Fairygodboss Of The Week: Meesen Brown
This week, we celebrate Meesen Brown, founder of Behere. This globe-trotting entrepreneur uses her corporate experience to help other women build unique travel and lifestyle experiences. She knows that the key to success is by embracing failure, and she inspires women across the world to do so.
Fairygodboss of the Week: Meesen Brown
Founder / CEO, Behere
New York, NY
FGB: Tell us about your career. How did you get to where you are now?
MB: After graduating business school, I took a position at one of the "big five" banks in Toronto. Early on, I recognized I was not a fan of corporate inefficiencies, red tape and navigating corporate banking as a woman. After leaving finance, I took a role at a not-for-profit in Sydney, Australia. I was able to work with a fantastic team of women that helped me understand the importance of teamwork and reliability. Despite this, I still faced inefficiencies and a slow-paced environment. I had a choice; to keep knocking on doors, or build a door and open it.
So, I launched Behere, a flexible work and travel experience for women. I thought the best way to get what I wanted was to provide an opportunity for women to be inspired through experiences. Through Behere, I have been able to learn, grow, share and collaborate with amazing women around the world.
FGB: What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?
MB: Starting Behere. It was challenging to move somewhere new and start a new career, only to realize that in order to always be learning and growing I needed to create my own path. Actually taking that leap and starting Behere was extremely challenging but ultimately the most rewarding.
FGB: What is a challenge that you've faced and overcome?
MB: When you start to create and build a product or service, it is overwhelming and frightening because you're putting your life and love into your work; it's a form of expression. You put it out to the world to be judged, which is difficult at first, but you remember to stay focused and not forget your goals and keep striving to make an impact.
FGB: What is the #1 career tip you'd like to share with other women who want to have successful careers like you?
MB: I always tell myself to 'keep moving forward.' I look at failure, success and adversity as an opportunity to learn. The day you stop learning, you stop growing.
FGB: Why do you love where you work?
MB: Working at Behere gives me the opportunity to build and interact with a community of women worldwide. It's truly amazing when you connect with someone that is thousands of miles away but is facing the same issues professionally or personally.
FGB: Who is YOUR Fairygodboss? Why?
MB: There are SO many amazing ladies changing the face of entrepreneurship for women that I can't pick just one! Every woman that is encouraging, supporting and inspiring others is truly admirable.
FGB: What do you do when you’re not working?
MB: I love keeping active, it keeps me balanced and clears my mind, so I'm usually out hiking, running or playing sports, when I'm not cooking or reading. Of course, I also love to travel and explore, finding hidden gems in new places.
Lightning Round:
FGB: What is your karaoke song?
MB: “Build Me Up Buttercup” by The Foundations.
FGB: What is your favorite movie?
MB: “Catch Me If You Can.”
FGB: What book would you take with you on a desert island?
MB: “A House in the Sky: A Memoir” by Amanda Lindhout.
FGB: What is your shopping vice? What would you buy if you won the lottery?
MB: Health food products are my shopping vice. If I won the lottery, I would support worldwide education, women entrepreneurs and women in the workforce.
--
Fairygodboss is all about women helping other women - so each week, we celebrate a woman who made a difference in another woman’s career. Is there a woman who has made a difference in your career? Celebrate her and thank her by nominating her here.
Why women love us:
- Daily articles on career topics
- Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
- Advice and support from an authentic community
- Events that help you level up in your career
- Free membership, always