In 2008 Vashti met Deki, a Tibetan refugee who was living in poverty in Dharamsala. Vashti realised that she was stuck in a cycle of poverty with little hope of getting a job or starting business. After sending Deki money every month Vashti realised how disempowering this was for her. Vashti wanted to Deki to be able to stand on her own two feet and create her own income. This is when the Deki charity was born. Vashti and her team have raised over a million pounds and changed the lives of over 40,000 by giving them a hand up not a hand out.
In this talk, Vashti will share her story and what she has learnt about creating opportunity and freedom both here and in the developing world. Vashti is an multi-award winning entrepreneur and founder of a million pound charity, turned coach for women who want to build a purpose-powered business. As a successful entrepreneur she’s gained some prestigious press and accolades, including Bristol and Bath’s ‘Business Woman of the Year’ and The Institute of Directors ‘SW Director of the Year’. Her university (UWE) has honoured her with an MBA.