The year 2020 has presented unique challenges and interruptions across all aspects of our lives, but it does not stop us from celebrating the various accomplishments and achievements of women leaders of color! Throughout the month of August, we will spotlight these amazing women and share their unique perspectives, philosophies, and stories.

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Margaret Wong has been identified by the Sacramento Bee as the “Business Empress” based on her success in linking multi-million dollar businesses between California and China. For the past 20 years she has also served as Sacramento’s “unofficial ambassador” to China in her quest to promote a better business and cultural understanding between the U.S. and China to enhance economic opportunities between both countries she calls home. A Hong Kong native, Margaret received her B.S. degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Hong Kong. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1974 where she served as the Corporate Controller for Bostrom Management Corporation in Chicago for 10 years. She worked as a Vice President of American Savings and Loans in Stockton before moving to Sacramento in 1984 to start her own business, McWong International, Inc.

Her robust experience and determination to forge forward to conquer the business world has piqued our interest, so we reached out to the “Business Empress” herself to learn her secrets to success:

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Throughout your leadership journey, from your first job to your current position, what are some key lessons you’ve learned that have shaped you as a leader?

Margaret Wong: My Journey is all about perseverance, hardworking and willingness to take risk. One of the key success elements is execution and move fast to make things happened regardless. Delay[s] and not making decisions normally generate negative energy and reduce [your] chance of success.

How did you find your mentor?

MW: Affiliating with smart and efficient people is the best mentorship you can get. Learning from them and talk to them to get insights as to how to tackle problems and how to deal with people is the key.

What is the most meaningful part of your job?

MW: The most meaningful part of my work is not being afraid to overcome challenges and having confidence in what you are doing. There should be no fear of failure, but instead fear of accepting failures is failure itself.

What advice would you give to women of color who aspire to lead and make change?

MW: Women of color should be prepared to work harder and be more confident of yourself, your work, and your beliefs. It is not about comparing you with men or other [people of] color; it is about what you can deliver and how well you can work with others.

Discrimination in the workplace can often arise in less overt ways such as microaggressions, implicit biases, and double standards. How can someone experiencing this address these issues in a professional setting?

MW: Discrimination most often happens in big corporations or institutions; understanding of the system hierarchy, the management goals, and the achievement focus are the key to mitigate discrimination energy.

Just for fun, if you could start another side-hustle or business, what type of business would you start and why?

MW: Side-Hustle projects will become investments in high tech products related to COVID-19, our life style has changed and new gadgets are needed to fulfill the needs. Running a business is like going to a casino to gamble, lots of fun and excitement. Be prepared to lose, but aim to win big.