Freelancer, Idea Generator, Boxer, Creative Thinker, Explorer, Cape Town, South Africa

The Swedes never cease to amaze me. This was confirmed after meeting Ms. Anna Tengwall in Cape Town. Ms. Tengwall arrived to South Africa solo to seek adventure and challenge herself. This is her yearly (Swedish winter) goal: to expand her worldview, work from the road, get outside her comfort zone, find accommodations in a new country, and set off exploring. By exploring, I mean finding a boxing gym nearby, taking up surfing lessons, free diving, hiking and learning how to make pizza. This ex-sumo wrestler (yes you read that right) is excited about life. All of the above, plus an openness to take chances and work pro-bono with a local non-profit, are just some of the reasons why Anna is my WOW Woman!

1. Name.

Anna Tengwall.

2. Where is your hometown?

I was born in Malmö, a town in the south of Sweden. During my childhood I alternated weeks living in a small village in the countryside and the central Malmö.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

Workwise, I label myself as a freelancing brand strategist and namer. I view myself as a creative strategist who is best utilized, and happiest, when being able to alternate between strategic work and creative exploration. Creating and discussing ideas and innovations are one of my biggest passions – work-related or not! Idea generator might be a good self-label as well.

Even if I am a freelancer I am very much into routines. Most days I show up at the co-working office space sometime between 8.30-9.30 and then work until four or five. Since I do a lot of work on my own I try to mix up my days with lunch dates, training, coffee chats etc. to ensure that I get some social interaction. I frequently facilitate workshops, so my days varies from consisting of a lot of independent desktop work to being very interactive and intense.

4. What did you study in school?

I have a Masters degree in Business and Economics, with Strategic Management as a major. Since I always had an interest in reading and writing (poetry and short stories specifically), three years into my studies I jumped on an opportunity to study novel writing for half a year. I always had a dream at the back of my head of working as a writer or a journalist. I realized during this half year that this dream I can save for a later time. As a result, when I got back to my regular studies I had so much more motivation, after realization hit that the path I was once doubting was actually the right one.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the moment for you that changed your life (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

Starting boxing, when I was 14, and getting totally hooked was life-defining for me. It has given me a lot, and still does. From 14-18 I was really serious about the training, spending up to 20 hours per week at the club. I think it was the main reason that I see my body as primarily functional, and really trusting my its capacity. This experience gave the insight I can apply to life: just when I think I am done, I always have more to give.

Eight years ago, I competed in the Norwegian sumo wrestling national championship, after eight sessions of trainings. That was kind of a challenge, but mainly a fun one! I ended up with two silvers; one in open weight class (there is no upper weight limit).

I use sports as a tool for mental development. Another example is when I ran a marathon three years ago. I had never seen myself as a runner, but I envisioned that afterwards I could use it as a way of feeling like ‘if I can achieve this, what can I not achieve?’. I use many mind exercises when training such as speaking to myself, repeating mantras, listening to what my body and mind need each particular step of the way.

Taking a gap year from university felt like a big thing at the time, since I knew it might change my planned career path. However, that risk rewarded me with the confirmation that I was on the right path to begin with, even if at the time it had not yet come for me to take full advantage of it.

I left my stable consultancy job at a brand agency to start at a very early-stage start-up – as the only employee in Sweden. This led me down new paths and allowed me to really start getting used to the constant uncertainty. Although this particular start-up and timing for it were not right, I am glad I was brave enough not only to take the plunge but also to quit early enough. When I chose to turn down a job on the actual contract day because of my gut feeling was also gutsy. But that was also was the catalyst to starting my own business two years ago. I needed to really trust my instincts and put aside my rational mind telling me to continue down the known path, not let people down and wait until I had a better buffer.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I definitely thought I would have a more traditional job! And I probably was planning on having a big team at this point. At 20, being a leader was more appealing to me than any specific job or industry. That is something I have since reconsidered. Right now, I am valuing other things more. In the future I may enjoy leading teams but in this very moment the work itself is more interesting.

Right now I am working hard to allow myself not define myself so strictly but rather let go and to dare to change my mind, as often as need be. I strive to picture values or feelings for the future rather than jobs, physical things, relationships etc.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

Starting university at 18 was very challenging for me. I was not used to having so many ambitious people around me, competition about being the best in class was intense. I stopped training and was not at all prepared for how that would affect my mental state.

I had two years when I really did not do well mentally or physically, and in retrospect I wish I opened up more to my friends and family about how I was actually doing. In the new year I gave myself the ultimatum of having a few months to get back on track. I decided to do a lot of training and self-esteem work, and if that did not work I promised myself to ask for external help. Looking back, I can see that the experience, and the deal I made with myself, strengthened me a lot.

8. Advice for other women?

Dare to be amazed by yourself! Not only speaking gently with yourself, but dare to use BIG words! To speak out loud about what you are good at, without ‘buts’ connected to it. To take a compliment with a thank you, not trying to push it away.

Acknowledge the gender differences, but don’t be limited by them. Not acknowledging issues because one has not personally experiencing them is a dangerous trap. That advice probably goes for both men and women, and is a reminder to myself as well.

Be conscious of the words we use when describing our female friends and colleagues vs male ones. Try to shift the words we use for describing women to add stronger ones, and the opposite for men – add some softer ones. Words matter!

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

As I try to wrap my head around these questions two areas come to mind:

I believe that we need to talk more about ownership. Real power lies where ownership is, so the ownership shift (financial assets, land, etc.) is crucial for long term change. On a family level it could be about ensuring that none of the parents lag behind while being on maternity/paternity leave (no matter the split) and that the house is equally owned, on a company level it could be about making sure that women get long term return on investment (shares, etc.) and to be transparent about the ownership split between genders. In school it could be about financial education and the difference between placing savings in accounts vs. investing in the stock market. I still think we need to continue with increasing the number of women in all types of power positions, but we need to add the ownership focus.

How we connect women’s self worth/value to looks. Hand in hand with that goes not judging each other for being affected with certain ideals and expectations. We can acknowledge the issue without judging individuals. More women than men use make-up, pay for plastic surgery, participate in dieting or suffer from age anxiety. All these are things we need to really see and discuss without putting all the blame on women. I once read a quote that was directed at men: “you do not have to see yourself as part of the problem, but do see yourself as part of the solution”. We all bear responsibility of being part of the solution. We have to be allies against the problem, not against each other. I think we need to discuss these matters in all rooms. And as with sustainability, being humble with what we do not know.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

At our summer cabin. Just being with my family, reading, eating and walking at a really slow pace. That is where and when I really feel happy.

I feel content when I’m working out and being in my zone, or ‘machine mode’, with a total sync between my body and mind.  

When throwing a party and seeing my friends and family all gathered together. I feel extremely grateful during those times. It is overwhelming to think just how many great people I have in my life.

When all of sudden I come up with a business idea while talking with someone. That moment when you both passionately discuss and brainstorm.

11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I am proud of having realized that I need physical training for my well-being and manage to pursue it with balance - basically using training as a treat for myself, never as a punishment.

Right now, I practice outdoor training with some CrossFit influences, body weight exercises and a mix between strength and explosiveness. I do boxing a few times a month. I go running every now and then, and have stopped defining myself as a non-runner. Some days I might be a runner, others not. I am learning to surf, and even though I have had a slow learning curve in the sport I am proud of being patient and now starting to see the results. I am proud of evolving physically.

Work-related I am proud of being generous with my time. I enjoy helping start-ups and people, giving free advice, mentoring (especially younger women) without asking for anything in return. I believe in ‘what you give, you will receive’, even if from other channels.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

Workwise I want to be guided by the gut feeling, rather than the brain and be in context where I get refueled with energy and where I develop mentally. I want to have a lot of freedom and feel that my work is meaningful – no matter if I am freelancing or employed. I am very drawn to start something more tangible, maybe create products or solutions of some kind – beyond consulting. But we’ll see when the timing is right, I am not stressing it.

Being a very precocious kid, in early age my plan was actually to have my own company and be a consultant – I called my future company ‘Tengwall’s Business Consultancy’ which is also an insanely grown-up way for a 10-year old to name her company.

On a more personal level I do not have any specific goals. I want to have many happy moments, a good mix of relaxation and adrenaline rushes! I will probably jump on some sport challenge but I have nothing defined right now.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

I am afraid of flying, and have a few others anxieties. A book I am reading now taught me about anxieties being more ‘healthy than sick’, originating from our ancestral survival instincts. This was comforting to learn. It’s still exhausting and takes a lot of energy, so I need to continue working on my coping strategies.

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

I would probably have slowed down a bit. At the same time, it’s often easy to point out what I could have done better while missing all the things that I gained from being ‘eager’. I would have been kinder to myself earlier.

People understanding their privileges. People who are really passionate about something. People who are patient and manage to focus solely on one thing (since it’s the opposite to me).

16. What are you hopeful about?

Going forward, I am hopeful about men and women working together on equality, addressing it as a joint issue.

I am hopeful about us, myself, consumers and companies, starting to do more trade-offs to help the environment.

I am hopeful for the next generation of young people, with the new values, pushing progress in terms of both people and planet health.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life? Has the global pandemic changed your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

• To be grounded in yourself and trust yourself to tackle change and challenges.

• To trust that most people have good intentions. I prefer being mistaken in my judgement (within reason) in someone rather than be suspicious and jaded about a person before giving them a real chance.

• To nurture close relationships and openness!

Honestly, I have been extremely lucky to not have been affected by COVID-19 with family and friend remaining healthy, and my business doing well. I have probably changed in ways I do not yet understand. However I believe that getting used to the new types of uncertainty probably helps me with becoming more resilient for the future. Politically I realized just how important equal and well-functioning healthcare is for the society. In the end, that is what matters more than anything.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

I trust my own capabilities a lot. I view myself as a very capable and powerful woman. This makes me less afraid of failure or bumps in the road. I know that I can manage to build myself up again.

I am fascinated with my ability to associate seemingly unrelated ideas to each other and create solutions. My easy access to creativity is definitely one of my superpowers.

I am very sensitive and have a fast track to emotions. I am now embracing this part of myself.

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

Right now I am reading Maja Lunde’s “Przewalski's Horse: The History and Biology of an Endangered Species”. It is her third book on the same theme, focusing on environmental issues and looking at how humans affect species and nature.

I am also listening to “The Anxiety Brain” by Anders Hansen. This book is about evolution and why our brains work in a certain way. I would highly recommend both of them.

I enjoy reading books about topics I know little about, could be other cultures, societies, environmental issues, etc. I also have a thing for reading books where the main character (often a female) is very different to myself. I find it exciting to enter someone else’s head and see their perspective.

21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, about why you admire them?

My grandmother. She was an “old-school” grandmother who showed affection through cooking and scouring for practical things. At the same time she was also a feminist, pointing out to me the importance of being independent. When I was job hunting, she was the one calling me every day to understand the type of positions I was applying for, checking in on how the process was going, etc. She may not have known the details but I appreciated her effort into supporting me. When living in Tanzania for 10 years she taught women how to cook on a big scale while caring about food safety. She had a huge respect for all, and I never heard her say anything negative about others.

My sister. She is passionate about noble causes, she currently fights for children´s rights. I admire her solid morals and the humble way with which she chooses to work for what she believes in.

I generally get inspired in some way by most people I know, from a certain personality trait they possess, a passion or a skill they mastered. It really is hard to select just a few.

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

LinkedIn is the channel I use most.

My website annatengwall.com has more info about my consultancy services.

Instagram: @a_tengwall

Bonus Quick Round Qs:

1. What and who is worth suffering for?

Long-term results sometimes require short-term suffering. I try to think on development as muscles; they need to break to grow.

2. Who is/are your mentor/s (men or women)?

My mother is the one I most often ask for advice from, on all areas of life. My best friend is also my best work idea bouncing partner, being a creative mind, complementing my view and giving me new perspectives.

Workwise I need to get better at finding and using mentors, not trying to solve everything myself but having some good idea bouncing partners.

3. If you didn't have to work anymore what would you do with your days?

I would probably be in some type of innovative space, mentoring or just supporting do-good start-ups, preferably with female founders and owners. I would spend my time developing ideas, just for fun, with the like-minded people.

I would love to have a small book shop some day. Finally, I’d spend plenty of time in nature; hiking, skiing, cold bathing etc.

4. What bothers you most about other people? What do you love most about other people?

I am bothered by people who do not see themselves as part of a bigger picture, who don’t consider how their actions affects others.

Knowing deep down that most people most often have good intentions is something I love.

I love small acts of kindness and that’s something that can be found anywhere!