Tag: woman crush wednesday

Woman Wednesday: Nadine

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Q and A with Nadine from the beautiful island nation of Niue

“There is power in knowing who you are.”


Q: Tell us about yourself. What are you passionate about? 

A: I’m passionate about empowering women and preserving my Niuean culture, both locally and globally. As Director of Miss Niue Australia, I strive to inspire young women and share Niue’s beauty with the world.

We’ve launched the Miss Niue Australia Pageant, which has paved the way for additional initiatives that promote cultural preservation and women’s empowerment. These include “Who Is She,” a platform that highlights the qualities of a strong Niuean ambassador; “Celebrate Her Story,” a series that honors Niuean women of excellence from all generations, sharing their achievements and stories; and the “Niue Walk-About Series,” which showcases our 13 villages in Niue.

These initiatives align with our vision of women empowerment, and I’m excited to continue growing and developing programs that uplift and inspire our community. Through these efforts, I’m also committed to personal growth, continually learning, and adapting to best serve my community and preserve our rich cultural heritage.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: Growing up in Hawaii and New Zealand, I was immersed in diverse cultures and experiences that broadened my perspective. My parents, Roger and Fuatino Jackson, founders of Miss Niue NZ, nurtured my love for culture and community engagement.

From a young age, I was involved in stage and pageantry, modeling for Pasifika Arts Fashion and participating in pageants like Miss Dream Girl NZ. I also gained valuable experience as a tutor and choreographer for various pageants, including Miss Pacific Islands NZ and Miss India/Asia NZ. Performing with groups like Echoes of the South Seas and Te Are Kari Oi further enriched my cultural understanding and self-confidence. These experiences shaped me into the person I am today.

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

A: I’ve learned that cultural pride and community engagement are essential for personal growth and empowerment. Through Miss Niue Australia, I’ve seen firsthand how preserving and promoting cultural heritage can positively impact young women and the community.

I’d like to encourage others to explore and celebrate their own cultural roots. I also value one’s voice– speaking your truth and holding yourself accountable to what matters to you, regardless of what others think, is crucial.

If you believe in yourself, nothing can change your mind, if it’s for the greater good. In this world where we self-sabotage and compare, it can be challenging to block out the negativity and stay true to who you are. There is power in knowing who you are. Seeking out what’s already yours, what is meant to be will find you, with the right conviction. Knowing self is knowing God.

On a personal level, being a role model for my children and being their number one fan in all they do and achieve is paramount. They are my greatest achievements, and I’m committed to supporting and inspiring them every step of the way.

Q: What does feminism mean to you? 

A: To me, feminism means empowering women to lead independently, cultivate confidence, and build strong relationships.

As a leader and role model, I aim to promote these values and support young women in their personal and professional growth, helping them unlock their full potential. Through initiatives like Miss Niue Australia, I strive to create opportunities for women to shine, share their stories, and celebrate their achievements.

I believe in the importance of integrity, dignity, and excellence, and I strive to embody these values in my own life and work, inspiring others to do the same. By empowering women, we can build stronger, more resilient communities that benefit everyone.

MORE ABOUT NADINE: Born in the beautiful island nation of Niue, I was raised in the vibrant culture of Hawaii, where I first discovered my love for dance and performance.

At the age of 12, I had the courage to take the stage and perform in front of my first audience on my own–an experience that sparked a lifelong passion. I continued to nurture this passion through the years, and it remains a significant part of my life today.

I’ve also had the joy of sharing this passion with others, teaching dance and performance to those looking to express themselves and build confidence.

Later, I called New Zealand home and started my family, before settling in Australia, where I currently reside. My diverse upbringing has shaped my perspective and fueled my passion for cultural preservation and community engagement.

Thank you for reading!

Thoughts, questions, or comments? Comment below!

Woman Wednesday: Jean

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Q and A with Jean from Chicago, Illinois, living in Lancaster, South Carolina

“I found making jewelry helps me combine my knowledge of holistic healing, Reiki, and using the Chakras to help heal along with the ability to create beautiful pieces of jewelry.”


Q: Tell us about yourself. What are you passionate about? 

A: My name is Jean Schlaiss and I am the creator of Intentions by JS. I make wire and crystal jewelry, and intention candles and wax melts. I have been working at my business for the past three years and plan on continuing to do so in order to keep growing. I am hoping to get my jewelry into brick and mortar and online stores.

I am passionate about alternative healing methods. I am an esthetician by trade and also a Reiki master.  Reiki is a form of energy healing that helps people with relaxation and to destress. My jewelry reflects my passion as I use natural crystal beads and create healing combinations of crystals to put into my jewelry.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: My parents, my brother, and I lived in the suburbs of Chicago. We were a typical middle-class family.  Later in life, I earned my bachelor’s degree in science with a focus in holistic wellness. I am currently a school director for a cosmetology school. Finding a hobby became important to me in order to help me relax. I found making jewelry helps me combine my knowledge of holistic healing, Reiki, and using the Chakras to help heal along with the ability to create beautiful pieces of jewelry. I turned my passion for making jewelry into a business. I currently sell at markets; a boutique in Monroe, North Carolina; and on my Etsy store.  

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

A: I have learned how to relax and find my inner peace. Making jewelry allows me to be creative as I continue to find new patterns and styles.

Q: What does feminism mean to you? 

A: I feel the word “feminism” has negative connotations. I just believe that women and men should be treated fairly and equally. I have seen the inequality at the workplace and it saddens me. Women always feel the need to be on the defense even if they have the same job, same education, or same ranking as their male counterpart. It is a fight that women will have to continue to have until everyone is on equal ground.

MORE ABOUT JEAN: My husband and I live on a farm in South Carolina. One of my two sons lives with us as well, as he has just completed his bachelor’s degree and is looking for a job. We would love to expand our farm, but that will be in the future. My parents live nearby, and my mother comes with me when I showcase my jewelry and candles at local markets. She also is very creative and offers wood burning art, also known as pyrography. It offers a fantastic way for us to spend time together.  

Thank you for reading!

Shop my jewelry here.

I’d love to connect with you! 🙂

Thoughts, questions, or comments? Comment below!

Woman Wednesday: Dr. Naieema

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Q and A with Dr. Naieema, Charlotte, North Carolina

“Homelessness was one of the most impactful experiences of my life.”


Q: What are you passionate about? 

A: I’m passionate about female empowerment, my family, and travel. My inspiration comes from seeing different parts of the world, my family, and wanting to teach my daughters that they can do anything that they put their minds to. My favorite trip was to Jamaica, right before the pandemic hit. I finished my PhD and am currently using research-based methods to improve The Determined FemPreneur™, my sales and business strategy program for service-based female entrepreneurs.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I was born and raised in New York City and grew up with three siblings. There was a period where my mother, my older sister, and I were homeless. We lived on the cold, dirty NYC subway; followed by a slew of homeless shelters. That was until we landed in Ravenswood Public Housing Development in Long Island City, Queens, NYC. Homelessness was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I watched my mother work really hard, but she didn’t have much to show for it. I now use this fuel and those lessons to teach women how to earn more, work less, and make an even bigger impact.

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

A: I want others to know that it’s okay to normalize rest and luxury. As women, we often start our businesses wanting to make an impact. All while sacrificing time with our families, our sleep, and our mental and physical health. It’s OK to build a business where you’re not overworking yourself and that equally serves you and your clients/customers.

Q: What does feminism mean to you? 

A: Feminism means equality, but it can’t exist if racism exists because there are women who are of marginalized communities.

Thank you for reading!

I’d love to connect with you! 🙂

Thoughts, questions, or comments? Comment below!

Woman Wednesday: Cynthia

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Q and A with Cynthia from Malta, Europe, living in Ibiza, Spain

“Don’t let go of your vision.”


Q: What are you passionate about? 

A: My passions are wild and colorful. Travel has been my first passion, and although I’m traveling less currently, this is when I feel most alive. I have been passionate about using our full potential doing what we love, since very young. Coming up with creative ideas for the sole purpose to experience wild breakthroughs is my ultimate enjoyment. I have been immersed in yoga for the last 20 years, and this deep connection with oneself started from here.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: Although I had a happy childhood, things turned less so in my 20s when my parents separated. I was brought up in Malta in a very academic school with not much outlet for creative space. Even though I was left to explore my love of travel and adventure since very young, my dad supported me in more masculine subjects which led me to years of soul searching, “what shall I do with my life?” One example was both my sister and I studied piano. She was an excellent pianist. I wasn’t, or shall I say, not in the strict way I was taught. Studying piano frustrated me immensely, but I still had to sit for one hour per day studying excruciatingly boring scales. My parents talking about my frustrations to friends and family certainly didn’t help with the “something is wrong with me” implications of this. I now know (after much digging in and searching inwards), this was all meant for me to lead me to this path of transformation and spiritual awakening and helping others do the same.

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

A: For years, I struggled to see who I truly am. Being in a masculine role since I was very young, I lost touch with my feminine (but powerful) side. This led me to choose a career in banking that was soul-sucking and took me a very long time to realize I’m actually a creative person. I am now so passionate about helping women find their purpose in life and, with their zone of genius, they can create wildly successful businesses, creating the income and impact that they desire (whilst still managing a family). Even if you’re stuck for years and years, don’t let go of your vision to create your mission.

Q: What does feminism mean to you? 

A: OMG! It is such a broad term in my opinion. Feminism for me is the women rising above and beyond their minds. I still feel that mum and dad have their place in the household and to a certain extent during childbearing years, his might be unavoidable. But we women need to rise above societal norms of “he can’t take care of the kids and house all by himself” whereas it’s totally fine for women to. I’m still so disappointed our partner/husband earns more than us, and we accept our role as a housekeeper instead of a rising Goddess. This is the time for more women to make more money, so we can make more impact and create communities.

Thank you for reading!

I’d love to connect with you! 🙂 Comment below!

Woman Wednesday: Stephanie

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Q and A with Stephanie, Washington, U.S.

“I always find myself coaching and connecting with truly exceptional people–people who have challenged society’s expectations of them, have risen to the call they hear deep within, and are committed to creating their own story.”


Q: What are you passionate about? 

A: I’m passionate about self confidence and self trust…that each woman can have a safe and supportive space inside her own head. A big part of my work is helping my clients discover and release the expectations that were placed on them by society that no longer serves their dreams and goals. I believe very strongly that this foundation must be laid first, before goal setting and accountability come into play. That’s why my coaching offer starts with self talk before going on to clarity, accountability, and self-coaching, which are the other pillars of my program. By the end of my 12-week program, my clients get to experience that supportive space in their heads, know what they actually want out of life, and are moving toward that next big goal, and finally have the self-coaching skills to independently get themselves through the places that they get stuck mentally or emotionally. It all has to start with changing the inner dialogue to create the internal confidence and framework for success. To find out more about my coaching offer, or to connect with a community on your growth journey join my Facebook group here: facebook.com/groups/createyourpower. This is the only way to to experience a coaching call for free as well.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I had a very interesting childhood to say the least. Until I was nine, I grew up on a farm, homeschooled. I spent my days frolicking in the fields with the goats and making mud pies. Suddenly, our family moved to Tbilisi, Georgia, half way across the world, to a city of 2 million people. That was hard, but reentry to the United States was equally hard, as we didn’t move back “home,” but instead moved to a small village in Alaska. This left me with the experience of being an ‘outsider’ in multiple different life circumstances. It was messy, but I became an observer of the cultural framework that many people see as ‘the only way,’ and I stood apart from it, noticing the beauty as well as the pain that the particular framework brings with it. At the same time, I had to learn to see my own biases for what they were and continually grow to a more expansive understanding of the world around me. These experiences laid the foundation for the coaching work I do today–standing outside a person’s experience, observing it, but also empathizing with it.

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

A: If there was one thing I’d love for people to learn from my story, it would be to notice that the assumptions you have that might sound like fact may actually be just one way of seeing the world. For example, maybe you learned that if a person is late, it’s because they don’t respect your time. Ask yourself, “What if I actually had something really beautiful to learn about time from someone who is perpetually late? What if they are honoring me in a way I never even considered?” Before I began my career in life coaching, I was a Salvation Army Officer, which gave me the opportunity to manage a local service for social services and spiritual development. This included leading the teams that provided weekly community meals, funding assistance, youth and women’s programs, day camps, and assistance for the unhoused. What I loved about being in leadership was the one-on-one connections and the opportunity to hear people’s stories and walk with them in their journeys. In the same day, I might find myself walking alongside an unhoused single mother, as well as the CEO of a company or a representative of local government. Every person’s story is sacred, and I always find myself coaching and connecting with truly exceptional people–people who have challenged society’s expectations of them, have risen to the call they hear deep within, and are committed to creating their own story. If this is you, I’d LOVE to hear your story. Email me at stephanigalindocoaching@gmail.com.

Q: What does feminism mean to you? 

A: For me, pragmatic feminism can be seen in how I raise my boys–to recognize injustice, to embrace the nurturing side of themselves, and to understand consent. As they get older, I will continue to learn new ways to teach equity, so that they can be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

Also, I’m a boy mama, and my boys are currently seven and four years old. I have raised them with a deep acceptance of emotions and a value for gentleness.

Thank you for reading! Connect with me here:

Facebook group here: facebook.com/groups/createyourpower

Email me at stephanigalindocoaching@gmail.com

I’d love to connect with you! 🙂

Thoughts, questions, or comments?