With International Women’s Day just around the corner, Business Frontier honours the achievements, resilience, and wisdom of women who continue to break barriers and pave the way for future generations. Two inspiring leaders—Jessica Hollander-Torres, Chief Commercial Officer at A1RWATER, and Indu Govindan, Director at Abra and Co-Founder of Jea Design — share their insights on embracing risk, building networks, and trusting yourself. A1RWATER is a company pioneering sustainable water solutions by extracting water from air, while Abra is a luxury retail fit-out company, and Jea offers end-to-end interior design services for the luxury segment.
“My number one piece of advice to young women is this: Bet on yourself.” says Jessica Hollander-Torres. The journey to success is rarely linear, and some of the most rewarding career moves happen in unexpected ways. She urges young women to lean into uncertainty, trust their instincts, and take calculated risks, particularly early in their careers. “At that stage, there’s little downside. Even if things don’t go as planned, there’s always time, space, and support to rebuild.”
She also emphasizes the importance of relationships, advising young professionals to, “Build your network before you need it.” Establishing a trusted group of mentors and advisors can provide invaluable perspective across career, wellness, and personal growth. “In an era of AI and rapid technological shifts, your greatest advantage will be clarity on the unique value you bring and your ability to adapt and evolve,” she adds. “Human connection and relationship equity will matter more than ever. Invest in trust, nurture meaningful relationships, and stay grounded in your values.”
Indu Govindan echoes the importance of embracing uncertainty, urging young women to challenge themselves by stepping outside their comfort zones. “Challenge yourself to do what scares you—it’s where true transformation begins.” she says. Many people hesitate to make bold decisions because they overanalyze and worry about the outcome. But most choices in life are not permanent, and growth comes from action rather than hesitation.
Having built a diverse career across consulting, strategy, and entrepreneurship—spanning multiple countries and industries from finance to luxury retail—Govindan has learned that every decision is just one step in a larger journey. “Being young gives you the luxury of time to learn, relearn, and adjust,” she explains. “More often than not, you’ll have another chance. And even if things don’t go as planned, you’ll walk away with a lesson that shapes your worldview.”
She encourages younger women to take bold steps early. “As Director at Abra and Co-Founder of Jea, I’ve seen firsthand how embracing bold choices can lead to incredible growth,” says Govindan. “I encourage younger women to carve their own paths, trust their instincts, and build the resilience needed to take on bigger challenges—because that’s what leads to the most rewarding adventures.”
The wisdom from these women serves as a reminder that success isn’t about avoiding failure but about embracing the journey, taking chances, and building meaningful relationships. This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the courage to take risks, the strength to build each other up, and the confidence to bet on ourselves.
