Life & Work with C’Anna Hanser of WILLIS

Today we’d like to introduce you to C’Anna Hanser.

Hi C’Anna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a home shaped by hardship; my mother was in a serious car accident while pregnant with me, and later returned to an abusive relationship. I spent much of my life managing untreated ADHD, anxiety, and depression. During middle and high school, I didn’t see a future for myself. I felt like I didn’t belong.

Years later, I got physically sick, and instead of being treated, doctors blamed my trauma. It sent me back into that dark mental space, but this time, I saw others struggling too: family, friends, children who reminded me of myself. I realized I couldn’t let them grow up believing they didn’t matter.

That’s when the seed of Essence Grove™ was planted; a safe, storybook world built to help others feel seen, connected, and hopeful. It’s a space where we talk about hard things: health, safety, emotion—through art and gentle storytelling. Where healing begins with imagination, and where no one walks alone.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. I was raised in a low-income household, where every dollar went toward keeping the lights on, putting food on the table; mostly unhealthy because it’s what we could afford while staying afloat. Extracurriculars were out of reach, and even when I had the chance to try something, it came with the weight of knowing how much my mom was sacrificing just to get me there. We kept close to our own, often because the world outside felt unsafe or because we were told it was.

But the biggest struggle wasn’t just money or isolation. I had severe speech issues as a child. I couldn’t hear low tones, and for years, the words in my head wouldn’t come out right. I had to learn to say each letter on its own…slowly, painfully. For the longest time, only my older brother could understand what I was trying to say. He was my first protector, my translator to the world, the one person who saw me fully when I couldn’t express myself. I leaned on him more than I should have, because he was the only place I felt understood.

It took over ten years for me to physically speak clearly. However, that wasn’t when I found my voice.

My true voice didn’t come until I stopped being afraid of how people would react when I said: not everything has been easy. That I don’t blame them, but I do need to speak the truth. That even if their intentions were good, I still had to live through the consequences. And I’m still healing from that.

It’s taken years of unlearning, of relearning safety and trust, of choosing to grow from pain rather than carry it like armor. That path gave me insight, empathy, and the will to build something better: for myself, and for others still finding their voice.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve worn a lot of hats in my life: department manager at 19, childcare worker, factory line operator, admin assistant, problem-solver, community builder. I’ve worked in fast food, education, manufacturing, marketing—even companies that ended up being scams. I gave every one of them more than my job title asked for, because I don’t believe in doing things halfway. I believe in showing up. Fully.

What I’m most proud of isn’t a degree or a title; it’s the way I’ve grown through every one of those roles. I dropped out of high school but got my GED. I tried college multiple times, but without a foundation in routine and mental health support, it only pushed me into crisis. Still, I never stopped learning. I never stopped working. I made mistakes when I was young, but I carry those lessons with reverence now. Because no one gave me space to learn the way I needed; so now I’m building that space for others.

Through it all, I’ve followed the things that made me feel whole: reading, writing, photography, crocheting, and especially yoga. Those passions were my lifelines; quiet acts of joy that reminded me who I was when the world tried to tell me otherwise. Now, I’m learning to love gardening too. It feels like growth in motion, like tending something outside mirrors the healing I’ve done inside.
That’s when the seed of Essence Grove™ was planted—a safe, storybook world built to help others feel seen, connected, and hopeful. It’s a space where we talk about hard things—health, safety, emotion—through art and gentle storytelling. A place where healing begins with imagination, and no one walks alone.

Today, Essence Grove™ offers immersive storybook sessions, creative healing workshops, and youth-led art projects that invite participants to become part of the story. Whether we’re guiding kids through emotional expression with our Vireya characters or co-creating artwork for our next community book, every experience is built on care, creativity, and connection.

We also provide pro-bono programming for youth and underserved communities—because access should never be the barrier to healing.

And one of our favorite things? Hearing from people who say, “I’m trying.”
Those words matter. We see the people who are showing up the best they can, even on the hard days. That quiet resilience is the heart of the Grove—and one of the greatest honors of this work.

That’s what Essence Grove™ is. It’s not just a project; it’s the sum of everything I’ve lived through. It’s a storybook brought to life for people who’ve been told they’re just a number. It’s a creative sanctuary for students, dreamers, and storytellers who don’t fit neatly on a résumé. I created this because I was tired of giving my brilliance to companies that didn’t see it. I wanted to build something that does; a space that sees everyone.

On paper, I might not look like the “safe choice.” But in person? You’d know; this work matters to me. This isn’t about performance. It’s about healing, belonging, and legacy. And that’s what sets me apart.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I talk about this one often—it’s the only time I’ve ever seen the northern lights.

My grandparents bought tickets for me and my older brother to see The Lion King musical in Lansing. It was a big deal. We didn’t get experiences like that. I remember everything: the music, the colors, the actors dancing through the aisles; it felt like we were part of the story, like we got to step inside a dream for a night. They bought us popcorn, and for those few hours, the stress of home just… disappeared. We felt free.

The moment that still takes my breath away came later, on the ride home. We were tired, watching the world pass by through the car windows, when we saw them; the northern lights. Just for a few minutes. They weren’t vivid or dramatic, just a soft shimmer in the sky. But they were real. And they were enough.

That day gave me something I didn’t even know I needed at the time: a spark of hope. A reminder that even in a life full of chaos, there are moments of beauty. That sometimes, you get to step away, and that’s enough to keep going.

The next morning, we were dropped off at school like it was any other day. Life moved on. But I held that memory close, and I still do.

Pricing:

• 1-Hour Immersive Storybook Experience Starting at $75 (Price may vary based on group size, event length, materials, or additional needs. We’re always happy to work with you—just ask!)
• We understand that not every youth program, shelter, or school has a big budget. If your community is in need—we will always find a way. Pro-bono sessions are available for underserved youth and nonprofit organizations. No child should miss the magic because of money.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.essencegrove.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essencegrovetales/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574019024198
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-anna-hanser-4bb0241b9/
• Twitter: https://x.com/EssenceGrove