Episode 70 - Lisa Shapiro: Building Community

This week, Samantha talks with founder of DC Fempreneur (DC Fem), Lisa Shapiro about what DC Fem means to her and how it has helped her not just professionally, but personally as well. Lisa set out on her entrepreneurial journey when she gave up her regular corporate job to pursue something that she felt a need for. She created a space where entrepreneurial women could form a community to help each other grow and to support one another.

Lisa understands that what she is doing now is in direct response to her past. She received two degrees in psychology and has put them to good use in understanding her story and in her conversations about women's empowerment. These conversations tend to bring up conversations about her own experiences. Understanding our past experiences and peeling back the layers help us to fully understand our current circumstances, no matter what they are.

When Lisa created DC Fem over two years ago, she didn’t want to do it. She had to be forced. But, she knew that deep down, she was meant to do something different from what she was doing at the time. She came to realize that entrepreneurs struggle on a daily basis to understand who they are and what they’re doing. Still, on the outside, they come across as very sharp and put-together, which made her confidence take a hit. This is why the "comparison trap" has come to be a daily conversation for Lisa. She understands that other people have different voices and opinions, and that's ok.

Even still, Lisa has her own “internal tapes” that play that reflect less than confident thought. One of the only ways to break out of that cycle is to surround yourself with powerful women who have all experienced the same things and can lift you up when you need it. The entrepreneurial world is full of women who support women. It’s important to manage what we’re filling our heads with. Including being mindful of who we follow on social media. We also need a person who gives you “tough love” and somebody who you can find inspirational. Lisa follows The Rock on Instagram because of his message and his energy of overcoming his own self-doubt.

We truly are better together. Building relationships is so important, because it allows us all to play to our strengths. Creating this community has brought Lisa healing in her own life. It was her safety net and her saving grace. She’s ready to quit her business on a daily basis. This is very common for entrepreneurs. She had doubt when COVID hit and still has doubts, but overall, she created DC Fem for herself.

Lisa Shapiro and DC Fempreneur can be found online at:

website: dcfempreneur.com

email: lisa@dcfempreneur.com

On Instagram and Facebook: @dcfempreneur