Meet Trayonna Rankins

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trayonna Rankins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trayonna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Marching Beauties was birthed at a time in my life when I felt empty and unsure of who I wanted to become. I knew the only way to move forward meant I needed to do some healing within. As I started working on myself—learning who I was as an adult and a new mother—I began to uncover layers of my story I hadn’t faced before. When I shared my thoughts and feelings with my friends, we realized that so many of us, as grown women, were still grown women with little girl issues. That realization sparked something in me. I’ve always been the kind of person who wants to help, to fix, to heal what’s broken—and I knew I wanted to help change that cycle. My grandmother Dorothy Cook, who has served as the director of a homeless shelter in South Los Angeles for as long as I can remember, planted the seed of community in me. Watching her lead with love, compassion, and strength showed me what it truly means to serve from the heart. She inspired me and gave me permission to believe that I could do the same—that I could move with purpose, give with love, and make a difference in the lives of others.

At this time being a new mother to my daughter Nila McCuien it was my mother Regina Rankins who reminded me that I could do anything I put my mind to. And it was my other grandmother Ceola Rankins that prayed over the vision God had given me.

What should our readers know about your business?
Marching Beauties was founded in 2011, later established in 2015 with the hopes of building an organization committed to developing young girls. We are committed to build, to empower, and to unite our community as a whole. We speak LIFE into the darkness and give HOPE to the hopeless. We are MARCHING BEAUTIES!

Many young girls continue to seek love and validation from the world. That was me, I was a young girl seeking happiness everywhere but from within myself. Through many trials and tribulations, I not only learned my self-worth but that I am in control of my happiness. I educated myself and allowed God to guide me through daily practice. Each day I became more aware, accepting, forgiving, and empowered to grow. I am living with purpose and I am passionate and committed to sharing these components with beauties and communities around the world.

I’m most proud about the work we get to do daily in the inner cities South Los Angeles.

My journey to where I am today has been rooted in faith, perseverance, and purpose. It hasn’t been easy—but I’m a strong believer that anything worth having doesn’t come easy. Every obstacle, every setback, and every moment of doubt has been a part of God’s plan to shape me into who I am today, both in life and in business. I’ve learned to walk by faith and not by sight, to trust the process, and to stay consistent and dedicated even when the path wasn’t clear.

The Marching Beauties Foundation was born from this same spirit—a desire to serve the community, uplift young women, and create safe spaces for girls to grow into confident, purpose-driven leaders. Through our programs, we strive to build emotional and mental resilience, showing girls that they have the power to love themselves, dream big, and march together in sisterhood.

The journey has been filled with lessons. I’ve learned that the best lessons in life often come from failure—it teaches you what you don’t know and forces you to depend on God to make the impossible possible. I overcame challenges by removing what didn’t work, adjusting when necessary, and not being afraid to fall. Because I know I can always get back up—someone’s life depends on it.

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that life is a journey. You have to be willing to take the ride, embracing both the good and the bad. Growth in business mirrors growth in life—when your business grows, so do you. The Marching Beauties brand, and my personal brand, stand as living testimony of resilience.

I want the world to know that nothing happens overnight. Success takes work, faith, and patience. It is our work that proves that dreams can become reality. It is our work that speaks for us. And it is the lives we impact and the lives we save that keep us relevant and grounded in our purpose.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When I want to unwind and take in the real beauty of Los Angeles, I love to start my day somewhere peaceful. A quiet morning walk along the beach helps me slow down, breathe, and reflect — there’s something about the ocean that reminds me to stay grounded and grateful.

From there, I might spend a few hours at one of LA’s many museums, soaking in the art and creativity that reflect the heartbeat of our city. After that, a visit to a local spa gives me a moment to relax and reset — self-care is an important part of keeping balance.

Later in the day, I’ll head to LA Live to catch some energy, grab a bite, or enjoy a little live music. But what I love most is taking time to hang in home neighborhoods like Watts, Compton and Inglewood — places filled with culture, history, and pride. There’s so much beauty in the streets, the murals, the small businesses, and the stories that often go unseen.

For me, it’s not just about sightseeing — it’s about celebrating the soul of our communities. Every visit reminds me why I love home: it’s resilient, creative, and full of heart.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to recognize my family who started this journey with me. My grandmothers Dorothy Cook, Ceola Rankins, my parents Bernard & Regina Rankins, my daughter Nila McCuien. My amazing friends and support who stood by me when Marching Beauties was just a thought on paper, my Pastor Carol Houston, Rita Steel, Jennifer Garcia, Bridgette Dawson, Shellie Slacks, Ashley Burrell, Tyesha Adams and Marc Maye. Our oldest beauties Yaretzi Araujo, Morgan Ingram and leaders Guadalupe Ibarra and Bianca Mejia and Kayla Nichols. And those who serve alongside me such Angel Bradley, Oreonia Brown, Larenia Stoner, Cyrian Reed, Candice Nichols, Nellie Kim, Kendall Burks, Shaking Fulton, Cynthia Harris, Amber Kay, Jade Baber and Julie Mulvey.

Website: https://www.marchingbeauties.org

Instagram: @marchingbeauties

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themarchingbeautiesfoundation

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marchingbeautiesfoundation3266