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

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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.

Episode Summary

Have you wanted to accomplish great things in your business but felt you were holding yourself back. More than likely, there was an inner voice silencing your greatness.

Also known as imposter syndrome, this powerful yet negative voice prevents Black mompreneurs from stepping into their fullest potential.

Femi shares her personal journey with imposter syndrome, explains why it particularly affects Black women entrepreneurs, and provides five actionable strategies to overcome these limiting beliefs and build confidence in business.

Timestamps

[00:00] - Welcome and episode introduction
[00:23] - Introduction to imposter syndrome as the "evil sister" to analysis paralysis
[00:50] - Personal story: Early entrepreneurship experience and self-doubt
[02:23] - How imposter syndrome makes you feel worthless despite external validation
[04:44] - Impact on children and breaking the cycle of negative mindset
[07:04] - Introduction to five strategies to overcome imposter syndrome
[09:26] - Strategy 4: Stop comparing yourself to others
[11:45] - Call to action and episode wrap-up

Key Topics Covered

• What is Imposter Syndrome? The nagging doubt that makes you believe you're not good enough and incapable of reaching your potential
• The Connection Between Motherhood and Entrepreneurship How juggling multiple responsibilities can make imposter syndrome worse
• Systemic Challenges Why imposter syndrome isn't a reflection of abilities but a byproduct of systems not built for Black women to thrive
• Impact on Children How our self-doubt can influence the next generation's mindset

Femi's Personal Story [00:50]

Femi shares her early entrepreneurship experience when someone asked for her services and she immediately questioned:

• Could she really deliver?
• Would they think she charged too much due to lack of experience?
• If they said no, did that mean she wasn't good enough?

A fellow mompreneur gave her life-changing advice: "You've got everything you need to be great. You just got to get that shit done and take notes along the way."

5 Strategies to Overcome Imposter Syndrome [07:04]

1. Name the Negativity (But Don't Own It) [07:04]

• Develop awareness when negative thoughts creep in
• When you hear "you're not ready" or "who do you think you are," pause and say: "That's imposter syndrome talking and I'm not going to let it win"
• Treat it like a negative friend - block it

2. Reframe Your Fear [08:30]

• View fear as an indication you're growing and making positive changes
• Instead of: "I'm not ready" → Say: "I'm growing, I'm learning"
• Instead of: "I'm not good at this" → Say: "I'm still learning, I'm getting the hang of this"

3. Create a "Brag File" [09:26]

• Keep a digital or physical folder of your wins
• Include client praise, testimonials, positive work reviews
• Review when doubt sets in to remind yourself of your capabilities
• These are your "receipts" to counter negative thoughts

4. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others [09:26]

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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: Overcoming Analysis Paralysis

Host: Femi Lewis
Podcast: Four Black Mompreneurs
Episode Focus: Breaking free from analysis paralysis to move forward with clarity and confidence

Episode Description

What's one of the biggest obstacles that keep up from winning by just getting started: analysis paralysis.

If you've ever found yourself stuck researching every possible strategy without moving forward, delaying launches, or overthinking simple decisions like Instagram posts, this episode is designed specifically for you.

In this episode, we're exploring why this challenge is particularly crucial for Black women entrepreneurs to overcome and provides five actionable strategies to break free from perfectionism and start taking meaningful action in your business.

Key Topics Covered

What is Analysis Paralysis?

• Definition: Fear of making the wrong decision leads to making no decision at all
• How it manifests in business (social media creation, course launches, hiring decisions)
• The difference between everyday decisions (35,000 per day) and big life decisions
• Why Black mompreneurs face unique challenges with decision-making

The Cost of Analysis Paralysis

• Time theft: Steals precious time from busy entrepreneur-mothers
• Energy drain: Depletes mental resources needed for business growth
• Momentum killer: Stops progress in a world that demands quick movement
• Fear amplification: Gives fear more space while limiting faith and vision

The Reality for Black Mompreneurs

• Already juggling multiple roles: parenting, business ownership, household management
• Navigating societal systems not designed for their success
• Need to move quickly just to be seen and recognized
• The importance of momentum in entrepreneurship

Five Tips to Conquer Analysis Paralysis

1. Set Decision Deadlines

• Establish specific timeframes for making choices (24 hours, 3 days, or 1 week maximum)
• Use deadlines as motivation to complete tasks
• Remember: "You can't give yourself greatness if you don't time it to action"

2. Limit Your Options

• Apply the "two choices for children" principle to yourself
• Research only 3 options instead of 15
• Focus on basics and quick comparisons
• Remember that many decisions can be changed later

3. Trust Your Inner Wisdom

• Recognize your intelligence, skills, and creativity
• Overcome conditioning that teaches women to second-guess themselves
• Listen to your gut instincts and God-given wisdom
• Stop seeking excessive outside opinions

4. Break Big Decisions into Small Ones

• Divide overwhelming projects into manageable pieces
• Instead of "How do I launch an entire coaching program?" ask specific questions:
  • What's my topic?
  • What's my start date?
  • How many sessions will I offer?
• Build momentum through answering one small question at a time

5. Take Imperfect Action

• Start before you feel completely ready
• Publish that post, send that email, launch that offer
• Remember: "Clarity comes through action, not thinking"
• You

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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: 001
Release Date: May 29, 2025
Duration: 11 minutes 30 seconds
Host: Femi Lewis

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the movement! This isn't just another business podcast that pretends balance is easy or sees motherhood as a limitation. This is a sanctuary for Black women entrepreneurs who are rewriting the rules of what it means to be successful as both mothers and business owners.

Host Femi Lewis gets raw and real about why this podcast needed to exist, sharing her personal journey from feeling invisible in mainstream "boss mom" spaces to creating a platform where Black mompreneurs can be seen, heard, and celebrated for their unique superpowers.

If you're the woman who wakes up before sunrise to draft business plans, negotiates contracts, then braids your daughter's hair, and sees your multiple roles as superpowers rather than obstacles - this is YOUR space.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Why being a Black mompreneur is a distinct experience that deserves its own platform and community

• The reality of navigating mainstream business spaces as a Black mother and entrepreneur

• What makes this podcast different from generic business content that ignores our intersectionality

• The definition and vision for what a Black mompreneur represents in this community

• Why entrepreneurship is key to freedom and independence for Black women and our children

KEY TAKEAWAYS

🔑 Being unapologetic in our ambition as Black women who are mothers and entrepreneurs is non-negotiable

Your multiple roles aren't obstacles - they're superpowers that make you uniquely equipped for success.

🔑 We deserve more than just a presence - we need a defining voice

Being invited to the party isn't enough if we're told to shut up and enjoy the cake. We're bringing our own table.

🔑 Black women are one of the largest sectors of entrepreneurs, but we face unique challenges

61% of Black women self-fund their startups, and our rejection rates for traditional funding are three times higher than white business owners.

🔑 Our entrepreneurship journey impacts the next generation

We're not just building businesses - we're teaching our children about independence, creativity, and what's possible.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

[00:00 - 02:14] Opening: Who This Podcast Is For

• Defining the unapologetic Black mompreneur
• What this podcast IS and ISN'T
• Setting expectations for real, authentic content

[02:14 - 04:28] The Origin Story

• Femi's journey from stay-at-home mom to work-at-home mom
• Feeling invisible in mainstream "boss mom" Facebook groups
• The contrived response to racial justice movements

[04:28 - 06:54] Why a Distinct Space Matters

• The magic of Black mompreneurship
• Why "we're all the same" erases our unique experiences
• The importance of intersectionality in business

[06:54 - 09:10] Defining Black Mompreneurship

• Who qualifies as a Black mompreneur
• Inclusive definition of motherhood
• Requirements for podcast guests

[09:10 - 11:25] The Mission and Vision

• St

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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.