Meet Portia Ishmon

We were lucky to catch up with Portia Ishmon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Portia, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Being the only one in the room who looks like me didn’t intimidate me — it initiated me. It taught me how to lead with audacity, to show up as my full, unfiltered self, and to embody authenticity no matter who’s watching or where I stand.

As a Black woman, a proud member of the LGB community, an Arizona native, and a relentless fempreneur, I’ve learned that being “the only one” isn’t a setback — it’s a strategy. It’s where innovation is born. I’ve been the only Black woman at the table, the only creative strategist in the room, the only voice bold enough to challenge systems and reimagine what’s possible when equity and excellence coexist.

Yes, it felt isolating at first. But isolation became ignition. Being “the only one” forced me to refine my power — to lead with both brilliance and heart, to disrupt with intention, and to deliver results that speak louder than stereotypes. It shaped my voice into a force and my presence into a statement.

As the FoundHer, OwnHer, and She-EO of BOLDHer MMC, I’ve flipped underrepresentation into undeniable influence. My journey through corporate media, digital marketing, and operations taught me a simple truth: representation isn’t just about being visible — it’s about being vital. It’s about showing up with purpose, creating measurable impact, and transforming every space you enter into a stage for change.

Through BOLDHer, I empower others — especially women, schools, and small businesses — to do exactly that: to own their worth, operate boldly, and build systems that sustain both legacy and liberation.

Because even if you’re the only one in the room, your voice has the voltage to shift the entire atmosphere.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Portia Ishmon, founder and CEO of BOLDHer Management Marketing Consulting (MMC) — where I don’t just consult, I fix it, build it, and make it last. I’m your professional fixer and personal CFO, helping schools, organizations, and individuals move from overwhelmed to optimized.

At BOLDHer, my work bridges operations, systems strategy, and financial empowerment. I help leaders cut through the noise — removing overwhelm, closing gaps, and turning disorganization into direction. By blending strategy, structure, and AI innovation, I design smarter systems that make work more efficient and leadership more intentional.

Whether I’m helping a district streamline workflows, a small business strengthen its operations, or a family secure its financial future, my mission stays the same: to help people operate with clarity, protect what matters most, and grow with purpose.

Through my Strategic Management Solutions, I partner with schools and organizations to build sustainable systems that actually work — not quick fixes, but long-term transformation. And through BOLDHer Wealth Management Programs, I empower families and entrepreneurs with financial literacy, retirement planning, and life protection strategies that grow wealth without unnecessary risk.

As a proud Black female entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in marketing, business development, and leadership, I’ve learned that real success starts with structure — and lasts with strategy. My work is about more than improvement; it’s about innovation, empowerment, and building smarter systems for stronger futures.

Because when you build boldly, you don’t just change your operations — you change your outcomes.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, strategic thinking, and authenticity.

Resilience taught me how to navigate uncertainty without losing sight of the bigger picture. As a Black, LGB, Arizona-born fempreneur, there were moments where I had to create my own lane and prove my value in rooms where I wasn’t expected to be. That resilience helped me build BOLDHer from the ground up — not overnight, but through consistency, faith, and a commitment to showing up even when things felt unclear.

Strategic thinking became my superpower. My background in operations and digital marketing gave me the ability to see systems — not just situations. I learned how to connect the dots between structure and success, and that skill has allowed me to help schools, organizations, and families create sustainable frameworks that work long-term.

And finally, authenticity — being fully me — changed everything. Early on, I thought professionalism meant blending in. Now, I know my difference is my advantage. The moment I started leading with my voice, values, and vision unapologetically, opportunities began aligning effortlessly.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is this:

Build your resilience by staying consistent even when progress feels slow. Growth is rarely instant — it’s built one decision at a time.

Think strategically — don’t just work in your business or craft, learn how systems and people connect to drive outcomes.

Lead authentically — your uniqueness isn’t a weakness; it’s your edge. The right people and opportunities will align when you stop shrinking who you are to fit where you’re not meant to stay.

Each of these qualities takes time to develop, but when they align — that’s when you start operating boldly, with purpose and clarity.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely — collaboration is at the heart of everything I do. I believe real impact happens when purpose-driven people come together to create sustainable solutions.
I’m looking to partnering with schools, organizations, community leaders, businesses and individuals who have no idea where to start That share my passion for empowerment, education, and financial or operational growth. Whether it’s through strategic management, consulting, wealth management education, or community initiatives that strengthen local ecosystems, I love connecting with people who are ready to build systems that last and make a difference.

I’m especially interested in collaborating with any type of Schools, all minority-owned, women-owned, and LGB-owned businesses, as well as nonprofits and any other educational institutions that want to close gaps in access to tools that can help prepare for the future.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

All Professional Photos Credit to Tosha Ishmon (Ishmon Productions) [email protected]

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