Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Susan McGinty, Founder of Aya Leadership Pty Ltd., located in Forde, Australia.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Aya Leadership is a specialised leadership development partner for STEM and Security organisations, committed to changing the status quo for women as leaders in these industries by uplifting and empowering more women into leadership roles. Aya Leadership works with STEM and Security organisations to identify and deliver strategies that will build leadership gender diversity. We work with female leaders at all levels to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to cultivate enduring leadership growth that has an impact through providing education, resources, and coaching. Our approach to education, resources, and coaching is research-based and research-informed, with a strong focus on neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and leveraging individual strengths.
Aya Leadership works with small, medium, and large Australian and international organisations in the government, industry, not-for-profit, and corporate sectors across science, technology, cyber security, engineering, medical, mining, and defense industries, in Australia and internationally.
Tell us about yourself
I am an award-winning scientist and highly regarded leader and leadership coach with 25 years of experience in STEM, Defence, and National Security, who is inspired to transform the profile of leadership for women in STEM- and Security-related professions. With a Ph.D. in Medicinal & Organic Chemistry, a Master of Leadership, and 12 years in national security leadership leading a range of specialised scientific and technical teams, I understand the barriers to leadership for women in STEM- and Security-related industries. I have fifteen years of experience in adult education, coaching, and mentoring in the university, research, corporate, government and community sectors. I am a certified coach, a certified NLP Practitioner, and accredited in the MSCEIT Emotional Intelligence Test and Strengths Profile assessment.
I studied Medicinal Chemistry (drug design) at university (a Bachelor's Honours degree, followed by a Ph.D.) and wanted a career in medical/drug design research. After ten years in science research and experiencing many of the barriers and challenges that women in STEM face in progressing their careers, I made a career change to public service, specifically the Department of Defence. Here I applied my scientific knowledge to government policy issues and was introduced to leadership. I became passionate about leadership for its ability to turn strategy into action, create a positive impact from the organisational level to the international level, help people achieve their potential, and create even more impact and individual purpose and meaning in the workplace. As I became a leader myself, I realised the lack of really effective leadership development training available, particularly that supported women in a very masculine environment. At the intersection of security and STEM, the women around me were feeling limitations in their career options, and I began to mentor and coach them, teaching them how to strengthen their leadership capabilities.
In 2018, I decided I wanted and needed to do this in a professional capacity as no one else was, and I began to do so in a part-time capacity. I launched my first leadership development program for women in 2019 and have been growing ever since. I stepped into the business full-time this year (2022). Twenty-five years of experience in the world of STEM – through study, research, application to Defence policy and capability, and broader industry – has given me a deep understanding of the barriers holding women in STEM back and the impacts on STEM outcomes of the lack of gender diversity in STEM and STEM leadership.
I am driven by the vision of gender equity in STEM and the belief that female leadership can create a powerful, positive, and far-reaching impact. The impact that is required if we are to achieve the STEM outcomes we need as a nation and globally to tackle the challenges we face as a society - climate change, health, global security, rapid technological advances, and achieving sustainable economies and quality of life. I am motivated each day by the passion I have for this vision, the huge need I see for my work across STEM industries, and the positive impact I am able to create for female leaders at all levels through the work I do.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am really proud of the very unique, expert service that I provide. One of my biggest accomplishments was being able to step into the business full-time this year, having achieved the financial sustainability required. I would never have imagined myself as an entrepreneur. Another accomplishment I am really proud of is the growing international reach I am achieving. But my proudest moments are seeing the women I work with thrive as confident, highly capable leaders, whether as emerging leaders, established leaders, or CEOs.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I love working with other people, and moving into the business full-time as a solo entrepreneur meant I no longer led teams of intelligent, diverse people. I do miss having an idea, exploring it with a group of people, and then letting others take it on and deliver something impactful. Being just one person means that things move slowly because I can't just farm out work, and that was something I really had to get used to, particularly my own expectations about how much I could achieve. I miss the creative conversations and learning from others on a daily basis. So, I find ways to achieve that (albeit at a smaller scale) through my networks. The work I do allows me to fulfill my passion for developing others on a huge scale, which keeps me really happy.
I learned early to bring in support on the things I wasn't good at. Initially, this was bookkeeping and accounting. As an early solo entrepreneur entering the market where there weren't really any similar options, it has been difficult to gain traction and convince organisations they need to invest in leadership diversity. Financial uncertainty at the early stages of business can be very difficult.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Surround yourself with a good network: of personal supporters as well as networks in your industry. The networks in my industry help me maintain knowledge of the environment, provide stimulating conversation, ideas and options, and introduce me to new clients. This ensures I remain relevant to the industry and adaptive to its needs. My personal network includes a couple of different groups of businesswomen, some of whom are good friends. They provide a sounding board, motivation, and inspiration and pick me up on the tough days.
- Invest in your personal and professional development, including securing a great business mentor/coach. My business mentor is central to my business.
- Ask for help early. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I use my networks to seek help.
- Be really clear on your purpose, vision, and the impact you want to create. This will keep you going when things get tough (e.g., when you don't meet financial targets or you lose out on a proposal). It will also be much easier to make decisions - does this choice support/enable your purpose and vision, and does it create impact?
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://ayaleadership.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmcginty-ayaleadership/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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