Inside a Year of Growth and Community with Eight VESTING Women Founders
After a year in the VESTING Women Program, this second group of onboarded founders has a lot to reflect on. They tried things that worked, and they tried things that absolutely did not. But that is part of building and it's exactly why having the right support around you matters.
The VESTING Women Program was created, in partnership with VEST, to help women entrepreneurs navigate those moments with more support, strategy, and community. Over the course of a year, founders participate in a hybrid experience that blends executive-style coaching, skill-building workshops, and the power of a peer-driven community designed to help them strengthen the way they lead and grow their businesses.
The founders in this next group are building across industries, including wellness, education, professional services and beyond. Their businesses may look different, but the lessons they shared are deeply connected. Across their reflections, one thing that was made clear was that having the right people around you can change how you move through growth.
We checked in with eight founders from this next group of VESTING Women participants to hear how the past year shaped their businesses, what they learned about themselves as leaders, and what feels clearer as they look toward what comes next.
Meet the Founders: Reflections From the Past Year
Abisai Bermudez is the founder of NaviLexis Solutions, a company helping families and entrepreneurs plan for their future through personalized insurance, financial education, and long-term support. Through her work, Abi helps people make decisions today with a stronger sense of security for what comes next.
Angela Muir is the founder of Boom Town Creamery, a small-batch ice cream company crafting handmade ice cream from scratch. By bringing a nostalgic and elevated dessert experience to Oklahoma City, Angela is creating a brand centered on quality, creativity, and community connection.
Anna Sanchez is the co-founder of Kiehn|Sanchez Law Group, a modern law firm providing client-centered legal guidance across business, tax, real estate, cannabis, and estate planning. The firm helps clients make complex legal decisions with a clearer understanding of what is at stake.
Autumn Worten is the founder of Greenlight Strategies, a consulting company helping mission-driven leaders move ideas from concept to execution. Through strategic support, Autumn helps businesses and nonprofits get unstuck and turn meaningful ideas into real impact.
Brittany Driver is the founder of Beyond A Budget, a financial education company equipping youth and families with real-world money skills through hands-on workshops, summer programs, and a mindset-first approach. Her work helps people build confidence around money in ways that feel practical and rooted in everyday life.
Roshonda Coleman is the founder of Anointed Hands Boutique, a beauty and self-care business offering silk press and med spa services designed to help women refresh and revive themselves without the all-day salon wait. The boutique brings together care, confidence, and convenience for women who want quality services that fit into real life.
Tiffani Bates is the co-founder of Insightful Transit Consulting, a logistics company operating a last-mile delivery fleet and expanding into high-value logistics. The company is building transportation solutions that support both stronger operations and more reliable access.
Whitney Virden is the founder of Roots + Blooms, an Indigenous-owned floral studio designing meadow-inspired arrangements for weddings and events. The studio uses flowers to bring meaning, care, and a deeper sense of connection to life’s most important moments.
Why did you decide to apply to the VESTing Women Program?
Brittany: I was looking for community and accountability. Entrepreneurship can get lonely, especially when you’re the person responsible for making all of the decisions and figuring out what comes next. I wanted to be around other women who understood what it looked like to build something of their own, but I also wanted accountability to actually follow through on the things I knew I needed to do in my business. I didn’t just want more information,I wanted to be in a space that would challenge me to keep moving.
Tiffani: I had reached a point where the business was growing, but I realized that growth alone wasn’t enough. I wanted to become a stronger leader and learn how to build something that could operate successfully without everything depending on me. I also wanted to connect with other women founders who understood what it takes to build and lead a business.
Anna: I wanted the opportunity to learn from and grow alongside like-minded women entrepreneurs. Throughout my professional journey, I have relied on mentors and community to help me navigate new experiences and unfamiliar territory, and I knew starting a business would be no different. As a new entrepreneur, I sought more than just business resources for my law firm. I wanted mentorship, meaningful connections, and a supportive community that shared a positive outlook on entrepreneurship. The program stood out to me because of its comprehensive approach to supporting women as they build and grow their businesses.
Autumn: I applied for the VESTing Women Program to discover how to scale my business in a responsible way and continue growing revenue. I had built a business that was successful, but I knew that simply taking on more clients and more work wasn't necessarily the path to sustainable growth. I wanted to step back and look at my business more strategically.
What has shifted for you over the course of the program?
Whitney: I’ve learned to ask whether an opportunity aligns with where I’m actually trying to go, not just whether it sounds exciting. As a founder, there will always be more opportunities than capacity. I want to say yes to the things that strengthen what we are building, create meaningful relationships, open doors for sustainable growth, or allow us to make a greater impact. I’ve also learned that sometimes the most important decision is saying no to something good so I have room for something better. Thats not always easy.
Brittany: I’ve started thinking more like a CEO and not just someone who is passionate about the work. I’ve become more intentional about looking at the numbers, evaluating opportunities, building relationships, and asking whether something actually moves the business forward. One of the biggest things I’m learning is that every opportunity doesn’t have to be my opportunity. Sometimes saying no, pivoting, or asking for more is part of building something sustainable.
Roshonda: One thing the program reinforced for me is the value of collaboration. As business owners, we can become very focused on building within our own businesses, but being part of the program reminded me that growth can also come through relationships, shared ideas, and strategic partnerships. It made me more intentional about looking for opportunities where businesses can bring their strengths together.
Anna: At the beginning of the program, I viewed business and my personal life as separate. I believe this reflects a traditional mindset that is deeply embedded in my line of work. However, throughout the program, I have learned the value of bringing my personal values and goals into my business. By integrating the two, I can build a business that is more authentic to who I am and better distinguishes me from others in my field.
What did you find most valuable about being part of this program?
Angela: The most valuable part of being connected to other founders has been realizing I’m not alone. Entrepreneurship can feel incredibly isolating, especially when you’re carrying significant responsibility, and there’s something powerful about being around people who truly understand the emotional complexity of building a business.
Whitney: The program challenged me to prepare myself as a leader and intentionally step away from my businesses' day-to-day operations so I could focus on the bigger picture. The networking opportunities and sessions helped me realize that I wasn’t alone in many of the challenges I was experiencing and, more importantly, that there was a way forward. I was also able to have one-on-one conversations with other members where I could ask tough questions without judgment.
Abisai: The relationships and connections have definitely been the most valuable part for me. Being in a space with other women who are building businesses, navigating challenges, and working toward their own goals creates a different type of support system. I also appreciated having access to people and resources that encouraged me to look at my business from different perspectives.
What’s one lesson you would pass on to another founder?
Angela: I would encourage founders to focus on doing one thing exceptionally well instead of trying to become too many things at once. Some of the biggest growth in our business came from becoming more disciplined about our core product, customer experience, and brand. I also think it’s important to pay attention to systems and financials earlier than you think you need to, because creativity and passion alone are not enough to sustain growth. Most importantly, I would tell founders that entrepreneurship is as much a personal growth journey as it is a business challenge, and your ability to grow, adapt, and stay resilient matters just as much as your business idea.
Roshonda: One lesson I would pass on is to stay open to evolving, no matter how long you have been in business. Experience is valuable, but there is always something to learn from new relationships, different perspectives, and unexpected opportunities.
Autumn: This year taught me, or rather reminded me, that growth isn't always linear. The biggest lesson for me has been learning how to adapt without losing sight of the bigger picture. There were times when it was difficult not to see a difficult year as a reflection of the business, or of myself as a business owner. If I could give another founder one piece of advice, it would be to build a business that can bend when circumstances change. Sometimes the most important work isn't scaling. Sometimes it's staying in the game long enough to have another opportunity to grow.
Anna: One lesson I’ve learned is that it’s okay to say no. As a woman entrepreneur, you’re constantly being pulled in many different directions. It’s important to regularly assess your needs, set healthy boundaries, and prioritize what matters most so you can not only grow your business but also enjoy the entrepreneurial journey.
What does the next phase or goal look like for you after this program?
Brittany: The next phase for Beyond a Budget is really about sustainability. I know there is a need for the work because I’ve seen the impact firsthand. Now I’m focused on building the financial stability and infrastructure to support that work long-term. I want to continue growing Beyond a Budget into a trusted financial education company that serves youth, young adults, and families while creating real impact in the communities we serve. I’m leaving VESTing Women with more than information. I’m leaving with relationships, resources, a stronger understanding of my business, and a clearer picture of what I want to build next.
Tiffani: The next phase is about sustainability and expansion. I want to continue strengthening the systems and leadership within our current business while also looking at opportunities to diversify. My goal is to build businesses that are sustainable, profitable, and capable of growing beyond my day-to-day involvement.
Autumn: My priority is to build out the right mix of clients, projects, systems, and support so that Greenlight Strategies can continue to grow while allowing me to spend more time on the work where I bring the most value. I want the next chapter of the business and life to be less about proving that I can do everything and more about building something that can grow beyond me.
Abi: My next priority is strengthening the operations behind my business. Growth is exciting, but I also recognize that sustainable growth requires strong systems and processes. I want to continue improving how we operate internally so that the business can grow without everything depending on me personally. The relationships and network I’ve developed through VESTing Women will continue to be an important part of that next phase. I’m leaving the program with new connections, new perspectives, and a clearer understanding that building a successful business also means building the right community around you.
About StitchCrew
StitchCrew is a non-profit organization creating a more inclusive economy through entrepreneurship and creative economic development efforts. Since its founding in 2017, the organization has created programs to fund and support more than 210 companies owned by socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Learn more about upcoming programs, opportunities and alumni by subscribing to our monthly newsletter below.