We were lucky to catch up with Illiana Hernandez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Illiana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The Story Behind Big Sister Hour
Big Sister Hour was born out of a personal need and a deep desire to create a space that I felt was missing—one where women could connect authentically, support one another, and grow both personally and professionally. As someone who has always valued deep, meaningful relationships, I often found myself in rooms where networking felt transactional, where women exchanged business cards but never truly connected. I knew there had to be a better way.

The idea for Big Sister Hour came during a time when I was juggling multiple businesses and roles—navigating entrepreneurship, personal growth, and leadership while still seeking a strong, like-minded community. I wanted a space where women could not only network but also feel seen, heard, and encouraged in all aspects of life. I envisioned a sisterhood, not just a business group.

Why I Knew It Would Work
From the beginning, I believed in Big Sister Hour because I was solving a problem I had personally experienced: the lack of spaces where women could grow their businesses while also having real, vulnerable conversations about the struggles and triumphs of entrepreneurship. Many networking groups focus solely on business, while others cater to personal development, but very few combine the two in a way that feels natural and empowering.

Beyond business, mental health is a core part of our mission. We understand that entrepreneurship and personal success are deeply tied to mental well-being. That’s why we offer mental health support workshops, open conversations, and resources to help women navigate challenges like imposter syndrome, burnout, and self-doubt. We don’t just talk about success; we talk about the mindset, self-care, and healing that make success sustainable.

Another key aspect of Big Sister Hour is diversity and inclusivity. I wanted to create a space where women from all backgrounds, industries, and experiences feel welcomed and valued. Representation matters, and we strive to ensure that our events, panels, and workshops reflect a wide range of voices. Whether you’re just starting out or an established entrepreneur, you have a seat at our table.

What Got Me Most Excited
What got me most excited was the potential for impact. I imagined women walking away from our events feeling inspired, motivated, and truly connected. I saw Big Sister Hour becoming more than just meetups—I saw workshops, retreats, collaborations, and a movement of women uplifting one another.

From our very first gathering, the response was overwhelming. Women were hungry for this kind of space, and the energy in the room confirmed everything I believed—this was needed, and this was just the beginning.

Illiana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Meet Illiana – Multi-Passionate Entrepreneur, Community Builder & Advocate
I’m Illiana, a multi-passionate entrepreneur dedicated to creating spaces where women feel empowered, supported, and inspired. My journey into entrepreneurship has been anything but traditional—I’ve built multiple businesses, each rooted in my core values of community, connection, and empowerment.

I am an Insurance Producer (specializing in life insurance), helping individuals secure their future through tailored insurance solutions. I also own an apparel brand SASSZ APPAREL that blends style with meaning, creating designs that reflect confidence and empowerment. But my heart beats the strongest for Big Sister Hour (BSH)—a networking and mentorship community for women entrepreneurs that goes beyond business, providing mental health support, resources, and genuine connections.

How I Got Started
My journey into this work was deeply personal. As a businesswoman navigating different industries, I often found that traditional networking spaces felt transactional and surface-level. I craved real conversations, deep connections, and a community where women could support each other beyond business. That desire led me to create Big Sister Hour—a space where women could come together not only to grow professionally but also to share struggles, uplift one another, and build long-lasting relationships.

Over time, I realized that BSH needed to be more than a networking group. Women don’t just need business advice; they need emotional support, mental wellness resources, and a safe space to talk about the highs and lows of their journeys. That’s why we incorporate mental health workshops, personal development sessions, and raw, honest conversations into our events.

What Makes My Work Unique?
What sets my work apart is the holistic approach. Whether through Big Sister Hour, my insurance business, or my apparel brand, I focus on more than just selling a product or service—I focus on creating impact.

Authentic Community Building – Big Sister Hour isn’t just another networking group; it’s a movement of genuine sisterhood. We foster a culture of support, collaboration, and inclusivity where every woman has a voice.
Mental Health & Wellness Focus – Unlike traditional networking spaces, we acknowledge that success isn’t just about strategy—it’s about mindset, mental health, and emotional well-being. That’s why BSH offers mental health workshops and discussions alongside business and personal development resources.
Diversity & Inclusivity – I believe that all women deserve access to supportive spaces. Our community is open to women from all backgrounds, industries, and walks of life, creating a rich, diverse environment where everyone is welcome.
Empowerment Through Education – Whether it’s financial literacy through Insurance Sass, confidence through apparel, or business growth through BSH, my work centers around educating and empowering women to take control of their lives.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the impact that Big Sister Hour has made in such a short time. Seeing women leave our events feeling empowered, understood, and ready to take on their goals is the most fulfilling part of this journey. Being nominated as an Influential Woman by the NWIIA Association was also a moment of validation that this work is truly making a difference.

What I Want People to Know
I’m here to help women build, connect, and grow in a way that feels real and meaningful. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for years, there’s a place for you in my community.
Mental health is just as important as business success. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and that’s why I emphasize balance, mindset, and self-care in everything I do.
I believe in breaking barriers and creating opportunities. If there’s a room that doesn’t exist for you yet, let’s build it together.
I’d love to connect with like-minded women who believe in collaboration over competition, mental wellness alongside success, and true sisterhood in business. Let’s grow together!

Any advice for managing a team?

You can’t have high morale if people are overwhelmed, burnt out, or emotionally drained. That’s why mental health support is at the core of what I do. Whether through self-care practices, mental health workshops, or simply encouraging balance over hustle, it’s important to create a space where people know their well-being matters. A thriving person creates a thriving business and community.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Funding Big Sister Hour – Making Community Accessible
When I started Big Sister Hour, I didn’t have a big budget or investors backing me—I had a vision and a deep passion for creating a space where women could connect, grow, and support one another. Instead of waiting for funding, I focused on building a community first and keeping costs as low as possible so that finances would never be a barrier to access.

How I Put Together the Initial Capital
Unlike many businesses that require a large upfront investment, Big Sister Hour started with minimal financial resources and a lot of creativity, collaboration, and community support. My approach was simple:

Leaning on My Own Resources – I personally covered small expenses like event materials, branding, and marketing in the beginning, ensuring that everything remained budget-friendly.
Utilizing Free & Low-Cost Spaces – Instead of renting expensive venues, I partnered with local businesses and community spaces that were open to hosting us for little to no cost in exchange for exposure and support.
Building Relationships Instead of Buying Resources – Instead of hiring services, I leaned into collaboration. Photographers, speakers, and vendors who believed in the mission often contributed at discounted rates or in exchange for community promotion.
Hosting Primarily Free Workshops – From the start, it was important to me that Big Sister Hour remained accessible. Many women in business or personal development spaces feel priced out of networking and growth opportunities. That’s why I made sure to offer free workshops that provided real value without financial barriers.
Why Accessibility Matters
Too often, women—especially those just starting out—miss out on resources and networking because of high costs. I wanted to create a space where any woman, no matter her financial situation, could show up and grow.

By focusing on community over capital, I’ve been able to build something truly meaningful. The success of Big Sister Hour has never been about how much money I invested—it’s been about the connections, impact, and genuine sisterhood we’ve created.

As we continue to grow, I’ll explore more ways to sustain the community while keeping it affordable, but the heart of BSH will always remain the same: A space where women can grow without financial barriers holding them back.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigsisterhour/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=big+sister+hour

Image Credits

Illiana Hernandez