Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Vann.
Hi Emily, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I truly believe I was born to be a nurse. Caring for others has been written on my heart for as long as I can remember. Women have always felt safe with me — often opening up before they even know my name. It’s a gift I’ve never taken lightly.
Right after high school, I followed that calling and earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1993. Since then, I’ve devoted my life to caring for my patients with compassion, dignity, and respect.
When I was 27, I had a powerful vision: I was meant to care specifically for women between the ages of 18 and 80. The message was clear — *if I could help a woman shift her mindset, I could help her change her life.* At the time, I pushed that calling aside. But it never left me.
Then in 2020, during COVID, I kept hearing the same words from so many women:
*”I just need someone to talk to.”*
And I knew. It was time.
I decided to become that haven — a safe, judgment-free space where women can show up exactly as they are. A place where you can look how you want to look, feel how you want to feel, and know that it is more than okay. Because life can be heavy. We all face challenges. And often, we don’t have someone we truly trust to help us sort through them.
My role is not to judge or direct your life. My responsibility is to offer perspective — gentle, honest insight you may not have considered, or guidance to help you navigate decisions that feel overwhelming. Some choices are deeply personal. Some are life-changing. All deserve support.
**StraightTalk with Sissy** was created to be that confidential, compassionate space. A space where you can untangle your thoughts, find clarity, and move forward with confidence.
I also hold a special place in my heart for women navigating HSV or other STI diagnoses. There is so much unnecessary shame surrounding sexual health. I am passionate about helping women release that stigma and step into empowered conversations about their bodies. Your body is sacred. It deserves protection, respect, and informed choices — free from fear or embarrassment rooted in outdated narratives.
When you step into StraightTalk, you begin to awaken the goddess within you. You reconnect with your strength. You rediscover your confidence. You learn to love yourself fully — without shame.
This is a new day. And you do not have to walk it alone.
StraightTalk is here to support you, celebrate you, and remind you of the powerful woman you already are.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road at all. As a Black woman starting a business with the intention of serving the world, “struggle” almost feels like an understatement. The challenges began with simply stepping into something I had never done before—starting a business and figuring out how to reach the people who truly need my services. I had always identified myself as a nurse, not a businessperson, and for a long time I resisted the idea of entrepreneurship. Marketing, branding, visibility, and strategy were unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory for me.
The biggest shift was mindset. I had to accept that in order to serve on a larger scale, I couldn’t just be a nurse—I had to become a business owner. That meant humbling myself, reaching out for guidance, asking for help, and learning skills I never thought I would need. It wasn’t easy, but it stretched me in ways that ultimately strengthened both my mission and my confidence.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At **StraightTalk with Sissy**, everything I do is rooted in compassion, realness, and over 30 years of lived and professional experience. I have been a Registered Nurse since 1993, and I still actively work as an RN, educating members about their health and helping them better understand their bodies and medical journeys. After decades of bedside care and patient advocacy, I earned my Professional Life Coach Certification in 2022 because I wanted to reach women beyond the clinical setting — not just medically, but emotionally and mentally as well.
People often say you have to “niche down,” but life doesn’t narrow itself. Women face dozens of challenges every single day. It felt incomplete to say I only support women in one small area when the truth is — women need support in real life. They need guidance when they’re exhausted from doing everything for everyone. When they don’t feel valued. When they can’t seem to connect with their teenager. When they feel stuck in a space that no longer feels comfortable but don’t know how to move forward. That’s where StraightTalk with Sissy comes in — offering grounded, loving guidance to help you think clearly, make confident decisions, and find your way back to yourself.
If I had to name my specialty, I would say I specialize in empowering women to be strong, confident, and rooted in their purpose. I help women reconnect with their voice, set boundaries without guilt, and move through life with clarity and self-trust.
What sets StraightTalk apart is that I’m not formal — I’m your favorite homegirl with wisdom. I believe in personalized care because every woman’s story is different. After caring for thousands of patients over my 30+ year nursing career, I’ve learned that what people need most is a safe space to be fully themselves without fear of judgment. That is my promise to every client. You will be heard. You will be respected. You will be supported.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just my credentials — it’s the trust women place in me. It’s creating a space where women feel seen, valued, and strong again. With StraightTalk with Sissy, you’re not just getting coaching. You’re gaining guidance, accountability, and a sisterhood that feels like family.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I actually love a good who-done-it novel. It keeps my mind sharp and reminds me that there’s always more beneath the surface — which translates beautifully into the work I do. In both nursing and coaching, I help women connect the dots in their lives and uncover what’s really going on.
Pricing:
- StraightTalk Strategy Session – $15
- 20% off session of 8
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.straighttalkwithsissy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/straighttalkwsissy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079460571853
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/emily-vann-bsn-rn-4a8276236
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@straighttalkwithsissy
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/straighttalk-with-sissy-kansas-city
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Emily+Vann&crid=2AKN8KU013243&sprefix=emily+bann%2Caps%2C219
