Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Shanken.
Hi Felicia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story began long before I became an entrepreneur. I spent over 25 years years working in healthcare, where I learned how to care for people, listen closely and show up when it matters most. But somewhere along the way, I began to feel that God was calling me to serve women in a different way.
At 55, I left the security of my government job and started Philadelphia Women’s Network Connection. I did not have everything figured out. What I did have was a vision: to create a space where women could connect, be seen and have the support they needed to grow. I knew what it felt like to be underestimated, and I wanted other women to know that their dreams still mattered, no matter their age or where they were starting from.
That vision grew into the PWNC Foundation, which helps women make the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship. Today, through PWNC Digital Futures, I am also helping women and small business owners build stronger brands, use technology and AI with confidence, and create systems that support their growth.
I have had the privilege of speaking on stages, building meaningful partnerships and receiving recognition for this work. I am grateful for all of it, but what means the most to me is hearing a woman say, “I believe I can do this now.”
I started with a desire to make sure women had a place at the table. Today, I am still doing that work and helping them build legacies of their own.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I left a secure government job at 55 to build something I believed in, and that came with fear, uncertainty and a lot of learning. I had to figure out how to run a business while building relationships, finding opportunities and earning people’s trust. There were times when I questioned myself, especially when the support I hoped for did not come.
I have also faced health challenges that forced me to slow down and rethink what strength looks like. As someone who is used to showing up for others, that was hard. I had to learn that taking care of myself is part of being able to continue this work.
What kept me going was my purpose. Every challenge taught me something about resilience, faith and the women I serve. I know many of them are building a new chapter while carrying responsibilities and doubts of their own. I want them to see that the road can be difficult and their dream can still be worth pursuing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Philadelphia Women’s Network Connection, or PWNC, began with a simple belief: women deserve meaningful connections, access to opportunities and a place where they feel seen. Today, our work has grown into an ecosystem that supports women through networking, education, mentorship, business growth and technology.
Through the PWNC Foundation, we help women who are ready to transition from corporate life into entrepreneurship. Through PWNC Digital Futures, we help entrepreneurs and small business owners build their brands and use digital tools with confidence. Our services include branding, websites, lead generation, marketing systems, AI education and business strategy. We also offer workshops and our Brand To Business Academy for people who want practical guidance as they grow.
What sets us apart is the way we connect the pieces. A website alone will not grow your business, if you have no way to reach, engage and follow up with the people who visit it. We look at the whole journey, from attracting the right audience to building relationships and turning those relationships into lasting growth. Just as important, we meet people where they are. You do not have to be a technology expert to work with us.
I am especially proud that our brand has grown with the women we serve. We started by bringing women into a room to connect. Now we can help them leave that room with the knowledge, tools and support to build something of their own. That is what Empowering Women: Creating Legacies means to me. It is the purpose behind everything we do.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice is to start with relationships, not a request. When you meet someone whose work you admire, take the time to learn about them. Ask a thoughtful question, follow up and stay connected. A mentor relationship often grows naturally when someone sees that you are willing to listen, do the work and apply what you learn.
Networking has worked best for me when I walk into a room with the intention to connect, not just collect business cards. I ask people about what they are building and what they need. Sometimes I can make an introduction or share a resource right there. Those small moments build trust, and trust is where opportunities begin.
I also tell women not to count themselves out because they are new to a room or starting over later in life. I left my career at 55 and had to build a new network as an entrepreneur. I kept showing up, followed through on what I said I would do and stayed open to learning from people at every stage of their journey.
Find people who will be honest with you, encourage you and challenge you to grow. Then be that kind of person for someone else. That is how we build networks that mean something.
Pricing:
- Brand To Business Academy $2,500 – $5,000
- PWNC Digital Futures Business Growth System $3,997
- Landing Pages $497 – $997
- Websites $1,250 – $2,500
- Sales Funnel/Lead Generations/Magnets $997 – $2,497
Contact Info:
- Website: https://phillywnc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillywnc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fspiveyshanken
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillywnc/
