Valbona Shehaj’s story is a powerful example of resilience, hard work, and fearless ambition. Born in Albania and moving to Milan when she was just 11 months old, Valbona Shehaj grew up in an immigrant family that had to rebuild their life from nothing. Watching her parents start over shaped her values deeply and taught her resilience, independence, and the belief that if you want something, you must create your own opportunities.
Early Life Lessons: Creating Your Own Path
Valbona Shehaj’s childhood was marked by the challenges that come with being part of an immigrant family. But instead of letting these obstacles hold her back, she used them as fuel. She shares that growing up watching her parents rebuild their lives from zero shaped everything about her. This experience taught her that success is not given; it is built from scratch through dedication and persistence.
Her parents’ example made her realize early on that waiting for chances to come your way will not work. Instead, you must actively seek or create them. This mindset became a cornerstone of her journey in technology and entrepreneurship.
The Spark of Technology and Innovation
From a young age, Valbona Shehaj was naturally drawn to technology. Her first internship was at a technology company, where she gained hands-on experience and quickly learned the value of innovation and creativity. Early on, she had the chance to participate in an accelerator program that took her team to Berlin to pitch their ideas to hundreds of investors. This milestone exposed her to the startup world and the excitement of technological innovation.
Later, Valbona Shehaj worked with Salesforce, one of the biggest cloud software companies in the world. This role deepened her understanding of digital transformation, the process of using technology to fundamentally change how businesses operate and deliver value to customers. This experience was pivotal in shaping her career and vision for the future.
Founding 20Three: From Vision to Reality
Valbona Shehaj’s most significant achievement is founding 20Three, a digital transformation agency she built from the ground up. What started as a vision quickly grew into a respected company that partners with businesses to help them innovate and evolve in the digital age.
She explains that building 20Three from scratch into a respected agency and digital transformation partner proved to her that young women can shape industries, not just participate in them. Her success breaks stereotypes and highlights how women can lead and innovate in technology sectors that are often male-dominated.
Amplifying Impact Through The Hot Seat Podcast
Valbona Shehaj did not stop with 20Three. She also launched The Hot Seat podcast, which has become a platform to educate, challenge traditional ideas, and inspire a wider audience. The podcast features conversations about marketing, technology, leadership, and innovation, allowing her to share insights and amplify her influence beyond her agency.
This platform has grown regionally, giving Valbona Shehaj a new way to impact the industry and encourage others to think boldly and act with purpose.
The Road Less Traveled: Learning Through Doing
Starting a business without a clear roadmap was challenging. Valbona Shehaj admits that the hardest part was doing everything by herself in the early days. Yet, this challenge taught her invaluable lessons in resourcefulness, adaptability, and the courage to take risks.
She reflects that she started with no roadmap, just intuition and a willingness to learn fast. This approach helped her build momentum quickly, and she learned that perfection is the enemy of progress. In fact, she believes that speed and consistency are often more important than talent or expertise when it comes to creating breakthroughs.
Consistency Over Talent: The Ultimate Business Lesson
One of the most important lessons Valbona Shehaj shares is that consistency beats talent. Over and over, she has seen that those who consistently put in effort, learn from mistakes, and keep pushing forward ultimately succeed more than those who wait to be ready or who rely solely on natural ability.
She explains that she approaches every project with discipline and speed because done is better than perfect, and momentum is what creates breakthroughs. This philosophy has shaped her work ethic and continues to drive her success.
Advice to Her Younger Self and Others
If Valbona Shehaj could speak to her younger self, she would say start sooner and trust the process. Waiting for clarity or all the answers can become a trap, preventing people from moving forward. Instead, she encourages embracing uncertainty and learning through action.
She advises that the less you think you know, the more willing you are to try, fail fast, learn, and grow. This mindset is a powerful motivator for anyone feeling stuck or hesitant about starting something new.
Looking Ahead: Building a Powerful Ecosystem
Valbona Shehaj’s vision for the future is expansive. She is focused on growing 20Three, expand to the rest of the gcc region. Coz they are into a full digital transformation agency that supports businesses at every stage of their innovation journey. Simultaneously, she plans to expand The Hot Seat podcast to become a leading platform for marketing and technology conversations in the region.
Ultimately, she wants to create a powerful ecosystem where marketing, technology, and influence intersect a space where new ideas flourish and more people can be inspired to build boldly.
A Legacy of Boldness and Impact
Valbona Shehaj wants to be remembered not just as a successful entrepreneur but as someone who dared to build boldly and helped others believe in their own power to do the same. She aims to open doors for others, challenge outdated ways of thinking, and prove that innovation combined with hard work is a winning formula.
Her journey from immigrant roots to tech leader is a powerful reminder that with resilience, discipline, and a willingness to take action, anyone can build the future they dream of.
Final Thoughts
Valbona Shehaj’s story teaches us that success is a journey, not a destination. It is about embracing challenges, learning fast, and being consistent even when the path is unclear. Her life is a beacon for young women and anyone with big dreams, showing that it is possible to create meaningful impact no matter where you start from.
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