Thank you for trusting me to co-create a space alongside you where you are heard and seen. I hope to provide a soft place to land. You deserve to feel supported as you process your experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

In the midst of my healing, growth, and self-discovery, you all were there to offer your wisdom, encouragement, and grace. Thank you so much for being my guiding lights over the past two decades:

From Sonoma County—Karen Pennrich, Leny Strobel, Toni Boracchia, Julie Kawahara, Jeannie Dulberg, Lisa Kleinzweig; to Seattle— Lea Aromin, Lan Pham, Canh Nguyen, Sile Grace Matsui.

The matriarch of my maternal side of the family who: held down the fort, practiced indigenous healing rituals, made sure everyone ate (my favorite dish of hers was lugaw) had a “life’s too short” mindset, hummed and sang beautifully, and left this earth in the was she would have wanted— ate a solid meal (In N Out) and passed surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Thank you for keeping me safe, your spirit is ever-present in my life. Salamat for cheering me on as my most vocal ancestor. Mahal na mahal kita.

You all have been an integral part of my life. I can’t thank you enough for your endless hype!, laughs, cries, care, love.

I am so grateful to you all. 💖

Salamat Anna Marie Cruz, Entrepinayship admin, and co-facilitators for leading by example, by dispelling our thoughts of imposter syndrome, and for giving us a space to take our ideas and skills into tangible services & offerings. And to my fellow RISE cohort— I appreciate the resources and camaraderie shared during our time spent together as badass women of color business owners!

Fonts:
Kawit & Quiapo by Aaron Amar
Kundiman by Kookie Santos, Lazir Caluya, and Ross Du
Maragsa by John David Maza