2015 Women to Watch Award in Rising Star
Q&A with Rising Star category winner Elizabeth Boardman
The 2015 WILMA's Women to Watch Award winner in the Rising Star category, which is limited to women under the age of thirty, is ELIZABETH BOARDMAN, co-founder of the MILSPO PROJECT and a Realtor at LANIER PROPERTY GROUP.
Boardman, whose husband is in the Navy, helped start the Milspo Project last year while the couple lived in Fayetteville. In the military town, she found other spouses who were interested in working on their own businesses. The nonprofit provides resources and support to military support entrepreneurs, holding events and meetups. Last year, it held its first conference – called Embark. This year’s event was held in September in Southern Pines.
Local chapters of the Milspo Project are opening up across the country. As of this summer, there were eighteen up and running – one in Germany – with seven more in the wings, including in Alaska. It recently also was asked to join a group of military spouse-support groups that meets monthly at the Pentagon to discuss issues facing military families.
Since moving to Wilmington, Boardman has continued work with the nonprofit, while also running her business Southern Slo Mo Party, a video photo booth company for weddings and events, and becoming a Realtor for Lanier Property Group.
What inspired you to pick the field you’re in now?
"I chose real estate because it was easily transferable to the military lifestyle. I chose Lanier Property Group (LPG) specifically because of Stephanie Lanier’s passion for changing the industry, giving back to the greater Wilmington area, and because of LPG’s belief in putting people before profits 100 percent of the time. Also, LPG is a strong, team-centric company, which is so fun!
We were inspired to start the Milspo Project because we believe the happiness of the military family is determined by the well being of the service member’s spouse. Many military spouses find themselves as circumstantial business owners because it is hard to have a career due to frequent military moves. My co-founder Nicole Hope and I recognized the need to bring this community of women together. We wanted military spouses to be equipped for the business world, while recognizing they have a unique set of circumstances that make running a successful business more difficult."
Are there any mentors or role models, famous or personal, you've looked to in your career?
"On a local level, the mentorship of Stephanie Lanier and Foster Sayers have been invaluable. On a national level, role models Marie Forleo, Seth Godin, and Pat Flynn have all influenced my business beliefs. Marie Forleo's work in particular has shaped me — I was a 2015 B-School scholarship winner."
What do you hope to be doing in the years to come?
"Wherever I am I hope to be solving interesting problems and have a compassionate community of family, friends, and colleagues to celebrate the journey with me."
"Also, of course I am excited about the opportunity to grow the Milspo Project. In the years to come I hope that there is at least one of our chapters at every military installation worldwide and that entrepreneurship is recognized as a solution for the thousands of military spouses facing unemployment and underemployment."
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
"A poet. Shirley Hughes was a major part of my childhood. Also, for a short while in middle school I thought I might be a nun! My husband is glad I reconsidered."
What has being named a finalist, and a now winner, in the Women to Watch Awards meant for you personally and professionally?
"I just feel so grateful to have even been nominated! Personally, it meant a lot to me to have so many friends turnout to the event to support me, in particular the LPG team. Professionally, I have really enjoyed connecting with other Women to Watch nominees whom I would not have otherwise has the pleasure of meeting. Marisa Henry of PPD has such a heart for service and love of Wilmington. I have learned so much from her already!"
Anyone you'd like to thank in relation to the award or any other comments to share?
"I would like to thank all of the professional women who have supported me and shown me kindness since I moved to Wilmington. In particular, I would like to thank Stephanie Lanier for nominating me for this award. She has such a big heart, an infectious love of business, and is such an encourager. I would also like to thank Jenny Curry for her friendship. She has introduced me to most of Wilmington! I would also like to thank WILMA magazine for recognizing the accomplishments of women in our wonderful community."
To view more of photographer Erik Maasch’s work, go to websta.me/n/emaasch
