By Pollyana Tucker
San Diego – High above the bustling streets of San Diego, the Cielo Rooftop Lounge transforms into a stage for celebration. It’s a night that marks a significant milestone – the fourth anniversary of PowerFuel Damas. From the heart of Brazil to the coast of California, this social enterprise has transcended borders, bringing women together and helping to bring a transformative mindset to the forefront. At its core are two visionary women, Danielle Vantini and Mayra Brito, the driving forces behind the booming social enterprise. Their journey is not just a tale of success; it’s an inspiration that exemplifies the profound impact of women, the magic of mindset shifts, and the incredible potential of businesses to give back and transform.
Turning Pain into Power: Overcoming Adversity with Resilience
Behind the success lies a story of personal triumph over adversity. Co-founders Danielle Vantini and Mayra Brito draw their strength from their own journeys of resilience. Both women have faced the troubling experience of sexual assault in their pasts, a painful reality that could have defined them. However, they chose a different path – one of empowerment, healing, and using their experiences as catalysts for change. Mayra Brito opens up about her past, saying, “We’re not ashamed of our story. Even though society at times will ask ‘what did you do wrong?’ It’s not your fault.” She continues, “I thought I was the problem, I’m not. I’m the solution. I had a decision I needed to make inside to see what my power is here.”
Empowering Women, Transforming Lives
Amidst a world where women often face many barriers, Vantini and Brito saw a truth that resonated deeply – that empowering women goes beyond just a mission; it’s a movement. “We wanted to change in a different way. We wanted to show that if you have a support system that really believes in you, wants to cheer you up, give you opportunities and also have the same mindset – That’s how you really believe everything changes.” Vantini adds on, “Growth starts in the mind, but also with who you surround yourself with. You cannot go anywhere with competition, but you can go everywhere with community. When we support each other, we can achieve anything, we can achieve all of our dreams.”
Business for Good: Redefining Giving Back
While many believe in giving back, Vantini and Brito take it a step further. The company has introduced PowerFuel House of Damas – an international platform offering a monitored transformational experience. Members must apply and be accepted to join. Once accepted, they connect with women worldwide, accessing other members with ease, doing business together, and benefiting from the global academy, mentorship, accountability groups, book club, master classes, and more. The idea sprang from a desire to amplify their efforts, prompting the question from Brito, “Okay, how can we help more? We want to make an even bigger impact. So that’s when we decided to do a one-for-one model.” This means that for every paid membership, a free workshop will be donated to one of the many non-profit organizations the company has partnered up with.
During Thursday night’s celebration, PowerFuel Damas not only commemorated its four-year journey as a Social Enterprise but also proudly acknowledged the distinguished recognition from the United Nations. As a dedicated signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), PowerFuel Damas stands aligned with global labor and human rights standards, showcasing their pivotal role in advancing gender equality and supporting UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #5. Their registration on the WEP’s website, supported by the endorsement of UN Women and the UN Global Compact, further solidifies their resolute dedication to championing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
When given a chance to reflect on the past four years, Vantini expressed, “It feels like my heart is exploding from feeling accomplished. I know I’m going down the right path. We want to accomplish so much. The sky’s the limit.” Brito added her perspective, “Life is supposed to be good and right now I’m feeling like I’m really going for my purpose, really doing my mission here and really changing the world.”
To learn more, visit their website at https://powerfueldamas.com/global-community/