In this month’s Founder’s Spotlight, we’re honored to share the story of Whitney Duenas Richardson, the visionary behind Whit from Guam and Global Sprouts, a cultural education brand that helps kids connect to the world through curiosity, creativity, and play. From surviving life-altering challenges to building a purpose-driven business rooted in identity and healing, Whitney’s journey is as real as it is inspiring.

Read on for our full Q&A with Whitney, plus a closer look at the mission and magic behind Global Sprouts.

Q&A Interview with Whitney Duenas Richardson

Q: Let’s start with your origin story. What inspired you to start your business and how did it evolve into what it is today?

Whitney Duenas Richardson: Global Sprouts was born out of a very personal desire: I wanted my daughter to grow up connected to the world, to her roots, and to people who look, speak, and live differently than her. As a multicultural mom with CHamoru and Dutch heritage, I grew up knowing that culture shapes how we see ourselves and others. But I realized quickly that many kids weren’t being exposed to those kinds of experiences early enough.

Q: Your brand, Whit from Guam, is deeply personal and empowering. What core values shape your work and message?

Whitney Duenas Richardson: At the core of Whit from Guam is a belief in radical honesty, cultural pride, and showing up fully as you are. I share my story as a mom, an entrepreneur, and an island girl not because it’s picture-perfect, but because it’s real. That’s where connection happens.
Some of the core values that shape everything I do are:

Representation matters. Growing up CHamoru, I rarely saw myself reflected in books, media, or products. Now, I make it a point to share stories, ideas, and tools that center diverse voices and lived experiences especially from underrepresented cultures.
Curiosity is powerful. Whether it’s through parenting, travel, or storytelling, I believe curiosity is how we raise kind, open-minded kids (and stay grounded adults). It’s what drives my work with Global Sprouts and beyond.

Q: On the podcast with Terryl Humphrey, you shared how your business brought you “back to life.” Can you walk us through that transformation and what it taught you about resilience?

Whitney Duenas Richardson: When I said Global Sprouts brought me back to life, I meant it in every sense. I started building this business during one of the darkest seasons of my life. I had just lost my home to a hurricane, was navigating postpartum, and felt like everything familiar had been stripped away. I was grieving stability. I was grieving the version of myself that had it all “together.” I didn’t even recognize who I was anymore. And then one night, sitting at my kitchen table, I started sketching out this idea, something to help kids connect with culture, language, and the wider world. Something I wished existed for my daughter.

Q: As a founder with island roots, how has Guam influenced your creativity, your identity, and your approach to entrepreneurship?

Whitney Duenas Richardson: Creatively, Guam gave me a unique lens. There’s beauty in the simplicity, rhythm in the traditions, and pride in our history. It’s where I first learned to observe, to listen, to feel connected to nature, to ancestors, and to community. That deeply intuitive way of creating shows up in every box I design, every message I share, every story I write. As an entrepreneur, being from Guam also taught me resourcefulness. On an island, you learn quickly how to make something from nothing. You learn to lean on your people, honor your roots, and build with what you have.

Q: What have been some of the most powerful moments or milestones in your journey so far, personal or professional?

Whitney Duenas Richardson: There are two life-altering moments that changed everything for me—one physically, and one emotionally.
The first was a car crash in 2016. I was on my way to college, driving alone through Alabama, when I lost control and ended up in the hospital with injuries so severe, the first doctor didn’t think I’d make it. I was hours away from my family. It wasn’t until a second opinion and emergency surgery that I survived. That experience shifted everything. It was the first time I realized how fragile life really is—and how little control we actually have. But it also gave me a deep sense of purpose. I knew I was meant to be here. For something.

The second came years later, when Hurricane Helene hit and I lost my home. I was postpartum, newly a mother, and everything familiar—our space, our rhythm, our sense of safety—was gone overnight. I was grieving, overwhelmed, and somehow still showing up for my baby with every ounce I had left. That season stripped me down completely. But it also cleared space for something new.

Q: Mental health, healing, and authenticity seem central to your story. How do you stay grounded as a founder in such an emotionally connected space?

Whitney Duenas Richardson: To stay grounded, I’ve learned to build rhythms that keep me connected to myself. I take walks. I breathe. I check in with my body before charging into “doer” mode. I go to therapy. I take breaks from social media. I lean on people I trust who remind me of who I am when the noise gets loud.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who feels like they’ve hit rock bottom and are considering starting over or starting something new?

Whitney Duenas Richardson: Starting over feels like jumping off a cliff. You won’t feel ready, but you have to leap anyway. You won’t land perfectly; you’ll scale your way back up, one messy, brave inch at a time. Don’t get stuck fretting over the little things or chasing perfection (easier said than done, I know). Just start.

Q: Can you share what’s next for you and Whit from Guam? Any upcoming projects or expansions we should keep our eyes on?

Whitney Duenas Richardson: Yes! I’m so excited about what’s coming next. We’re expanding Global Sprouts with new cultural boxes, deeper storytelling elements, and eventually digital content that families can use alongside their boxes to keep the learning going all month long. I’m also stepping more fully into the Whit from Guam brand and sharing more about the behind-the-scenes of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and healing, and leaning into speaking opportunities that connect mental health, cultural identity, and raising globally-minded kids.

Q. Lastly, how do you define success, and has that definition changed since you started?

Whitney Duenas Richardson: Success used to look like metrics—sales, followers, press, perfection. But now? Success feels like alignment. It’s creating something I believe in, raising my daughter with intention, and still having space to breathe, to rest, to be. If I can live in my values, make an impact, and stay rooted in who I am, that's success to me.

Brand Spotlight: Global Sprouts

About the Brand

Global Sprouts is a cultural education company that turns playtime into a passport around the world. Founded by Whitney Duenas Richardson, a mom and Guam native, Global Sprouts helps kids ages 2–10 explore new countries through hands-on crafts, recipes, language activities, and stories, designed to build empathy, curiosity, and a love for global learning from an early age.

Featured Offering

Each month, kids receive a beautifully curated box introducing a new country through interactive, screen-free activities—perfect for families who value intentional learning through play.
Price: $35.99/month
Purchase: Global Sprouts Subscription Box