We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ms Tisha Janigian. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Tisha, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
What’s often misunderstood about SHE IS HOPE LA is that people see it as just another nonprofit — but it’s so much more than that. It’s a movement rooted in compassion, empowerment, and lived experience. We don’t just hand out resources; we walk alongside single mothers as they rebuild their lives, offering education, job training, mentorship, and a caring community that helps them move from survival to lasting success. Every program we’ve created is inspired by my own journey as a single mother who once had to start over with nothing but determination and resilience.
On the SHE IS HOPE Realty side, some assume we only serve single mothers or women in crisis, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We proudly assist all clients — buyers, sellers, and investors — while turning real estate into a vehicle for purpose. A portion of every one of our team’s commissions directly supports SHE IS HOPE LA’s programs, helping to sustain vital community services. As Broker/Owner, I also personally donate a portion of my own commissions to Komitas Wings of Hope for Armenians, extending our mission of hope and support to families abroad via financial education workshops in the U.S.
At the heart of it all, our work is about creating ripple effects of kindness — where one transaction, one act of giving, or one moment of trust can change the course of someone’s life. Together, both branches of our mission form a powerful cycle of empowerment that uplifts families locally and globally.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the Founder & President of SHE IS HOPE LA and the Broker/Owner of SHE IS HOPE Realty. SHE IS HOPE LA was born out of my personal journey as a single mother starting over after divorce with no money, no credit, and no assets — just a suitcase for each of my sons and me. During that time, I learned firsthand how broken the system can be — one that too often perpetuates dependency instead of providing a clear path toward independence.
That experience inspired me to create a safe, empowering space where single moms could access the resources, education, and support they need to rebuild their lives with dignity and achieve lasting stability.
Our nonprofit serves single-mom families by providing nutritious food, clothing, education, housing resources, job readiness, mentorship, and meaningful community connection. Through our sister company, SHE IS HOPE Realty, we extend that mission even further — turning real estate into a force for good. Every transaction supports our programs, allowing clients to know that when they buy or sell a home, they’re also helping another family find theirs.
What makes our brand truly unique is the heart behind it. Every part of what we do is infused with purpose and compassion. We don’t just provide hope — we create it, one family and one home at a time.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a naturally happy, energetic woman who loved connecting with people — both personally and professionally. I was a devoted mom and a successful salesperson who truly enjoyed life.
During my marriage, I slowly lost myself. I didn’t realize how unhealthy that relationship was until I stepped away and began to heal. I had allowed my worth to be tied to someone else’s approval instead of my own sense of purpose. That realization changed everything.
Now, through SHE IS HOPE LA, I make it my mission to help single mothers rediscover their strength, their voice, and their independence — especially those who may feel unseen or unsure where to start. My journey reminds me daily that healing can lead to purpose, and purpose can lead to hope — not just for one woman, but for many.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Experiencing the difficulties of navigating a broken system as a newly single mother was both eye-opening and terrifying. Overnight, I went from having stability to starting over with no money, no credit, no assets, and just a suitcase for each of my sons and I. Looking at their faces, I knew I had no choice but to rise above the fear. I wanted to show them that no matter how hard life gets, if you work hard, stay kind, and never give up, you can rebuild your dreams — and even make a difference in this world.
I was very fortunate to have the love and support of my parents, who stood by me when I needed it most. Growing up with my folks, I had the privilege of watching and learning their business techniques — especially from my father, who was an entrepreneur himself. Those early lessons in perseverance, integrity, and creativity became invaluable when I needed to rebuild. They taught me how to think outside the box, adapt, and use my creativity to find ways to earn extra income and provide for my boys.
The wound of losing my sense of self in an unhealthy marriage ran deep, but it also became the foundation for my strength. I learned that healing doesn’t happen all at once; it happens through courage, persistence, and remembering who I was. Founding SHE IS HOPE LA was part of that healing — transforming my pain into purpose and using my journey to uplift other single mothers walking a similar path.
Every challenge I faced — from fear and uncertainty to rebuilding from nothing — shaped me into the woman I am today. I healed by turning hardship into hope, by serving others, and by showing my sons that resilience, integrity, and compassion can turn even the deepest wounds into powerful new beginnings.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what truly matters to me is making a positive impact — helping others rise when life knocks them down. They know I care deeply about people, especially single mothers and families who just need someone to believe in them. I’ve always felt that success means very little unless you’re using it to lift others along the way.
They would also tell you that family, compassion, and integrity guide everything I do. I’m driven by purpose — whether it’s through SHE IS HOPE LA, where we empower single mothers to rebuild their lives, or through SHE IS HOPE Realty, where every real estate transaction gives back to our community, SHE IS HOPE LA and also supports Komitas Wings of Hope for Armenians abroad.
At my core, I believe in kindness and doing the right thing even when no one’s watching. My friends would probably say I’m endlessly optimistic — that I always find the silver lining — but it’s because I went through a lot of difficult times and don’t want anyone else to experience that. That’s what matters most to me: living a life of purpose, helping others find theirs, and leaving the world a little better than I found it.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will tell the story of a woman who turned her greatest challenges into a purpose-driven mission that helped others rise. That I didn’t just survive — I rebuilt, and in doing so, created pathways for countless others to do the same.
I want people to remember that SHE IS HOPE LA wasn’t just an organization, but a community built on hope and empowerment — one that continues to change lives long after I’m gone. And that through SHE IS HOPE Realty, I proved that business can be a force for good — where every home sold helps another family find stability, dignity, and hope.
Most of all, I hope my sons will continue the legacy of both organizations — carrying forward the same compassion, strength, and integrity that inspired them as children. I want them to always know that no matter where you start, you can rise, rebuild, and make a difference — not just for yourself, but also for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sheishopela.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheishopela?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sheishopela/
- Twitter: https://x.com/sheishopela?s=21&t=iE5yH86SHgqGHeNrzWj0gw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheishopela?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@sheishopela7562?si=vn0mKhIgatWA0S1J
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheishopela6?_t=ZT-90Jde7vnyMY&_r=1
Screenshot
Image Credits
Linda Kasian Photography
Lori Lea Photography
