TRUSTED BY

WORK WITH PURPOSE

LIVE BY DESIGN

CONSCIOUSXCHANGE is a racial equity focused leadership and business coaching and consulting organization for BIPOC professionals who are grounded in values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), justice and belonging, the pursuit of social and economic freedom for racialized communities, and liberation for all.

STAND UP

WHAT WE DO

Representation matters. We support BIPOC entrepreneurs to STAND UP and be seen, SPEAK UP and be heard, and STEP OFF the corporate ladder to be an entrepreneur who actually makes a difference in the pursuit of racial equity. Activate your agency, build your own table, and use your power and platform for good.

1:1 COACHING

Build Your Own Table

You were meant to chart your own path. We’re here to debunk the capitalistic lie that you need to work for someone else in order to be “successful.” Take the leap and fast-track your transition from employee to full-time coach, consultant, creative, or online service-based entrepreneur with 1:1 time with Carissa. Replace your 6-figure salary with a multi six-figure business and design your life on your terms!

GROUP PROGRAMS

Build It Together

Build new models of business with a group of other pioneering BIPOC entrepreneurs. We know what it's like to be the the first and only entrepreneur in your family or friend circle and understand the unique challenges that BIPOC entrepreneurs face. We intentionally curate our group programs exclusively for BIPOC so that you can build relationships with other BIPOC business owners who get it.

SPEAKING

Learn & Be Inspired

Bring Carissa to your organization, team, or ERG to talk about Emotional Intelligence, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and to learn more about how to support and advocate for yourself and other BIPOC team members.

COMMUNITY

Connect with Like-Minded Folx

Attend workshops and networking events and grow your business within an ecosystem of BIPOC entrepreneurs who value interdependence and interconnectedness as much as you do.

WHY WE DO THE WORK

We are working to build a world where people of racialized identities can hold social, political, and economic power and achieve time, location, financial, and occupational freedom.

This means having the power and autonomy to choose our career paths in non-toxic work environments, to get a good education, to buy a home, to go on vacation, to save for retirement, to donate and volunteer for a cause, and give back to our communities.

WHO WE WORK WITH

Many of our clients and partners work in, around, or adjacent to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

They are changemakers, employee activists, company advocates who are actively working to dismantle systems of oppression, toxic capitalism, and white supremacy culture in their workplaces, communities, and homes.

Many of our clients and partners identify as:

Coaches and consultants
Healers, therapists, caregivers
Corporate and non-profit leaders
DEI professionals, Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders, social justice educators
Content creators
Creatives, freelancers - designers, copywriters, photographers, videographers

OUR APPROACH

Work with Purpose. Live by Design.

We are more than just our jobs and believe a liberated life is one that is full, joyful, and balanced. Our 4 pillar approach helps keep us both activated in our purpose towards racial equity and grounded in intentional life design for individual and collective wellbeing.

MEET THE FOUNDER

Hi, I’m Carissa, a Business & Emotional Intelligence Coach for BIPOC professionals and entrepreneurs.

MEET THE FOUNDER

Hi, I’m Carissa, a Business, Leadership & Emotional Intelligence Coach for BIPOC professionals and entrepreneurs.

I KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE

THE FIRST, THE ONLY, THE OTHER.

When I finally earned my seat at the table in corporate leadership, I didn’t have a support system of female leaders to lean on -- so I started one.

When I desired opportunities or joining a group to champion Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in my company, they didn’t exist -- so I launched one.

When I was seeking support to decide on my next career move, I didn’t find many BIPOC coaches -- so I became one.

When I wanted to level up in my business as an entrepreneur, I didn’t find many BIPOC-run business consultancies to work with -- so I created one.

WHEN YOU CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, YOU DO IT YOURSELF.

This pull and need to design something new – something more expansive, intentional, holistic, and connected – awakened me to envision new futures and led to the creation of CONSCIOUSXCHANGE.

Wherever you’re at on your journey, I invite you to define what making a CONSCIOUSXCHANGE means to you. I’m here to help you reimagine what could be if we each wake up and choose to move intentionally through this world, together

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

"Before I started coaching with Carissa, I felt stuck with where I was in life. My coaching business was just a dream at that point. I had a strong lack of self trust. But it was also about working with the RIGHT coach, someone who is BIPOC and truly understands my experience and can coach me across a number of areas, through a holistic, equity based lens. Carissa’s coaching really changed so many parts of my life. What I loved most about our coaching relationship is that it's results oriented. I was able to set up 4 sales calls and secure 2 clients; this all happened a few weeks ahead of my planned launch date! Carissa is BRILLIANT, badass, a boss, deeply ambitious, full of compassion and a powerful activist. She lives her truth and that's really important to me.”

Jenn

Coach

In Full Bloom Coaching

“I was struggling with getting rid of my blocks and giving myself permission to do things I was passionate about before working with Carissa.

Carissa allowed me to be confident about my dreams to become an event planner and encouraged me to take baby steps to move into a new career and see that it’s not just a hobby or interest. Our weekly sessions kept me feeling invigorated and I really liked her approach and the accountability she gave me. She showed me how to celebrate my wins and one of my biggest achievement was learning to be kinder to myself. She empowered me to do so. She not only helped me with a road map of how to start my own event planning company even while in a full-time job, she helped me move past my own mental blocks.”

Theon

Event Planner

“As an entrepreneur, I wanted to do so many things all at once that I ended up not having the time to really strategically think about which direction I wanted to drive my business towards. Working with Carissa has given me clarity of mind. I have been able to better structure my thoughts, block out all the mental noise, focus my energy, and prioritize the things that matter the most. Carissa's energy and passion for what she does is contagious! I would highly recommend her to anyone who's looking for thoughtful and insightful conversations to help guide their journey in life!”

Nathalie

Founder & CEO

LIKHA

FEATURED IN

ARTICLES

MIND BODY GREEN

The Psychology of Impostor Syndrome & How to Actually Overcome It

Imagine that you've just landed a new job. You earned your seat at the table. But almost immediately as you sit down at that table, you begin to question yourself. You think, “Who am I to be leading this work?"

READ MORE

GIRLBOSS

Power of Authenticity—And How to Harness It

This AAPI month, she's sharing her story and highlighting three fellow Asian-American women who are blazing a path forward.

READ MORE

TIME

How Communities of Color Have Found Strength, Joy and Comfort in a Year Like No Other

In a time marked by immeasurable loss, fear and upheaval, pods and social distancing entered the common lexicon, their frequent use serving as constant reminders of both our hunger for connection and its current limitations.

READ MORE

PODCASTS

MOXIELICIOUS WITH

ALEXIA VERNON

Centering Asian American and Pacific Islander Voices in DEI with Carissa Begonia.

In episode 406 of Moxielicious®, Carissa and I discuss her work as a coach for BIPOC leaders and the importance of centering AAPI voices, among others.

LISTEN HERE

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: REVOLUTION OR REFORM

Behind the Scenes of a Solo DEI Practitioner with Carissa Begonia.

David and Carissa speak about the growing pressure on solo DEI Practitioners to do it all within their organizations as the only one. The conversation also highlights the growing need for healing specifically for POC within DEI work and organizations. A big thank you to Carissa for her time and openness to having real conversations.

LISTEN HERE