In 2019, Alana Mbanza moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, through Tulsa Remote, a program designed to relocate full-time remote workers. She sought a fresh start while continuing her remote job, but she never anticipated that the move would lead her to entrepreneurship.
After struggling with her own Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, she was inspired to create Empower MS, an app dedicated to providing education, advocacy and mental health support for women navigating life with the disease.
Through Tulsa’s entrepreneurial resources and community support, Mbanza transformed her personal challenges into a mission-driven business that is changing lives.
“I was diagnosed with MS in 2019, but I had been experiencing symptoms for five to six years before that,” she said. “I just couldn’t get any information or answers from the medical system.
It wasn’t until her entire lower body went numb one day that people started taking her seriously. Mbanza’s diagnosis led to a challenging journey, but Tulsa became the place where she transformed adversity into advocacy.
Tulsa Remote: A career shift sparked by community support
Mbanza relocated to Tulsa from Chicago with the help of Tulsa Remote, a program aimed at bringing full-time remote workers to the city. Initially, she held a remote job that involved frequent travel, but she soon discovered that her MS symptoms hindered her ability to keep pace.
“And then COVID came and shut everything down,” Mbanza explained. “During that time, I had a chance to reflect on my priorities. My health wasn’t good, and I decided in 2021 to resign from my job because I couldn’t work in the same way while still maintaining my health.”
Rather than returning to the traditional workforce, she started exploring Tulsa’s entrepreneurial resources, which helped her pivot into something life changing.
From an idea to Empower MS
Mbanza’s vision for Empower MS was deeply personal. After struggling to find support beyond medical care, she decided to create the resource she wished she had when she was first diagnosed.
“It wasn’t until last year in April that I started Empower MS,” she said. “It came from a conversation with one of my former students. She had literally just gotten out of the emergency room with an MS diagnosis. In that conversation, I saw myself.”
That conversation inspired her to build a community-based platform that provides education, advocacy and mental health support for women with MS.
In January 2024, she launched the beta version of the Empower MS app. The app offers personalized assessments tailored to each woman’s experience with MS, uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to shift negative mindsets, and provides practical resources on mindfulness, stress management, and self-advocacy.
“What I saw in other MS apps was that everything was about tracking symptoms and medication,” Mbanza explained. “But MS affects every part of your life—your relationships, your career, your mental health. I wanted to create something that recognized that.”
Living with MS isn’t just about managing physical symptoms—it can take a serious toll on mental health, too, Mbanza said.
In fact, up to 50% of people with MS experience depression, which is three times higher than the general population, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Anxiety is also more common in those with MS, adding another layer of challenge to daily life.
Mbanza said that’s why it’s so important to take a holistic approach to MS care, addressing both physical and emotional well-being to truly support women living with the condition.
Finding success in Tulsa with Empower MS
Mbanza credits Tulsa’s ecosystem of support with helping her transition from remote work to having her own business. She attended workshops and networking events that helped her refine her business plan, and won a pitch competition that provided the initial funding to launch her app.
“There were so many organizations and people who took my idea from just a passion project to a real business,” she said. “Programs like Build in Tulsa, leadership training, and pitch nights gave me the confidence and resources to move forward.”
Mbanza emphasized that Tulsa Remote played a key role in bringing her to a city full of opportunities she hadn’t previously imagined.
“I didn’t move to Tulsa as an entrepreneur,” she said. “But once I got here, I was able to take advantage of so many resources that allowed me to grow into one.”
Looking ahead: advocacy and expansion
With Empower MS gaining traction, Mbanza is already working on the next phase—integrating AI-driven features into the app to personalize support even further.
She is also committed to advocating for Black women with MS, ensuring they have access to representation and support.
“There are so many layers to MS that people don’t talk about, and I want women to know they’re not alone in this,” she said. “Your life doesn’t end with a diagnosis.”
A Tulsa Remote success story
Mbanza’s experience highlights how Tulsa Remote helps full-time remote workers relocate and discover new opportunities. While she didn’t move to Tulsa as an entrepreneur, the city’s networking, funding and mentorship resources allowed her to launch a business that is now changing lives.
For those considering Tulsa Remote, her journey proves that this city is a place where bold ideas can grow.
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- Jaslyn Ferguson preserves history, builds community through Tulsa Remote
- How Tulsa Remote participant Amnoni Myers grapples with race, identity, and community tensions
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