Game-Changers for Women Founders: Mentorship, Peer-Groups & Women-Led Funding Panels

By: Sunita Sharma, Founder, Young Scholarz

Sunita Sharma is a UK-qualified Chartered Accountant and Biochemistry graduate turned education entrepreneur. As a senior lecturer, award-winning playwright, and lead English teacher, she specializes in preparing students for IB, IGCSE, standardized testing, and university admissions. Fluent in multiple languages, including French and German, Sunita brings a rich global perspective to her work.

In a candid conversation with Women Entrepreneurs Review, Sunita talks about various aspects that colour the experiences of women in leadership. From talking about the harsh judgment that women face to the impact of mentorship & peer groups, Sunita touches upon several critical topics.

To know more about Sunita’s take on women entrepreneurs’ journey to success, read the interview below.

Do you think women entrepreneurs are judged more harshly for having ambitious goals or being assertive? If yes, how can women entrepreneurs overcome such bias?

Women are often judged for delegating household or family responsibilities - we’re expected to do it all, while still climbing the career ladder. Can’t say I haven’t faced this myself! It's an everyday battle.

To push back against this societal bias, as women, we can build strong networks with other female entrepreneurs and rally support from understanding friends and family members. Making the most of female-focused funding, grants, and incubators can also prove helpful.

I’ve realized that no matter how high you’re achieving or low you’re falling, there will be chatter from some unwelcome corner or the other. That’s also why mentorship and peer networks matter — they give us space to acknowledge and reframe these pressures collectively while pushing forward in business. My approach - keep your chin up, advocate for yourself, and let your results speak louder than the noise.

Do you think mentorship is especially important for women entrepreneurs? How can mentorship aid women entrepreneurs in their quest for business success?

Yes — mentorship is vital for anyone starting a business, but I think it becomes even more critical for women, who often face steeper expectations and have fewer role models to look up to. A strong mentor can illuminate blind spots, connect you to opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise access, and encourage you to take bolder risks. In my own journey, mentors have guided me in expanding into new geographies, building strategic partnerships, and strengthening not just the company’s brand but also my own voice as a leader.

Women don’t always get the same natural exposure to skill-building in areas like negotiation or risk-taking, and that’s where a mentor’s encouragement can be transformative. Sometimes, what you need most is someone experienced, leaning in and saying, “You can do this — and here’s how I did it.” That reassurance, paired with practical guidance, can help women entrepreneurs push boundaries with more confidence.

Did you have any female mentors or role models when starting? How important is representation to you?

When I started, there weren’t many female mentors in my immediate professional circles — especially in fields like finance and business. That absence was striking, but it also motivated me to become the role model I often wished I had. Over time, I’ve realized representation isn’t about filling a quota or fitting a mould. It’s about showing others that there are multiple ways to build a meaningful career, and that your path doesn’t have to look linear.

Today, I try to embody that philosophy not only through entrepreneurship but also through the way I mentor and teach. I want my students — and the young women I work with — to see that it’s possible to be multi-faceted: to have a background in science and finance, to explore writing and the arts, and at the same time to lead, build, and innovate in business. When they look at me, I hope they don’t just see a career trajectory; I hope they see possibility — that success is about curiosity, confidence, and the courage to imagine the future you want to shape.

What role do you think collaboration among women entrepreneurs plays in challenging gender barriers in business?

Collaboration among women entrepreneurs can be a real game-changer when it comes to breaking gender barriers in business. I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful it is to be part of a circle of women who share advice, encourage each other, and open doors to opportunities that might otherwise be hard to reach.

Recently, I partnered with a female-led organization to cross-promote services and events, allowing us to provide more holistic offerings for our students. Some of the women entrepreneurs in my network also mentor my students and offer internships—giving them real-world exposure and a window into leadership roles. These connections aren’t just about growing business; they’re about lighting a path and planting seeds for future women leaders.

What changes would you like to see in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to better support women?

I’ve seen so many talented and brilliant women — students, teachers, even employees — who have the vision and the drive, but they get stuck because they don’t have the right connections, mentors, or funding when it matters most.

One inspiring example is a student who dreamed of launching an ed-tech project but wasn’t sure how to begin. With the right mentorship and exposure, she gained the skills and confidence to pitch her idea — and today, she’s running pilot workshops in schools. If the ecosystem offered more hands-on mentorship, greater access to women-led funding panels, and platforms that encourage collaboration, we’d see many more of these stories take shape.