(Women on Top in Tech is a series about Women Founders, CEOs, and Leaders in technology. It aims to amplify and bring to the fore diversity in leadership in technology.)
Espree Devora is known as “the Girl who Gets it Done”. She created WeAreLATech.com, a hub for entrepreneurs to connect to resources in the Silicon Beach community, which hosts the 1st podcast focused on LA Startups. She is also a podcast Producer and Host of the show, Women in Tech Podcast. The purpose of the show is for every listener to walk away feeling ‘If She Can Do It So Can I’. She calls it “actionable empowerment”. In 2017, Espree was listed by Inc Magazine as top 30 Women in Tech to follow.
What makes you do what you do?
Being an entrepreneur is in my blood. Some days are epic highs. Others are incredibly uncomfortably low. It’s not an easy day to day life, but living with a sense of purpose is an extraordinary gift.
How did you rise in the industry you are in?
Being myself. Pushing through my fears to be positively vulnerable. To live as though I am always mentoring even though I may not know who’s paying attention.
Why did you take on this role/start this startup especially since this is perhaps a stretch or challenge for you (or viewed as one since you are not the usual leadership demographics)?
I’ve always loved media production. It’s a creative art form that can have long lasting positive effects on the audience who absorbs the content I create.
Do you have a mentor that you look up to in your industries or did you look for one or how did that work? How did you make a match if you and how did you end up being mentored by him/her?
I do now have a mentor I look up to to be my most powerful self. We met at a conference and we speak regularly to work past my self-limiting beliefs and to build an abundant life, both spiritually and professionally. My mentor’s name is Debra Hockemeyer.
Now as a leader how do you spot, develop, keep, grow and support your talent?
I seek out integrity and a moral compass code. I want empowering solution mind teammates who value our company culture.
Do you consciously or unconsciously support diversity and why?
Yes, because we’re human.
What is your take on what it takes to be a great leader in your industry and as a general rule of thumb?
Lead with vulnerability, let your audience share in the progression of your journey.
Advice for others?
Your “intuition is your oracle”. Walk your own path, don’t try to be someone else. They had their journey so it’s time for you to create your own journey now.
People crave connectivity, not celebrity. So rather than trying to look big, instead focus on creating immense positive impact in each person’s life (be it customer or partner or friend)
My Mom always says every “No” is one step closer to a “Yes”.
We want to continue to build connective technology, produce meaningful media and create unique offline experiences in the startup space to move people from online digital relationships to high quality offline relationships.
If you’d like to get in touch with Espree Devora, please feel free to reach out to her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree/
To learn more about WeAreLATech.com , please click here.
