We Came to Shine
A Note From Malika
I’m still energized from Hello Sunshine’s Shine Away, a weekend that captured the very best of what leadership development can be: real conversations, genuine courage, and contagious connection. I don’t need reminders of why I love this work — I’m simply reminded of how powerful it is when women come together to grow.
Standing alongside such talented, generous women (and watching the Begin Development team shine in full force) was both humbling and energizing. There was laughter, a few nerves, and a whole lot of heart, the perfect mix for any weekend spent doing what you love.
The Women Powering the Moment
I couldn’t have asked for a better group to share this experience with. The Begin Development team showed up with care, curiosity, humor, and grace — truly embodying what character and integrity look like in motion.
Each of them was handpicked because of the deep admiration I have for their talent, generosity, and spirit. They led with heart and excellence in every interaction, because the best kind of success is always shared. Watching them champion one another (and me) throughout the weekend was one of my favorite moments at Shine Away.
I thought the whole Connection Plaza was such an imaginative conference offering, providing coaching for all attendees alongside professional headshots, engaging professional workshops with takeaways, and meaningful connections that tied in perfectly with AT&T.
Truly brilliant!
I led two sessions: “Know Thyself (and Brag About It)” and “From Spark to Startup.”
I’ll be honest, “From Spark to Startup” was born straight out of my own hesitation. When you’re standing in a room full of seasoned investors, serial entrepreneurs, and women whose entire business is helping others build theirs, it’s easy to think, Who am I to talk about this?
But that’s exactly the point. Most of us start with a spark and a handful of doubts. The courage to begin anyway — that’s what builds something real.
Both sessions centered on finding your voice, trusting your gut, and surrounding yourself with the right people as you grow. And if the conversations afterward were any indication, we all left with a little more of each: a stronger voice, a clearer instinct, and a deeper belief in what’s possible when we back ourselves.
