Picture this: you are 7,000 miles away from home, in a new country with no familiar faces. How do you build a sense of community? You start with food.

This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Shiza Shahid, Co-Founder of the Malala Fund and Our Place. She shares how her activism shaped her journey as an entrepreneur, and how food became a powerful tool for connection and belonging. This belief laid the groundwork for Our Place—a brand built around the idea that cookware can be more than just functional; it can bring people together.

We discuss how Shiza challenged the cookware industry, the balance between profit and purpose, and the impact of community-driven growth on her brand’s success.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Meeting Shiza Shahid, Co-Founder of Malala Fund and Our Place

(02:29) Shiza’s bold career pivots

(03:21) Rebuilding connection as an immigrant

(10:39) Scaling without losing community

(14:58) What it’s like building a company with your spouse

(17:48) Letting go of fear and imagined risk

(25:08) Choosing sustainable growth over hype

(31:16) Why non-toxic materials are non-negotiable

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