Mar 9, 2022
Our guest today has always wanted to have a positive impact on the world. But her methods for doing so have drastically shifted since she started out, along with her career trajectory. Sarah Dusek first began her career in Africa working with NGOs. After experiencing burnout and frustration at their lack of impact, she and her husband decided to start their entrepreneurial journey in America. They co-founded Under Canvas, a company that recreated the African safari glamping experience on American soil. Since then, they have achieved a lucrative exit strategy and co-founded Enygma Ventures, a company that helps women across Africa grow large-scale businesses. In our conversation with Sarah, we take a closer look at her entrepreneurial journey as she reflects on how it has brought her full circle back to where she started her career, in Africa. Tuning in, you’ll hear Sarah describe some of the most significant moments in her career, why having a strong support network that can relate to the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur is so important, and why she is determined to drastically increase outside investments in Africa. To learn all about how Sarah is helping women across the world get the funding they deserve, and much more, make sure you tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Introducing today’s guest, Sarah Dusek, Investor and Founder of Enygma Ventures, venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and profoundly heart-led professional
- Sarah’s company, Under Canvas, their successful exit, and her subsequent dedication to helping women on their journey to financial freedom
- Sarah’s journey thus far and her enduring mission to make the world a better place
- What Sarah learned from working with NGOs
- How this motivated her and her husband to create their company Under Canvas
- Why it’s so difficult — and important— to ask yourself what you want
- How Sarah outlined the outcomes she wanted for Under Canvas and then executed them
- The concept of BHAG (big, hairy, audacious, goals) and why it’s so useful
- How Under Canvas found a buyer and made a successful exit
- The difficulty of closing a deal and why it almost always takes multiple attempts
- How Sarah and her husband entered the investment space and founded Enygma Ventures
- How Enygma Ventures is helping women across Africa grow large-scale businesses
- Sarah and Tracy’s thoughts on entrepreneurship and some of the challenges relating to parents who aren’t entrepreneurs
- The network of women who supported Sarah during some of the most stressful periods of her entrepreneurial journey
- Learn about Pranary, the online course for early-stage entrepreneurs.
- How Pranary is equipping individuals in Africa and across the world to be investor-ready
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: