Ladies, Are You Ready to Accept Nike's Challenge

Did you catch Nike's Super Bowl commercial, So Win, last week? About the continuous scrutiny, yet undeniable power of being a woman? If you haven't, go to Youtube and watch it, then come back. If you have, let's talk about it! 

To me, Nike’s Super Bowl commercial, So Win, was a battle cry. A message to every woman who has ever been told she can’t. A reminder that no matter what we do, we “can’t win.” We can’t win respect, we can’t win praise, we can’t win without someone questioning whether we deserve it. And yet, we do. We win because we refuse not to. We win because we keep going. We win because, despite the doubts, dismissals, and double standards, the scoreboard doesn't lie! 

This commercial hit home for me because, like so many women, especially Black women, I have lived this truth. I have been in rooms where I was doubted before I even spoke. I have led when people said I should follow and I have dominated, when people thought I said I should submit! At every...single...barrier...I WON! I will never forget, in 2020, I was appointed to the school board in Verona, WI. Following one of our meetings, one of the other school board members (who happened to be a white man), walked up to me and said, " Yanna, I didn't want to vote for you to be on the board. But after reading your resume, your essay to the board, and hearing you speak, I couldn't deny you talent and expertise. You've literally done everything and done it well! I couldn't not vote for you. And if I'm being honest, I hated that I couldn't deny you!" Another point on the scoreboard! 

As business owners, leaders, and women who dare to defy the limits imposed on us, we hear it constantly: 

You can’t run a business and be a mother. 
You can’t be a good wife and a great CEO. 
You can’t charge that much. 
You can’t be known. 
You can’t. You can’t. You can’t. So, DO. 

This message goes beyond sports, it's about business and life. It's about the moments we choose to stop waiting for permission and start claiming what's ours. Be great! Be undeniable! Be a winner! In this season of my life, my only focus is being. Being all that I was created to be. Owning my power, writing my own rules, and defining success on my own terms. And in doing so, I have already won. Every single day, I win! In choosing myself, in doing it scared, in showing up anyway, I win! And you do too!

You can't own that business. So own that business. 
You can't charge that much. So charge that much. 
You can’t be known? So be known. 
You can’t win? So win. 

That’s the lesson. You can’t win, so win! Dominate. Take up space. Own your power. Let them talk. Let them doubt. Let them whisper behind closed doors. And let them watch you WIN! Because while they talk, we build. While they criticize, we execute. While they wait for us to fail, we win. 
 

They will always have something to say. So give them something to say.

More about Kalyanna (Yanna)

I’m Yanna Williams, a founder, storyteller, and champion for female entrepreneurs. As the CEO of Dear Diary Enterprises, I’ve built a media and community company dedicated to elevating female founders and SHE-EOs through connection, visibility, and business support. We are amplifying the voices and ventures of powerhouse women in business while creating the resources and networks they need to scale. Under Dear Diary Enterprises, there are two unique businesses:

✨ Dear Diary Community – A powerhouse network designed to help female founders scale to 7 and 8 figures with the mentorship, strategy, and sisterhood they need to make it happen. When I was building and scaling my own businesses, I struggled to find the visibility and community I needed—so I created it for other women. Here, founders gain access to high-level connections, business-building strategies, and a support system that truly understands the journey.

🎤 Dear Diary Media – A platform committed to telling HERstory by highlighting the journeys, lessons, and successes of women who are shaping industries. Through impactful storytelling and media, we are ensuring that female entrepreneurs get the visibility, recognition, and opportunities they deserve.

I also host a podcast called Spill It Beans, where I dive deep into candid conversations about business, life, and personal growth. Season 2 marks an exciting evolution as I bring video into the mix, sharing even more unfiltered stories from incredible guests. At the heart of it all, my mission is to live the life of my dreams while helping other women live theirs. Whether I’m mentoring founders, building my personal brand, writing my book, or creating spaces for women to thrive, everything I do is rooted in authenticity, confidence, and a bold approach to business and life.

Let’s connect, collaborate, and create something amazing together.