Building Businesses with Confidence

Shafali Shown-Keen (Class of 1999) & Anisha Sharma (Class of 2000)

“LEH really gave us confidence from the start. You were encouraged to speak up, share your ideas and believe that your voice mattered.”

For sisters Shafali Shown-Keen and Anisha Sharma, entrepreneurship wasn’t always part of the plan. After beginning their careers in finance, both went on to become successful McDonald’s franchise partners, leading thriving businesses, developing high-performing teams and creating opportunities for others.

While their careers have taken them in unexpected directions, they both credit their time at LEH with giving them the confidence to embrace new challenges and the belief that leadership is about empowering people as much as achieving results.

Group of six staff members in dark uniforms with red neckerchiefs posing for a photo in a workplace lobby, smiling.

Bold beginnings start at LEH

Looking back, both sisters remember LEH as a place where ambition was encouraged and confidence was nurtured. Being surrounded by capable, ambitious young women made leadership feel natural rather than exceptional, while teachers who believed in their potential inspired them to think beyond traditional career paths.

“Being surrounded by female leaders made it feel completely normal to want to lead and take responsibility. It gave us a belief that anything was possible.”

Alongside academic achievement, they developed qualities that continue to shape their careers today: resilience, kindness and a commitment to supporting those around them.

For many people, leaving an established career to build a business would feel daunting. For Shafali and Anisha, it felt like an exciting opportunity.

“LEH taught us not to limit ourselves. So when the opportunity came to build something of our own, it felt exciting rather than scary.”

Shafali became a McDonald’s franchisee in Brentford in 2021 after completing an intensive selection and training programme. A year later, Anisha opened her own restaurant in Hanwell, having completed her training while on maternity leave. Today, each leads large teams in fast-paced businesses where no two days are the same.

Leadership is about people

Although their careers have changed dramatically since leaving school, one principle has remained constant: great leadership starts with people. Both sisters describe the greatest reward of running a business not as financial success, but as watching their teams grow in confidence and celebrating their achievements together: “Seeing a team succeed and watching a business grow is such a joy.”

That philosophy reflects lessons they first experienced at LEH, where collaboration, encouragement and lifting others up were part of everyday school life. Today, their senior leadership teams are predominantly female, demonstrating their commitment to creating inclusive workplaces where talent can flourish.

Group of eight professionals standing together outside a storefront, posing for a team photo.

An LEH education takes you beyond the syllabus

Shafali and Anisha believe that the most valuable lessons they learned at school extended far beyond the classroom. LEH gave them confidence to speak up, resilience when things didn’t go to plan and the understanding that success is strongest when it’s shared with others.

“School taught us that success isn’t just about what you achieve for yourself; it’s about supporting others too.”

Those values continue to influence how they lead their businesses, mentor colleagues and raise their own families. As mothers, they are passionate about passing those same beliefs on to the next generation, showing their daughters that ambition and kindness can go hand in hand.

Love what you do

Running successful businesses comes with challenges, but both sisters believe work should also be enjoyable. For Anisha, one of the greatest pleasures comes from celebrating everyday successes with her team. For Shafali, it’s seeing people develop and businesses grow through shared effort and trust.

Their journey shows that careers don’t have to follow a predictable route. Sometimes the biggest opportunities come from having the confidence to step into something completely new. Together, they continue to embody a lesson they first encountered at LEH: Hope favours the bold.

Fearless Futures

What would Shafali and Anisha’s advice be to current LEH students?

Believe in yourself, embrace opportunities and don’t be afraid to take the first step.

Your career may evolve in ways you never expect, but the confidence, resilience and values you develop today will stay with you for life. Find work that brings you joy, support the people around you and remember that leadership is about helping others succeed as much as achieving your own goals.

“School gives you a foundation that stays with you, even if you don’t realise it at the time.”