Follow our Instagram @ForBlackMompreneurs for behind-the-scenes content and community moments

Release Schedule:

New episodes drop every Thursday - subscribe so you never miss the conversation

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional business, financial, or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions. Individual results may vary.

Follow our Instagram @ForBlackMompreneurs for behind-the-scenes content and community moments

Release Schedule:

New episodes drop every Thursday - subscribe so you never miss the conversation

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional business, financial, or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions. Individual results may vary.

Follow our Instagram @ForBlackMompreneurs for behind-the-scenes content and community moments

Release Schedule:

New episodes drop every Thursday - subscribe so you never miss the conversation

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional business, financial, or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions. Individual results may vary.

In this episode, host Femi Lewis dives deep into how a mindset shift will transform your networking experiences from anxiety-inducing to opportunity-creating. Whether you're an introvert who dreads networking events or a busy mom who struggles to find time for professional connections, this episode provides practical strategies to approach networking with confidence and authenticity as a Black mompreneur.

Key Topics Discussed

Understanding True Networking vs. Community Building - 02:00

• Networking as an intentional process of building mutually beneficial relationships
• The difference between networking (strategic, goal-oriented) and community building (belonging, shared identity)
• Why the best networking happens when you bring a community mindset to it

Essential Mindset Shifts for Networking Success - 06:13

• Moving from scarcity to abundance mindset
• Focusing on what you can give rather than what you can get
• Embracing long-term relationship building over quick wins
• Owning your expertise, even as a new entrepreneur

Strategic Networking: Black Spaces vs. Mainstream Events - 12:46

• The invaluable role of Black networking spaces for authentic connection
• Why mainstream spaces are necessary for opportunities and resources
• Balancing both environments for maximum impact
• Using Black spaces to fuel confidence in mainstream environments

Setting Realistic Networking Expectations - 14:19

• Networking as a long-term investment, not a quick fix
• Understanding that not every connection leads to business
• Focusing on quality relationships over quantity of contacts
• Preparing for unique challenges as a Black woman in networking spaces

Practical Networking Strategies - 16:20

• Before the Event: Strategic planning, preparation, and rehearsing your introduction
• During the Event: Being present, listening intently, and having meaningful conversations
• After the Event: Following up meaningfully and leveraging social media connections

Key Takeaways & Action Items

1. Shift Your Networking Mindset: Replace "what can I get?" with "what can I give?" and focus on creating mutual value in every interaction.
2. Balance Your Networking Approach: Participate in both Black networking spaces for authentic connection and mainstream events for expanded opportunities.
3. Prepare Intentionally: Research events, plan logistics, and rehearse a 30-second value-based introduction that goes beyond just stating your job title.
4. Focus on Quality Connections: Aim for 3-5 meaningful conversations rather than collecting 50 business cards.
5. Follow Up Within 48 Hours: Send personalized messages referencing your conversation and offer value through resources or introductions.

Quotes to Remember

Follow our Instagram @ForBlackMompreneurs for behind-the-scenes content and community moments

Release Schedule:

New episodes drop every Thursday - subscribe so you never miss the conversation

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional business, financial, or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions. Individual results may vary.

In this transformative episode, Femi Lewis explores why community building is essential for Black women entrepreneurs. Femi shares how community can support you in growing your business and your experiences as an entrepreneur. Moving beyond superficial networking, this episode dives deep into creating authentic, intentional relationships that become the foundation of sustainable business success.

Episode Timeline

[00:00] Welcome & Introduction
[00:11] Episode topic introduction: Building community as business transformation
[01:46] Personal story: Early business struggles and lack of entrepreneurial feedback
[03:35] Why community transforms everything - business, family, and broader impact
[05:27] The generational change happening in real-time
[07:19] Building authentic community: Values, authenticity, and generosity
[08:50] The power of showing up authentically and finding your real people
[10:53] Practical community building: Starting small and being intentional
[12:40] Personal community examples: Maya Hiradat's group and Grameen America
[14:46] Where to look for community: Online and offline strategies
[16:47] Maintaining relationships and showing up consistently
[18:56] Final thoughts and weekly assignment

Key Topics Covered

Why Community Matters for Entrepreneurs

• The isolation of entrepreneurship and its hidden costs
• How community transforms business operations
• The generational impact of entrepreneurial community
• Creating economic ecosystems within Black communities

The Foundation of Authentic Community

• Values Alignment: Building relationships with entrepreneurs who share your core values
• Authenticity: The power of showing up as your real self, struggles and all
• Generosity: Leading with giving rather than taking
• Reciprocity: Creating cultures of abundance where everyone wins

Practical Community Building Strategies

• Starting small with 3-5 core relationships
• Finding community both online and offline
• Maintaining relationships through consistent touchpoints
• Creating your own gathering spaces and mastermind groups

Host's Personal Stories

Early Business Challenges

Femi shares her experience of trying to build her brand alone, using Canva for design work, and seeking feedback from well-meaning friends who couldn't provide the entrepreneurial insight she needed.

Where Femi Found Community

• Malla Hiradat's "Crush Your Sales" Group: A pandemic-era community that helped Femi level up her business game
• Grameen America: A micro-lending program in NYC that provides both funding and weekly community meetings for women entrepreneurs

Key Insights & Quotes

• "Entrepreneurship was never meant to be a solo journey, even if we are heading our own companies."
• "Community isn't just about what you can get, it's about what you can create together."
• "Quality over quantity - you don't need a community of a hundred women. You need a core group of three to five women who are genuinely committed to each other's success."
• "When one woman in your community

Follow our Instagram @ForBlackMompreneurs for behind-the-scenes content and community moments

Release Schedule:

New episodes drop every Thursday - subscribe so you never miss the conversation

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional business, financial, or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions. Individual results may vary.

Episode Focus: Finding the courage to push forward when everything feels impossible

Episode Timeline

[00:00] Welcome & Introduction: Heavy heart episode on courage
[02:22] Real talk: Courage isn't the absence of fear - it's showing up anyway
[04:36] Personal story: The day I almost quit and started job hunting
[06:23] Daughter's revelation: "I'm going to be an entrepreneur like my mom"
[08:44] Why playing it safe doesn't change our family's narrative
[10:42] Finding your personal why: The Gun Hill Road interview story
[12:56] Reframing failure and building your courage network
[15:07] Conference speaking story: Building courage muscles over time
[17:25] Grandmother's legacy: From CNA to Howard University at 50
[19:11] Teaching courage to our children through modeling
[21:17] Weekly assignments and call to action

Episode Summary

In this deeply personal episode, Femi Lewis addresses the courage required to continue the entrepreneurial journey when everything feels impossible. She shares vulnerable moments from her own business journey, including the day she almost quit to return to traditional employment, and how her daughter's words reminded her of the generational impact of her courage. The episode explores practical strategies for building courage while emphasizing how Black mompreneurs are modeling resilience and possibility for their children and communities.

Key Topics Covered

Understanding Courage in Entrepreneurship

• Courage as showing up despite fear, not the absence of fear
• The daily decisions entrepreneurs must make alone
• How Black women operate on "expert level with no cheat codes"
• The difference between survival and creating new family narratives

Personal Stories of Courage

• The Almost-Quit Moment: Revising resume and job hunting during business struggles
• Daughter's Google Search: The moment that solidified why courage matters
• The Gun Hill Road Interview: Conducting business from the side of the road
• Conference Speaking: Building from small acts to speaking to 500 people

Building Your Courage Muscle

• Find Your Deep Why: The soul-level reason that makes you ugly cry
• Reframe Failure: See failure as data, not defeat
• Build Your Network: Surround yourself with people who understand your challenges
• Practice Small Acts: Start with manageable courage-building exercises
• Document Your Journey: Keep proof of your victories and growth

Key Insights & Quotes

• "Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's showing up anyway."
• "We're not just betting on ourselves, we're betting on our children's futures."
• "Playing it safe doesn't change our family's narrative."
• "Every time we choose courage over comfort, we're showing them that it's okay to dream big."
• "Your courage isn't just changing your life. It's changing your children's lives, your community, and the trajectory of generations to come."

Follow our Instagram @ForBlackMompreneurs for behind-the-scenes content and community moments

Release Schedule:

New episodes drop every Thursday - subscribe so you never miss the conversation

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional business, financial, or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions. Individual results may vary.

In this episode, host Femi Lewis tackles one of the most feared yet inevitable parts of entrepreneurship - rejection. Learn why rejection is not your enemy but your greatest teacher and discover how to transform painful "no's" into powerful redirections that fuel your business growth.

What You'll Learn

• How to reframe rejection as redirection and valuable data
• 5 powerful lessons that rejection teaches entrepreneurs
• Practical strategies for handling rejection without losing momentum
• How to use rejection to clarify your why and refine your message
• Why rejection might actually be divine protection
• How to maintain your pipeline and celebrate courage in the face of "no"

Episode Timestamps

[00:00] - Welcome and introduction to For Black Mompreneurs podcast
[00:30] - Connecting to previous episodes on analysis paralysis and imposter syndrome
[00:45] - Introduction to rejection as your greatest teacher
[01:15] - Femi's early business experience with frequent rejections
[02:12] - Rejection is data, not personal attacks
[02:45] - Femi's pitch competition story begins
[04:03] - Lesson 1: Rejection clarifies your why
[05:20] - Lesson 2: Rejection refines your message
[06:08] - Lesson 3: Rejection builds resilience
[07:15] - Lesson 4: Rejection reveals true supporters
[08:21] - Lesson 5: Rejection prevents wrong partnerships
[09:45] - Practical tips for handling rejection
[10:21] - Tip 1: Feel it, then move through it
[11:30] - Tip 2: Look for lessons immediately
[12:16] - Tip 3: Celebrate your courage
[12:45] - Tip 4: Maintain your pipeline
[13:15] - Tip 5: Remember your wins
[14:00] - Changing your mindset about rejection
[14:36] - Rejection as divine protection
[15:00] - Weekly challenge and episode wrap-up

Key Takeaways

What is Rejection Really?

[02:12] Rejection is not your enemy - it's information, data, and lessons. Every rejection gives you feedback about your proposal, insight into your target market, clarity about your pricing, and sometimes protection from situations that would have been wrong for you anyway.

The Mindset Shift

Stop calling it rejection and start calling it redirection. That client who said no is redirecting you toward a client who's perfect for you. That investor who passed is making way for funding that aligns with your vision. Every "no" is clearing the path for your "yes."

Featured Story: The Pitch Competition

[02:45] Femi shares her recent experience entering a pitch competition after years of watching from the sidelines. Despite extensive preparation - taking classes, researching pitch decks, practicing at Dave & Buster's with her kids, getting feedback, and refining her presentation - she didn't win. However, the experience taught her valuable lessons about her mission and attracted new potential clients who approached her after hearing her pitch.

5 Powerful Lessons Rejection Teaches

1. Rejection Clarifies Your Why [04:03]

When someone says no to your business, it forces you to dig deeper into why you're doing this work. Is it just for mon

Follow our Instagram @ForBlackMompreneurs for behind-the-scenes content and community moments

Release Schedule:

New episodes drop every Thursday - subscribe so you never miss the conversation

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional business, financial, or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions. Individual results may vary.