Empowering Entrepreneurs + Creative Space-Making

Interviews with Femme Fatale DC’s Cee Smith, CEO.
+ Adriana Mendoza, COO.

Interview by Briget Heidmous

 INTERVIEW WITH CEE SMITH:

In few words: What is a Femme Fatale Pop-Up? 

A retail experience. 

Femme Fatale DC feels a lot like a solution to a problem: What’s the problem?

Retail entrepreneurship has been minimized and in that we miss the opportunity to help a large number of women seeking development & access in the entrepreneurship space. 

How does Femme Fatale DC address and/or solve the problem?  

Femme Fatale DC focuses on access and giving our entrepreneurs what they need - affordable retail space and the opportunity to consistently earn revenue. Generating valuable metrics and experience that helps to grow retail entrepreneurs at any level. 

As CEO you keep your eye on the business side of things: When it comes to outfitting the space, what’s your role? 

I oversee the technical vision of Femme Fatale DC. Being sure we are prepared to fulfill our mission. Managing the construction & build out when transforming spaces. 

INTERVIEW WITH ADRIANA MENDOZA:

In few words: What is a Femme Fatale DC Pop-Up? 

Bold, playful, collaborative. 

For me, I view FFDC pop up like a playground.  It is a place for experimentation and for creativity to flow out.  You should feel safe to express yourself authentically. Many ladies are still in the process of learning themselves and what authenticity means to them.  Myself included. 

Previously, you’ve described Femme Fatale DC as an a ecosystem: What does that look like?  

It took a couple of years to know that Femme Fatale DC was an ecosystem. It was evolving and still is.  This year I’ve reflected on what role we play in the local community. So many womxn have expressed to me how FFDC has provided them confidence to pursue their craft. I really believe that confidence comes from the support the ladies receive when part of the FFDC community. The support can come in many forms, whether from fellow entrepreneurs or from observing how consumers interact with their products. 

An ecosystem is simply a complex network or interconnected system. 

FFDC as a whole, is made up of complex individuals that come together for the common goal -- the advancement of womxn. Each feeds the ecosystem with their skills and resources. The ecosystem feeds them with practical support for them to expand their skills and resources. 

Girl, you are The Creative Director: What’s it take to go from raw space to an all out Femme Fatale DC style Pop-Up?

During this time, I go through 1001 emotions. It is exciting, scary, stressful, fulfilling. Each iteration is a blank canvas, which is exciting because creativity is limitless. However,  because I can go in so many directions, it can be overwhelming! Especially because we have a deadline of getting the space up and running in less than a month. This last iteration was a record. In less than 2 weeks we transformed a 2,000 sq ft restaurant, into a vibrant, colorful space with retail and lounge vibes. 

So what makes this all possible?

Us womxn, coming together with our skills and resources. It’s that simple. Part of my job as creative director is to activate the talents and skill sets of womxn, then apply them where they fit in the process of transformation.  

The FFDC style is not cookie cutter in anyway. Which can definitely make it challenging when popping up in a new space. Everything needs to be reimagined. The one thing that does stay consistent is that  the space must be colorful and fun. There should be a sense of coziness you feel when you walk in. And I definitely attribute that feeling to the overall layout of products and displays as organic and fluid. Nothing is perfect and that's what I love, it allows room for play.

What can we expect from the Femme Fatale DC’s current pop-up? 

This pop up is definitely a culmination of the previous 4  pop ups. The vision is for the community to utilize this space to create. We have an amazingly cozy lounge area that is meant for conversations to take place, artists to art,  entrepreneurs to meet.

 Our retail space hosts goods from 45+ vibrant creative entrepreneurs. We have ladies who are just starting out on  their entrepreneurial journey, as well as those who have been at this for decades. Creating income for these creatives is definitely at the forefront, but the other important aspect of the retail component is for entrepreneurs to learn from each other.