Quick fire career questions with Khyara Ranaweera, Director at The Lifestyle Agency

We have a chat with Khyara Ranaweera, Director at The Lifestyle Agency on how she became a badass woman in business, people underestimating her in the working world and what she’s learned so far.

E: What is your career history and how have you go to where you are today? 

K: So my short answer to this is that my first full-time role was in traditional PR. But the long story is a bit more interesting… I’ve always been entrepreneurial, from selling various tid bits and macaroons in front of the house to in the playground I’ve always have the entrepreneurial spirit at heart. Years later; 3 successful business under my belt and experience with renowned brands from across the world, I think it’s that entrepreneurial spirit, the hunger for creativity and the fact that I absolutely love what I do, that has got me where I am today.

E: You’ve previously set up multiple businesses. What was that like and what did you learn?

K: I loved owning something end to end, each business felt like my own little baby and I treated each as such. I learned an invaluable amount about what makes a business tick, how each channel integrates with another and honestly, the human aspect and managing people, expectations, customer service etc. It was a lot of hard work (especially as some I set up whilst at school / working full-time) but worth every sleepless night.

E: What has your experience been like as a female entrepreneur? 

K: I wish I could say it’s been easy but it’s been a rollercoaster – especially having worked in other markets that are yet to encourage women in business. As a young female entrepreneur, times that difficulty by 10. But we move. Each no, each doubt and each person that undermined me just pushed me harder and made me want to make my mark even more.

E: Do you ever feel like people underestimate you (at work) because you’re a woman? 

K: I couldn’t tell you how many times this has happened. You would think in this day and age we would be past this. But I’ve sadly worked in companies that have adopted more of a ‘boys club’ culture where the women in the office – who were more than capable and certainly had the experience to add, were ignored, not included and just underestimated consistently. I honestly didn’t think it was still such an issue until actually was. Being shut out of meetings, asked to do tea runs and look for what should be PA work made me feel inadequate, frustrated and honestly, unworthy. It was a tough time, where I questioned my capabilities, my experience and my general skills to try and work out why this was happening!? Thankfully I have an INCREDIBLE all-women team at The Lifestyle Agency and Charlie our CEO is nothing but supportive, inclusive and really given me the room to make my mark, for that I will always be thankful.

E: How has COVID-19 effected the business for The Lifestyle Agency and how have you adapted? 

K: It’s actually a really interesting time for us. I see myself as an optimist; choosing to look at the next opportunity, the learning, the positive from any bad situation and that’s exactly what we did. We had a really busy few months and I am so pleased that we did not furlough any staff, in fact we have almost doubled in size!

E: What other women inspire you? 

K: Whitney Wolfe herd, Sophia Amurso, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Queen Rania. The first two INCREDIBLE women in business (Bumble and NASTY GAL) who are relatable and down to early, Ruth Bader Ginsberg because she is one of the first women who really stood up and questioned the different work roles between men and women and Queen Rania for her humanitarian work.

E: What’s the first thing you do when you wake up to prepare for the day ahead?

K: The modern version of reading the papers I catch up on what’s trending, what people are talking about the headlines and what our clients / competitors are saying across online news sites, social and broadcast. I then work on my to-do list which has a gratitude element and a quote of the day which goes to the whole team with a good morning GIF.

E: What’s next for you personally and for The Lifestyle Agency? 

K: To put it lightly, GREAT THINGS. We are growing at a phenomenal rate and with that really shaking up our approach to our craft, how we work with our clients and the next generation of trailblazing brands and talent. Personally, I see myself being involved with more grassroot organisations and third sector companies that need a little development guidance but ultimately I’d like to be investing in as many promising start-ups and entrepreneurs as I possibly can – especially young female entrepreneurs that have the same hunger for making their mark.