In this episode of ‘Fear Less, Do More’, host Gill Hunter talks with scientist Dr Fozia Saleem about how her real-life research led to pursuing entrepreneurship and business.Fozia has experienced unique challenges in her corporate journey and has succeeded by leading her industry in a different way, and creating opportunities both for herself and the next generation of leaders.
Highlights Include:
How a sixth form biology teacher inspired Fozia’s career by bringing science to life and making it fun.
How a university professor was the catalyst for a career in industry, after seeing something in Fozia she didn’t see in herself.
How ambition to break through the glass ceiling in pharmaceuticals led Fozia to pursue a PhD
The challenges of graduating during a recession when big Pharma companies were making mass redundancies.
How being the only woman and person of colour in many corporate meeting rooms shaped Fozia’s personal values to become sure of herself and speak up loudly for others.
Confirming to a corporate stereotype early in her career by wearing greys and blacks and minimising herself to fit in
How using the support networks on offer and asking for help after graduating is a powerful tool, and isn’t a sign of weakness.
The journey from big Pharma to becoming a startup entrepreneur in the North East of England.
Her mission as Chief Executive of Magnitude to help companies fail fast, to increase the speed to market for new drugs.
How the job description in a startup goes out of the window and should read ‘carry on spinning plates’, a far cry from the rigid roles of working in a corporate setting.
Tackling the demands of juggling a busy startup and her own young family.
