From Pain to Purpose: Syreena's Vision

My name is Syreena Williams, and I am a 38 year old, Black woman with a passion for beauty, wellness, and community. Though my name may ring bells, I'm horrible at tennis and my sister's name is not Venus lol. My story isn't just about my dream to run a successful waxing business—it's about hope, family, and overcoming adversity.

I grew up in a home where love and pain coexisted, a place where the scars of domestic abuse shaped my understanding of strength and resilience. Watching my mother fight for my twin sister and I, despite the abuse we witnessed, it left a mark on me. Everyday I have to remind myself that the struggles we face as individuals don’t define us, but the strength we build in overcoming them does. The pain of my past fuels my desire to create something lasting, not only for my family but for others who’ve walked a similar path.

From a young age, my mom told me stories of the hardships my family members faced as they worked tirelessly to build a cleaning business. My grandparents dreamed of growing the business to change our lives. But, as with so many families of color, life’s challenges often got in the way. My grandparents died with no house to leave the family, or an inheritance. The heartache and position this put our family in left us a bit scattered. Our family's legacy was filled with potential, but it hadn’t been fully realized—until now.

I am determined to be the one who carries that legacy forward. I want to be the first in my family to not just dream but *build* something that lasts. I’ve always had a deep love for beauty and wellness, and I’ve taken that passion to create a waxing business that helps people feel beautiful and confident in their own skin. But I want to do more than just provide services. I want to create skincare products made from natural ingredients, products that nurture the body while being kind to the environment.

The vision doesn’t stop there. As a survivor of domestic abuse, I know firsthand the impact it has on families, especially women and children. I want to use my business as a platform to give back—to start a nonprofit organization that supports victims of abuse. I’ve seen too many women and children suffer in silence, and I want to provide them with the resources and the support they need to break free from their pasts and rebuild their lives.

But growing a business in today’s economy has been daunting. I’ve faced countless obstacles, from funding challenges to balancing the needs of my family with the demands of building a business. The weight of responsibility can feel overwhelming at times. I’m not just fighting for myself; I’m fighting for my family and for the community I want to help. And yet, despite these struggles, I know that my dream is worth pursuing. Every setback I’ve encountered has only strengthened my resolve to make this work.

In order to keep my business open and expand into the areas I’m passionate about, I need help. This isn’t just about money; it’s about building a future where my family’s legacy of resilience is finally realized. It’s about helping women, children, and families who are in the same position I was—trying to find a way out, trying to rebuild, trying to heal.

As I stand here today, still facing the challenges of entrepreneurship, I am filled with hope. I have the drive, the vision, and the heart to create something lasting. I want to show others that despite the obstacles, the dreams, and the legacies of our families, we can all rise above our circumstances and create a brighter future—for ourselves, for our families, and for the generations to come.