Editor's Note

When I was younger, I often looked around and enviously admired those with talent, wondering why they were the lucky ones gifted with natural flair and an aptitude for a particular skill. I would feel despondent, inept, and not good enough. My dreams of a career in journalism, a life as a writer, seemed far-fetched and out of reach. As a result, I spent many years feeling lost.
Until, of course, I was found.
A moment of realisation came quite recently as I sat on my veranda, looking out to sea and reflecting on my life. Has my talent as a writer grown? Yes, but only as a result of writing for eight hours a day and completing a novel. It wasn’t gifted—it was earned. It was earned in the nights I kept writing, even though my eyes burned with exhaustion. It was earned on the days I showed up, chased stories, and pursued my dreams—diligently and consistently.
On that evening on the veranda, as I watched the children play in the nearby park and listened to the birds chatter excitedly about the approaching sunset, I felt a sense of clarity about my life. You can have all the talent in the world and let it go to waste. But if you have the right work ethic, the dogged determination, and the sheer grit it takes to succeed, then you will. Even with average talent. That, I realised, is what got me to where I am today—a place where I feel successful and proud of what I have achieved.
Reading the inspiring stories of the local businesswomen we feature in this edition, I noticed that this sentiment is a common theme among many of them. Showing up every day, being driven, never giving up—these are the reasons they attribute to their success. Interestingly, talent is scarcely mentioned.
So, if you’re reading this and thinking that perhaps you're not talented enough, let go of that hesitation. Instead, focus on something you can control: your willpower, your desire to achieve your dreams, and your determination to live your best life—no matter what.

Rach

“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work” (Stephen King)

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