Our inception

In 2017, recently new to San Francisco and full of dreams, Brenda found herself yearning for something more—a place where she could connect with other women who shared her passions and ambitions. She craved a community, a tribe where the feminine spirit was not just acknowledged but celebrated, nurtured, and empowered. That longing led to the birth of Venus Rising.

It all started with a simple idea: a brunch gathering. But from the moment the first women came together, Brenda knew she was onto something special. There was a magic in the air—a shared energy, a collective desire to grow, to learn, and to lift each other up. That first casual brunch was just the beginning.

As the community expanded, the group was infused with rich programming designed to support personal and professional growth. We knew that women today are busy, often overwhelmed by the demands of life. That’s why every event, every workshop, was crafted with intention—to help women immerse themselves in a world where the feminine could truly thrive. Whether it was through leadership seminars, wellness retreats, or educational workshops, Venus Rising became a place where women could find the tools they needed to grow and succeed.

The personal and professional development work Brenda did alongside the community gave her the confidence and clarity to pursue her dreams. She knew that the strength she found in herself was, in large part, thanks to the network of women (and men!) who supported her along the way. Now, her mission is clear: to empower other women to live their dreams, just as she has.

Venus Rising has instilled a commitment to giving back, supporting charities that help others lead fulfilling lives. Today, Venus Rising is more than a group—it’s a movement that has touched the lives of over 1,000 women, empowering them to rise together and make a difference, for good.

Our name:

Venus Rising

We were originally founded as SF Girl Bosses, a group of dynamic women coming together in the heart of San Francisco.

In the early years, we served as a community of like-minded women seeking growth, collaboration, and empowerment within their city. But as the world changed in 2020, during the transformative time of COVID, the group evolved. Seeing the potential for our community to transcend the boundaries of one city, we renamed it Venus Rising to reflect a more global and universal mission.

The name Venus Rising was chosen with purpose and intention. Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, symbolized the powerful essence of the feminine. Brenda was inspired by the image of Aphrodite—Venus’ Greek counterpart—rising from the sea, embodying beauty, love, and life itself. The ocean, vast and filled with mystery, has long been a source of inspiration and rejuvenation for her personally. It represents life’s rhythm, its ebbs and flows, and the depth of intuition that guides us as women. Venus Rising became not just a group, but a movement that encourages women to embody these qualities.

Within our community, we promote love, nurturance, play, intuition, and a deep connection with nature. The ocean, a symbol of life, mirrors the journey of self-discovery and empowerment we aim to foster. Venus Rising’s mission is to be a space where women and their allies from all walks of life can reconnect with their feminine power, experience rejuvenation, and uplift one another as we rise together—just as Venus herself rose from the sea.

Our experiences, events, and initiatives reflect this nurturing and intuitive approach, empowering women globally to rise to their fullest potential.

About Us

  • Brenda Chen | Founder

    Brenda started Venus Rising as a way to empower women through the engine of conscious business, the power of immersive experiences and the beauty of shared stories.

    Personal/professional development, holistic wellness & intentional community completely shifted her life and beliefs. Once lost and dejected, she is now a joyous & purposeful real estate executive, destination retreat host, serial entrepreneur and investor.

    It is her mission to share the world-class modalities and treasures gathered on her life's journey with the Venus Rising tribe for our collective awakening and expansion. May you receive the resources from this sisterhood to live as your best and highest self. Let's all rise, together.

  • Galina Lang | Marketing Director

    Galina joined Venus Rising in hopes of uplifting women to their highest potential. As a student-turned entrepreneur, she understands how lonely path entrepreneurship can be. However, it doesn’t have to be!

    The beauty of community brings the best out of us, unleashing creative synergy, belonging, and so much possibility. The choice starts with you. Galina is also a marketer, and upcoming real estate professional. She is a strong believer that the smallest actions can create the biggest differences.

  • Justine Cabatbat | Social Media Manager

    Justine is a proud working student and breadwinner for her family, so she knows firsthand how women's communities can be a big help in uplifting each other. She joined Venus Rising's tribe to harness the power of social media for the brand and assist women in reaching their fullest potential.

    She is also a part-time model and a member of many organizations that aim to create a better world - a heaven on earth. Let's all unite for a better version of ourselves and a better living paradise for everyone.

  • Maggie Chui | Advisor

    Maggie Chui is the co-founder and COO of Asian Hustle Network (AHN), an online and offline community of 250,000+ members aimed at empowering and uplifting Asian entrepreneurs and allies globally.

    She is the co-host of the Asian Hustle Network Podcast, which won Best Business Podcast of the Year Award at the Asian Podcast Awards.

    She has been featured on South China Morning Post, San Francisco Chronicle, LA Times, VoyageLA, NextShark, and China Global TV Network.

  • Kwiri Yang | Advisor

    Kwiri, an 8x Founder turned Investor & Executive Leadership Coach, brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience, including two successful exits and venture funding. She actively engages in the AI sector as a Limited Partner in AI-focused funds and an Angel investor. Her primary focus is providing customized coaching strategies to catalyze founders' and leaders' growth and success, enabling them to navigate critical inflection points effectively.
    As the Founder and CEO of Second Time Founders, Inc., Kwiri leads a community of seasoned founders committed to fostering conscious leadership for positive global impact. Her diverse entrepreneurial journey spans various technology sectors, including education technology, enterprise learning software, and consumer electronics with an educational focus. These experiences allow Kwiri to offer tailored coaching and support for seasoned technology founders, helping them unlock their full potential and achieve greater success and fulfillment in their startup journeys and create responsible companies through embodiment of conscious leadership frameworks. 

  • Tiffany Chao, MD | Community Organizer

    Tiffany returned to the Bay Area with a clear goal: to build a strong, supportive community. In doing so, she discovered her passion for empowering women to reach their fullest potential, both mentally and physically. Through thoughtfully curated events centered on connection, playfulness, and shared experiences, Tiffany seeks to inspire growth, authenticity, and mutual support for one another.

    As a psychiatrist and medical doctor, Tiffany is deeply committed to raising awareness about mental health. She is dedicated to sharing the importance of mental wellness with others, guided by her expertise and passion in the field.

    As part of Venus Rising, Tiffany aspires to expand and strengthen the community by creating innovative ideas for events and new opportunities for engagement. 

  • Grace Zhu | Community Organizer

    Grace is an HR and systems leader in the tech space, now ready to channel more of her energy into creative work and community building. After experiencing the transformative impact of connection by hosting events and creating a supportive network close to home, Grace is passionate about helping other women find their own uplifting communities.

    With a strong belief in the potential for collective growth, Grace aims to inspire boldness, creativity, and personal development through Venus Rising, ensuring every member feels seen, supported with their innovation, and ready to thrive.