Audette Exel and Sharon Beesley are anything but cookie cutter models of women succeeding in the highly-competitive world of banking and high finance.

That does not mean that they have not been successful: they have been. Ms Exel is the former managing director of the Bermuda Commercial Bank, while Ms Beesley was formerly head of banking of the then law firm Mello, Hollis, Jones and Martin.

Fast forward, and you will see that the two women now run their own corporate finance business - ISIS Limited - which was established in Bermuda in 1997 and now has a staff of seven.

A typical day, as with many execs, easily runs to 12 hours and both women profess a love of their high-stress jobs in the corporate world. But, the difference lies in what happens to their bottom line: the company's profits finance a growing network of charitable operations in Nepal and Uganda.

The two business partners - who also happen to be best friends - said branching out on their own has not alleviated the stress factor in their jobs, but the two cite the benefits of being able to simultaneously run ISIS Limited, and the ISIS Charitable Foundation, as well worth it.

Ms Exel said: "We occasionally miss the options, the bonuses and we are still under enormous stress, and working 12-hour days. But, now there is also a sense of enormous fun and freedom, as we really feel we are making a difference in the lives of children who actually need it."

If that alone does not justify the effort, the two also point out that running their own business gives them indirect perks: case in point is the option to work in a "kid and pet-friendly office''.

Indeed, sitting in their colourful offices next to the Crow Lane Bakery at the entrance to the East Broadway thoroughfare, the pair are joined by Ms Exel's dog, Noah. And off in the corner is the "children's office," where Ms Beesley's ten-year-old son, Jean-Jacques, can work on homework after school.

The two, who met while working as lawyers in Hong Kong, have been running the dual-purpose venture for four years now, and both seem proud - and also a little surprised - at what they have been able to accomplish.

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