What is inspiration? By definition, it is to motivate, impel and the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something special. This is the hallmark of our cover story feature in Tavia Mapp-Deterville. The public relations professional has embarked on a project that has taken inspiration to a new level.
Tavia Mapp-Deterville is the founder of The Future is Female which is a platform that is aimed at creating an inspirational vehicle that empowers female entrepreneurs. It quantifies a series of powerful events that introduces networking, skill development, economic independence, professional growth and career balancing.
Tavia sat down with Industry Rules to discuss The Future is Female and its exciting movement.
AF: What is “Future is Female”?
TMD: The “Future is Female” fire chat is safe haven for women to commune and support one another. It’s a space where you get to unload some of those questions and situations that plague your mind in business. In that space, women who been exactly where you are, listen, aid, and chat. It’s a means of restoring your faith in yourself. A reminder that there is a village that wants you to succeed. That wants you to grow. That wants you to remember that you are bigger than your fears
AF: What was the aspiration for creating this platform?
TMD: Like most women starting over or starting a new, I understood what it’s like to have little to no resources. I wanted to reach back in a meaningful way and lift each other up like the men do. I didn’t want to simply wish but to get my hands dirty and do the work. And work it is. It’s not easy but it’s so rewarding when you have someone come up to you or inbox you to simply say thank you. Then ask when and where is the next one.
AF: What are some challenges that you have faced as a female professional? What steps do you take to overcome those challenges?
TMD: Working in the music business, you are literally in most cases the only female on the team. Your voice used merely for female topics. Your assertiveness taken has being mean or overly emotional. Equal Pay still is an ongoing issue as well. To overcome those challenges, I honestly just created my own business where I can choose what I want to accept and built from there.
AF: Women are taking on key roles at Fortune 500 companies, and some are starting their own businesses. What is your opinion on how our society can ensure that female professionals get an equal opportunity for leadership and/or executive position?
TMD: Simply by keeping the conversation going, by continuing to give opportunities to the women that have nurtured and grown businesses since the beginning of time. Who stayed loyal and worked from the bottom and have earned the top. We also need men to speak up and acknowledge that we are needed. That we are equal and that we are required. Women are still the biggest consumers. We set the trends. We make the world go round. So it’s still feels ridiculous that this is still not the norm.
AF: What advice would you give to an aspiring female entrepreneur who is hesitant because she has not found her niche?
TMD: Stop, breathe and literally relax. It will come to you when you least expect it. Just keep working. Keep getting up every morning and live with purpose.
AF: What are some key motivating factors that you use on a daily basis?
TMD: My scripture begins, “God is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear” the word that always strikes a cord with me is fear. We live consumed by fear, plagued by what ifs that we never chances. We never simply live. For is you truly have FAITH, there is no place for fear. Now that does mean you won’t fail but it will make you more open to try.
AF: What’s next for Future is Female?
TMD: Our next fire chat is during SXSW on March 16th. Tickets are avail on my website www.taviamd.com. We are so excited as it’s my first time doing this there.
