Overcoming Fear: An Interview with Espree Devora, Passionate Entrepreneur

I have been chatting with my friend, Astia classmate, and fellow entrepreneur Espree Devora, founder of ZexSports.com and Women In Action Sports, about this new year and what’s in store for us. Espree is a badass, plain and simple. She’s happy as long as she gets to do what she loves every day. I aspire to have that same focus and dedication, and to be able to sleep well at night when I’ve put everything on the line. Espree is truly an inspiration. I asked her to share with me, some of what she’s experienced in her own life as an entrepreneur.

Hatch Network: Would you agree that, generally speaking, asking for what you want – going after it, leads to actually getting it?

Espree Devora: Yes, definitely. But it’s important while going after what you want you are seeking out mutually beneficial opportunities.

What do you think stops so many people, particularly women, from pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams?

That’s a great question. I was just reading comments on Tim Ferriss’s blog, author of “4- Hour Work Week”, that more men share their entrepreneurial successes publicly than women. Maybe some women are afraid of what their peers, families and friends will think if they begin to follow something that, in the beginning, seems so unrealistic.

Have you felt that?

Nope, I have been a tremendous risk taker from the beginning, but often scared of failing. I just remember to push through the hard “unknown” times and have faith that perseverance and a belief in self pays off. It helped that when I was 14, I read “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. The message was if you believe in something with all your heart and there is goodness behind it the world will conspire to deliver to you the resources you need to achieves those goals. After reading that book, I understood what it meant to be an entrepreneur.

Here’s what’s crazy – I’m re-reading 4HWW right now, and The Alchemist in on my nightstand! It’s meant to be!

Finances are often identified as a fear for entrepreneurs. We’ve certainly felt that, but it’s never stopped us from moving forward with launching. What is “it” that some people have and some people don’t?

I think the second you start focusing on providing value is when your company will start moving forward. In my opinion business ISN’T what you can do for me. Business is “I have a quality solution to your problem”. The money will follow shortly thereafter.

What kind of obstacles did you face when starting ZexSports?

Everything. Ha! I still face obstacles every day. I like to call them challenges, more empowering. Everything from maxing out my credit cards to grow the company, and not knowing if I’d survive the stress, managing and inspiring a team, creating a product of value for my community. Each experience is a lesson, at times a tiring lesson. But I love my company. I was blessed to find outstanding investors who are very supportive in my success, a business partner who has stuck by my side. A community committed to our growth. Plus my company has afforded me priceless opportunities to meet outstanding women, such as you, to get through challenges together. Sometimes as business owners we tend to feel very alone as most go for the safe route in life.

Aw, shucks. Thanks! What lead you to create ZexSports – was it your passion for action sports, or your passion for online business? Or neither? Or Both?

Both. My father got me into action sports when I was a little girl. Motocross events, snowboarding, skateboarding. I loved it all. In tandem, I would hang out on the Prodigy chat rooms in his office. As I grew up, I began traveling around the world and saw there was no central location for action sports enthusiasts to connect online. So I tied my passion for technology and action sports together to create the first version of ZEXsports.com when I was about 23.

Sometimes, it’s intimidating to ask for what you want, because it seems so much bigger than yourself. How do you get the confidence, the balls, to really believe that your dreams are attainable?

Man, that’s tough. It’s hard. That is why it’s important to have a very strong support system. I love what you’ve created with Hatch Network. We entrepreneurs are brave. And there is no guarantee. But it is so worth the ride to find out the treasures we can create out of the seed of a dream.

What piece of advice would you give to a woman who is starting a new business, but has trepidation about the barriers and obstacles that exist?

Don’t over think it. Just do it. Try this exercise… Think of yourself as a very old lady, lets say 90 years old, sitting on her porch looking back at your life. Would you be okay if you didn’t take action today and at least try?

You seem passionate about your work… can you imagine doing anything else? What inspires you to live this entrepreneurial lifestyle?

My work is an adrenaline rush. My job is to turn dreams into reality for myself and those who surround me. How incredible is that! Wouldn’t give it up for anything.

Espree Devora is the founder of ZexSports.com and Women In Action Sports. She also works closely with STOKED, a mentor organization that teaches action sports to at-risk and disadvantaged youth.