HOW SIMONE HUFANA AND MARSHAWN LYNCH MADE COLORING BOOKS A BUSINESS

Representation and empowerment matter more than ever, and Simone Hufana, a once college student hailing from the vibrant Bay Area, has taken a remarkable step toward changing the narrative.

The brain behind the ingenious creation, "Color Herstory," Hufana has embarked on a mission to educate, empower, and inspire through an innovative blend of education and art.

The seed of Color Herstory was sown during Hufana's high school days when she found herself babysitting her younger sisters. As she watched her sister color within the pages of a traditional coloring book, an idea began to germinate in her mind.

"I began to brainstorm a coloring book idea but was trying to figure out how I could make mine unique and different from everything else I had ever seen," she recalled.

And she did just that. Distinct from conventional coloring books, each page of Color Herstory features an influential and successful woman of color, accompanied by a small box to the side describing who they are. It's a celebration of diversity and achievement, a way to provide empowerment and representation for girls and women who too often find themselves marginalized by mainstream narratives.

While the concept may seem straightforward today, it's worth noting that Hufana's journey wasn't without its doubts and apprehensions. She revealed that she initially thought people might perceive her idea as "stupid and silly." Fearing judgment and skepticism, she held onto her concept for an entire year before finding the confidence to pursue her dream. This speaks volumes about her resilience and determination to turn her vision into a reality.

Simone Hufana, of Mexican and Filipino ancestry, grew up in the culturally rich East Bay of California. Her journey to embracing her heritage was one of self-discovery and empowerment.

“Growing up in the society that we do, I was ashamed of my features that came with me as a young brown girl”, as Humana stated on her Color Herstory website. “I wanted fair skin like my classmates and Barbie Dolls.”

Through learning about her roots and cultural identity, she began to take pride in her diverse heritage. This newfound appreciation served as a foundation for her inspiration to create Color Herstory, highlighting women who resembled her and who were making revolutionary strides and changing the world.

A turning point in Color Herstory's trajectory came through an unexpected avenue – "BEASTMODE-A-Business."

This unique entrepreneurial readiness program, created by NFL running back and Oakland native, Marshawn Lynch, The Fam 1st Family Foundation, and Hingeto, provided an invaluable platform for Hufana to further develop her project. Based on the success of his Shopify Plus BeastMode apparel store, Lynch chose to partner with Shopify to create the “BEASTMODE-A-Business” competition.

The program, aimed at high school students in the Bay Area, consisted of workshops and seminars covering a comprehensive range of skills required to establish a business. During the 3-day workshop, 30 chosen students were given the chance to build their own online e-commerce stores using the Shopify platform and pitch their idea to a panel of judges, which included staff and merchants from Shopify, Lynch, and Josh Johnson, former NFL quarterback for the New York Giants.

Through this program, Hufana was one of two overall winners and received the support and resources she needed to propel Color Herstory to new heights.

The exposure, mentorship, and networking opportunities undoubtedly contributed to the success and reach of her project. It serves as a testament to the power of community support and platforms that foster young entrepreneurial spirit.

Simone Hufana's journey from a high school brainstorm to a flourishing project that educates and empowers stands as an inspiration to aspiring creators and advocates of representation everywhere. Her dedication to uplifting the voices and stories of women of color is a testimony to the positive change one individual can initiate.

Color Herstory is more than just a coloring book – it's a celebration of diversity, a reminder of the achievements of women often left out of history, and a call to action for a more inclusive world.