Last year I had the privilege of attending an event with Malala to mark the publication of her latest book. Sitting in that room and hearing her speak so openly was powerful, but one thing she shared has stayed with me long after the event ended.
She said that during high school she did not have many friends. So when she arrived at university she made a conscious decision to change that. She joined every club and society she could. Not to polish her CV and not to collect accolades. She did it to meet people. To build real connection. To find her people.
That honesty struck me because it was a reminder that even the most inspiring women have to work at building community. Friendship and belonging are not automatic. They take courage and intention. You have to put yourself in new spaces even when it feels unfamiliar.
I had to do the same more than a decade ago when I came into my faith and realised I did not have sangat. I felt spiritually alone and knew I needed to seek community with purpose. I went through that again four years ago when I went searching for my business besties. Women who understood the weight of ambition. Women who knew what it felt like to lead and still feel isolated. Women who could celebrate my wins and hold steady during the tough moments.
Across every season of life I have learned that building community is rarely accidental. Whether it is faith friendship or professional growth it requires intention. You have to show up in rooms where people might not know you yet. You have to try. You have to stay open enough to be seen. You have to trust that your people exist.
Because we all need people who lift us. People who understand us without explanation. People who see both our strength and our softness. People who walk beside us rather than behind or ahead.
That is what sits at the heart of Inspire Club. A community of South Asian women committed to growth courage and connection. A space where you do not have to translate the cultural weight you carry. A space where ambition is welcomed and not judged. A space where you can expand without shrinking.
Every month our members step into masterclasses conversations and networking that stretch them gently beyond their comfort zones. They surround themselves with women who genuinely want to see them thrive. They build the kind of community Malala described. The kind that does not just support your goals but strengthens your spirit.
Finding your people is not luck. It is intention. And every woman deserves a village that helps her rise.