MEET OUR MENTOR: Mikayla Barnett, founder @ She Thing
What do you do?
MB: My name is Mikayla Barnett and I’m Co-Founder of It’s a She Thing, Inc., a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving women and girls throughout the five boroughs of New York. With It’s a She Thing, we’ve reached hundreds of women and girls through various touchpoints – spanning from our yearly empowerment camp for girls, all the way to our monthly door-to-door grocery distribution program and emergency resources for survivors of interpersonal violence. As a whole, we strive to provide the most critical tools that women and girls need to lead fulfilling lives.
Can you tell us a quick story on how a mentor has changed your life? What did they do right? How have they inspired you or pushed you in the right direction?
MB: My biggest mentor is actually my mother. She’s changed my life in so many ways with her support and motivation, and I’m continuously inspired by how she’s powered through times of adversity with resilience and strength. As my fellow Co-Founder, she’s also done an exceptional job in leading by example and showing me that focusing on your passions and the impact you wish to make can yield a great amount of personal and communal fulfillment. These traits and lessons of hers have made such an impact on how I view the world and the difference I wish to make.
From your experience, what is the biggest obstacle young entrepreneurs face? Any advice for them?
MB: I believe one of the biggest obstacles young entrepreneurs face is being seen as “green” or inexperienced to tackle the issues we wish to solve. As young entrepreneurs, I often find that we have such a rich perspective and strong conviction about what we want to achieve. In times when I’ve faced this form of adversity, I find it very helpful to remind myself that my perspective is valuable and can also serve as a form of representation for others. For any young entrepreneurs facing issues similar to this, I’d recommend staying focused on your “why” and keeping in mind that the difference you make today can impact so many generations to come.
What makes you the most fulfilled from running your non-profit?
MB: The most fulfilling aspect of running our non-profit is being able to give back to the community that has given so much to me. As a Brooklyn native, I’ve always aspired to support my community – especially as the landscape of New York continues to change. Being able to provide resources and a means for individuals to feed their families means so much to me, because we are able to see the direct impact with every interaction we have with our community. It’s such a joy to catch up with everyone and hear about how our resources have been a benefit to their lives.
Where can we find you? How can we support you?
MB: Feel free to keep up with our work on both our IG/website and my personal Linkedin!
Website: shethingnyc.com
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/mikaylabarnett