We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cherise a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cherise, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered as a woman who took bold risks, overcame fear, and shattered self-doubt to achieve great things—while empowering other women to do the same. My legacy is one of clarity, courage, and connection—helping women find their purpose, communicate effectively, and step confidently into their calling.
I hope people remember me as an inspiring, energetic, and unapologetically authentic woman who lived fully in alignment with God’s purpose—allowing my light to shine and guiding others to do the same. Beyond personal impact, I want to make a lasting difference in communities, creating opportunities for those in need and investing in future generations. My heart is set on philanthropy, mentorship, and ensuring that those who come after me have the tools and confidence to rise.
Most importantly, I want to leave a legacy of generational knowledge and wealth for my family—building something that outlives me, so they have not only financial security but also the wisdom, faith, and confidence to carry forward their own purpose and impact the world.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Cherise Buchanan, and my mission is simple but powerful: helping professional and businesswomen rediscover their confidence, build their personal brand, increase their income, and achieve their goals. I believe every woman has the power to shine unapologetically, and I bring energy, excitement, and a touch of fun to every space I enter—because transformation doesn’t have to be boring!
How I Got Here
My journey into coaching and empowerment wasn’t a straight path—it was one of taking bold risks, pushing past fear, and learning to trust the gifts God placed inside me. I wanted to be for others what I needed. I had been leading, serving, and empowering others, through my career and in ministry, but I didn’t always have the confidence I do now. I’ve experienced moments of self-doubt, fear, and wondering, “Am I really enough?”
But through faith, resilience, and a whole lot of growth, I stepped into my purpose —and now, I help other women do the same. That’s why I founded Rise & Shine 6012, a movement designed to equip women with the tools, strategies, and confidence to show up fully and own their brilliance in business, leadership, and life.
What I Do & Who I Serve
Through my C Her Rise Coaching Program, masterclasses, public speaking and Rise & Align sessions, I equip women with the tools to:
Clarify their brand & purpose so they can stand out and attract opportunities.
Build confidence & overcome imposter syndrome to show up boldly in their careers & businesses.
Communicate effectively so they can connect, convert, and achieve their desires
Increase their income & impact by aligning their gifts with the right strategy.
But I don’t just work with individuals—I also partner with organizations, businesses, and churches to develop their teams, enhance leadership, providing coaching, training, and consulting services to ensure their stakeholders achieve meaningful, sustainable outcomes. My approach is bold, strategic, faith-driven, and fun!
What Sets Me Apart
I’m not your typical coach—I bring high energy, authenticity, bold and a “let’s make this fun” approach to everything I do! I create an engaging space where women can laugh, learn, and level up at the same time.
But most importantly, I walk the talk. I don’t just teach confidence—I live it. I help women move beyond temporary motivation and create real transformation that impacts their business, career, finances, and life. My work is rooted in faith, boldness, and the power of connection. I believe in clarity, courage, communication, and community—my C4 Method—as the foundation for success.
And because I know that success isn’t just about today, I’m committed to building generational wealth and knowledge, so the women I coach—and their families—aren’t just surviving but thriving for years to come.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of the lives I’ve helped change—women who went from stuck and uncertain to winning pitch competitions, landing dream clients, getting the pay they deserve, speaking on big stages, and turning their gifts into profitable businesses. Seeing my clients rise and shine fuels me every day!
In addition, I am proud that I can be a role model for my nieces, nephews, godchildren, youth in the community and anyone else who sees what I have been able to accomplish letting them know they can do it too.
What I Want You to Know
If you’ve been feeling stuck, unclear, or afraid to take the next step—I see you. I’ve been you. And I can help you move forward with confidence, clarity, and strategy.
Most of all, I want you to know this: You don’t have to play small. You don’t have to dim your light. There is room for all of us at the top! So, let’s rise together!
Services & Offerings by Cherise Buchanan | Rise & Shine 6012
1. Coaching & Consulting
C Her Rise Coaching Program – Helping professional and businesswomen rediscover confidence, clarify their brand, increase income, and take bold action.
Rise & Align Sessions – 30-minute strategy sessions for women needing a confidence boost, brand clarity, or strategic next steps in life and business.
1:1 Coaching & VIP Intensives – Personalized, high-impact coaching for those who want direct guidance and accountability to achieve big results.
2. Training & Workshops
BecomeHER Masterclass – A 60-minute session designed to help women break through fear and step into their purpose.
Speak Up! Public Speaking Training – A focused session teaching women how to communicate with confidence, clarity, and impact.
Corporate & Organizational Training – Coaching and workshops for businesses, churches, and organizations to develop their teams, enhance leadership, and improve communication skills.
3. Speaking Engagements
Keynote speaking for conferences, events, and organizations.
Panel discussions and fireside chats on confidence, clarity, branding, faith-driven success, and personal development.
Workshop facilitation for leadership teams, entrepreneurs, and women’s groups.
4. Digital & Community Resources
Women on the Rise Facebook Community – A free online community for women looking for motivation, business and personal growth strategies, and a supportive sisterhood.
The Confidence to Start Podcast (on YouTube) – A video podcast where I share personal insights, expert interviews, and real-life strategies to help women gain the confidence to start and succeed.
Free Resource: Confidence Hacks – A quick, practical guide to help women show up boldly and take action in their lives and businesses (bit.ly/confidencehacks).
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Pivots are inevitable in life, and I’m currently in the midst of one of the biggest shifts I’ve ever made. I left my job, moved out of my hometown, and relocated to a new state—simply because I felt the Lord calling me to do so.
Saying yes to that call meant confronting fear, having courage, and pushing past the weight of other people’s opinions. But I had to remind myself: this is my life, and I must walk in obedience to what I believe I’m called to do.
It’s been just over six months, and what I tell people now is this: one yes can change your entire life. The moment I took action, doors began opening—opportunities, connections, and experiences I could have never imagined. And they’re still unfolding.
The biggest lesson? Everyone won’t understand your pivot, but they don’t have to. I knew it was time for a shift long before I made the move. I felt it in the discomfort, in the sense that I had completed what I needed to complete where I was. God made it clear—He had new territory for me, new people to impact, and promises waiting for me on the other side of my obedience.
Now, I embrace the journey, knowing that every step forward is leading me closer to what’s next.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the pressure to be perfect. Society, media, and even our own comparisons push this idea that everything has to be flawless—but in reality, perfection is not achievable. Much of what we see online is curated, filtered, and not even real.
For me, the breakthrough came when I had coaches who helped me understand the power of progress over perfection. The more you take action, the more you refine, improve, and get things in order.
I also learned that people connect with authenticity, not perfection. I once spent money trying to make my videos look just right for a program I was launching, only to realize that polished didn’t mean powerful. What truly resonates with people is when I show up as me—stumbles, imperfection and whatever that looks like. I will be prepared but I do not have to be perfect and that’s what truly draws people in.
The lesson? Don’t let the pursuit of perfection keep you from making progress. Too often, we wait for everything to be “just right” before we take action, but in doing so, we delay our impact. Start now, refine as you go, and trust that your real, authentic self is more than enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cherriseacademy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherisebuchanan_c_her_rise
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=cherise%20buchanan%20rise%20%26%20shine%206012
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherise-buchanan-01a45b3b
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theconfidencetostart
- Other: This is my Facebook group for women – https://www.facebook.com/groups/582190647214931
Free Resource – https://www.cherriseacademy.com/confidencehacks
Image Credits
Christina Ne’Cole
Daja Excel
Markela Porter