Interview with Climate Mitigate’s Samia Kazi

Samia Kazi is the embodiment of resilience and vision, steering her groundbreaking venture, Climate Mitigate, with a commitment to addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our times: climate change. As the Founder and CEO, her journey to the helm of Climate Mitigate is a testament to her unwavering determination to forge a sustainable future.

Born into a family that emphasised the importance of environmental stewardship, Samia's early years were filled with lessons on the value of preserving our planet. The startup is not just a business; it's a mission-driven entity focused on developing innovative solutions for the voluntary carbon market and to make impact investments accessible. Under Samia's leadership, Climate Mitigate has pioneered a proprietary technology to scale voluntary carbon and put the power to offset in the hands of consumers. I interviewed Samia to gain a deeper insight into what it’s like to be a female entrepreneur in the environmental landscape. 

How did you get to where you are today?

My ambition was always clear: to create a startup that would leave a meaningful impact. Leaving behind my career in law, I initially ventured into a new project centred around social entrepreneurship, with a focus on empowering women, particularly housewives, by enabling them to leverage their cooking skills. However, not long after making this career shift, I encountered unforeseen challenges that led me to conclude the project wouldn't yield the financial returns my investors expected. Faced with this realisation, I made the difficult decision to abandon the project and ponder my next steps.

The prospect of not being able to return to my previous employment, combined with the lack of a new business venture, was daunting. I was acutely aware of the potential judgments regarding my credibility. Yet, it was during this period of uncertainty that I found my resilience. I secluded myself for two weeks, a time during which I reflected and brainstormed extensively, consulting with industry professionals to evaluate the viability of various ideas. It was through this process that I identified a concept that showed the most promise for success and impact.

At the heart of my journey was the commitment to building an impactful startup. I was determined to create a venture that would not only succeed in its own right but also contribute positively to the world long after my involvement. This guiding principle led me to refocus and ultimately discover the path that I believed had the potential to make a significant difference.

At what point did you realise you wanted to take the leap to start your own business? 

The decision to leave my job and start a startup didn't happen overnight; it was a culmination of a lifelong inclination towards innovation. Throughout my life, I've been brimming with ideas, eagerly sharing them with various people to gather their insights. This internal drive, often referred to as 'fire in the belly', made me realise I'm someone drawn to thinking outside the conventional boundaries.

Working in a traditional job, I noticed a pattern where life is segmented into working hours and weekends reserved for rest or social activities. This routine, where my days were planned around work schedules and social engagements to fill the void of inactivity, felt increasingly unfulfilling. The entrepreneur's life appealed to me precisely because of its constant mental engagement; there's no clear division between work and life, no switch to turn off. This seamless integration of work and passion is what I longed for—a life where my ideas and ambitions are a constant source of engagement and fulfilment. This realisation propelled me to take the leap into entrepreneurship, embracing the challenges and rewards that come with forging your own path.

How did you get to where you are today?

My educational journey in law began at Exeter University, where I completed my LLB, followed by my Bar Vocational Course at the University of Law. After qualifying, I was called to the bar at the Honourable Society of Middle Temple in London, marking the start of my legal career.

However, my path to the business was shaped long before my university days. At the age of 18, following the sudden passing of my father, I found myself at the helm of a vast family business empire, spanning life insurance, real estate, schools, and newspapers. 

Despite the daunting challenge and my initial inexperience, I was thrust into making critical decisions for our businesses. This early exposure to leadership and the complex world of business management was not just a responsibility; it became a profound learning experience that I relished. The necessity to navigate through these challenges honed my decision-making skills and sparked a realisation of the impact one can have through entrepreneurship.

Transitioning into a career at a law firm, I quickly recognised the stark contrast between the dynamic nature of running a business and the structured routine of employment. The 9-to-5 life, punctuated by weekends filled with social engagements, felt limiting. It dawned on me that there was more to life than the conventional work-life balance—a belief that propelled me to seek a deeper purpose.

This quest led me to explore the field of climate change, driven by a passion to create a startup with a meaningful impact. Inspired by my father's legacy, who founded the first Islamic life insurance company in Bangladesh with the vision of supporting families in need, I aimed to forge a path that would leave a lasting positive mark on the world. My father's venture, designed to provide for families of the deceased who lacked financial stability, had flourished over the years. Now, nearly two decades since his passing, the success and continued growth of his company stand as a testament to the enduring impact of his vision.

Embracing my father's ethos of creating value that extends beyond oneself, I delved into climate research with a determination to build a startup that addresses one of the most pressing issues of our time. 

What’s the most challenging thing you’ve overcome so far?

The most formidable challenge I've encountered has been the departure from a conventional path—a trajectory where education directly leads to a stable job and steady income. Embarking on this journey required a leap of faith, especially in the face of not earning immediately and confronting scepticism from those around me. I vividly recall sharing my vision with my sister, confidently stating that one day I would have an office in central London with my own team. Just six months later, that vision began to materialise, which was a moment of disbelief and validation for me.

However, articulating such ambitious dreams often invites doubt, not just from within but also from others who might perceive them as unrealistic or accuse you of being overly confident. It's a delicate balance to maintain your conviction in your vision while navigating scepticism. The criticism and doubt can be particularly discouraging before any tangible success is achieved, leading many to abandon their dreams for the security of the familiar path.

Moreover, being a woman in the entrepreneurial landscape introduces an additional layer of complexity. The societal expectation for security can weigh heavier, and ambition can sometimes be seen through a negative lens. Yet, embracing risk—albeit calculated—is essential for breaking new ground. It's about filtering out the external noise, staying true to your vision, and understanding that while the path may be unconventional and fraught with challenges, it is also where true potential for innovation and impact lies.

How has it been as a woman in a male-dominated industry? 

Personally, I haven't faced overt challenges directly related to my gender. However, I've noticed a tendency for some to underestimate the scale of my ambitions. Recounting an interaction with an investor, I shared my vision for creating software that enables businesses to achieve net-zero emissions. His reaction—"wow, that's really big"—highlighted a common perception. I couldn't help but retort by pointing out the achievements of humanity, such as landing a man on the moon, to put the scale of ambition into perspective. While being a woman in a male-dominated field might invite scepticism about one's ambitions, it also offers a unique opportunity to challenge and shift perspectives, leveraging underestimation as a tool for innovation and impact.

What would you say the biggest misconception about entrepreneurship is?

A common misconception about entrepreneurship is its perceived overnight success and inherent glamour. Many people see only the end result: financial prosperity and a seemingly effortless rise to the top. However, this perspective overlooks the immense dedication and hard work required behind the scenes. Success in entrepreneurship is rarely, if ever, instantaneous. It's the product of relentless effort, often unseen by the public eye.

Drawing from personal experience, I've witnessed the journey of entrepreneurship firsthand through my father's endeavours in building companies. Even as a child, the sheer amount of work and determination he invested was evident. This early exposure debunked any myths of effortless success for me, highlighting the gritty reality of what it takes to succeed.

As an entrepreneur's venture matures and their team grows, it may appear to outsiders that they have more free time, contributing further to the myth of effortless success. However, this stage is reached only after navigating through the demanding initial phase of building a business from the ground up. The truth is, every entrepreneur's journey involves a significant amount of sweat and perseverance, far removed from the glamorous image often portrayed.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to start their own business or get involved in climate-prevention? 

Embarking on the journey of starting a business, especially within the climate change sector, is not for the faint-hearted. It promises to be a challenging path, filled with moments of self-doubt and external scepticism. Critics may label you as delusional, and there will undoubtedly be low points that test your resolve.

The key to navigating this journey lies in resilience and a deep-seated belief in your vision. You'll need to develop strategies to confront and overcome the myriad challenges that come your way. The question isn't just whether you can start a business but whether you have the perseverance to continue, even when the road gets tough.

Believing in yourself and your mission is crucial. This belief will be your beacon during the darkest times, guiding you towards making informed decisions about whether to push forward or acknowledge when it's time to take a step back. The journey of entrepreneurship is as much about understanding your limits as it is about pushing them. So, to anyone looking to make their mark, either in climate change or any other venture, remember that your belief in your vision and your resilience in the face of adversity will be your most valuable assets.