true stories – Page 4 – The Woman Wednesday Blog

Woman Wednesday: Maya

March 11, 2020March 12, 2020Posted in inspiration, Uncategorized, womenTagged beauty products, businesswoman, environment, environmentally friendly, environmentally friendly beauty products, Nam, stories that inspire, true stories, true story, Vietnam, wednesday blog, woman, woman wednesday blog, women, Women in vietnam, women wednesday, women wednesday blog, womens storiesLeave a comment

*Note: Woman Wednesday is a part of our blog. Each Woman Wednesday post will feature a woman who would like to share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating other women. Comments are welcome below.

Q and A with Maya, Berkeley, California

“I learned I shouldn’t wait to start something, but I should just go for it and figure it out along the way!”

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: I’m passionate about making people’s lives better. I went to college with the intention of studying political science with an emphasis on international relations to go into human rights work in the future. Climate change has always been a thing I thought of as important, but it never really struck a chord with me until I realized that it is not only an environmental issue but also a humanitarian issue. Rising sea level is causing many people to relocate, natural disasters are exacerbated due to rising temperatures, and people are lacking clean water for daily needs. After realizing all of this, I got more interested in learning about environmentalism and the zero-waste movement. I realized that a lot of products out there for zero-waste are still relatively expensive and there is no one-stop-shop for minimally packaged or zero-waste beauty products. So, I created Serenade, my e-commerce site for these beauty items! My mission is to grow this store into a comprehensive, one-stop-shop for sustainable beauty products with my own product line. I’m currently working on getting the word out and upgrading the website aesthetic and brand identity. Stay tuned and follow the shop on Instagram @serenadethecompany!

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: Both of my parents are entrepreneurs, so I think it’s been pretty easy for me to believe that I can create something of my own if I’m committed enough and have enough resources. In high school, I did a ton of internships in the business administration/event planning fields, and it taught me that even established businesses face a lot of challenges. They don’t always have it figured out. And if that’s the case, I learned I shouldn’t wait to start something, but I should just go for it and figure it out along the way!

Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: I’m only getting started! I don’t know if I have a lot of advice or wise things to say, but I did learn recently that there are so many people rooting for you if you want to start something. Not everyone wants to necessarily want to be an entrepreneur but everyone wants the world to be a better place and they will support you!

Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: Feminism to me means believing that women, including myself, can achieve whatever anyone (regardless of gender identity) can achieve. It also means uplifting other women. That’s really important to me.

Thank you for reading!

I’d love to connect with you!

Instagram: @serenadethecompany

www.serenadetheco.us

Thoughts, questions, or comments?

Comment below! 🙂

Woman Wednesday: Marina

March 4, 2020March 4, 2020Posted in inspiration, Uncategorized, womenTagged advice blog, advice column, advice column for women, advice for girls, advice for women, amazing woman, beautiful people, blog, blogging, Croatia, Croatian woman, dream blog, follow your dreams, helping people, how to inspire, inspiration, inspire, refelctive blog, role model, stories that inspire, Successful woman, successful women, the future, true stories, true story, woman wednesday blog, women, women helping women, women wednesday blogLeave a comment

Q and A with Marina, County of Međimurje, Croatia

“Make brave decisions and just start before you are ready because “the right time” is just an illusion. Don’t wait until you will have time–create time for things that are important to you.”

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: As an activist, entrepreneur, and gardener, I’m passionate about possibilities to constantly create and contribute to creating a better community. I help aspiring individuals develop competencies, careers, and businesses so they can reach their potential and achieve success. Also, I help companies create a healthy foundation for their business, develop their brand, and create business growth strategies.

After high school, the “box I put myself in” became too small for me. After I quit my first job, I started to grow–personally and professionally. I founded an organization, I worked as a manager, head of sales, project manager, mentor, consultant, and now–I am the CEO of my own company “Konekta,” where I help others find their passion, their life and business purpose, and create the life that they want to live. I am the creator of Successful Women podcast, #MOŽEŠ (You can do it) campaign, I organize conferences and networking events, create educational videos, write for Croatian business magazine “Poduzetnik” and last but not least, I am a Bio gardener, and I love to learn. So, if you ask me what my biggest passion is–the possibility to constantly create is my passion, as well as contributing to the community and helping others. This is what led me to this moment in my life where I can say that I am absolutely satisfied and happy.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: The atmosphere in Croatia in the ‘80s and ‘90s was not supportive of individual development. Priorities were to find a job, get married, have kids, and get a mortgage, and that’s it. My family was sometimes having a hard time accepting that my sister and I were not “like the other kids.” Today, they are proud of us both–my sister is also an entrepreneur and an author.

It takes a lot of courage to become the person that you believe you can be. But even though others sometimes couldn’t understand our choices, the strong women in my life– my mom, grandma, and my grandma’s sisters made a great impact on my life. My grandma’s lessons about integrity and respect for people and the community created my path. All my life, I was a human and women rights activist, and for a long time, I worked with unemployed and marginalized women. Today, I am doing very similar work in my own company–I empower people, mostly women, to reach their potential and create prosperous businesses they can be proud of.

Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: Never give up on your dreams. If you don’t have support, be your own support. Make brave decisions and just start before you are ready because “the right time” is just an illusion. Don’t wait until you will have time–create time for things that are important to you. Celebrate your successes–don’t just put new benchmarks to achieve even more. And most importantly–you can do it. You most certainly can do it!

Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: For the last 19 years, I have been creating opportunities for women and supporting them so they can stand up, be visible, and become stronger and proud of themselves and their work. For me, feminism is based on love and pride; it is creating equal opportunities for all as well as equal distribution of power among men and women.

Thank you for reading!

I’d love to connect with you!

Insta Page– Let’s connect! Click to follow me!
Insta Workshop
Marina Kolar

Thoughts, questions, or comments?

Comment below! 🙂

Woman Wednesday: Dana

January 22, 2020February 3, 2020Posted in inspiration, Uncategorized, womenTagged advice, advice for girls, advice for women, celebrate, celebrations, family, feminism, happy wednesday, inspiration, Inspirational, inspirational story, inspire, life, love, my lilianas, sobriety, story, the Woman Wednesday blog, true stories, true story, wednesday, wednesday blog, woman, woman wednesday, woman wednesday blog, woman's story, women, women wed, women wednesday, women wednesday blog, womens stories, worldLeave a comment

Q and A with Dana S., Huntington Beach, California

“All the things I’ve overcome have brought me to be the strong woman I am today.”

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: My passion is to serve others as much as I can before I leave this beautiful Earth. After becoming sober, I went (and continue to go) through a transformation of my heart. I currently work as a licensed life insurance broker helping others through those difficult conversations. Two projects I am working on launching this March 2020 are my podcast with my husband and my wellness coaching venture. With so many years doubting myself and participating in wrong behavior, I want to show others they’re not alone. The story hasn’t ended yet.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I grew up with my grandparents raising me. My parents fell into their addictions, and I followed their footsteps at an early age. I was able to be in my addiction while living what others thought to be a “normal life.” I finally came to grips with my problems and was able to celebrate my 1 year of sobriety in November of last year. I also finished my degree in business in December. All the things I’ve overcome have brought me to be the strong woman I am today.

Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: I think the most powerful thing to learn early on in life is to love yourself for the good and bad. Coming into your own helps with the foundation of what you do and don’t allow to happen in your life.

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Pictured: On the right and left are members of Dana’s family.

Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: To me, feminism is the utmost act of love to extend to women. Fighting for the rights of women to be equal and not be predisposed to the inequality we face today.

I’d love to connect with you!

Reach out to me on Facebook!

Facebook, Agent Profile

Facebook, Podcast Coming March 2020

Thoughts, questions, or comments?

Comment below! 🙂

Woman Wednesday: Alison

December 11, 2019December 11, 2019Posted in inspiration, Uncategorized, womenTagged blog, blog for girls, blog for women, blogger, business, educational blog, entrepreneur, how to make a difference, inspiration, Inspirational, inspirational story, inspire, inspire women, inspired, learning, make money, money, true stories, true story, Virginia, Virginia Beach, WCW Blog, woman crush wednesday, woman crush wednesday blog, woman entrepreneur, woman wednesday, woman wednesday blog, womans blog, women, women blog, women crush wednesday, women entrepreneurs, women in business, women wednesday, women wednesday blog, WW, WW blogLeave a comment

Q and A with Alison W., Virginia Beach, Virginia

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: I am passionate about helping women feel beautiful in their own skin. I am the owner of Wanderlust Dream Hair, and I sell hair toppers for women with thinning hair, women with hair loss due to medical conditions, and women who just want that extra volume! I have always had fine, thin hair and tried everything to make it appear thicker: hair extensions, volumizing spray, et cetera, but nothing really worked for me because traditional hair extensions do not address thinning on the top of your head. I also started medical treatment for chronic migraines that created even more hair loss, so I was motivated to find a solution. Then I discovered toppers! Toppers clip to the top of your existing hair and create the appearance of thicker, fuller hair.

Body image is such a big issue for a lot of women. Most of us don’t realize that those celebrity hairstyles we covet are just wigs, toppers, or extensions. Hollywood paints a false picture of what a naturally beautiful woman looks like.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: My younger years were volatile. I was born with a limb difference (Poland syndrome), which means I only have two fingers on my right hand. So, confidence was a big issue for me growing up. Add thin hair to that, and you have a recipe for a wallflower. My mom was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away when I was 13. I remember when she brought home her first wig from the wig bank. She hated it. It was hot and because it was made for someone else, it never fit her comfortably. She was embarrassed to leave the house somedays because of how she looked. I really wish that we had known about toppers back then. I think she would have loved them. My mom is a big part of my “why” when it comes to my business.

Pictured: One of Alison’s clients using her Wanderlust Dream Hair topper.

Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?

A: Something valuable I learned from a young age, due to my limb difference, is that sometimes you have to find your own way. You have to figure out how to do things yourself and not try to imitate someone else’s process because it might not work for you. I think this idea is helpful in life and in business. Comparison is the thief of joy. We are resilient, and it is amazing what we can do when we let go of traditional mindsets about how to do things and figure out what works for us. I’ve also learned to laugh at myself more. I started taking improv/comedy classes a couple of years ago. Being on stage is one of the most exhilarating things I have ever done. It has also boosted my confidence in general. The first rule of improv is to make your partner look good, which means saying yes to whatever they say. So, if they tell you that you are an alien, you are an alien. I’ve learned a lot about teamwork and confidence doing improv. I highly recommend improv; it is so good for the soul.

Pictured: Before and after of one of Alison’s clients using her Wanderlust Dream Hair topper. Hair topper is shown on the right.

Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: Feminism is a word that has always had a bit of a negative connotation to me. I am more of an egalitarian; meaning in my marriage, we share all of the responsibilities. There is no such thing as woman’s work or man’s work. My husband is the better cook anyway! And I can lay a tile floor. I love busting through those gender expectations. I am definitely not anti-man, but I am definitely pro-woman! I think it is important for women to support other women. Yes, we have disadvantages in the workplace. Yes, we are not always treated equally. So, I think it is important to support and encourage each other as women instead of tearing each other down. We women can be super competitive, but I want to cheer on my competition. I want us all to win.

I’d love to connect with you!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanderlustdreamhair/

Website: https://www.wanderlustdreamhair.com/shop

Thoughts, questions, or comments?

Comment below! 🙂

Woman Wednesday: Lachelle

November 20, 2019November 22, 2019Posted in inspiration, Uncategorized, womenTagged blogger, business, Cali, california girl, california girls, coffee shop, comic book, comic book store, Comics, comics and coffee, eomsn blog, inspiring, inspiring story, true stories, true story, wednesday blog, woman empowerment, woman wednesday, women, women empowerment, women in business, women wednesday, women wednesday blogLeave a comment

Q and A with Lachelle, Oceanside, California

“I learn from these stories and it’s important to me. They color the dreams of my reality and future and help me find the adventure in my life. Find your life’s adventures.”

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: I am passionate about my work. In fact, I am a bit of a workaholic. So, when it comes time to find extracurricular activities, my time is often limited. My day job is in marketing analysis. I also am a managing partner at Panels Comic Book Coffee Bar in Oceanside, and I am an avid reader. I love what I do, so immersing myself in my projects helps fuel my passion. I am also passionate about traveling. I like to live in different places for a week. Grab a cup of coffee there, and find a coffee shop to read in. My husband helped me fall in love with comics. I read novels and some comics growing up, but he introduced me to the medium not just as a superhero story but as a way of storytelling that I fell in love with.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: My family moved around quite a bit, so I ended up spending my early college years in DLSU and then moved to CSU Monterey Bay, where I graduated in accounting. Before I became glued to a handheld device, the most entertaining mobile device was a book. I loved reading stories and making them. I would tell my siblings stories on long car rides. In a career full of crunching numbers, I believe numbers are giving us a story. I am just reading it. In my day job, that means reading numbers to help my company make sound decisions. In Panels, it helps us understand what people want.

Q: What is something valuable you’ve learned that you’d like others to know?

A: Don’t give up; embrace the challenge. Nothing is beyond your reach.

I hear people struggle with things they feel are beyond their reach. Saying, “I can’t do the things I want, I can’t start a business, I can’t get this career, I can’t find the right partner…”

I want to address how I found those things in hopes of inspiring others:
I found the right guy because I didn’t waste my time. Before my marriage, I hadn’t celebrated an anniversary with a guy. I didn’t waste time on dates that I didn’t think sparked joy. I didn’t make excuses for them. If we weren’t a fit, I was candid and wasn’t afraid to be alone. I didn’t beg to stay and I didn’t need a conversation when it was over. I hadn’t even planned to stay with my husband initially; I told him my career was important and a priority. Rather than pulling away, he respected that and pursued me.

I was stuck in some odd jobs before I found one I loved. I pushed myself in all those jobs to move upwards. I was doing front desk/accounting for a hotel and during that time, I created a proper approval process because I noticed the sales reps were spending the marketing budget unchecked. At Panels, I came on as a soft partner and took over responsibilities from my partners when I noticed that it was overwhelming them. I don’t just do my job. I do it as if I was managing myself and then manage upwards to tell my superiors what I want and where I want to be. Recognize needs wherever you work and find ways to rectify it. This will serve you in growing personally and in your career.

When my husband told me on our first date, “I want to open a comic book coffee shop,” I was a bit incredulous. However, as I learned more about him, I was excited to push him towards that dream and told him how much having a business was part of my dreams. We pushed each other, did hours upon hours of research, detailed and checked one another. The biggest lesson from this is that you should work to bring the best out of people. Push them to pursue their dreams and never put those dreams down. Also, find people around you who will push you towards those dreams as well.

Finally, I have accomplished the things I want because I plan for them. I made less than 30-40k a year after college and I traveled around New England, visited Hawaii, and Big Sur. I was able to do that because I planned for it. Having a life where I get to explore is a priority to me. I read as much as I do because I find an opportunity to. Even if it’s on 15-minute breaks between tasks, I learn from these stories and it’s important to me. They color the dreams of my reality and future and help me find the adventure in my life. Find your life’s adventures.

Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: I have been harassed in and around the workplace for being female. I have been overlooked for opportunities because of male competition. I have been treated differently for being a woman. The primary place this has come from has been other women. The hesitancy to promote women, or treat women differently, or downplay the ability of women, must not come from women. Feminism means promoting pride in our work, being proud of the competitive advantage that we have, and fostering that. We can be our worst enemy, and we have to work to help each other overcome that.

I’d love to connect with you!

www.panelscoffee.com

Insta

Personal Insta

Thoughts, questions, or comments?

Comment below! 🙂