Meet Paris Ofe

We were lucky to catch up with Paris Ofe recently and have shared our conversation below.

Paris, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

The biggest thing to learn is knowing that your differences shouldn’t stop you from achieving whatever you would like to achieve. In the STEM field, there is a really large disproportion in girls and guys and it can be very difficult to feel like you belong when everyone else seems to have a certain look, but believing in yourselves and thinking of your goals can really help you persevere.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Fearless Identities is a community website launched in 2021, where people can share kind messages and achievements to others anonymously. The community on Fearless Identities is extremely supportive, and it is a lovely place to relax and unwind online. There is a section where members can read positive news and feel inspired to chase their dreams. Currently, inspirational blog posts for and by members are in the process of being added to the website!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The most important quality would be resilience, to continue to work on your passion even when it seems difficult. Sometimes when you believe you can’t do something, but you try anyway, you can really surprise yourself – at least I did when working with Avril on Fearless Identities. There was a lot we learnt along the way.
I also think it’s extremely important to not push yourself too hard, because burn out is real! Working when you’re burnt out does not produce the quality you could be giving yourself or your audience, and it’s always important to have fun in the process of creating something, so you can look back and be happy about it! We took a little break from working on our website because we were really pushing ourselves and going through a lot at that time, and it was so damaging for our mental health. Sometimes it’s okay to take a break and step out to see what you want to achieve, and naturally you will be guided in the right direction.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Seeing other business owners inspires us greatly, and seeing different people pursuing their dreams without fear – no matter the field of work. For example, people in the entertainment and acting industry, it’s such a competitive place and there is so much rejection, but their ability to bounce back without letting it stop them is incredibly admirable. Same many artists I have heard about in the music industry, they describe how it can really be painful working so hard on something for years and not getting any recognition for it. It’s also really lovely to see and think about the passion in certain fields like doctors or teachers, with all the years in medical school and the impact they make in other people’s lives and teachers with the planning they do and their ability to educate students despite the challenges that come with the role.

Contact Info:

• Website: htttps:www.fearlessidentities.com
• Instagram: fearlessidentities