Conversations with Camila: The journey beyond grad school

Today we’d like to introduce you to Camila Hargett

Hi Camila, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?My journey has been shaped by resilience, strategic thinking, and a deep passion for helping businesses succeed. While pursuing my MBA, I balanced multiple responsibilities—refining my consulting firm’s business model, expanding my expertise in business intelligence and financial strategy, and actively volunteering with local food pantries and my church, all while working full-time.

Grad school wasn’t just about earning a degree; it was about sharpening my ability to analyze businesses, identify growth opportunities, and develop actionable strategies. Then, I launched Sezhel Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping small and minority-owned businesses become sustainable and profitable. I recognized a major gap in accessible, high-quality business strategy, so I built my firm around data-driven decision-making, financial analysis, and compliance.

That period in my life tested me in ways I never expected. Some nights, I was overwhelmed to the point of tears—feeling like the weight of my responsibilities was humanly impossible to bear. But I pushed through, knowing that giving up would mean facing the same struggles again. I refused to let that happen.

Looking back, the most valuable thing I gained wasn’t just knowledge—it was the capacity to handle more than I ever thought possible. The challenges stretched me, forced me to grow, and built a level of endurance I carry with me today. Now, as I continue scaling my businesses, I do so with the confidence that no obstacle is too great. That chapter of my life was incredibly difficult, but it shaped me into the person I am today. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Pursuing my MBA while building my consulting firm, working full-time, and heavily volunteering was already a challenge—but doing it all while being a wife and mother to two young boys, ages 7 and 4 at the time, made it even more overwhelming.

There were nights I felt like I had nothing left to give, juggling client work, coursework, bedtime stories, and family responsibilities. Some nights, after putting my kids to bed, I would sit at my desk exhausted, staring at assignments and deadlines, wondering how I would make it through. My last semester was especially tough—I hit my breaking point more than once, overwhelmed by the weight of it all. But through every struggle, I held on to the fact that God had given me this opportunity, and I was determined to be a good steward of it.

When I felt like quitting, I reminded myself that this wasn’t just about me—God had placed me in this season for a reason. He opened the door for me to study, to build, to grow, and even when I was exhausted, I knew He had my back. That gave me the strength to keep pushing.

Balancing motherhood, marriage, business, and school was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it stretched me in ways I never expected. It built my resilience, expanded my capacity, and deepened my faith. Looking back, I see how God carried me through it all, and I’m grateful—not just for the degree or the business growth, but for the strength and trust in Him that I gained along the way.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?At Sezhel Consulting, I specialize in business intelligence, financial strategy, and compliance, helping small and minority-owned businesses become sustainable and profitable. My work is deeply rooted in data-driven decision-making—analyzing businesses, identifying growth opportunities, and creating actionable strategies to help them thrive. What sets me apart is my holistic approach: I don’t just focus on the numbers; I help business owners build structures that create long-term success.

But if there’s one thing I’m most proud of, it’s not just the businesses I’ve helped—it’s how I got here and the support that carried me through. My journey wasn’t one I walked alone. My family was my rock during my MBA. My kids were so gracious through every moment they saw me running on my last drop of energy. They never complained when I had to stay up late to study or step away for a client meeting. And my husband—he was right alongside me, always stepping in whenever he could. Whether it was giving me time for assignments, helping with the boys, or simply making sure I could take a much-needed 30-minute nap, he made sure I never felt alone in the process.

Their love and sacrifice made this possible. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them, and that’s something I carry with me in my work. I know firsthand what it takes to build something from the ground up, the sacrifices required, and the importance of having the right support system. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping business owners not just grow their companies, but also create balance and sustainability in their lives. Because success isn’t just about reaching goals—it’s about having the people you love beside you when you get there.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?The most important lesson I’ve learned on this journey is that we are capable of far more than we think—our capacity is always greater than we imagine. When I started my MBA, I had no idea how I would balance everything—being a wife, a mother to two young boys, running a business, working full-time, and still finding time to serve my community. There were days when I felt completely drained, moments when the weight of it all seemed unbearable. But I kept going, and with every challenge, I realized that my capacity was expanding.

Knowledge will always be tested, and the world will continue to change. We have to be flexible, willing to adapt, and open to new ideas. But the true game-changer isn’t just what we know—it’s the capacity we build along the way. That’s what carries us through when things get tough. That’s what allows us to take on more, to lead with resilience, and to step into opportunities we once thought were impossible.

I’ve learned that growth isn’t about avoiding struggle—it’s about embracing it and pushing through. Every sleepless night, every overwhelming deadline, every sacrifice was shaping me into someone stronger, someone more prepared. And now, I know that no matter what comes next, I have the capacity to handle it, to rise to the occasion, and to keep building the vision God has placed in my heart.

If there’s one thing I can share with anyone chasing a big goal, it’s this: You are capable of more than you think. Commit to the journey, lean into the challenges, and trust that every hard moment is expanding your capacity for something greater.

By Voyage Raleigh Magazine.

Original Published Article: https://voyageraleigh.com/interview/conversations-with-camila-the-journey-beyond-grad-school/