We were lucky to catch up with Megan Nufer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Megan, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
In my mid-20s, I endured a physically and mentally grueling experience that has become the foundation of my resilience. While training for my first marathon, I was struck by a cyclist, resulting in a fractured skull and brain injury. The prognosis was grim, with doctors warning me I might never fully recover.
During my month-long recovery, I discovered many others had suffered similar injuries on the congested lakefront path. Motivated by their stories and my own determination, I partnered with Active Trans, a Chicago non-profit advocating for safer transportation. Despite having no experience in politics or public relations, I joined their 18-month campaign to push for separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
This journey led me to press conferences, media engagements, and even a face-to-face meeting with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, where I passionately pleaded for change. Just before Christmas 2016, Chicago committed to separating the entire path, a triumph made possible by the city’s pledge and a donation from Kenneth Griffin, CEO of Citadel.
What I once considered the worst day of my life became the catalyst for one of my proudest achievements. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and stepping out of my comfort zone. Whenever I face setbacks, I recall this journey, reminding myself that with persistence and patience, I can overcome any challenge.
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?
In order to answer this question, you need a little context. So apologies for the long backstory:
During the 2020 pandemic, I took a significant risk by starting a business while still working my full-time management consulting job. Despite doubts and uncertainties, the support from my incredible network kept me going. This venture, which began out of a need for an outlet during a challenging time, has led to a unique journey and professional transformation.
Professionally, I had reached a standstill at my corporate job, with no prospects for advancement or recognition for my efforts. Personally, the pandemic brought its own set of challenges, from navigating a new parenting journey to dealing with the stress of a confined living space. The world outside seemed equally tumultuous, with tragic events and societal issues magnifying the sense of chaos.
Desperate for control and purpose, I brainstormed business ideas and noticed a growing interest in ESG (Environment, Social & Governance) investing at my workplace. Simultaneously, people were seeking ways to support social justice causes, often through consumer choices. This led to my “aha” moment: creating a platform that made it easy for people to invest in and support businesses aligned with their values.
I founded Mayven, a business aimed at solving this problem by offering a platform that tailored to consumers’ diverse values, whether environmental, social, or governance-related. After 1.5 years of building Mayven, a startup offered to incubate my business, providing the tools, talent, and support needed to bring it to market. I accepted and began an exciting journey of building and scaling my product.
However, the tech world faced its own challenges, leading to a pivot in my role. I was asked to join the CFO’s team, where I gained invaluable experience in a new business model. This opportunity ultimately led to my current position, running the Finance and Accounting team of the startup. Meanwhile, I continue to incubate Mayven and work on innovative consumer ideas.
One of our latest projects is focused on Makeup Dupes, using AI to identify and rate dupe products. This initiative aims to bring more transparency to the cosmetics industry, making it easier for consumers to find affordable alternatives to high-end products.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I believe three qualities and skills were most impactful in my journey: the ability to start, the power of breaking down tasks, and perseverance.
The Ability to Start: One of the most challenging yet fulfilling aspects of any undertaking is simply getting started. The idea of achieving something like passing the CPA exam or running a marathon is exhilarating, but committing to see it through can be daunting. The hardest part is often taking that first step. My advice to those early in their journey is to embrace the initial challenge. Just start, no matter how overwhelming it feels.
Breaking Down Tasks: Starting something new can be incredibly overwhelming, but remember that any big project is just a collection of smaller tasks. Break down everything you need to do into manageable to-dos and commit to checking off at least one task each day. This approach keeps you accountable and makes even the largest projects feel more manageable. By focusing on small, achievable steps, you can maintain momentum and avoid feeling paralyzed by the enormity of your goals.
Perseverance: There were countless times when I wanted to quit or doubted myself. However, thanks to an amazing network of friends and supporters who encouraged me to keep going, I didn’t stop. You will undoubtedly face moments of doubt and wonder if you can actually pull off your goals. The answer is yes! Don’t second-guess yourself and keep your eye on the end goal. Just keep swimming, and remember that persistence is key.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to start with determination, break down your tasks into manageable pieces, and persevere through the challenges. With these qualities, you can achieve your goals and overcome any obstacles that come your way.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
One book that has played a significant role in my development is The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman. This book profoundly influenced my understanding of confidence and how to build it, particularly as a woman navigating the professional world.
The central idea of The Confidence Code is that taking risks early and often is crucial for building confidence. This resonated deeply with me because it aligns with my own experiences. By stepping out of my comfort zone and taking calculated risks, I have grown both personally and professionally. The book provides a compelling mix of scientific insights and practical advice that women can apply to boost their confidence, especially in the workplace.
One of the most valuable nuggets of wisdom from the book is the concept of “action over perfection.” The authors emphasize that striving for perfection often holds us back from taking action. Instead, they encourage readers to embrace the possibility of failure as a learning opportunity and to take bold steps forward, even if they don’t feel entirely ready. This mindset shift has been instrumental in helping me overcome self-doubt and take on new challenges.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megannufer?igsh=MWdvbXU2MnI5aDc1eA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-nufer-20b55813/
- Other: Medium Blog: https://medium.com/@mayven_megan
Image Credits
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