Break The Bias:
Stories From Our Community
This year's theme for International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias. Our community includes thousands of women—coming from different backgrounds and with varied skill sets—who work toward this goal every day.
We want to celebrate the achievements of those women, tell their stories, and raise awareness around gender equality. We've gathered their advice, experiences, and memorable decisions that helped them become successful freelancers and incredible leaders in their respective fields. Scroll down for positive inspiration.
Alex Rose
Expert Resume Writer and Experienced Recruiter
When I was growing up, I assumed that I had to follow the same path as everyone else – go to college, earn a degree, start my career, and climb the (seemingly endless) ladder. The more successful I became, the harder and harder it was to see myself straying from that path, and I assumed I never would - until I found myself without a job, on my parents' couch, watching a commercial about resume writing, the ad was from Fiverr. I said to myself, "I can do that". Now I’m an executive in the tech industry, a successful business owner, and an avid car enthusiast, I have had to break biases at every turn!
“I have learned that overturning prejudice is not only about standing up on your own two feet – it’s about empowering others to do the same.”
“My approach is to face the prejudices and prepare myself to reduce the likelihood of being influenced by an irrelevant one.”
Farjana Soud
Web Designer and Developer
Our socio-economic culture invests less in the education of girls which never prevented me from acquiring knowledge and enjoy creativity. My achievements have always been suppressed, and this made me feel inferior in so many ways. Since my work was the only way left for me in which I could express my talent and my creativity, I worked so hard until my work spoke loudly. And I learnt that it’s crucial to keep up with the latest trends in technology. A specific skill set can make a huge difference in life if it’s up to date and presented well.
Lauren Kirsty Gouws
Professional Video Script, Blog and Article Copywriter
I was terribly bullied at school and made to feel inferior because of my outer appearance. This seriously damaged my confidence to the point where I subconsciously believed I would never amount to anything in my life. All because I didn’t fit into a preconceived box physically of what is attractive and worthy of respect. I then realized that external validation should never be the deciding factor in your success! To overcome prejudice, we first need to get to the root of it – and that root is very mental. Just get out there, do it, and prove that there is no place for prejudice in today’s world.
“I was terribly bullied at school and this seriously damaged my confidence. Now, through Fiverr, I have earned just under a million.”
“One of the biggest things I’ve done to break down bias in my career is increase my interaction with people who are different from me.”
Wunmi Bello
Presenter
Whether we like it or not gender, age, sexual orientation and many other categories all play a role when it comes to forming unconscious biases. I have found that through my very intentional effort to connect with people outside of me, especially as guests on my show, has been a true game changer.
Adesayo Talabi
Poet and Content Creator
For me personally, when faced with prejudice I don’t care to react to it by “educating” the other person. I don’t see that another person’s pre-judgement of me is my personal problem. Too often, the burden of responsibility is thrusted on the innocent party. I, for one, will not take on that burden. Being an African woman and a poet who has found success in literally just being myself is amazing. I haven't really felt the biases against me because my community is so supportive.
“However, the sentiment of ‘women aren't usually funny’ – blah blah blah – has come up once in a while. I find that concept laughable and usually respond with sarcasm.”
“This new confidence ‘broke my own bias’ and I finally started living an authentic life. The cherry on the pie? Now I earn a six figure income on Fiverr.”
Melissa Harlow
Voiceover Artist
At 49 years old I decided to quit a corporate job, buy an old sailboat and sail across the Pacific Ocean with one person: my husband. It wasn’t until then that I understood what fighting your own fears and biases even meant. I was afraid to leave my family, afraid of water, afraid of disaster at sea, afraid of being tossed overboard. What got me through the long dark nights at sea, was understanding my own prejudices about myself and my capabilities. My advice for other women is to find your own voice first by overcoming your own bias.
Claire Virginia
Singer & Vocalist
Knowledge is really key here, knowing some of the struggles and prejudices women go through is the first step in acknowledging them and therefore breaking them. I enter spaces that might not yet be equipped for women to thrive and that hopefully starts the conversion to making the necessary changes to make that a reality.
“Be yourself, be bold and carry on, you are unique and the world needs you.”
“I broke the bias by bravely building and leading teams, by ignoring the naysayers. Neither my appearance nor my age can define what I am capable of.”
Lara Cantos
Professional Translator
As a young female in managerial positions, I did stumble upon people discrediting my experience, knowledge, or expertise due to my age or gender. In the early beginnings of my career, I allowed my inner people-pleaser to listen to them. Today, I know that before reaching the top of the mountain, you’ll have to practice, and may slip more than once – but you’ll get there.
Irène Kilubi
Buyer on Fiverr, Founder and CEO
As we all know, society has believed that certain things can only be done by certain people, which is not the case most of the time. So, I always take on those tasks and finish them within a given time or before the deadline. It’s always good to make people realize their beliefs are hurting other people’s feelings or putting other people into compromising situations.
“The advice I give to women is that the sky is the limit. Don’t let societal expectations of who a woman should be limit yourself from achieving your dreams and your goals.”