We find great inspiration in the stories of businesswomen who have followed their dreams and pursued their passions.
Guest blogger and career coach Marcy Morrison, founder of Careers with Wings, recently spoke with San Diego entrepreneur Felena Hanson, and graciously shared her thoughts with WealthChoice.
We are big fans of Marcy, who shares our vision for pursuing your passion. But Marcy takes this one step further when coaching her clients. She helps people connect their passion and purpose to change the world. Felena Hanson is a perfect example of someone who has done just that.
Passion + Purpose = World Change
I can remember the day clearly when speaking with my friend Felena Hanson over coffee when she shared with me her dream to create a coworking space and business accelerator for women. Not only did Felena launch that dream with Hera Hub, she has expanded that dream nationally and internationally. Felena is an amazing example of living her own formula of Passion + Purpose = World Change.
And now Felena has recently launched her book “Flight Club” which is a call to rebel, reinvent, and thrive! The book shares the journey of women who “leaned out” of corporate to launch their dream business. Felena shares her personal story and rise to entrepreneurship. The book also features the journeys of and advice from six courageous female entrepreneurs: Debby Eubank, Linda O’Keefe, Lorin Beller, Sara Clark-Williams, Deirdre Maloney, and MaryCay Durrant. Each shares an exercise to help you craft your flight path.
A passion for supporting women in business
Here is a little more on Felena’s amazing and inspiring journey. Felena is a long-time entrepreneur and marketing maven. Her 20 year career has spanned from technology start-ups to digital marketing agencies. Some of her former clients include DirecTV, Epson, CNN, and Union Bank. Before becoming an entrepreneur she was Director of Marketing for a venture-backed San Diego internet company that sold to in 2003.
As Felena launched her first business, Perspective Marketing, she found her passion for supporting other female entrepreneurs through leadership roles with several professional women’s organizations, including Ladies Who Launch and Women’s Global Network.
Her latest venture, Hera Hub, is a spa-inspired shared workspace and community for female entrepreneurs. This as-needed, flexible work and meeting space provides a productive environment for growing businesses. Hera Hub members have access to a professional space to meet with clients and to connect and collaborate with like-minded business owners, thus giving them the support they need to be prosperous. The business supports hundreds of freelancers, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits in over 16 industry segments.
After building three successful locations, she is now expanding across the United States via a licensing model, with a location in Washington, DC. Her goal is to support over 20,000 women in the launch and growth of their business by 2020.
Making a greater impact through education and writing
Felena is a published author and international speaker. Her book, “Flight Club – Rebel, Reinvent, and Thrive: How to Launch Your Dream Business” is available on Amazon. She is passionate about education, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of San Diego and her MBA from California State University Dominguez Hills. She taught Marketing and Entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and at California State University Dominguez Hills for the MBA online program for eight years.
Felena and Hera Hub have been featured in Inc Magazine, the BBC News, Forbes, and the New York Times. She has been nominated for numerous small business awards and has been rewarded for her efforts by winning the 2012 “Women Business Owner of the Year” award and the 2014 “Women Advocate of the Year” award from the San Diego chapter of the National Organization of Women Business Owners. In 2014 she also won the “Small Business Champion of the Year” award from the San Diego Small Business Administration.
“Focused Fun” meets Passion
And some final words of wisdom from Felena: “Make it a goal to thread your personal and professional life together. Incorporate things you enjoy into your business, so it feels like you’re passing the time doing something pleasant rather than a task to be checked off of your list. Try to infuse “focused fun” by pinpointing what you love: drawing, talking, laughing, interesting conversation, list making, etc. and weave it into your business and work.”
At WealthChoice we are strong supporters of pursuing your passions and pursuits and have invited Marcy Morrison to facilitate a discussion on Passion + Purpose = World Change on January 18th for WealthChoice Community. You can find details on our Events page.
This post was written by guest blogger Marcy Morrison, Founder of Careers with Wings. If you would like to learn more about Marcy please visit her website.
