories. In fact, I recommend new founders attend virtual conferences in their various industries and seek to enhance their networks and knowledge.
On a more personal level, I really can’t go further without acknowledging the support of my husband, who has been a voice of encouragement and reassurance throughout my pursuits.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this EY report, only about 20 percent of funded companies have women founders. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women to create companies. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from founding companies?
The first thing that comes to mind, without any scientific analysis, is the whirlwind of change and demands that come with motherhood, parenting, and even marriage. This family narrative carries significant weight. Starting a business may have little appeal to some women, if you consider the risks of leaving a comfortable job with all its perks and security while also being responsible for little ones or others.
Ironically, family changes and demands can also inspire women to step into business ownership. Which is partly the case with me. I had a baby, and I felt compelled to achieve the flexible work schedule that I now needed. I decided to pursue freelancing and eventually build a business.
Perhaps, another palpable reason holding women back from founding companies is the fear of failure. There is a sense of inner doubt, which I attribute to societal and cultural factors. It can stump us if we don’t press through it. My own mantra is “do it anyway.”
Feeding the fear are defeating thoughts like, “What are you doing? People like you don’t do this.” You must constantly shoot these voices down until you arrive and then you can say, “Yes, this is what I am doing. I am filling a need, and there is a place for me. This is it.”
I should add that it’s important to talk to other founders and seek guidance for the way forward.
Can you help articulate a few things that can be done as individuals, as a society, or by the government, to help overcome those obstacles?
A very practical solution may be reliable and flexible childcare and elderly care options. Other steps can include the creation of accessible and versatile financial mechanisms, counseling programs, useful mentor-mentee relationships, accessible professional and business networks, and campaigns to empower women — especially those in minority groups — to think and see themselves as important players and formidable future business founders.
In addition, simple acts of relating to other women founders on social media platforms can be beneficial. This can include joining business groups and participating in live conversations to learn and grow; simply engaging with others who are already running successful businesses, as mentioned before.
This might be intuitive to you as a woman founder but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should become founders?
More women should become founders if only to provide mentorship, support, and encouragement for others who may wish to do the same but are afraid or lack the confidence.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a founder? Can you explain what you mean?
That it’s less time consuming or less stressful than working a regular nine-to-five corporate job. Working for yourself may mean that you work harder and longer. So, selfcare and time management become very important to set up from the start. Some perks are you simply enjoy what you are doing every single day, and you have the flexibility to work outside of conventional hours, while earning income.
Is everyone cut out to be a founder? In your opinion, which specific traits increase the likelihood that a person will be a successful founder and what type of person should perhaps seek a “regular job” as an employee? Can you explain what you mean?
I want to believe anyone can become a successful founder because, if you think about it, we are all in service to each other in some way. With the world of work changing, perhaps more people are finding that they can do much more than they thought they could. However, there are a few known traits that can help an individual become successful: discipline, consistency, organizational skills, tough skin, tenacity, and faith.
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your opinion and experience, what are the “Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman Founder?” (Please share a story or example for each.)
- You absolutely need to have faith. I’m not talking about faith to chase a dream spasm or a pipe dream. I’m referring to an internal conviction backed by the belief that what you can’t see right now can and will be.
- You also need a filter. When the naysayers and unhelpful critics come along be sure you have a psychological filter. It’s a position that will help you weed out ugly from truth, and not the ugly truth altogether. Filters can also be trusted friends who can help you cope and encourage you to press on.
- Speaking of friends, you need a support system. This can be loved ones or a community of like-minded people.
- Perseverance is another factor. This is where you get up and finish the race despite trials. You’re aiming to finish well. I’m amazed at the creativity and imaginative solutions we can come up with when we are faced with challenges.
- Finally, develop self-care routines from early on. Our health and wellness are very important to our frame of mind. Forming enjoyable fitness routines like nature walks, hiking, jogging, and cycling are helpful. Reduced stress levels, increased energy, and a general feeling of well-being are just some of the benefits associated with fitness activities.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
I believe our day-to-day lifestyle and choices impact those we encounter in ways we may not realize, and so success or not I hope my influence is positive and pivotal.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Longer, flexible, and more generous parental leave options for those who need it.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
Former first lady Michelle Obama for her leadership, and science writer and Pulitzer Prize winner Ed Yong for his talent and skills in science writing and communications.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
Female Founders: Valene McDougall of UpComms PR On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.