We recently connected with Sian Bitner-Kearney and have shared our conversation below.

Sian, appreciate you 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.

Rock Your Beauty, which began as a charity fashion show in 2022 and has now evolved into a nonprofit, came from a place of pain and anger to be honest. Growing up, all I wanted to do was model, and I dreamed that one day I would be on the cover of Cosmo or Vogue.

When I was finally old enough to pursue modeling, I was met with harsh criticism. I was told I wasn’t tall enough, pretty enough, or thin enough. Even after dieting and exercising to reach a size 4 and 115 lbs., I was still told to lose another 15-20 pounds. This constant rejection led me to despise my reflection, and over time, my appearance became the sole measure of my self-worth.

All the dream-crushing feedback led to a battle with eating disorders and an even deeper struggle with self-esteem. During this time, I also began to notice how friends, whom I considered beautiful, constantly belittled themselves, and often found themselves in toxic relationships. I too found myself in relationships with men who were verbally and emotionally abusive. As I matured, I realized the profound connection between low self-esteem and tolerating mistreatment from others.

About eight years ago, I envisioned a fashion show featuring real women, but the idea was initially met with eyerolls and disinterest. In 2021, while working at Kroger, I pitched it again, and finally, someone was on board!

With a $1,500 budget and a small team, we created an incredible fashion show showcasing women of all ages, sizes, and races. We also spotlighted women-owned businesses as vendors. A portion of the proceeds went to Women Helping Women, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing gender-based violence and empowering survivors. Over three years, we raised nearly $60,000 for them.

After the 2024 show, I started to think about the future of Rock Your Beauty. Each year, the feedback from women was incredible—they shared how the show made them feel seen and valued. I realized that if a 45-minute fashion show could have such a profound impact, the possibilities for making a positive difference were limitless.

In May 2024, I took the leap to make Rock Your Beauty an official nonprofit. While the fashion show remains our signature event, we are planning workshops and panel discussions for 2025 focused on women’s and girls’ mental and physical health, improving self-esteem, and living authentically.

Sometimes I reflect on the young woman I once was, and I wish I could go back and tell her that she was always enough, no matter what anyone else said. While I can’t change the past, I can help others. That’s what Rock Your Beauty is all about.

Teaching girls and women to value themselves and love what they see in the mirror goes far beyond hair, makeup, or fashion. Authentic self-love penetrates deep into the heart and soul, lifting you out of the shadows, giving you strength, and reminding you of your worth.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Since becoming a nonprofit in May, Rock Your Beauty has been busy with several fundraising events. Right now, we’re laying the groundwork for our future. We’re building our budget, forging partnerships with other local nonprofits, securing sponsors, and expanding our team of supporters and volunteers.

We’re thrilled to announce that our signature fashion show will return on Saturday, March 15, 2025! We’re also excited about the workshops we have planned for 2025. While 2024 is our building phase, 2025 is when I truly see Rock Your Beauty making a significant impact in the community—both on the runway and beyond!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

While Rock Your Beauty doesn’t have traditional clientele, we have a vibrant community of individuals who attend our events, read our blog, listen to our podcast, and support our mission. Our most effective strategy for growing this community is to continue reaching out and providing a platform for girls and women to be seen and heard.

People who attend our events keep coming back, and bring others with them, because of the drama-free, good vibes only atmosphere we cultivate. It’s this supportive, empowering environment that makes Rock Your Beauty a place where everyone feels comfortable being their authentic selves.

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

Starting a nonprofit is not for the faint of heart. When I first began, I funded everything out of my own pocket, covering the website, legal fees, printing costs, and incidentals for our fundraising events.

Unlike a business, a nonprofit relies on sponsors, donations, and grants to stay afloat, which requires a significant time investment. I have a full-time job, so many of my lunches, evenings, and weekends are spent sending emails, making phone calls, and meeting with potential sponsors or partners.

Thanks to some very successful fundraisers this year and a few amazing sponsors, we’ve secured enough funds to ensure the fashion show can take place and to start building out some of the workshops. However, the efforts never subside. As a new organization, my board members and I are constantly working to build connections that will help us sustain and grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rockyourbeauty.org/
• Instagram: rockyourbeauty_cincinnati
• Facebook: Rock Your Beauty
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sianbitner/

Image Credits

Allison Darling