Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Moguel.
Lisa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been chasing goals and knocking on doors — literally — since I was a 10-year-old Girl Scout. While most kids relied on parent sales or stuck to their own neighborhoods for cookie sales, I was crossing zip codes like a tiny entrepreneur with a badge obsession. I wasn’t just selling cookies; I was building strategy. Maybe it’s the Turkish fire in me — that drive to prove myself, go further, and win. Adopted from Izmir and raised in a small Oklahoma town where I never quite belonged, I figured out early how to turn “different” into “determined.” And let’s just say I didn’t just earn badges — I earned respect, one Thin Mint at a time.
I was adopted from Izmir, Turkey, and raised in a small town in Oklahoma, where I never quite felt like I fit in. That outsider perspective gave me grit early — I started as a Girl Scout out-selling cookies in neighboring towns because I wanted to win that badly so I could fit in.
At 17, I left home with no safety net, just determination. I worked my way up through sales roles that took me across the border during the peak hi-tech era when the maquiladoras/Mexico divisions of US companies, like Zenith and Delco, experienced significant growth, becoming a major part of the industrial activity. I launched multiple businesses (including a gift basket company that pivoted during 9/11 and tripled revenue), and later co-founded a trades education company that trained thousands across Texas.
After the 2008 recession, I used my photography to keep our family afloat. Eventually, I found my way into commercial real estate—a field I entered with zero connections but a ton of heart. Today, I’m a CRE consultant, entrepreneur, and President of the Zonta Club of Austin.
It took me 50 years to share my story of surviving childhood sexual abuse, but that experience fuels my advocacy for women and girls every day. I lead with empathy, hustle, and the belief that if no one gives you a seat at the table, you build your own — and make room for others.
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?
Definitely not a smooth road—more like the ones I take when land hunting out in BFE, one with a few potholes, detours, farm animals, and often unpaved. Being adopted from Turkey and raised in a small, isolated town, though kind, there was much misunderstanding, which meant I always felt a bit out of place. I learned early how to blend in, but I also carried this deep sense that I was meant for something more.
I’ve faced financial hardship, business pivots, and personal trauma. When the 2008 recession hit, my husband lost his job and our savings were gone — right as our daughter started college. I turned to photography to keep us going. And behind all the professional challenges was something even deeper: I survived childhood sexual abuse and kept it hidden for 50 years. That silence was its own struggle.
But every obstacle taught me resilience, and every pivot taught me reinvention. The hard parts shaped who I am—not just as a businesswoman but also as a mother, advocate, and leader.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m a Commercial Real Estate consultant — which basically means I help people make big moves with big properties (and occasionally big headaches). Whether it’s land, leases, or development projects, people come to me when they want answers, results, and a little less BS. I specialize in simplifying the complex, cutting through red tape, and getting things done — with just enough humor to keep it real.
A lot of my focus is in Bastrop County, which is exploding with growth right now thanks to major players like Tesla, The Boring Company, and SpaceX. I work with clients who want to get in early — whether they’re looking for raw land, commercial space, or need help navigating the development process from concept to permits to ribbon cutting.
Beyond real estate, I also offer startup and small business consulting — especially for women, service providers, and underrepresented founders. I’ve launched multiple businesses myself (some during global crises, just for extra flair), so I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel. I help clients refine their vision, build solid plans, and avoid the mistakes I learned the hard way.
I’m also proud to serve as President of the Zonta Club of Austin — a global nonprofit committed to advancing women and ending gender-based violence. That work keeps me grounded in purpose and reminds me daily that leadership is about service.
At the end of the day, what sets me apart is simple: I lead with heart, operate with strategy, and deliver results. People know they can come to me for clarity, connection, and a plan that doesn’t just sit on a shelf — it gets executed.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite memories will always be my time in Girl Scouts. Growing up in Oklahoma, Girl Scout clubs were more than just after-school activities—they were a lifeline for me. We spent a lot of time outdoors, often with local Native American communities, learning through hands-on experiences and sharing stories with the Choctaw, Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, and Comanche Nation.
I learned how to build a fire from scratch, cook a perfect hobo dinner in foil; I got to sleep on top of a mountain under the stars (top cookie sales perk), and even sew (a little — let’s just say no one’s hiring me for alterations). But more than skills, Girl Scouts gave me something deeper: a sense of belonging.
As a Turkish adoptee in a small, I “passed” with lighter skin and often heard and saw racism, hoping to keep my secret. But at camp, around the fire with a diverse group of girls, singing songs and earning badges, I felt part of something bigger. I felt seen, supported, and capable.
Those early experiences shaped my independence, work ethic, and love for the community. Girl Scouts wasn’t just an activity—it was the foundation for the leader, mother, and businesswoman I am today.
Pricing:
- always needing donations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lisamoguel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zontaaustin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568249137847
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamoguel/
