Three Things I Wish I Had Known in My 20’s: Sandra Correia

I have always been a dreamer. As a teen, I dreamed of becoming a flight attendant, jetting around the world, discovering new places, and living what I imagined would be a glamorous life. Later I wanted to be a journalist, covering major stories across the globe. Ultimately, it was entrepreneurship that has taken me around the world – building my business, meeting new people and sharing experiences along the way.

I grew up in a small town in south Portugal, where, 20 years ago, girls rarely pursued an education beyond high school. Rather, we were expected to marry, have children and stay at home to raise them. There were no local colleges, and few families had the resources to send their daughters to live and study in Lisbon, two hours away.  

In no hurry to settle down to marriage and motherhood, I was determined to follow a different path.  I was fortunate to have the opportunity denied so many other young women in my town, and in my 20s, I left home and earned a business degree from the High Institute of Business Lisbon.  

My professional life began at 25, working in marketing research in my family’s industrial cork factory – a traditionally male trade. I was a woman in a man’s world. But I had a dream to contribute something of my own to the industry, and I began to see new potential for cork skin, beyond its industrial uses, as a stylish material for fashion accessories.  That vision ultimately led me in my 30s to develop my own brand, Pelcor. Now in my 40s, I am fortunate to be in a position to help others pursue their own entrepreneurial goals, and share the lessons I learned along the way.

My 20s were a wonderful adventure. I had great fun and I learned important life skills. That said, there are a few things I know now that I wish I’d known then:

Maintain balance. Had I understood in my 20s the need for balance, I would have taken better care of myself at an earlier age.  Too often, women who juggle the daily demands of professional and family life find themselves taxed on both fronts. However, while reserving quality “me” time may feel like a luxury, it is essential to creating the space necessary to dream and innovate. In my 40s, balance is what allows me to continue my journey and to embrace it with joy.

Be open to change.  I entered my 20s with an air-tight plan: study, work as a journalist, marry later and have children in my 30s. Instead, at 43, I am an entrepreneur, a single woman, with a Portuguese water dog named Corky and a new goal to adopt a child. The big lesson for me?  Life doesn’t change; rather, we change life as age and experience lead us to new ideals.  Be open to changing your plans and goals, and accept that it’s a natural part of growth.

Give respect in order to earn it. Respect is a two-way street. If you show respect for others – their work, their opinions, their choices, their unique gifts and their limitations – you will earn it in return.  I am not a typical entrepreneur. I am not a typical woman. I can only be who I am. If I want people to value what I have to offer I must do the same for them.  It’s an important lesson that, learned early on, will set you on a path to success in school, in your career, and in life.