Genesis Gutierrez, founder of Harness, shares her journey from undocumented immigrant to successful entrepreneur. Despite the challenges she faced navigating her immigration status, Gutierrez found purpose and control through building her online community for women. Harness provides a space for women to heal, connect, and support each other.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Genesis Gutierrez, founder of Harness . It has been edited for length and clarity. I don't remember much about my parents' decision to immigrate to the US. I was only 7, and it seemed like one day, life was normal in Venezuela, and the next, we were boarding a plane to Miami. My parents, two brothers, and I immigrated on a business visa.
My parents had a business in the US selling gift shop items and small trinkets, and they had a similar business in Venezuela. But as the political situation in Venezuela worsened, they couldn't keep the Venezuelan business to meet the terms of their visa. When I was about 13, we became undocumented. At first, I didn't feel the impact. My parents continued their US-based business, and we lived a middle-class life in Orlando. But when I was around 16, I realized my immigration status would impact my life. I qualified for Florida scholarships with my grades but not with my immigration status. I had to pay out-of-state tuition for community college classes I was taking. After graduating from high school, I moved to California. There, I felt like the first place I could get my questions answered. During a visit, I walked into a community college and explained my immigration status. They knew just what to do. Once I moved to California, I could get in-state tuition and a driver's license, which gave me stability that I didn't have in Florida. Soon after that, in 2020, my parents applied for asylum. Since I was under 21, I was part of their petition. At first, the application was denied because we had been in the US for so long, but upon appeal, it was approved. I gained lawful immigration status in 2023 and expect my green card to arrive any day now. I identify as American. And yet, for a long time, I felt I had no control over my life because of my immigration status. I studied international development in college but still don't have a passport. Since I couldn't travel, I started connecting with other women and sharing their stories. I realized that many women had mental health challenges and grief, just like me. Our stories and situations were different, but our needs were the same. In 2020, I started Harness, an online community for women. We do healing exercises, journal, work with therapists, and support each other. Soon, we'll be starting live events. My parents have always been entrepreneurs — that's what brought them to the US. They taught me work ethic and resilience that served me well as I started a company while going through immigration proceedings. Today, I pay myself a six-figure salary while reinvesting in my company. I have financial stability, but more than that, I have the freedom to work when I want and bring my company in the direction that I think is best. I never chased venture capital funding because I wanted to retain that control. I used to think I would want to travel and celebrate as soon as I got my green card. But now, I don't feel that anxiety or pressure. I let immigration control my life for so long, but I've found my purpose in my company and the community I've created. In building a business, I've taken control of my life, regardless of my immigration status
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