Business

MogulCon Helps Women of Color Build Business Empires

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MogulCon, a networking conference for business women of color, is entering its fourth year in Atlanta.

The conference will take place from Oct. 24 to 26, 2019, at the Marriott Perimeter Center in Atlanta, Ga.

It is hosted by business expert Dr. Felicia Phillips, who has paved the way for women of color entrepreneurs.

She uses her skills and experience to assist other women in expanding their businesses.

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Atlanta is booming for African American businesses. The city is also Phillips’ birthplace.

“Atlanta is a city of dreams,” Phillips said. “People haven’t been in a city that has seen so many progressing African Americans.”

She kept MogulCon in her hometown because she knew that she wanted to provide women of color with the right relationships and resources that are often not provided to them.

Her priority with the event — and in her career — is to give women of color the tools that they need to be profitable and sustainable.

“This event is my legacy,” Phillips said. 

In its four years, MogulCon has worked with over 1,200 women. She has seen these women’s businesses grow firsthand.

She recalled one particular story where a conference attendee built her own apparel company that is now stocked at a popular department store — Macy’s. 

She has also seen women employ others through the conference.

“Today, what drives me is seeing the women I work with become profitable and seeing them fulfill their dreams,” Phillips said.

Phillips’ journey into business started when she was 19 years old. Her drive was to establish herself, make money and be profitable in business.

After 30 years of in the field, she is still driven to help others promote their businesses.

“I love seeing people of color really thrive and seeing their dreams come true,” Phillips said.

Phillips said she wants to see women who look like her and who understand the struggle that women of color face on a daily basis lead the business world.

“People try to create the narrative for us, we have to create the narrative for ourselves,” said Phillips.

To Phillips, black women wanting to become entrepreneurs represents freedom. Black women are often paid lower wages than they’re worth, so there is a big draw to become your own boss instead.

According to the Federal Reserve, black women are the only ethnic group with more business ownership than their male peers.

Growing up, Phillips was surrounded by entrepreneurs. Her great grandmother was a business owner, a salon owner and a real estate investor.

Watching her grandmother build her empire motivated her.

At the age of 16, Phillips’ grandmother sat her down and told her she had something special. Her grandmother then took her to a bank and put money in her name, telling Phillips that she was going to do great things.

“When you see that a women is doing all the things you want to do, you want to align yourself with someone like that.” Phillips said.

Her grandmother started the blueprint for her career, and Phillips’ father was also a business owner. She spent her childhood summers working with his construction company, learning the mechanisms of business.

“I was confident because I grew up in an entrepreneurial family, it was a natural path for me,” Phillips said.

In 1990, she became an entrepreneur, starting her first business for durable medical equipment. It steadily grew into a six figure business.

She then owned a mortgage company and invested in several information technology companies.

Now, she helps small businesses grow into bigger businesses through MogulCon. 

MogulCon partners with Maylee Media to find speakers and celebrity panelists. 

“If I put you on stage, I’m saying you are the expert,” Phillips said. “You know this better than anyone in your industry, and I want people [who go to MogulCon] to get a return on their investment.”

Most importantly, guests are chosen by their desire to help others succeed.

“My guests needs to embody that spirit of giving, sharing and wanting to see people succeed,” Phillips said. “We want people that align with our vision for MogulCon.”

Wendy Phan's history in athletics inspires her to pursue a career in sports journalism. She is a graduate of Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. She has valuable skills such as being a board operator and learning how to edit in Adobe Premiere.

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