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Yvonne Bajela, is a founding member of venture capital firm, Impact X Capital LLP, which focuses on investing in underrepresented entrepreneurs. She led over $200million in investments whilst working at Mitsui & Co, being the youngest senior investment manager in the group. She has been recognised in Forbes 30 under 30 Europe 2020 and is present on the London Business School’s list ’15 Black Movers and Shakers’. Yvonne Bajela is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and Advisor on the Mayor of London’s access to finance programme.
Dear Yvonne,
You have quite a journey ahead of you. You’ll meet new people, travel and work in countries you never dreamed of and build incredible relationships along the way. There will be difficult roads ahead but equally there will be many more happy days ahead. Every challenge you go through will make you stronger and teach you valuable lessons about life.
You’ll soon realise that your Dad also known as your superhero is your biggest teacher and inspiration. He’ll teach you how to trust but not be naive, how to listen but not lose your voice and how to dream big without losing focus. His death will hit you like a ton of bricks, but don't worry, you won't have to deal with it alone and it will make you stronger than ever. It will also be a time for you to rethink everything about your life and it will come with a renewed sense of gratitude.
Yvonne, a quiet life of humility is what you were always after growing up, instead, you will live a life of great passion and live out your purpose. You will live a life doing things that you thought you would do and end up in rooms with people you never would have dreamed of.
A few key lessons you will learn along the way:
Find joy in the little things.
It's easy to be sidetracked and allow little things to steal your joy, after all you are an overthinker. You’ll learn to appreciate that the true joy of life is not in milestones, but in everyday moments.
Hard work pays off
Remember how Dad would always say hard work pays off.You will be rewarded for your hard work but remember life will pass you by if you don’t make time for rest. Take a break every now and again and don't feel guilty about it. That to do list will wait but memories last forever.
Perfection is overrated
Your mindset of excellence will help you achieve your goals but don’t let perfection stop you from achieving progress. You’ll soon learn that your imperfections, vulnerabilities and uniqueness is what makes you who you are.
Don’t let anyone define you or your potential
You’re more than enough Yvonne. Don’t worry about fitting in or the things that make you unique, that is nothing but a recipe for failure. You’ll soon discover that what you perceive as disadvantages or flaws is what you’ll later embrace to fuel you to your passion and purpose. Don’t get distracted by other people’s agenda and pursue the things that light you up.
Life has its seasons. Grow through them with grace
You’ll experience life through many seasons. You’ll be in seasons where everything flows and other times it will be as if you’re given more than you can handle. Ride the waves with grace knowing that everything in life is transient. Your failures, your mistakes, your doubts, your fears, your defeats and your triumphs. Everything that has come to pass shall pass.
There is so much more I could share with you, but that would ruin the mystery of what is to come. However, one last piece of advice I would offer is that it’s your life so live it well and unapologetically. Continue to dream big and empower the next generation of females that will come up after you to be bold in their pursuits.