Sophia Felix, an award-winning business strategist, talent manager, and mental health advocate, is making headlines again. As the founder and CEO of HBM Talent & Management and co-founder of the International Cannabis Consulting Business Women’s Association (ICBWA), Felix is launching groundbreaking initiatives to elevate women in entertainment, business, and wellness spaces—proving once again that leadership is a blend of purpose, perseverance, and power.
Sophia’s journey is anything but typical. From managing actors, models, and entrepreneurs to winning three Telly Awards for excellence in media, she’s built an empire rooted in integrity and impact. With over a decade of experience in branding, consulting, and talent development, she leads with authenticity and a fierce commitment to creating opportunities for others—especially women and underrepresented communities.
Her nonprofit, ICBWA, focuses on education, mentorship, and advocacy in the cannabis industry, offering a vital platform for women to connect, grow, and thrive in a space historically dominated by men. “We’re not just breaking stigma—we’re building legacy,” says Felix.
At the core of her success is a drive to fix what she saw broken. “Women across industries were getting taken advantage of, underpaid, and underrepresented,” she recalls. After receiving countless calls for help early in her career, she decided to create a solution—launching her own consulting company to serve, protect, and uplift women in business.
Her bold move came with challenges: limited funding, no legal counsel, and navigating the unknown. But Sophia is no stranger to adversity. “I pitched my company at competitions, joined accelerator programs, and learned how to raise capital,” she explains. “When your vision is clear and your voice is confident, people show up.”
That grit traces back to her roots. Inspired by her grandfather, Augie—a musician and positive force in her life—and her grandmother Jenny, who took in foster children, Felix developed a deep sense of empathy, resilience, and leadership. “They shaped my soul,” she shares. “I carry their values into every room I walk into.”
Her leadership is also personal. As a mental health advocate, she regularly speaks about PTSD, anxiety, and holistic healing. “Therapy, emotional intelligence, and nervous system regulation are tools every entrepreneur should learn,” she says. “Mindset is everything in business.”
Felix believes in keeping it real with aspiring entrepreneurs. “Lead with purpose. Protect your brand. Have a budget. Learn to pivot. And always get a business attorney,” she says with clarity. Her top advice? “Never let anyone take advantage of your knowledge or resources. Make people earn your trust.”
As a Latina woman in business, she’s faced obstacles ranging from gender-based pay gaps to not being taken seriously. “I was underestimated early on—because I’m Latina and because I’m attractive,” she says. “But I’ve turned those perceptions into fuel. I don’t let bias define me—I break the mold.”
What sets Sophia apart is her rare mix of street smarts, business acumen, and elite experience. Before entering entertainment, she worked in the shipbuilding industry—managing multimillion-dollar contracts for the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense starting at just 20 years old. “That foundation made me fearless in boardrooms,” she says.
Today, Felix is celebrating a new milestone: winning her third Telly Award for a commercial featuring her clients and services at HBM Talent & Management. She’s also organizing a major event for ICBWA—the Medicinal Cannabis Experts & Wellness Conference—which will bring together doctors, CA assembly members, and wellness leaders to educate and advocate for safe cannabis use.
“For us, this isn’t just an event—it’s a movement,” says Felix. “Giving doctors a safe platform to speak openly is vital to shifting public perception.”
To Sophia, success is measured not by money, but by alignment. “It’s peace, purpose, and the ability to elevate others,” she says. And while financial freedom matters—it gives her the ability to focus on family, live comfortably, and choose her projects wisely—she sees wealth as a tool, not the goal.
So what’s next for Sophia Felix? More impact, more influence, and more innovation. “I’m just getting started,” she says. “Every room I walk into, I bring light, leadership, and legacy with me.”
