We recently had the chance to connect with Felicia Shanken and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Felicia, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
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Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I was not worthy, not pretty enough, not smart enough to receive all the goodness the universe might offer. I grew up in Queens, New York, where life could feel heavy and unforgiving for a little girl who learned to carry her anger like armor. By the time I was twelve, I was quick to flare up, furious at a world I felt had no place for me. I felt invisible more often than I felt seen; sometimes I even thought the world would be better off without me.
Everything shifted the day a friend invited me to a Pentecostal church, the “party church,” as I like to call it now, because that’s how alive it felt then. That experience opened a door to spirituality I didn’t know I had. But it wasn’t a church service alone that turned my life; it was a teacher who chose to see me. Ms. Samuels didn’t dismiss my anger or my smallness. She poured time, encouragement, and belief into a girl who had already decided she wasn’t enough. She told me I counted, that the world needed me, and that one day I would know my purpose. She was right. Her faith in me rewrote the story I was about to live. Today, when I look back, I’m not just grateful, I’m determined to be that person for someone else. You never know what another person is going through, and sometimes hearing “your truth” can help another.
Fast forward to today, and when I look at all I’ve accomplished, the businesses I’ve built, and the lives I’ve been able to touch, it fills me with gratitude. The little girl who once felt invisible now understands she was always meant to be seen. That is incredibly wonderful for me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Most people don’t understand, as beautiful as it sounds, being an entrepreneur is hard. It’s not for everyone or for the faint of heart. Leaving a secure corporate job, where a paycheck arrives weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, gives you a sense of stability. As an entrepreneur, the grind is real. If you don’t work hard, you don’t get paid. There’s a saying, “you eat what you kill.” As harsh as it sounds, it’s true. There are no sick days, no off days, no mental health days, just the ongoing work of building your business.
I’ve been an entrepreneur most of my life, but at 55, I leaped to pursue it full-time. I left a good-paying government job because I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life building someone else’s dream.
The first two years were incredibly challenging. I cashed out some of my retirement savings to start my businesses and drove for Uber and Lyft to make ends meet. I didn’t want to put all the financial weight on my husband, who was already carrying many of the household responsibilities. Did I feel like giving up? Absolutely. But my dream and vision were bigger than my fear of failure. I knew this had to work.
Even today, there are moments I feel like quitting. But I remind myself of my “why”, the lives I’ve impacted and the people who count on me during their toughest days. I pray, ask for strength, and keep going, setback after setback. I’ve endured far more in life than the challenges of entrepreneurship, and I’ve overcome every obstacle. To me, being an entrepreneur isn’t just a career; it’s a daily challenge I’m ready to face and have been for 6 1/2 years.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I have to say, Mark Cuban. I truly admire this man and the way he approaches life, business, and giving back. What stands out most about him is that he is unapologetically himself, a no-nonsense individual who speaks his mind without fear and refuses to let society or convention define who he is or who he should be. He is brutally honest in his approach, and he’s not the type of person to simply tell you what you want to hear. That kind of honesty is rare and invaluable, especially when it comes to business guidance and mentorship.
Beyond his business acumen, I deeply respect his commitment to giving back. Mark believes in empowering communities, supporting entrepreneurs, and fostering opportunities for women-owned businesses. He doesn’t just talk about change, he actively invests in it.
I would love the opportunity to work with him or have him mentor me because I believe that his guidance, perspective, and unfiltered honesty would help me grow not only as an entrepreneur but as a leader who can inspire and uplift others. His example shows that success is about more than just financial achievement; it’s about integrity, impact, and leaving a legacy that makes a difference.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me as someone who saw the potential in others before they saw it in themselves. I want them to say I was a woman of courage and conviction, who faced fear, obstacles, and self-doubt, yet never let those define me. I hope they remember me as someone who built businesses, inspired entrepreneurs, and empowered women, not just for profit, but for purpose.
I want them to say I loved deeply, lifted others, and led by example, showing that success is not only measured by what you achieve, but by how many lives you touch along the way. I hope they remember my faith, resilience, and determination to turn challenges into opportunities, and that my story inspired them to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams relentlessly, and never settle for less than they deserve.
Most of all, I hope people say that I made the world better simply by being in it, that my presence mattered, and that I left a legacy of hope, empowerment, and possibility that continued long after I was gone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://phillywnc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillywnc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillywnc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fspiveyshanken
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@phillywnc
Image Credits
Ward Legacy Studios
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