Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sian Bitner-Kearney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sian, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
My generosity stems from my upbringing. Growing up, being a good person and seeking out ways to help others was a core expectation in our household. From the time I was a baby, my mother was always volunteering in the community. My parents often took in cousins and friends facing challenges at home, providing them with support, food, and clothing. They served as mentors to anyone in need and, to this day, would literally give someone the shirt off their backs if someone was in need. My early lessons taught me that helping others and leaving a legacy matter most. I firmly believe that my mission in life is to make a difference and uplift others.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
As the founder and executive director of Rock Your Beauty, I lead a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting and uniting women and girls in the Cincinnati area. Our mission is to be a catalyst for change, inspiring women to embrace their unique beauty and empowering them to realize their full potential.
What sets Rock Your Beauty apart is our unwavering commitment to being a judgment-free powerhouse of uplift and camaraderie. We believe that beauty wears every face, and through our events, panels, and workshops, we aim to be a true voice in the community. We empower girls and women to not just ignore societal stereotypes, but to defy them! Being part of Rock Your Beauty means having a cohort of women and girls ready to pick you up when you fall, dust you off, and remind you of your worth.
My current focus is building more awareness around Rock Your Beauty and what we’re doing. This fall, we have several exciting microevents lined up, culminating in our signature event, the Rock Your Beauty Fashion Show, on March 15, 2025!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are vision, persistence, and self-reliance. Without a clear vision, it’s challenging to get others on board. When I was selling the concept of Rock Your Beauty, even when it was just a charity fashion show, I had to help others visualize its potential and understand why it was a worthwhile investment.
Persistence was also crucial. Rock Your Beauty didn’t come to life the first time I pitched it. Even friends and family sometimes rolled their eyes when I talked about its potential, but I never gave up. I firmly believe that when it comes to dreams, you have to keep pushing. It may take 100 “no’s” to get one “yes,” but that one yes is often all you need!
Self-reliance has also played a significant role. While asking for help is important, developing the ability to solve problems independently has been invaluable. By leveraging my own knowledge, resources, and critical thinking skills, I’ve been able to navigate many challenges on my own. However, I also recognize that Rock Your Beauty wouldn’t be what it is today without the help of others, and I am incredibly grateful for all the support I’ve received.
My advice to others on this journey is to be patient but not complacent. Achieving your dream will take time. If you’re like me, you can’t go all in—you have a job to work, a family to care for, and a whole list of other priorities—but never put your dream on the back burner. You will be exhausted, you will feel challenged, and you will want to throw your hands up and give in, but don’t! It will eventually work out, and all the sweet will cancel out the sour.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Rock Your Beauty is actively seeking Cincinnati-based sponsors and community partners. By sponsoring Rock Your Beauty, you can align with a mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering women and girls. Sponsorships are how we make these events come to life!
We also welcome partnerships with organizations that share our vision. Whether it’s through co-hosting events, providing expert speakers, or offering resources, partnerships can significantly enhance our platform for dialogue, education, and inspiration.
And of course, we’re always looking for passionate volunteers to join us in our mission. It takes the efforts of so many to bring these events to life, and we would never be able to do the things we do without amazing volunteers. If our mission hits home for you at all, we welcome you to connect. Together, we can build a supportive community where every woman and girl can embrace her unique beauty and realize her full potential.
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, James Quigley
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.