Golden Star’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and transformation. From battling severe mental health challenges and homelessness to becoming the proud owner of the number one photo booth company in San Joaquin County, her story is a testament to perseverance. As a mother of six who refused to be defined by her struggles, Golden chose to believe in herself and build something meaningful. Humans of Fuzia is featuring her because her journey reflects the power of determination and the importance of women uplifting one another—values that deeply resonate with our 5 million community members who believe in He for She and She for She.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to start your business?
Golden Star: I’m the second oldest of ten and have lived with severe mental health challenges like DID, OCD, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Holding a job was difficult—I often got fired or quit because I struggled to interact with others. For a long time, I felt like I was seen only as “a mother of six, divorced twice, disabled.” But deep down, I knew I was meant for more. I told myself, I have to see myself as strong and capable. That’s when I decided to start my own business.
The idea came unexpectedly when my nephew wanted a photo booth for his graduation. I realized how popular and joyful it was—and I thought, why not me? Even when someone told me I couldn’t afford it, I took it as a challenge. I researched, saved every bit I could, and finally invested in my first photo booth. That was the beginning.
Q: Starting out must have been tough. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced?
Golden Star: Absolutely. Being a new business owner is hard enough, but doing it while battling mental health struggles and being extremely shy made it even harder. I didn’t know how to network or use social media to market myself. At first, I felt stuck. But I promised myself I wouldn’t give up.
I started small—joining chambers of commerce and watching people I admired. A wonderful woman named AJ inspired me to open up and talk with confidence. Later, a mentor named Paul guided me with practical steps and even helped me practice scripts for conversations. With their support and my persistence, I grew from being unknown to running the number one photo booth company in my county.
Q: That’s incredible growth! What do you consider your proudest achievement?
Golden Star: Of course, building my business is a huge achievement—we went from one photo booth to eight, and now we also offer DJ and balloon services. But what I’m most proud of is when people started reaching out to me for advice. Some were single moms or people with mental health struggles who wanted to start their own businesses. They saw me as a mentor. To go from being someone who couldn’t look people in the eye to being someone others look up to—that’s an achievement I cherish deeply.
Q: What’s your perspective on women empowerment today?
Golden Star: I grew up being told that a woman’s only role was to cook, clean, have babies, and serve her husband no matter what. But today, women are saying, No—we are more than that. We are leaders, we have a voice.
What inspires me most is seeing women lifting each other up. Instead of tearing each other down, we’re saying, I see your struggle. How can I help? That shift is powerful. It proves that we can create opportunities for each other and redefine what being a woman means.
Q: How do you define success for yourself?
Golden Star: For me, success isn’t about money or titles. Success is when I can create joy for someone—whether that’s helping them capture memories at an event or giving advice that helps them take their first business step. If I can inspire or support someone, that’s success to me.
Q: What message would you like to share with aspiring entrepreneurs or anyone struggling right now?
Golden Star: If I can do it, you can do it. I’ve been homeless, battled mental health challenges, and raised six kids, but I still built something meaningful. Don’t let anyone—including family or friends who may doubt you—plant negativity in your mind. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and push you to grow. Believe in yourself, take that first step, and never stop investing in your dreams.
Closing Thought
“If I can overcome my struggles and build a business, so can you. Success is about persistence, belief, and surrounding yourself with the right people.” – Golden Star
Want to be featured? If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
