We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vivian Villanueva a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Vivian , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The idea for my business came out of a very real and personal season of transformation in my life.

Before starting Crown of Faith Network, I spent years working as a substance use disorder counselor, helping others rebuild their lives. At the same time, I had experience in business in the financial industry and understood structure—but I still felt like something was missing. When I rededicated my life to God, everything shifted. I began to feel a deeper calling to not just help people survive, but to help women walk boldly in their purpose and identity.

What I kept noticing was a pattern—so many women felt stuck. They had ideas, gifts, and potential, but lacked clarity, confidence, and community. And I realized there weren’t many spaces that combined faith, personal growth, and practical guidance all in one.

That’s how Crown of Faith Network was born. It wasn’t just a business idea—it was something I felt called to create because I was already seeing the need firsthand. Women were already coming to me for advice and support, so I knew this wasn’t just an idea—it was a real solution.

What excited me most was the bigger vision: creating a space where women don’t have to choose between their faith and their goals, but can grow in both. That’s what made me confident this was not only needed, but something that could truly make an impact.

Vivian , 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?

I’m Vivian Villanueva, the founder of Crown of Faith Network, and my work sits at the intersection of faith, personal development, and purpose-driven growth.

My background is rooted in service. I spent over six years working as a substance use disorder counselor, helping individuals rebuild their lives, develop life skills, and navigate major transitions. That experience gave me a deep understanding of people—how to meet them where they are, how to guide them through challenges, and how to help them see what’s possible for their lives.

At the same time, I also gained experience in the business world in the financial industry, which exposed me to entrepreneurship, structure, and strategy. But it wasn’t until I rededicated my life to God that everything truly aligned. That’s when I felt called to create something of my own—something that would not only inspire women, but equip them.

Through Crown of Faith Network, I provide a faith-based community, and personal and professional development resources for women who feel stuck, uncertain, or are searching for direction. This includes workshops, and eventually expanding into more structured programs and in-person services.

The problem I’m solving is the gap I saw firsthand—women who have the desire to grow, start businesses, or step into their purpose, but lack clarity, confidence, guidance, or a supportive environment. Many spaces focus on either faith or business, but not both in a practical, actionable way.

What sets me apart is my ability to combine real-life experience, faith, and strategy. I’m not just teaching from theory—I’ve walked through personal transformation, career shifts, and starting from the ground up. I lead with authenticity, and I genuinely care about the women I serve.

What I’m most proud of is the impact that’s already happening. Even in the early stages, women are showing up, getting clarity, feeling encouraged, and taking steps forward in their lives. That confirmation means everything to me because it shows that this work is bigger than me.

More than anything, I want people to know that Crown of Faith Network is not just a brand—it’s a space for growth, healing, and purpose. My goal is to build a community where women feel seen, supported, and equipped to walk boldly in who God has called them to be.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that I had to have everything perfectly figured out before I could start.

For a long time, I operated from a place of needing clarity, structure, and certainty before taking action. That mindset was shaped by my background—I worked in environments where being prepared, having a plan, and minimizing risk was essential. And while those are valuable skills, they also made me hesitant to step into something new unless I felt fully “ready.”

When I felt called to start Crown of Faith Network, I didn’t have every detail mapped out. I didn’t have all the answers, the perfect plan, or everything built out the way I thought it “should” be. And at first, that was uncomfortable.

But what I had to learn—and ultimately unlearn—was that purpose doesn’t always come with full clarity upfront. Sometimes it requires obedience first, and the clarity comes along the way.

The turning point for me was realizing that I was already being positioned to do this work. Women were already coming to me for guidance, conversations were already happening, and impact was already being made before anything was formalized. That showed me that I didn’t need to wait until everything was perfect—I just needed to start.

Unlearning that mindset allowed me to move forward with faith instead of fear, and it’s something I now carry into everything I do. Growth doesn’t come from having it all figured out—it comes from being willing to take the first step, even when you don’t.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my life came when I made the decision to walk away from stability and step into purpose.

For years, I worked as a substance use disorder counselor, and eventually moved into an administrative role. It was meaningful work—I was helping people rebuild their lives—but over time, I started to feel a shift. I knew I was being called to something more, something that would allow me to make an impact on a broader level.

At the same time, I had stepped into the business world in the financial industry and was exploring entrepreneurship, but I was still trying to figure out where I truly fit. On the outside, everything looked stable, but internally, I felt the tension of knowing I wasn’t fully aligned with what I was called to do.

The pivot came when I made the decision to fully pursue building something of my own. It wasn’t an easy decision—there was uncertainty, risk, and a lot of unknowns. I didn’t have everything figured out, but I knew I couldn’t ignore what I was feeling anymore.

That decision led me to create Crown of Faith Network. What started as a step of faith has now turned into a growing community where I’m able to combine my background in counseling, my business experience, and my calling to serve women in a deeper way.

Looking back, that pivot taught me that growth often requires letting go of what feels secure in order to step into what’s aligned. It wasn’t just a career shift—it was a shift in identity, purpose, and direction. And it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://links.crownoffaithnetwork.com/
• Instagram: @thevivianvillanueva