Additional Coverage:
- I was an undocumented immigrant. Now I pay myself 6 figures from the company I created. (newsbreak.com)
Local Woman Finds Success and Stability After Immigration Journey
Genesis Gutierrez, founder of the women’s therapeutic community Harness, recently shared her story of immigrating to the US from Venezuela. At age seven, she arrived with her family on a business visa.
As political unrest in Venezuela escalated, her parents struggled to maintain their business, leading to the family becoming undocumented when Gutierrez was a teenager. While the family continued to live a middle-class life in Orlando, Gutierrez faced challenges due to her immigration status. She was ineligible for Florida scholarships despite her academic achievements.
Seeking solutions, Gutierrez moved to California after high school. She found the support she needed at a local community college, gaining access to in-state tuition and a driver’s license.
In 2020, her family’s asylum application was initially denied due to their long-term residency in the US. However, their appeal was successful, and Gutierrez gained lawful immigration status in 2023.
Her experiences inspired her to create Harness, an online community supporting women facing mental health challenges and grief. The platform offers healing exercises, journaling, therapist access, and peer support.
Gutierrez credits her entrepreneurial parents with instilling a strong work ethic and resilience. These qualities have helped her build a successful business while navigating the immigration process.
Today, Gutierrez earns a six-figure salary and reinvests in her company. She values the freedom and control she has achieved through entrepreneurship, choosing to forgo venture capital funding to maintain her autonomy. Gutierrez has found her purpose in building her company and community, taking control of her life’s narrative.