Hanna Olivas and Adriana Luna Carlos of She Rises Studios: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A Founder
An Interview With Doug Noll
Navigating Loneliness in Leadership: Losing people along the founder journey is inevitable, especially those who don’t believe in your vision. The loneliness that can accompany the CEO and founder role became apparent when facing skepticism and disapproval from others. Learning to navigate this solitude while staying true to our vision has been a challenging yet essential aspect of our leadership journey.
As part of our interview series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A Founder”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Hanna Olivas and Adriana Luna Carlos.
Founded by Hanna Olivas and Adriana Luna Carlos, the mother daughter duo, She Rises Studios is a Empowered Women’s Multi-Digital Marketing Studio and Publishing Company dedicated to inspiring, educating, and celebrating women navigating diverse challenges. Under the visionary leadership of Hanna and Adriana, the studio has created an environment where women uplift one another, fostering personal growth and resilience. She Rises Studios stands as a beacon of empowerment, championing the strength, education, and fearlessness of women worldwide.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?.
We started She Rises Studios in the middle of the global pandemic and at first it was because we were trying to solely help women across the globe who were struggling during that time. Little did we both know we too were struggling and longed to find a network, a community of women to belong too during this time. This is when She Rises Studios was born. Our mission at She Rises Studios is to inspire, empower, and educate all women who are facing the most impossible situations, and teach them how to navigate through their own personal journeys with hope, perseverance, strength, education, and unstoppable fearlessness. We are educating and celebrating their growth. We believe the future is female and that we are better and stronger together.
Can you tell us a story about the hard times that you faced when you first started your journey?
During the initial stages of our journey, our startup faced significant challenges. With no initial capital, both of us committed to working full-time jobs, resulting in sleepless nights throughout the first year. Despite the absence of resources, we found innovative ways to secure the necessary capital and started building our business from the ground up. The learning curve was steep, and while others were taking vacations, we remained steadfast in the office, making considerable sacrifices as we were driven by the conviction that our vision was greater, ultimately making every sacrifice worthwhile.
Where did you get the drive to continue even though things were so hard?
Our resilience during challenging times stemmed from a steadfast reliance on faith and prayer. Believing in a higher purpose, often humorously referred to as the “good old dude upstairs,” became a profound source of strength. The unwavering support of our husbands, who consistently reminded us not to quit, served as a powerful motivator. Equally impactful were the heartfelt words from our family, emphasizing the positive impact on the women we were assisting. The combination of faith and perseverance became the driving force that fueled our determination to press on, even when faced with adversity.
So, how are things going today? How did grit and resilience lead to your eventual success?
Today, the landscape is truly exceptional. The journey from individual grit and resilience to now leading a team of 23 members who are all over the world has been transformative. Our expansion into 22 countries is a testament to our perseverance. Supporting thousands of women annually, witnessing their growth, and being part of their journey is immensely rewarding. Together, we’ve built a seven-figure income-earning business, establishing a powerful platform that fosters community and empowers women to grow. Our enduring commitment to the cause has been marked by overcoming challenges so that others may have a smoother journey.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the funniest mistakes I made in the early stages was during an interview with Laura Trump when I overlooked hitting the record button. I was so nervous that it didn’t cross my mind. Might I add here, I am not tech savvy. I learned an important lesson: Hanna shouldn’t be in charge of tech and the importance of hitting the record button!. LOL Despite the blunder, the interview with Laura Trump was incredible.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
Our company stands out because we’ve cultivated a safe and welcoming community for women. We meet individuals where they are without imposing expectations upon their arrival at She Rises Studios (SRS). One impactful story that underscores our unique approach involves witnessing women who have triumphed over life’s true adversities or healed from traumas that many choose not to face. Providing them with a platform to share their stories has been transformative. SRS has evolved into a collaborative space, demonstrating that it’s more than okay to collaborate rather than compete with women. Despite societal pressures to compete, we have shown that there’s no need for such competition. We all can thrive together, there is no need to fight for your space.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Running a business is more than a profession; it’s a lifestyle, a philosophy I instill in my Unstoppable Figures program. I stress the idea that true balance might be elusive, but harmony is achievable through connecting various aspects of life. My recommended daily routine involves starting the morning with a flow — dedicating 20 minutes each to movement, creativity, and knowledge. This approach optimizes overall health, encompassing mental, physical, and emotional well-being consistently. Implementing effective time management techniques, such as time blocking, is crucial, as is fostering open communication. Recognizing when to rest and attentively listening to your body is paramount, along with the understanding that not every task must be completed in a single day — setting realistic goals and deadlines is key. Importantly, seeking help is a strength, and don’t hope everything will work out know that it will. All good things work out for the good. having the confidence that things will work out for the good.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
It’s not just one person for us, it is leaning into our tribe that genuinely loves and supports us without competition. This philosophy has been deeply ingrained in my life, rooted in a sense of family since my earliest memories. Growing up, my grandparents, who raised me, exemplified hard work and support. Particularly, my grandmother’s unwavering prayers played a significant role in shaping my path. What was meant for me has found its way to me, and I, in turn, have discovered it. The timeline of this journey is a question marked by humor — how long it took is, well, another story!
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
We have leveraged our success to contribute positively to the world in various ways. This includes donating our time and offering scholarships to support women in their endeavors to write books. Additionally, engaging in initiatives like toy and turkey drives, service projects, and providing mentorship space has been a cornerstone of our commitment. Reinvesting within the local community has taken numerous forms, and our dedication continues to evolve. Looking ahead, our goal is to expand these efforts even further, surpassing the impact we made in the previous year.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started leading my company” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1 . The Importance of Health: We wish someone emphasized how crucial optimal mental, physical, and emotional health is for a founder. Prioritizing health is not a luxury but an absolute necessity for running a successful company.
2 . Dedication Despite Freedom: Being a founder doesn’t equate to working less; in fact, it often means working more. The assumption of freedom is countered by the reality that as a CEO or founder, dedication becomes paramount. This revelation hit home when we realized the need for relentless commitment to ensure the company’s success.
3 . The Journey Over the Destination: Understanding that the entrepreneurial journey is about the process, not just the destination, is vital. Many believe that being a founder means instant wealth, but the reality is different. Being present in the journey, appreciating the challenges, and understanding why you chose this path are essential. This lesson unfolded when we found joy in the day-to-day progress, making the destination less significant than the growth experienced along the way.
4 .Valuing Relationships and Connections: We wish someone had shared the significance of relationships and connections in this journey. Stepping into new territories as a founder introduced us to incredible individuals who became close friends. The realization that meaningful connections are cultivated in various rooms of ownership and business has been a valuable takeaway.
5 . Navigating Loneliness in Leadership: Losing people along the founder journey is inevitable, especially those who don’t believe in your vision. The loneliness that can accompany the CEO and founder role became apparent when facing skepticism and disapproval from others. Learning to navigate this solitude while staying true to our vision has been a challenging yet essential aspect of our leadership journey.
Can you share a few ideas or stories from your experience about how to successfully ride the emotional highs & lows of being a founder”?
Successfully navigating the emotional highs and lows of being a founder requires an unwavering commitment to authenticity. Remaining unoffended and consistently speaking, giving, and acting in truth have been crucial to us. When the lows inevitably arrive, assessing our actions, ensuring they align with pure intentions, and evaluating how they contribute to the well-being of others has been a guiding principle.
The journey as a founder demands continuous personal growth and a commitment to ongoing learning. Investing in oneself, particularly in areas like health, wealth, and emotional intelligence, becomes a foundation for resilience. This investment equips founders with the tools to understand and navigate the lows, ensuring a balanced perspective. Similarly, as highs occur, this foundation allows for genuine celebration, knowing that success is rooted in authenticity and positive impact. Embracing the ebb and flow of emotions, while maintaining a commitment to personal growth, creates a sustainable path through the highs and lows of being a founder.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
We would expand and deepen the impact of our existing “Becoming An Unstoppable Women” movement, with a specific emphasis on empowering the younger generation. Targeting girls from elementary grades and beyond, this initiative aims to instill the belief that even little girls can be unstoppable, evolving into empowered and worthy individuals as they mature. The objective is to break the notion that the sky’s the limit; instead, we want young women to recognize their boundless potential. Other Corporations, with their expansive reach and significant audience engagement, should play an active role in teaching and empowering women from a young age through adulthood. We all should be fostering a generation of empowered, unstoppable women no matter the age.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sherisesstudios,
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sherisesstudios_llc/ ,
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-rises-studios/
Or visit our website at https://www.sherisesstudios.com/
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Thank you for having us!
About the Interviewer: Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA was born nearly blind, crippled with club feet, partially deaf, and left-handed. He overcame all of these obstacles to become a successful civil trial lawyer. In 2000, he abandoned his law practice to become a peacemaker. His calling is to serve humanity, and he executes his calling at many levels. He is an award-winning author, teacher, and trainer. He is a highly experienced mediator. Doug’s work carries him from international work to helping people resolve deep interpersonal and ideological conflicts. Doug teaches his innovative de-escalation skill that calms any angry person in 90 seconds or less. With Laurel Kaufer, Doug founded Prison of Peace in 2009. The Prison of Peace project trains life and long terms incarcerated people to be powerful peacemakers and mediators. He has been deeply moved by inmates who have learned and applied deep, empathic listening skills, leadership skills, and problem-solving skills to reduce violence in their prison communities. Their dedication to learning, improving, and serving their communities motivates him to expand the principles of Prison of Peace so that every human wanting to learn the skills of peace may do so. Doug’s awards include California Lawyer Magazine Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year, Purpose Prize Fellow, International Academy of Mediators Syd Leezak Award of Excellence, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals Neutral of the Year. His four books have won a number of awards and commendations. Doug’s podcast, Listen With Leaders, is now accepting guests. Click on this link to learn more and apply.
