“I see so many people scared to embrace creativity, playfulness, or spontaneity. They fear embarrassment, humiliation, rejection, or failure. It is my wish to help people unplug from those fears…”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I can tell you that I am so passionate about living each day of my life sprinkled with creativity.
Every single “today” is a good day to learn something new, try something new, and create something new.
I find it interesting as I reflect back on my 45 years of living this life that my interests in marketing, graphic design, theatre, music, coaching, spirituality, and personal development all intertwine with each other, although it may seem like they don’t go together at all.
Somehow these interests bring me a great deal of joy, gratitude, and balance.
I do experience struggles just like everyone else does, yet I tend to look at those as opportunities I get to experience, learn from, and grow from.
My mantra is “Everything that happens is for my benefit.”
Like many other entrepreneurs, I had to make a pivot in 2020, that is when I began working with some amazing mentors and digging deep to identify how I could make money doing something I love.
I began producing plays online, hosted Zoom sessions with the actors, and streamed the plays on Facebook and YouTube.
Last year, we finally got back on stage for a live production of the Broadway musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
We had six nominations with Broadway World Los Angeles and went on to win Best Special Event. When I am not working on plays, I help entrepreneurs create marketing content, pitch decks, graphics, social media posts, swag, and banners for live events, video editing, and book publishing.
I also teach people how to use PowerPoint and Canva.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I was born in Utah and had many cousins growing up to play with.
My family and I moved to Southern California when I was eight, and that is when I met my best friend, Scott.
We have been pretending ever since; he is my theatre partner and he is the actor as I am more behind the scenes.
We loved sketch comedy shows like SNL and MadTV and would often put on our own skits for our friends and family.
I became a teenage mom in high school and stayed in school till I graduated. I took some vocational classes in video production while working in a movie theater.
When I was 19, Scott and I went to work at Disneyland in the character department. I enjoyed portraying Mikey Mouse for several years before I got myself a grown-up job in mortgage. That was the best job I ever had. It just didn’t pay a livable wage.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I’ve been told that when you are creating something you are connected to divinity.
I see so many people scared to embrace creativity, playfulness, or spontaneity. They fear embarrassment, humiliation, rejection, or failure.
It is my wish to help people unplug from those fears and hold a safe space for them to have the experience and joy that comes with creating something, making art, making music, writing a book, or anything else creative.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: I can see this from a few different perspectives. I would like to think of feminism as being unapologetically myself, as a woman.
Loving myself unconditionally. Embracing what makes me a woman. Celebrating my body, my hormones, my emotions, my choices, what brings me peace, and what completes me.
Building communities with loving, wise, caring, nurturing women to heal and grow with.
I don’t see feminism as a way to tear down or exclude men, but I can see how some may interpret feminism that way.
“…every challenge, every late night, and every tough decision has taught me that I am stronger than I ever thought possible.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I have been in the talent acquisition field for over a decade now and have been managing people from the junior level up to those who have been in the industry longer than I have.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a manager is watching your team grow and succeed.
I’m passionate about mentoring, coaching, and helping individuals unlock their potential. I find great satisfaction in identifying someone’s strengths, nurturing their talents, and guiding them toward achieving their personal and professional goals.
I believe that a positive work environment is crucial for success. I’m passionate about cultivating a culture where people feel respected, motivated, and empowered. This includes advocating for work-life balance, promoting diversity and inclusion, and ensuring open communication within the team.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up in a close-knit family that emphasized the importance of education, hard work, and kindness. My parents were my first role models; they taught me the values of perseverance, dedication, and empathy.
Growing up, we weren’t wealthy, but we were rich in love, support, and encouragement. My parents always made sure that I had access to good education and opportunities to explore my interests.
Academically, I was always driven. I loved learning and excelled in my studies, often pushing myself to be at the top of my class. Subjects like English and Mathematics fascinated me because they allowed me to understand people and cultures, while math and science challenged my analytical skills. Education was more than just a means to an end—it was a way to explore the world and my place in it.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: One of the most important things I’ve learned is the power of resilience. Life as a single mother can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But every challenge, every late night, and every tough decision has taught me that I am stronger than I ever thought possible.
Resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting back up every time. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was that asking for help doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human. Whether it’s leaning on family, friends, or community resources, reaching out for support is a strength, not a weakness.
It’s easy to feel like you’re falling short when juggling so many roles, but remember that you are enough just as you are. The love, effort, and dedication you pour into your family and work are what truly matter. Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be valid and valuable.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism means advocating for equality, respect, and the freedom for all individuals—especially women—to make choices that align with their values, ambitions, and needs without judgment or restriction. It’s about breaking down the barriers that have historically limited women’s opportunities and recognizing the diverse ways in which women contribute to society, both inside and outside the home.
Feminism, to me, is about embracing the full spectrum of what it means to be a woman today—strong, vulnerable, ambitious, nurturing, and unapologetically ourselves. It’s about fighting for a better world not just for ourselves, but for future generations.
MORE FROM IHRA: As I always say: Travel like there’s no tomorrow. Dance as if no one is watching. Laugh until your jaw hurts. And love as if it’s your first and last.
Q and A withCeleste from St. Louis, Missouri, living in Smyrna, Georgia
“…resilience, faith, and perseverance can transform pain into purpose.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am passionate about helping people heal, rediscover their purpose, and understand that their story still has value no matter what they have been through. As an ordained minister, life and grief coach, author, and community advocate, much of my work centers around supporting people through life’s difficult transitions, including grief, trauma, incarceration, family challenges, and personal reinvention.
My passion was born from my own experiences. I have faced seasons of loss, disappointment, and challenges that forced me to rely on faith, resilience, and God’s grace. Those experiences taught me that healing is possible and that our greatest pain can often become the foundation for our greatest purpose.
Currently, I am developing faith-based resources, devotionals, grief support materials, coaching programs, and community initiatives that help individuals find hope, healing, and direction. I am especially passionate about supporting women, families, and individuals rebuilding their lives after setbacks.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My younger years were shaped by both challenges and valuable life lessons. Growing up, I learned early that life does not always follow the path we imagine. Family responsibilities, personal struggles, and unexpected circumstances taught me resilience at a young age.
One of the experiences that most impacted my life was becoming a mother as a teenager. While it brought many challenges, it also taught me responsibility, perseverance, sacrifice, and unconditional love. That journey forced me to grow up quickly and helped shape the woman I am today.
Education came both inside and outside the classroom. Some of my greatest lessons came through life experiences, relationships, faith, and overcoming adversity. Looking back, I can see how every obstacle helped develop my compassion for others and strengthened my desire to serve and encourage people who are navigating difficult seasons.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that your past does not have the final say over your future.
Many people carry shame from mistakes, losses, disappointments, or circumstances beyond their control. My story has taught me that healing begins when we stop allowing our past to define our worth. We can acknowledge our wounds without allowing them to become our identity.
I want others to know that setbacks do not disqualify you from living a meaningful life. You can experience grief and still find joy. You can make mistakes and still become successful. You can face rejection and still walk confidently in your purpose.
If people learn anything from my story, I hope they learn that resilience, faith, and perseverance can transform pain into purpose. What you survive can become the very thing that helps someone else heal.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism means recognizing the inherent worth, dignity, and God-given value of women. It means supporting opportunities for women to grow, lead, learn, serve, and use their gifts without unnecessary barriers.
As a woman of faith, I believe feminism is not about competing with men but about ensuring that women are respected, heard, protected, and empowered to fulfill their purpose. It means advocating for women who have been overlooked, marginalized, or silenced and creating spaces where their voices and experiences matter.
I am especially passionate about supporting women through healing, personal growth, leadership development, and life transitions so they can live fully and confidently in who they were created to be.
MORE ABOUT CELESTE: At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to service. Whether through ministry, coaching, writing, mentoring, or community outreach, my goal is to leave people better than I found them.
I believe healing and growth happen in the community. I believe faith and practical action work together. I’ve been a part of Kiwanis of Greater South Cobb for over 13 years, that’s dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities
Most importantly, I believe every person has a purpose, regardless of their background, age, mistakes, or current circumstances.
My life’s work is helping people discover that purpose and giving them the tools, encouragement, and support they need to walk in it.
I am a transplant from St. Louis, Missouri, but live in Smyrna, Georgia, (20+ years) a city just outside Atlanta, Georgia. Community involvement and ministry work have allowed me to serve people throughout the metro Atlanta area and beyond, helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges while building stronger, healthier futures.
Q and A with Cornelia from Germany, living in Panama
“Happiness is a decision and gratitude is the key to it.”
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I am passionate about well-being and abundance to follow your dreams, live, work, and ENJOY it while being happy, vibrant, and confident. Yes, this is quite a bite to chew, but seriously, when we take responsibility for our own personal situation, that is where freedom begins. So, it starts within ourselves, our thoughts, words, and actions that create the outcome of our own journey.
Years ago, back in Germany, I was struggling with health and emotional issues. The recommended approaches by the doctors I saw did not seem to solve the issues of the source but only the symptoms. So, I decided to take my health into my own hands, studied naturopathy, entered a completely new world of looking at well-being, and opened my own practice.
This path led me to follow my heart. I closed my practice in Germany and moved to the United States where I founded my own business called Life Balance Passion. I create and share simple steps, routines, and online programs that help people to learn and understand what they can do to achieve what they want to improve.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Protected, shy, and eager to fit in…I grew up as a middle child with two brothers, near I grew up close to Hamburg, actually Norderstedt, which is a little town about 30 minutes from its center. I played instruments, sang in choirs, and played handball several times a week. I always felt like an outsider, a late bloomer, and for sure the violin lessons I went to, were not helping to be part of the “cool peeps.”
I was afraid of doing things the wrong way. I was playing the violin, playing handball, and in retrospect with all the knowledge and experience of other countries, cultures, and stories, I got very lucky. In my youth, I was often angry about being so protected and not allowed to go out or else. Even though I think that my parents may have been overprotective, I feel that the trust and love that I have experienced from them was a great foundation. I would walk to even as a first year on my own to school (followed by my mum in secret, if I can handle it), she later started working. I was about eight, and my older brother and I had to make our own lunch. In the neighborhood, it was incredibly special that a mum was not at home the whole day.
My first really rebellious action I remember was (when I was about 16) climbing out of the bathroom window to hang out with friends later than I was allowed to be out of the house. Coming back in without being caught was such a success and started in me the seed of independence growing.
The cool kids at school would have parties and boyfriends, and I was still in my little world. I don’t think that it has harmed me, quite the opposite; I had a late start but a great solid foundation of love and trust. I started to be rebellious around 18. Then I moved to southern Germany at around 22 years old to be as far away as possible.
Later in life, in my 30s, other attempts to “be part of” or “fit in” would work for a while but the passion for independence and just being my authentic self without “playing a role and function” was always stronger. After accepting that, life became more joyful and fulfilled.
After studying in Bavaria and coming around, partying and experimenting, I moved to Berlin, studied there, met my first husband and moved back to Hamburg and married. My own health issues showed up, and over the pain and disappointment of not giving birth to the next family heir, I was at the most desperate and sad times in my life. It was my awakening.
I learned about more holistic perspectives of life and became aware that I am an empath, and that is not a bad thing but something beautiful to work with. My husband and I separated and got divorced as friends, peacefully. In my studies, I learned about essential oils and how they benefit me and my emotional state with such an enormous impact. I started to trust and looked deeper into aromatherapy. I started to use them in my practice with clients. Meanwhile, I had studied naturopathy and I learned about so many new aspects and perspectives of life and nature that I felt that I had finally found what I was looking for unknowingly.
My journey brought me to Salt Lake City, I met my wonderful, crazy man (and now husband). Within a year, we married, I moved and immigrated to the US., left my country with two suitcases, and four years later, we left the US.
I had meanwhile built my international network marketing business. Four years later, we left the U.S. with two suitcases, two cats, and 1/3 of a shipping container for a new adventure in Panama. Panama is in so many ways different…the culture and the ways how things get done. When we arrived, we had to get our papers done. It took about four months, and then the Pandemic hit. We had here strict curfew, defined days when were allowed to leave the house, defined by passport numbers at what time. At that time, we lived in a high rise and ordered fresh produce, fish, and meats via WhatsApp. For workouts, we ran down and up our stairs. Alcohol was not allowed. The government was afraid of domestic violence. People jumped out of high risers, so it was an intense time. Feelings were up and down; that’s when we started fostering cats or kittens, and that’s also how our bunch of two grew to a crew of four. As soon as we were able, we moved to the historic district where we heard that there was kind of a community. Since then, we have been living here in the beautiful district of Casco Viejo, which is finally waking up from sleeping during the pandemic to a touristy vibrant party area. Life in Panama is slower, louder, and warmer. We have two seasons: rainy season or dry season, temperatures between 26-32 C, and humidity around 80-90%. It makes me humble to see what people are struggling with here and even though I feel that our adventure of exploring other countries has not found an end here, I am incredibly grateful for this experience in beautiful Panama.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Make a decision and make it count. It is YOUR personal story and path. Nobody can tell you who you are and how to live your life. You will make mistakes, and run into obstacles and pain. Embrace them and find gratitude in the experience they have given to you. Happiness is a decision and gratitude is the key to it.
Q: What does feminism mean to you? A: I grew up very protected, kind of naive, and in the knowledge that the generation of my mother fought for their rights. For me, I never felt a disadvantage for being a woman. My mother never differentiated between me and my brothers. I grew up with the confidence that I can do and accomplish ANYTHING I want, so I took it for granted and stood my ground.
Living in Panama, and being exposed to other countries and cultures opened my eyes to the fact that we still live in a world that does not treat every person like it is: a person, an individual, a wonderful creature.
The unbelievable torture, traditions, and rights that are still to this day practiced in some cultures to subdue and treat women and girls like property is hard to comprehend from where I come from. It makes me feel naive and furious, and the unspeakable injustice rattles me deeply.
MORE FROM CORNELIA: I am often asked: “Cornelia, what is it that you do?” My answer is always the same: I provide simple tips, routines, and programs for working women, as well as clean solutions, provided by nature for you and your business. Well-being and health don’t have to be complicated. It starts with a mindset and a decision.
A big part of my success so far has been sharing tips, routines, and programs with other women in wellness-oriented businesses. The difference now is the way of sharing…instead of traveling around Germany…we now share in online courses and video classes.
Not sure yet if and where we will go next; let’s call it “laid-back digital nomadism,” only moving every couple of years.
“…learning, continuous learning, and investing in ourselves always pay off…”
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I have always been passionate about making the world a better place. This was inspired by my parents, who both had a strong interest in world politics, literature, culture, and people’s lives generally.
Since college, I have worked for 30 years in international development on poverty reduction for disadvantaged communities, economic development, and natural resources management.
I want to see economies growing, enterprises thriving, the environment staying healthy and beautiful, and people’s lives improving.
I have also been strongly interested in sharing my knowledge and experience and supporting people’s growth. I used to be a dedicated manager and team leader.
For the United Nations, I managed and motivated a team of senior, older female, and male staff colleagues to stay strong and deliver during a transitional period for human resources in its Hanoi office in the early 1990s.
For the UK Aid program in Vietnam, I was part of and then led a team in 2015 of an economist, climate adviser, and program manager to design and implement projects worth hundreds of millions of US dollars.
In addition, capacity building for member countries was one of the priorities in my work on socio-economics with the Mekong River Commission Secretariat until late 2022.
About eight years ago, having survived depression due to a family crisis, I realized I lacked the knowledge and “soft” skills to build good relationships.
I had always been kind, dedicated, and responsible, but at times I had also been unaware of other people’s feelings and thinking and in many cases may have thought I was always right.
I started to focus my learning on these soft skills, or people skills, to understand men and women more, and above all to focus on my relationship with myself. I learned to love myself, accept myself, and take better care of myself, to be in a much better position to love, accept and care for others, as a woman.
I recognized deeply the values of self-love, inner strength, and feminine confidence, and the benefits these can bring to a woman’s happiness and inner peace.
After my job as an economist with the Mekong River Commission, I decided to become a full-time happiness coach for professional committed women, who, like me, may have focused and succeeded in their professional lives, but less so in their personal lives…women who would benefit hugely in all aspects of their lives by improving their confidence and inner strength and achieving the happiness they deserve and desire. Here is my LinkedIn page minh-nguyen-050299102.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up in the North of Vietnam when the country was still going through war and then reconstruction.
My parents were loving and also strict, and taught me a lot about discipline, hard work, kindness, and respect for others. We were poor, like many other families in Vietnam then, but always rich in our thirst for knowledge and information about our country, and about the larger world.
My father would bring back books he borrowed from his university library every week of subjects ranging from history to geography to politics and literature. He would also listen to radio programs from America, the UK, and France (which were considered “enemy” influences then). He wanted me to do the best I could, so he bought me books in drawing, music, and maths for me to explore. I did not do well with art but was much better in maths and English, and I was successful in a highly competitive entrance examination for one of the most prestigious high schools in Vietnam, thanks to guidance from my dad.
Each week I left my family, for boarding school, with high-performing students from all over the North of Vietnam, only returning home with my family on Sunday. It was demanding but also very rewarding.
We considered our teachers as our second parents, and classmates as special friends that I still keep in contact with after nearly 40 years, and visit from time to time. I then went to college for teaching English as a foreign language. I did not become a teacher but an administrator with the United Nations office in Hanoi, Vietnam, thanks to my English capacity, hard work, and positive attitude.
I also did a second degree, in economics as I wanted to do more substantive work, which I did also with the United Nations as a program assistant managing regional projects. I then got a scholarship to do my master’s in development economics in the UK in my early thirties, with my mum’s strong support in taking care of my small children together with my family.
In reflection, I am always grateful for the good education opportunities I had, my parents’ relentless support, and my family’s care for my children.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Through the ups and downs of life, I have learned that hard work, discipline, and consistency are important to do well in your work and life. But I have also realized the importance of softer skills such as self-love, understanding of ourselves and others, believing in ourselves, taking care of ourselves, accepting ourselves and others, choosing happiness and positivity, raising ourselves up, and moving on…whatever life throws at us, it is an opportunity for us to explore, to learn, and to further grow.
Once we develop the ability to have a basket of tools to use and stay strong and positive inside out, including embracing our vulnerability, we are and will always be fine. And learning, continuous learning, and investing in ourselves always pay off, quickly and sustainably.
Q: What does feminism mean to you? A: Working previously for a long time in international development, I have been trained in gender equality extensively. I have also been lucky to work in organizations where women receive equal treatment and a lot of support.
However, I feel I did not fully understand the “feminine power” as somehow it was widely believed and propagated (at least before in our society) that women may suffer more than men, or that women are disadvantaged (and this latter view is still true in many societies).
Only after I improved my knowledge and skills about men and women, and about relationships did I come to know and fully appreciate that being a woman is a beautiful thing, and in fact an advantage in many ways.
Feminism to me is to recognize and take into account the differences between men and women in all activities and environments, and to give equal opportunities to men and women, as all the gender equality rhetoric often says.
More personally, and more strongly than ever, feminism to me is about empowering women to appreciate their unique roles and power, at home and in the society at large, as loving, nurturing, supporting, and compassionate forces. I would not seek to compete with men at work or at home.
We all have unique and valuable energies to make the partnerships work, at home and at work. And once we women believe in ourselves more, and most importantly love ourselves the right way, we can be successful and happy in all our important relationships. We can live a truly “zen” balance with the world and our loved ones.
Life is beautiful! trust yourself! And trust the Universe! And thank you to The Woman Wednesday Blog for featuring me and other women, all working hard in our different capacities to improve the lives of ourselves and others.
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