In this powerful and deeply personal talk, Dr. Sridevi Arunachalam shares her journey from being an underestimated young woman to building organizations that empower thousands across borders. From facing rejection and silence to founding global institutions that support students, startups, and changemakers, she reveals how setbacks can be turned into stepping stones. This is not just a story of success — it's a call to break barriers, speak up, and use your voice to create space for others to rise. Because sometimes, your silence isn’t weakness — it’s your spark.Dr. Sridevi Arunachalam is an entrepreneur and education professional involved in multiple organizations. She is the Founder and Managing Director of IIEC, offering overseas education and career guidance services. She also serves as Founding Chairman and President of the Indo-UAE Economic Chamber of Commerce and is the Regional Director for the Korean Universities Admission Centre (KUAC) in India. She leads Canwon International, a branding agency for educational institutions, and is a director at Millions More International. She advises startups through Vel Tech TBI and St. Peter’s Incubation Centre. Dr. Sridevi has received awards including the Priyadarshini Award, Asia Book of Records recognition, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Dream Trust. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx