Walking into a room full of female entrepreneurs is like stepping into a living, breathing testament to resilience, grit, and the unshakable belief that everyday women can make extraordinary impacts while building a CORE foundation from the ground up. These aren’t just women running businesses, they are women rewriting the rules, dismantling limitations, and proving that success isn’t about fitting into a mold; it’s about shattering it entirely.
Through the community of CORE Women’s Network, a collective of female entrepreneurs and community leaders, I had the distinct honor of sitting down with four remarkable women who are doing just that: Drew Davis, Rachel King, Kangela Guerrero, and Priscilla Loomis. Each one carved her own path through industries that weren’t always ready for them, navigated challenges that would have stopped most people in their tracks, and emerged not just surviving, but thriving. Their stories are raw, real, and unapologetically powerful.
Drew Davis – From Near-Death to New Life
Drew Davis didn’t just stumble into entrepreneurship, she was thrust into it by a life-altering moment that forced her to confront her mortality and her purpose all at once. As the founder of Gem Life Collective and Drink Gem, Drew opened one of the first non-alcoholic bottle shops, bars, and event companies in the United States back in 2020. Today, her wellness-centered, zero-proof beverage and events brand has grown into a thriving business rooted in community, nourishment, and conscious connection.
Drew shares the moment that changed everything.
“My defining moment came after a near-death experience related to alcohol,” Drew shares. “It forced me to completely reevaluate my life and step into my purpose. I knew I wanted to build something that not only supported my own healing but also created a safe, inspiring, alcohol-free space for others.”
That clarity became her north star. It gave her the courage to lead boldly, trust her instincts, and pursue a vision that didn’t exist yet in the marketplace. Drew faced skepticism, pushback, and the uphill battle of proving that zero-proof spaces aren’t just needed, they’re transformational.
“One of my biggest challenges has been operating in an industry where the norm is alcohol-centered and the wellness space still has barriers for women founders, especially women balancing motherhood and business,” Drew explains. “I navigated it by staying rooted in my mission, letting community be my compass, and proving through action that these spaces work. I also leaned heavily on authenticity and storytelling to carve out space in rooms I wasn’t initially invited into.”
Drew’s background in marketing and PR became the secret weapon she didn’t know she needed. She built experiences that feel intentional and memorable, creating a brand that disrupts while keeping wellness, inclusivity, and purpose at the forefront. Today, her work spans retail, wholesale, wellness events, collaborations with industry leading brands, and the launch of her own functional beverage line.
When self-doubt crept in, especially in those early days of scaling quickly or making big financial decisions, Drew turned back to her “why.” The messages from people who found healing, belonging, or a new path through her spaces reminded her that this work is bigger than her. Meditation, grounding practices, and her commitment to community kept her moving forward even when fear tried to slow her down.
Her advice to the next generation of female leaders? “Trust your intuition. You don’t need permission to take up space or bring a new vision into the world. Lead with authenticity, stay rooted in your ‘why,’ and don’t be afraid to build differently. Surround yourself with people who believe in your mission, protect your energy, and remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Your story, your voice, and your perspective are needed now more than ever.”
Rachel King – Building a Sisterhood, One Rep at a Time
Rachel King’s journey with Lift & Glitz Training Studio is proof that when you believe in something deeply enough, the community will rise up to meet you. She opened her women’s only fitness facility in southern New Jersey back in December 2015, and what started as a small passion project has grown into something far greater, a sisterhood built on growth, grit, and gratitude.
Nearly a decade later, Rachel took the next step of her entrepreneurial journey. “This year, we expanded and opened our second location, something I once only dreamed about. Nearly a decade later, Lift & Glitz has become more than a studio; it’s a sisterhood built on growth, grit and gratitude and I’m honored to lead it every day,” Rachel reflects with unmistakable pride.
But the road to get here wasn’t linear. For Rachel, there wasn’t one big defining moment that pushed her into leadership, it was more of a steady build-up she couldn’t ignore. Over time, she started to see her own potential through the community she built on social media and the strong following she developed while teaching fitness classes at other facilities. Women were showing up for her, trusting her, growing with her.
“Combined with my background in advertising and marketing, it eventually became clear that opening a brick-and-mortar studio wasn’t just a possibility, it was the next logical step,” Rachel shares. “Stepping into leadership felt natural because I believed in the vision and I believed in the women who believed in me.”
Then came COVID. And if you owned a fitness studio in 2020, you know that chapter was nothing short of brutal. Fitness studios and gyms were the first to shut down and the last to reopen, and for Rachel, those five to six months of closure were some of the most defeating of her life. There were moments where she truly didn’t know if the studio would survive.
“What got me through was leaning on the right people and resources,” Rachel recalls. “I was fortunate to have contacts who guided me toward grants specifically for small businesses and women-owned businesses. Those opportunities didn’t just help us stay afloat, they gave me the chance to completely rebuild and reshape the business into what it is today. Looking back, that setback became the foundation for an even stronger future.”
Rachel’s foundation was built long before she owned a fitness studio. She graduated from Stockton University with a BA in Communications and worked in marketing and advertising sales for The Press of Atlantic City. Working in print advertising during the rise of digital from 2007 to 2016 meant she had to truly hustle. Cold calling on the phone and in person was a daily part of the job, and it taught her resilience, adaptability, and how to connect with people in a real, authentic way.
“Combining those skills with my passion for health and fitness made business ownership feel like a natural fit,” Rachel explains. “Helping women reach their goals, mentally and physically while applying everything I learned about communication, marketing and relationship building has shaped the way I lead. It’s the blend of grit, heart and experience that continues to guide every decision I make.”
Self-doubt still creeps in more often than people might think. Rachel’s a perfectionist, and she hates the feeling of failing, even though she fully understands that failure is part of growth for any entrepreneur. What helps her push through? Rest. Permission to step back. And an incredible team behind her that keeps things running smoothly when she needs to recharge.
“My self-doubt never lasts long. I let myself feel it, but I never make emotional or impulsive decisions in those moments,” Rachel shares. “Taking a breath, leaning on my team and trusting the foundation I’ve built always brings me back to center.”
Her advice to the next generation? “In the beginning, you might be able to wear all the hats but as your business grows, it’s crucial to understand that you’ll need help. It took me seven years before I fully stepped out of the trainer role to focus solely on running the business. Walking away from my clients was tough, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Trust the process, lean on your team and don’t be afraid to step back from doing it all yourself, your business will be stronger for it.”
Kangela Guerrero – The Voice of a Generation
Living her life in her early twenties, Kangela Guerrero is already making waves as the host and founder of The Feminine Diaries, a live radio show on 90.3 FM under iHeart Radio. Her platform is laser focused on empowering the next generation to pioneer in their dreams and endeavors, tackling hot topics that challenge teens and young adults – from pop culture to one-on-one interviews with real-time leaders and role models across entertainment, education, medicine, law enforcement, and more.
Kangela’s been building this since the fall of 2023, and what started as a small series of hot topics on Instagram quickly transformed when the opportunity to become a licensed disc jockey came up. She didn’t hesitate.
Her defining moment? A night shadowing Josh Martinez at Z100, the top radio station in the world. “I was able to see what happens behind the scenes, from the technical aspects behind the board, to even Josh’s interactions with callers from all across the Tri-State,” Kangela recalls. “But most importantly, hearing his take on breaking into this industry. He told me that night, ‘Just do it! Send the email, make the phone call, ask the questions, send your work, no matter how famous someone may be or how busy you think someone is, just go for it you never know. The worst thing that could happen is someone just says no or doesn’t respond.'”
Ever since then, Kangela stopped being scared to put herself out there. She’s booked opportunities not just in radio, but in entertainment hosting, modeling, acting, and she’s excelling in her academic career as a graduate student in clinical counseling.
“Growing up I was a huge fan of Disney’s Hannah Montana, seeing how this pop star juggled the best of both worlds. I never thought that years later I would have a similar reality, balancing not just the best of both worlds, but more like the best of five different worlds,” Kangela laughs, though the weight of that reality is palpable.
The best way she navigates it? By taking it day by day, reminding herself that she’s on her own path and that her chapters in life are unique in their own beautiful way. But recently, self-doubt has been creeping in almost every single day. In July, Kangela lost her stepdad to pancreatic cancer, and the grief hit hard. Combined with challenges from haters at an extreme level of viciousness she’d never encountered before, it pushed her into a mindset of self-doubt and fear.
“At a time like this, life feels at an all-time low every waking hour. But the clock doesn’t stop and you quickly realize that you have to keep living and going on with life,” Kangela shares. “What has helped me push forward in this time would definitely have to be the support of my close family and friends, especially my mom. Seeing her take every challenge this past year and turn it into triumph has shown me that I too can turn my challenges into triumph and success.”
Her advice to the next generation? “Just do it! Don’t overthink it and say yes to every opportunity. Throughout your path, there are going to be a lot of highs and an extensive amount of lows, but you have to try your best to keep going and calmly take everything as a learning lesson to grow. And always remember to stay true to you and your day ones!”
Priscilla Loomis – The Olympian Who Chose Authenticity Over Conformity
Priscilla Loomis doesn’t just talk about the Olympic mindset, she lived it. As a former Olympian turned motivational speaker and leadership development expert, Priscilla launched Priscilla Loomis LLC in the spring of 2022. Since then, she’s traveled nationwide speaking to schools, athletic programs, conferences, and organizations about resilience, focus, discipline, and dedication, and how that same mindset fuels success in careers, leadership, and life. She’s spoken to more than 10,000 individuals, and her message lands every single time.
But Priscilla’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t a straight shot. In fact, she tried to make the traditional 9-to-5 work. She tried to make herself smaller, quieter, to fit into what she thought leadership was supposed to look like. But every time, her authenticity disrupted the room.
“I realized I had ‘failed’ at the traditional 9-to-5. I learned that being in the wrong environment can drain your energy and limit your growth,” Priscilla explains. “I also recognized that people naturally gravitated toward my story as an Olympian, and I had a real gift for empowerment.”
Two more moments sealed the deal. First, honest conversations with principals and athletic directors who shared alarming statistics about anxiety and depression among students. They were searching for a fresh, relatable voice to help shift mindset, and that deeply moved her. Second, after sharing a vulnerable part of her journey in a CNN feature, Priscilla feared judgment and backlash. Instead, she received an overwhelming outpouring of messages from people who said her story gave them hope.
“That moment confirmed that my voice had impact and that authenticity, not fear, needed to lead the way,” Priscilla reflects.
Her biggest challenge? Navigating what she didn’t know. She didn’t grow up in an entrepreneurial family, so she had to learn everything from scratch, who to trust, what questions to ask, where to invest. She made costly mistakes and spent money without seeing a return. The turning point was stepping back and creating a true plan of attack. She immersed herself in free research and was eventually connected with the Small Business Development Center, a decision that saved her thousands of dollars and transformed how she approaches business.
“Today, I operate with structure, clarity, and a sustainable business model that I can continue to grow and refine,” Priscilla shares with confidence.
Resilience, self-confidence, and her competitive spirit have been the foundation of everything she’s built. “I genuinely believe that at any moment, one positive shift can change the trajectory of your life. I continue to plant seeds consistently, even when results aren’t immediate. When I fail, I fail forward, learning, adjusting, and growing.”
Self-doubt still tries to creep in daily. There’s always more to learn, and the world is constantly changing. But what consistently pulls Priscilla back into purpose are the testimonials. After nearly every speaking engagement, someone shares how her story shifted their mindset, made them feel seen, or helped them through a difficult season.
“Those moments remind me that I am solving a real problem and creating real impact. At the core, I strive to be the best version of myself and to reflect God’s love, resilience, and strength so others feel empowered to do the same.”
Her advice to the next generation? “Sell the problem you solve, not just the product or service you offer. Understand the value you bring, the need you meet, and the impact you create. When you lead with purpose and clarity, everything else aligns more powerfully.”
A Note from the Author: Inez Barberio
As the founder of CORE Women’s Network, it is both a blessing and a privilege to spotlight the remarkable women who make up this sisterhood rooted in connection and collaboration. Since its inception in the summer of 2020, women from across the country have come together through our events, not only to network, but to form genuine, meaningful relationships. It is an honor to continue creating spaces where women can connect, share resources, and be celebrated for who they are and what they are building.
I am also grateful to Jessie Bodnar, a talented up-and-coming photographer whose creative eye beautifully captured the essence of each woman featured and helped bring our vision to life.
And a heartfelt gratitude goes to our Publisher Warren Woodberry Jr. for giving me this opportunity to do what I love best, writing and sharing positive stories of amazing humans coast to coast.
Jessie Bodnar – Photographer
CREDITS: Photography: Jessie Bodnar Photography @jbodphotography. Makeup Artist for Kangela and Inez: Jaycee Park @Jayceesmakeup516. Makeup Artist for Rachel: Lauren Keenan @laurenkeenanmua. Makeup Artist for Priscilla: Blinking Pretty MUA @leakednudes_beauty.