Rasheka Scott, Lawyer / CEO of Scott & Co: My Crush Story

Crush 2024

The opening keynote by my now great friend, then stranger, Lola Akinmade, told me I was exactly where I needed to be - front row at the historic Stock Exchange Building filled with pink & power.

Lola's presentation slide said:

"The Power of 'Why not' When we start living our lives beyond other people's expectations of us, we become impossible to ignore."

Lola Akinmade likes to reinforce a point in case I didn't believe her the first time - this day would be meaningful. With a level of confidence and renewed vigor that can be inspired only by witnessing another Black woman of excellence in spaces not typically reserved for us, I delivered piping hot tea in my panel.

And booked my first client - for my company that didn't exist yet.

Katja Presnal brought in big city energy from New York in the form of Candice Brathwaite (who I now can't live without) to close the show & drive home the point:

"I'm a big city girl, with big ideas and big dreams".

As cliche as that sounds, it's something I tell myself every day because I need to make big decisions in a place where people tend to think small, and worse, expect me to do the same.

The very next day, I sent my brother the mock-up of my business cards.

Lessons from an [Un]titled Woman

May 2025

I walked away from a prestigious title to become an Untitled Woman last spring, right before Crush 2024.

I was determined to create an emptiness and quiet that would allow me, in the silence, to find what I was truly intended to do. It led to an understanding that I am of the same worth as just myself, untitled. This point resonated well with immigrants who often leave a high flying job behind to start over in a new country or in general, when you find yourself in a new phase of life.

Having a strong sense of self and dignity in your Untitledness is a much better position from which to dream up a better reality for yourself. By stripping away everything, I have been able to select the best building blocks for what I want MY founder story to feel like.

My 7 brief lessons:

✍🏾 “Prepare to succeed” as opposed to trying to avoid failure.

✍🏾 Make freedom a measure of true success.

✍🏾 When you follow your dreams, can you ever really fail? Perhaps the journey is the dream. Thinking you won’t reach the goal often prevents the first step.

✍🏾 Embrace the side hustle - we are often too hyper-focused on 9-5. Lean into your passions and hobbies. “Do I like it though” is often sufficient.

✍🏾 The secret to my success is authenticity. Being able to be exactly who you are, no matter the room you’re in or the table you sit at, has allowed me to tap into communities honestly. Because none of this is built alone. Allow people to know exactly what they’re going to get with you.

✍🏾 Move in life with the audacity of a mediocre white man. With Jamaican flair. Become a serial founder. Ask for what you want.

✍🏾 Buy the ticket. Show up. Invest in yourself.

What will be your Crush story this year?

From me to YOU - it’s time to step into your power. Let's level up together.

Rasheka Scott

CEO / Lawyer, Scott & Co.

Advisory Board Member, Crush Movement

PS. Let's continue the discussion on LinkedIn.

Crush ticket giveaway on Instagram

Check out this post on Instagram: Scott & Co. wants to send YOU to CRUSH on 14.5.2025 to write your very own #CRUSHStory

In honor of CRUSH’s 3rd year, we are giving away 3 tickets (valued at 159€ each) to 3 incredible next-generation leaders ready to take centre stage.

The power of community, especially for women, is undisputed. It takes a village. To reach your full potential and to take the steps of bravery to level up in your life.

Be fast! Giveaway ends Wednesday, 7.5. at 18.00.