Her Story
About Kimberly
Kimberly Mitchell is an entrepreneur, transformation strategist, inventor, and veteran with over 30 years of experience spanning workforce development, program design, and small business leadership. She is the owner of Emerald City Ventures, a portfolio of products built around a single mission: to transform communities through the joy of women.
What connects all of her work is a pattern: she identifies the gaps others accept as normal — and creates what should have been there all along.
Through IGNITE, her transformational platform, Kimberly works with high-performing women who have done "everything right" and still feel disconnected from themselves. Her neuroscience-informed methodology focuses on integration — helping women reclaim the parts of themselves they've been overriding — rather than becoming someone new. She is the creator of the Journey to Joy framework and author of Hey Beautiful! The Mirror Method.
Kimberly also owns Ujoozi, a training and consulting company for entrepreneurs, and is building an AI-agent agency supporting small businesses through emerging technology.
Her newest venture, Anthem supported by Xora, is a patent-pending bra that uses cantilever engineering to provide support from below rather than hanging weight from shoulder straps — born from over 20 years of development and lived experience.
Her career began with service in the United States Air Force and the New York Army National Guard during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. She went on to lead training for military and government initiatives and designed an 18-week small business program for Rochester's $1.4 billion Schools Modernization Program, graduating nine cohorts of entrepreneurs.
Kimberly is an MBE/WBE certified business owner, a founding member of the Greater Rochester Black Business Alliance, and serves on the board of ROCEDC. She believes that when women in their prime are whole, they change everything around them.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kimberly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of experience, mentorship, and a commitment to continuous learning. My professional journey began at McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, followed by impactful roles at Pictometry and Eagle Productivity Solutions, where I contributed to military and government projects, including the 2010 Census digitization. One of my most fulfilling achievements was creating an 18-week training program for early-stage entrepreneurs as part of the Rochester Schools Modernization Program, which successfully graduated nine cohorts. Throughout my career, I’ve been shaped by the guidance of company owners and mentors, and I’ve learned that examining your own beliefs and making authentic choices is essential for meaningful success.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
When I think about advice for young women entering this industry or starting their own business, I would say it’s essential to take a hard look at your own beliefs about yourself. Understanding what you truly value, what motivates you, and where your strengths lie will guide you to make authentic choices that align with your vision. Trusting yourself, staying true to your principles, and embracing your unique perspective are what create a foundation for meaningful and sustainable success.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.