Start small, think big, act fast: Building a business with purpose with Sharla-Jaye Duncan

What does it mean to be truly mission-driven, and how can changing someone’s environment transform the course of their life?

Today’s guest, Sharla-Jaye Duncan, is a social entrepreneur and fierce advocate for educational and career equity. Growing up in South London surrounded by more people who were going to jail than finishing school, Sharla-Jaye could not see a future for herself — until a pivotal friendship showed her the power of support, perspective, and opportunity. 

That moment set her on a path to founding Team Up, Journi, and Day One — organisations that have helped thousands of young people from underrepresented communities unlock opportunity and redefine what’s possible.

In this episode, Sharla-Jaye shares her story with remarkable honesty and wisdom. From confronting racism and sexism, to navigating cycles of fear and hope in the global economy, to advice on actionable steps when starting a business — she reveals how we can all challenge the odds stacked against us, find the right people to lift us higher, and step into the rooms where change happens.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that we are more powerful than we think we are.

 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Growing up without role models and discovering possibility through others
• The difference between knowing what’s right and dedicating yourself to it
• The impact of changing environments on human potential
• Why people from lower socio-economic backgrounds often don’t stay in high-paying jobs
• How to change minds by first understanding them
• The importance of driven friends who keep you accountable
• Anger, power, and choosing hope
• What success really means — and how to deal with jealousy
• Actionable advice for starting your own business

 

Find Sharla-Jaye Duncan:

• Instagram: @sharlajayeduncan
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharla-jaye-duncan-inclusion-founder/
• Journi: https://www.ourjourni.com 
• Team Up: https://teamup.org.uk