We recently connected with Cristina Rose and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cristina, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

When I look back, the spark for my creative services business really came from one of the most challenging chapters of my life. After years of being a stay-at-home mom, my world was turned upside down by divorce. Suddenly, I was standing at this crossroads no longer defined by my marriage and not sure who I was outside of motherhood. I was desperate to carve out something of my own.

I had actually started my podcast, Not Your Momma’s Podcast, while I was still married, but it became my anchor when life began to unravel. Continuing it through my season of loss and change kept me sane and gave me something meaningful to pour my energy into. Week after week, I interviewed experts, thought leaders, and women who had faced their own reinventions. I didn’t just record their stories; I absorbed their tools, their wisdom, and their resilience. Little by little, I began applying those lessons to my own life. That podcast gave me permission to reconnect with my voice, to harness the power of connection, and to lean into my creativity at a time when I felt like I was starting from scratch.

And in that “starting over” season, I realized I had a story burning inside me; a witty, sexy, heartfelt story set in the desert about friendship, reinvention, and second chances. That became Desert Nights, my debut women’s fiction novel. Writing it was both therapy and liberation; it was me saying, “Yes, my life flipped upside down, but I get to decide how the next chapter reads.”

That process opened the floodgates of storytelling for me. I’m now working on a children’s book, Brave Little Hearts, which is all about resilience, courage, and showing kids that their voices matter too. And then there’s “Insights from a Podcast Host: From the Mic to Mindset”, a collection of lessons I’ve learned behind the mic, blending storytelling with practical tools to help others step into their own reinventions.

The logic behind knowing this was a worthwhile endeavor was simple. I want to enjoy every step of the journey, from being a stay-at-home mom to podcaster, to novelist, to entrepreneur. It showed me that stories connect us, heal us, and inspire us. If I could create something that empowers others while also reinventing myself, then it wasn’t just worth trying, it was worth betting everything on.

Cristina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I like to say I didn’t just “get into” this industry. I reinvented myself into it. My journey started as a stay-at-home mom who, in the midst of divorce and major life changes, needed an outlet. That outlet became Not Your Momma’s Podcast, a space where I interviewed experts and real women navigating their own reinventions. Those conversations not only kept me sane, but they also gave me tools, confidence, and a sense of connection that pushed me to build something bigger.

From there, storytelling became my anchor. I poured my heart into writing my debut women’s fiction novel, Desert Nights, a story of friendship, reinvention, and second chances. That book cracked open a new lane for me, and now I’m expanding my work with projects like Brave Little Hearts, a children’s book about resilience, and Insights from a Podcast Host, where I share lessons from behind the mic to help others step into their own boldness.

But my vision was never just about books or podcasts. It was about creating experiences that bring people together. That’s why I launched Hello C3, my creative services and event production company. What started with a podcast now lives on stage, with live conversations, curated events, and platforms for women to share their stories. The flagship of that vision is the Desert Nights & Bold Dreams event; a luxe, empowering experience that blends storytelling, networking, and inspiration while raising funds for charity. It’s part book launch, part women’s movement, and all heart.

What sets me apart is that everything I create is rooted in authenticity and reinvention. I’ve lived the chapters I talk about; loss, motherhood, entrepreneurship, rebuilding, and I know firsthand how isolating and overwhelming change can feel. My mission is to help women see that they’re not alone, that starting over can be the most powerful chapter of all, and that their voices matter.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just a book or a company, it’s that my work has become a safe space for women to connect, dream bigger, and feel seen. Whether it’s through my writing, my podcast, or Hello C3 events, I want people to know that my brand is about more than storytelling. It’s about building community, sparking courage, and creating bold, unforgettable experiences.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is connection. There’s nothing quite like seeing an idea that lived only in your mind come to life and then realizing it resonates with someone else. It’s exciting, it’s vulnerable, and honestly, sometimes it feels a little wild. You have those moments of doubt, that little voice that says, “Am I crazy for doing this?” But the magic is in leaning into that fear and doing it anyway. That’s where the real growth and joy live… when creativity becomes a bridge between your heart and someone else’s.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the clearest examples of resilience in my journey came during the season when my marriage ended. After years of being a stay-at-home mom, I suddenly found myself navigating single motherhood, questioning my identity, and trying to figure out how to provide for my family. It was overwhelming, and there were plenty of nights when I wondered how I was going to rebuild from the ground up.

In that space of uncertainty, I made a choice: instead of letting the loss define me, I would use it as fuel. I leaned into Not Your Momma’s Podcast, which is something I had started before but now became my lifeline. Interviewing experts and women who had faced their own reinventions gave me tools and hope, but more importantly, it reminded me that I wasn’t alone. I kept showing up to the mic, even on the days I didn’t feel strong, and piece by piece, I started to rebuild my confidence.

At the same time, I started my real estate career. Another leap that felt intimidating at first, but gave me the independence and skills to create a new foundation for my family. Balancing real estate, the podcast, and motherhood taught me how to stretch, adapt, and find strength I didn’t know I had.

That season also birthed my first novel, Desert Nights. Writing that story of reinvention and friendship was both therapy and empowerment, and it reminded me that even when life flips upside down, we always have the power to write the next chapter. That resilience has carried me into new ventures like Hello C3 and my Desert Nights & Bold Dreams event, where I now create spaces for other women to find their own strength and fresh beginnings.

For me, resilience isn’t about never falling. It’s about choosing to rise, again and again, and turning your story into something that inspires others.

Contact Info:

• Website: thecristinarose.com, helloC3.com
• Instagram: @the_cristinarose, @ohhelloC3, @notyourmommas.podcast
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-rose-francy-4482193a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@livingwithcristina

Image Credits
@drommaphoto @thetaliaclaire