Fatima Hassan never imagined her journey would take her from the bustling markets of Kenya to the glistening cityscapes of Dubai, only to return home as the founder of a movement that would change the lives of countless women. But that’s exactly what happened. And it all started with a dream that refused to die, no matter how many times life tried to crush it.
From Dreams to Detours
Born and raised in Kenya, Fatima was the second last in a family of seven. Her father, an engineer, believed in the power of education and worked tirelessly to provide the best for his children, even the bright Fatima had to attend Moi Vokoli, a reputable school in Kenya. But when he retired due to health issues, everything changed. They had to move back to their rural home—a shift that felt like stepping backward.
Fatima had always dreamed of becoming a nurse, a calling to serve and heal. But with financial constraints, that dream seemed out of reach. Determined to create her own path, she enrolled in a typing and accounting course, but within a week, she knew it wasn’t for her. “It didn’t align with who I was or what I wanted,” she recalls.
With no clear plan but an unshakable will, she started selling second-hand clothes—despite the stigma surrounding mtumba (used clothes). “I knew people were whispering about me,” she says, “but in my heart, I knew I was building something greater.”
The Leap Abroad
With her little savings, she secured a passport and made the bold decision to work in the Middle East as a nanny. It wasn’t easy. The cultural shift was overwhelming, and having come from a strict boarding school, caring for children didn’t come naturally. “I remember feeling lost, wanting to give up,” she admits. But one night, everything changed. She stumbled upon Supernanny, the famous childcare expert, and absorbed everything she could. “I started implementing her techniques, and suddenly, everything made sense.”
What Fatima didn’t know at the time was that this was her first step into coaching.
“To pursue nursing, I needed to leave my job and return home to study, but that wasn’t an option—I was supporting my family. So instead, I found ways to learn online while working. Everything I know today, from coaching to personal development, I first learned in between my job responsibilities.”
Breaking the Chains of Fear
Fatima worked in Dubai for 14 years. Like many, she had convinced herself that by 40, she would be financially stable and running her own business. But as the years passed, she found herself trapped in a cycle of job-hopping, always in search of something more.
When she returned home in 2014, she reconnected with old friends. Many had stable jobs and side businesses that gave them financial independence—something she, despite years abroad, had yet to achieve.
“I had just gone through a divorce, and I felt lost,” she shares. “I started questioning everything: What am I really doing with my life? Why doesn’t the grass feel greener on the other side?”
“Returning to Dubai was no longer just about work—it became a journey of self-discovery. I became a motivational junkie—constantly inspired but not taking real action,” she recalls.
That was when she realized the biggest challenge wasn’t lack of opportunities—it was fear. Fear of failure. Fear of stepping out of her comfort zone. Fear of what people would say if she “didn’t make it.”
The Birth of Dames With Grit
Fatima joined a coaching program, not intending to become a coach but to figure out her own path. Then, during one session, her coach asked her a life-changing question:
“Have you ever truly invested in yourself? Have you ever designed a life that YOU want, not one shaped by expectations?”
That moment sparked a shift. She decided to invest in herself—not just financially, but mentally and emotionally. And when she started talking to other women, she realized they were struggling with the same fears:
- The fear of stepping into their own vision.
- The fear of returning home because they felt they hadn’t “made it.”
- The fear of investing in themselves.
That’s when she knew she had to create something bigger than herself. Something that would break these barriers for African women worldwide. And so, Dames With Grit was born.
“I returned home with a purpose—to help women break free from societal expectations, scarcity mindsets, and self-doubt. I saw firsthand that Africa offers countless opportunities for women. I worked with youth, co-founded Mombasa Jitambue, and witnessed the incredible transformation that happens when people tap into their potential.
“Dames With Grit was born out of desperation for change, and today, it is leading women on a powerful journey of transformation,” she asserts.
Empowering Women to Thrive
Dames With Grit isn’t just a coaching program—it’s a movement. It empowers African women in the diaspora to rebuild, transition, and reconnect with their roots.
“We don’t have to choose between opportunities abroad and potential back home,” Fatima explains. “We can merge the best of both worlds to create real change.”
The organization emphasizes that its mission extends beyond individual growth, stating, “The women who transform through our programs are creating generational shifts—breaking free from survival mindsets, building wealth, and rewriting what success looks like for African women.” This vision ensures that the impact of the initiative is not only immediate but also sustainable, fostering a legacy of empowerment for future generations.
Through Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Exponential Coaching, she helps women break free from mental barriers, redefine success, and build sustainable businesses.
Breaking Boundaries, Changing Lives
One of the biggest success stories from Dames With Grit is a lady named Sarah. Sarah had worked in the Gulf for years, but every business she started failed. She was torn between staying abroad for financial security or returning home to start anew.
Through coaching, Sarah realized that her scarcity mindset was holding her back. Once she shifted her beliefs, everything changed. She returned home for six months, networked, and launched an online business that now operates both in the Gulf and in her home country.
“She learned to see beyond borders,” Fatima says proudly. “And that’s the power of mindset.”
The organization remains dedicated to fostering tangible change by “bridging the gap between self-discovery and action—ensuring women don’t just dream, but execute and thrive.” This commitment includes providing transformative coaching experiences that are both accessible and impactful.
Additionally, Dames With Grit seeks to cultivate a global network of women who actively support one another, reinforcing the idea that economic and professional success is best achieved through collaboration rather than isolation.
The Future of Dames With Grit
Recognizing the evolving landscape of African entrepreneurship, Dames With Grit envisions a future where women are not merely business owners but also investors and financial leaders. “In the next 10-15 years, African women will not just seek funding; we will create it,” she asserts. By promoting financial independence, supporting small businesses, and embracing an abundance mindset, the movement aims to shift the economic power dynamic, ensuring that African women play a central role in shaping and sustaining their own economic futures.
Fatima highlights the struggles of the African diaspora—pursuing success abroad yet often feeling unfulfilled. Many work tirelessly, sending money home, climbing the career ladder, but lose touch with their true purpose.
She draws inspiration from the eagle, which soars with focus, blocking distractions and striking with precision. Unlike the eagle, many are swayed by societal expectations, chasing external validation instead of personal fulfillment.
Despite sending $50 billion in remittances annually, many remain financially unstable, working below their qualifications. Yet, those who thrive redefine success, invest in themselves, and align with their true calling.
She urges African women in the diaspora to reclaim their vision, break free from survival mode, and build a legacy beyond borders.
Fatima’s vision is clear: to create a global platform where African women can learn, collaborate, and transform their lives—no matter where they are.
“Our success isn’t dictated by geography,” she says. “It’s dictated by our vision and our courage to pursue it.”
Dames With Grit is proving that African women are not just survivors—they leaders, innovators, and changemakers. And are when one woman rises, she lifts others with her.
From selling mtumba to building an international movement, Fatima Hassan has shown that no dream is too big, and no journey is too hard—if you have the courage to chase it.
