AN INTERVIEW WITH FOUNDER ESPREE DEVORA.
Espree Devora is (1) the voice behind the award winning Women In Tech podcast where she celebrates female founders, (2) the creator of We Are LA Tech where she connects the booming Silicon Beach community, (3) "one of my favorite people in the world" according to Zappo's CEO Tony Hsieh, and (4) sharing the stage with Richard Branson this summer at the Haste and Hustle conference, to name a few. This week she took a moment to share some learnings with me, and as someone who is particularly interested in the tech ladies movement, it was a real pleasure.
If you could describe your story in a few words, what would it be?
A creative adventure to believe in myself and inspire others to do the same.
Love that. So how did the Women in Tech podcast come to be? What motivates you to keep working at it each day?
The Women in Tech podcast was inspired by wanting positive content focused on what's possible to exist in this world. What motivates me is hearing how the podcast has helped listeners believe in themselves, discover resources they didn't know existed and how guests on the show have had opportunities come their way that wouldn't have come as fast as they did (like attracting investors) if they hadn't been featured on the podcast. The intent is to show listeners " If She Can Do It, So Can I " .
What has been the biggest challenge you've had to overcome in running your own podcasts? For others who may be considering starting their own podcast, was there anything surprising you've learned along the way?
Prioritizing creating and writing down processes. The more I have to juggle, the harder it is to slow down to organize myself and my team. Doing it again I would prioritize outlining the processes first.
If you could give one piece of advice to women pursuing tech, what would it be?
Believe that it is possible. Use your intuition as your guide.
What are the most common trends you've noticed between the tech leaders you've interviewed?
Unfortunately it's the same as I've mentioned above, that a lot of times we believe 'I'm not enough', and so leaders think they're not good enough to be interviewed. Even when people have achieved so much they are still incredibly modest and humble to be public about it.
Where do you go or what do you do to find inspiration? Basically, what inspires you? What sparks joy?
Marc Kohlbrugge inspires me. He founded BetaList . I lean on him to get inspired as his creativity using technology amazes me. Plus I can count on him to make jokes that make me laugh out loud and not take myself so seriously. What sparks joy is meaningful connection. Recently I met Chloë Drimal who founded Yoni Circle (which is AMAZING). She was early on at Snapchat. Wow, I am in admiration of her. Yoni Circle is a must for all women. It's really hard to describe, but after visiting my first Yoni Circle in Venice I was inspired, empowered, healed, connected and motivated to keep on going. I promise you it's not granola like it sounds 🙂.
What has been the greatest lesson you've learned thus far in your career?
To believe in myself, and that sales is the secret weapon to succeed. You can build an amazing product, but if you're not clear on the product market fit or how to sell it, your product or service won't survive.
If you had to listen to one soundtrack for the rest of your life, what would be on it?
The ocean, the birds and the trees in the woods.
That's a refreshing answer! What podcasts are you currently loving (besides your own)?
For sure Neil Strauss's "To Live and Die in LA" about a real and ongoing missing person case of a Hollywood starlet with an Insta-perfect life, and "Death, Sex & Money" when Anna Sale hosts it, which shares interviews with every day people to celebrities discussing death, sex and money.
Can you name a few tech companies you really admire, and why?
Basecamp project management tool because of the consistent customer experience they deliver and that they profit by selling something people want to pay for, they don't rely on investors.
Yoni Circle because of the positive impact they create and from the heart to empower women by creating a safe space to be vulnerable and lean on one another.
And you know what, my own company WeAreLATech, for the perseverance to create meaningful relationships amongst the Los Angeles tech community.
Last, Miranda time converter app, because it's just so simple and useful.
How do you imagine the tech industry in the future, say 5 years from now?
We'll all be riding our Hover Boards... finally.
And to that I simply say reach for the sky , because "where we're going, we don't need roads!"
--
Thanks, Espree!
Sign up for The Friyay Fuel newsletter here for more inspiring stories like this, paired with other fun finds, delivered directly to your inbox only when you need an extra boost of happy.