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2023 has just started and there are already some women who have come out the gate disrupting the game of entrepreneurship! Not taking no for an answer and causing new norms to be created…all while doing it their way! Statistics show that ever since 1997, entrepreneurship among women is on a steady, rapid climb! According to Wikipedia, female entrepreneurs are women who run and manage an enterprise, especially a business. 

The women hand selected for this series are women who don’t mind making their presence felt no matter where they show up! They are women who know the power that resides in showing up in their communities, the importance of impacting the lives of women suffering at the hands of abuse-whether that mentally, physically, emotionally, and/or financially! They are the true definition of servitude. They believe that once a door is open, they must stop and hold it open for another woman to come through! 

Sheen had the opportunity to speak with these amazing women! Listen in…

Meet Dr.Felicia Phillips

A fourth-generation serial entrepreneur, Dr. Felicia Phillips is a Master Business Strategist and CEO of PPICW a certified MBE consulting firm. Dr. Felicia’s expertise has been used to coach, mentor and advise businesses from the startup stage to include more seasoned businesses with revenue over $100M. Today, Dr. Felicia uses her 32 years of experience to advise organizations like The Small Business Administration, AARP, Southern Company, Grady Health System, Wells Fargo, Delta Air Lines, The McDonald’s Corporation, Pathward, The Museum of Contemporary Arts and many other organizations that have DEI and/or Supplier Diversity initiatives that assist veteran, diverse and women-owned businesses.

In 2020, Dr. Felicia founded The One Million Dreams Foundation for Black Women and Girls. The 501(c)(3) foundation is a strategic alliance partner to the Small Business Administration and has partnered with Fortune 50 companies to help women-owned businesses with contract opportunities, certifications as well as access to capital. For the last 7 years, Dr. Felicia has hosted MogulCon, a platform for black women-owned businesses to get the education and access to the resources needed to build profitable business and position themselves in the global marketplace.

Dr. Felicia is the recipient of the highest honor in our country, the Joe Biden Lifetime Achievement Award as well as Atlanta Business League’s 2022 Outstanding Achievement (Woman of the Year). Other recognition has been the 2022 Business Leader of the Year, 2021 National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment Lady Mogul Award, 2021 National Women’s Empowerment Ministry Award, as well as other industry-based awards for her work with supplier diversity initiatives.

Sheen: Tell the reading audience a little bit about what makes you grind as hard as you do? 

Felicia: What comes to mind is a moment I had during The Mogul Awards in 2022.  I was standing backstage congratulating each member of my Trusted Circle Mastermind Group before they walked on stage to give their testimony in front of an audience of almost 300. As I stood quietly and listened to their testimony  it hit me and I realized how much God must trust me. To allow me to assist thousands of women since 2014 to realize their dream of entrepreneurship. This is why I go so hard for the women I serve. The work my team and I do allows me to change the trajectory of their families and the future of generations to come. Some people believe that their legacy lies only in their children. For me, the legacy goes far beyond me and my family.

Sheen: Why is quitting NOT an option?

Felicia: When I began my entrepreneurial journey in 1991, I never started it with a plan B. It was only one plan, don’t stop until you win. I was young and unafraid. I bet on me when no one else would and no matter what I was up against, I knew God would not let me fail. My motivation was my Uncle Richard. He became a Clinical Psychologist after a car accident left him a quadriplegic at age 19. I would watch his determination and tenacity as a child and think if he can overcome what do I have to complain about, I have everything I need to be successful. That’s why quitting was never an option.

Sheen: What is your definition of self-care? And why must every woman do it?

Felicia: So, there is a difference between self-care and maintenance.  I do not consider self-care getting my hair or nails done. For me, self-care is making sure I am first getting the nutrients my body needs to function at it’s optimal level. I listen to what my body is telling me by how it responds to food, exercise and physical activities and I adjust accordingly. I do this because it affects my performance as a CEO, wife, mother and caregiver. I take time to set boundaries that allow me to put me first. Every woman has to learn what works for her and adhere to it in order to be at her best. Women are often responsible for making important decision in both their personal and professional lives and it is hard to accomplish that if you are OFF…overwhelmed, fatigued and frustrated.

Sheen: What can people expect from you in 2023?

Felicia: 2023 is going to be a productive year for my Foundation. The One Million Dreams Foundation For Black Women & Girls will host the Mogul Summit, a one-day conference for black women in business in 6-Cities June – August and MogulCon our annual conference in Nashville, November 2023.

Sheen: How can people stay connected with you? 

Felicia: Staying connected is super easy. www.feliciaphillips.com or mogulconlive.com. I am on all social media platforms @iamdrphillips

Photo Credits: Kimazing Photos