Meet Camila Hargett, MBA

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Camila Hargett, MBA a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Camila, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I didn’t overcome it all at once, it was layered and long. The first crack in the armor of imposter syndrome came from someone else seeing me clearly before I saw myself. I was a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, struggling silently with focus, follow-through, and fatigue I couldn’t explain. I knew I was smart, I’d always been smart, but the way I processed and retained information just didn’t fit the mold.

It wasn’t until a caring professor saw something in me and offered guidance that I started to look deeper. Their compassion helped me understand that my struggles weren’t a character flaw. I wasn’t lazy, scattered, or broken, I was neurodivergent. I was later diagnosed with ADHD.

But the diagnosis didn’t bring instant relief. I grew up in a home where conversations about mental health or neurodiversity didn’t exist. If anything, they were dismissed. So instead of feeling relieved, I felt like the diagnosis confirmed what I had feared all along: that I was different in a way that made me less. I carried that brokenness with me for a long time. I wore success like a costume, constantly trying to prove I deserved the place I had already earned.

Imposter syndrome followed me into adulthood and entrepreneurship. But what changed was my foundation. I came to realize, through prayer, experience, and reflection, that I was made exactly as I needed to be for the life God gave me. My ADHD wasn’t a flaw in His design. It was part of the strategy. It gave me high levels of empathy, creative problem-solving, relentless curiosity, and the ability to connect dots where others saw noise. It’s also what helps me guide my clients at Sezhel with both insight and compassion.

I’ve learned to manage my challenges and lean into my strengths. I’ve created systems to support my brain, instead of fighting against it. Most of all, I no longer try to be who I’m not. That’s how I’ve been able to shed the weight of imposter syndrome. Not because I’ve “arrived,” but because I’ve accepted who I’ve been all along.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the founder and lead consultant at Sezhel LLC, a business consulting firm based in North Carolina. Our work focuses on empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners, especially those from underrepresented communities, to build businesses that are not only profitable, but sustainable, ethical, and purpose-driven.

What I do blends strategy, analytics, and heart. I help my clients uncover financial blind spots, create growth strategies, and align operations with their long-term vision, but what makes it special is the human side. We don’t just build business plans at Sezhel, we build confidence. We create clarity. We walk with clients through hard decisions with integrity and transparency.

The name Sezhel is inspired by the Hebrew word “Sechel,” which means wisdom, intelligence, and common sense. It’s a reminder that business, at its best, isn’t about cold calculations, it’s about wise stewardship and using your gifts to serve others.

What excites me most is seeing transformation in my clients. Whether it’s a local service provider realizing they can expand without burnout, or a first-generation entrepreneur launching a business that changes their family’s legacy, those are the moments that keep me going.

What’s new at Sezhel?
We’ve been growing rapidly and are now preparing to expand our services, including more in-depth analytics support, business valuations, and real estate investment consulting.

I want people to know that Sezhel isn’t just a consulting firm, it’s a movement. It’s about bringing light into the business world. It’s about intelligence with compassion. Strategy with soul. And helping others realize they were never meant to fit into someone else’s box, they were meant to build something entirely their own.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Self-awareness and faith
Understanding myself, how I think, how I work, what energizes me, and what drains me, was one of the most transformational shifts in my life. But that self-awareness didn’t come without struggle. It took being vulnerable, willing to ask for help, and accepting truths I once resisted. My ADHD diagnosis was a big part of that journey. Even more important was the grounding I found in my faith. I believe God makes no mistakes. When I stopped trying to “fix” myself and started honoring how I was uniquely created, everything began to change.
For anyone early in their journey, I encourage you to take time to reflect and connect deeply with who you are. Journal your thoughts, pray, and notice patterns in your daily life. Seek support when needed, whether that’s through therapy, mentorship, or trusted relationships. The more you understand yourself, the more confident you’ll become in the path you’re building.

2. Financial and analytical literacy
I learned that you can’t grow what you don’t understand. Knowing the numbers behind a business, cash flow, margins, projections, return on investment gave me the confidence to make strategic decisions. It’s a skill I now use every day to help my clients take control of their business and grow with confidence.
If you’re starting out, don’t shy away from the numbers. Begin with basic financial literacy. There are so many resources available online or through community programs. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a consultant or advisor who can explain things in a way that makes sense to you. Strong financial understanding is one of the most empowering tools you can have as a business owner.

3. Communication and empathy
Being able to connect with people, truly understand them, and speak in a way that resonates has shaped every part of my work. Growing up in a multicultural environment, I learned how to bridge different perspectives and communicate with care. That skill has helped me build trust, lead effectively, and create services that feel personal and empowering.
For those early in their journey, I recommend listening intentionally and learning how to communicate with both clarity and compassion. Study emotional intelligence, ask thoughtful questions, and make people feel seen. Technical knowledge is important, but relationships are what build lasting success.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, the first thing I do is pause. I’ve learned that pushing through chaos without grounding myself leads to burnout and bad decisions. I take a moment to breathe, to pray, and to remind myself that I don’t have to carry everything alone. That pause, even if it’s just for a few minutes, creates space for clarity.

Sometimes I go on a walk, listen to worship music, or journal what I’m feeling. Other times I need to simply step away from my desk, make a cup of tea, and sit in silence or take a nap. In those moments, I remind myself that I’m human, and that it’s okay to feel stretched, it doesn’t mean I’m not capable. It just means I need to reset.

One strategy that’s helped me is learning to simplify. I ask myself, “What is the one thing I need to do next?” Not everything, just the next thing. That shift in mindset brings me back to the present and out of the spiral of perfectionism or pressure. This is also a reason why I love using my CRM. It keeps me very present.

Another powerful practice is leaning on community. I don’t hesitate to reach out to my team, a mentor, or someone I trust. As a business owner, it’s easy to isolate yourself when things get hard, but I’ve learned that support is strength, not weakness.

My advice for others is this: Don’t wait until you’re completely burned out to care for yourself. Build rhythms of rest, reflection, and reconnection into your life now. Your mind and your business will thank you.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Graceful Eye Photography

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than

Highlighter Series
Are you walking a path—or wandering?

The answer to whether you are walking or wandering often changes from season to season

Highlighter Series
Life, Lessons, & Legacies

Through the work we do we are incredibly fortunate to find and learn about so