The Real Flex Is Freedom: Vivian Moore’s Boss Move Into Alignment
By Dr. Chi Quita Mack, LMSW
Vivian Moore is a woman who refuses to let her environment define her future. A wife, mother of three, and proud product of Englewood on the South Side of Chicago, Vivian’s journey is rooted in resilience, purpose, and the belief that healing and leadership go hand in hand.
Although Englewood is often labeled by outsiders as dangerous or broken, Vivian remembers it differently. She remembers protection, community, and people who poured into her, affirmed her, and expected more from her. Even as a child, she knew she wanted more than what her surroundings could offer, not because she was ashamed of where she came from, but because she knew she was meant to grow beyond it and give back.
As the baby girl and child number 19 of her father’s 21 children, Vivian learned early that she had to be bold. She was small in size but carried a big presence. She spoke her mind freely and challenged authority, often forcing those around her to adjust and evolve. Looking back, she recognizes that her strong voice was not rebellion, it was leadership.
As she entered adulthood, Vivian quickly learned the reality many Black women face. Being young, Black, and female often meant being underestimated, underpaid, and overworked. She carried heavy responsibility with little protection, but instead of allowing those experiences to break her, they sharpened her purpose.
Vivian knew she wanted to help people, especially women, reclaim their voice and power. Her passion for mental and emotional wellness, paired with her lived experience, led her to build multiple initiatives including SPARC Wellness, Chrysalis Wellness & Consulting Group, The Chrysalis Foundation, and the Petals & Power Initiative. Each was created to expand access to healing, growth, and support for individuals navigating different seasons of life.
But Vivian’s defining boss move was one that changed everything.
She quit her corporate six-figure job.
From the outside, it looked like success, but internally it felt like suffocation. The demands of corporate life began stealing her time, peace, and presence with her family. Stress started impacting her mental and physical health, and she realized the job was hindering her more than helping her. Walking away was not easy, but it was necessary. That decision gave her her life back and opened the door to her next chapter.
Still, building a brand came with challenges. Vivian shares that one of the hardest parts of entrepreneurship was building in isolation. She often felt like people withheld resources and guidance, especially when you are not widely known or connected. She also faced pressure to distance herself from her upbringing because of Englewood’s negative reputation.
That isolation created self-doubt, fear of failure, and moments where giving up felt easier than pushing forward. But Vivian made a powerful decision.
She chose visibility.
Instead of shrinking, she began writing empowering stories that reminded her of who she was. She started speaking openly about mental health, grounding her message in both education and lived experience. She stopped waiting for invitations and started creating her own opportunities.
Today, Vivian defines leadership as authenticity and forward motion. She believes leadership is not only about what you say, but what you model. In her words, “there is no healing in hiding.” She no longer believes leadership is about having all the answers. Instead, it is about doing the right thing for the right reason, leading with integrity, and having the courage to lead differently.
One of Vivian’s greatest mindset shifts was moving from urgency to intention. She learned to build systems that support sustainability rather than living in constant hustle mode. She created boundaries, developed repeatable workflows, and began learning when to delegate instead of carrying everything alone. She shifted from “I have to do it all” to “I need to do what matters most.” Healing herself became part of her business plan.
Vivian also knows what it feels like to be underestimated in rooms. But her confidence comes from staying rooted. She observes, listens, and discerns. And when she speaks, she speaks with intention and authority.
Like many women building a legacy, Vivian is honest about the sacrifices. The greatest sacrifice has been time, time with family, time to rest, and time to care for her body.
There were seasons of exhaustion, stress, and strained friendships. Yet she believes those sacrifices were worth it because they allowed her to step fully into her calling.
Vivian hopes her journey inspires women to choose healing over hiding and community over comparison. She believes success often comes with isolation, but collective elevation makes the journey lighter.
For the woman who knows she is meant for more but feels afraid to take the leap, Vivian’s advice is clear: “To know and not do is detrimental.” She embraces the phrase, “Girl, hold my hand,” a reminder that you do not have to leap alone.
Now, Vivian is focused on expanding her impact through her foundation, podcasting, and thought leadership. She is also developing a clinical treatment workbook for mental health professionals based on her book The Splitting Image. This next season is about deepening her reach, expanding access, and continuing the work of healing both individually and collectively.
Vivian Moore is not just building a business.
She is building a legacy.
To learn more, visit chrysaliswcg.org and follow @chrysalis_wcg and @drvivianmoore.
Connect With Dr. Chi Quita
IG: thechiquitamack & thebeautyinyoupodcast
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