Tag: women

Q and A with Bea from Budapest, Hungary

“My curiosity took me on a journey that I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined.”

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: After many years, I finally found a way to combine my passion for nutrition and health with my love for dogs–I am a Certified Holistic Pet Health Coach. I take the confusion and guesswork out of what and how to feed our dogs so they can thrive and live a long, happy, and healthy life. I started my health journey in 2020, shortly after my own health crisis. I had endometriosis with pain that’s hard to describe along with an unexpected surgery–in the middle of an extremely stressful period in my life. I felt defeated, and hopeless; I needed to figure out what happened and what led me here so I could be sure I never find myself in the same situation.

Upon researching endo, the effects of various diets, and supplements, I got more confused, and I just wanted to learn actual facts. So, I enrolled in the Nutritional Therapy Association’s program where I learned many fascinating things about our bodies, and the importance of a whole foods diet and had to privilege to work with several amazing clients to improve their gut and hormonal health. One morning as I was feeding my Scottie a cup of kibble, I thought could this really be the best way to feed my dog? Again, I wanted facts and found a certification program offered by holistic veterinarian Dr. Ruth Roberts. The course was so thorough, full of information, based on decades of experience–it made complete sense to me that cooking for my dog is the way to go if I want him to be around for many more years to come as his happy and healthy self. I now show dog parents how easy it is to prepare home-cooked food for their dogs and how much healthier and better it is than commercial kibble. We all want to do the best for our pets, to see them live as long as possible and be healthy and happy–there is so much we can do to improve the quality of their lives. And the best part is that it can be easy and affordable.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I grew up in Hungary–I was always very independent, loved going to the movies, and concerts and buying fancy perfumes, etc. I hated asking my mom for money, so I started working on the weekends and during the summers when I was 15. I have always enjoyed making my own money; it gave me a sense of freedom. My dad is a great cook and I have learned so much from him–he never measures anything, yet each dish always comes out perfect. The year I turned 21, I took a job at a summer camp in Pennsylvania. I had never sat on an airplane before, but all I ever wanted was to see New York City. Three years later (once I earned my bachelor’s degree at Budapest Business School), my US driver’s license listed an address in Brooklyn–I loved living there. I remember feeling like anything was possible; I could be and do whatever I want with my life. My curiosity took me on a journey that I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined.

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

A: Travel as much as possible, try all the local dishes, and take care of your health. (And your dog’s health!) I have always loved to travel, and I have been blessed with many opportunities to see the world. I enjoy activities big cities have to offer–people-watching on the NYC subway, two-steppin’ in an old Honky-Tonk in Austin, but I also love more remote locations whether it’s hiking the Rocky Mountains or enjoying the sun on a private beach in Akumal. I absolutely love savoring the different cultures through food! Seeing how different other places are, how people live, what they eat, and how different their typical schedule is gives me perspective and often, it makes me appreciate all that I have even more (and how easy I have it). To be able to fully enjoy these trips, I found that I needed a strong immune system and digestive health. Healing my gut transformed my life experience, cleared my mind, and made me stronger in many ways. And that’s true for dogs as well–feeding a species-appropriate diet (which is the opposite of kibble) can help rebalance the gut microbiome of our beloved pets too.

Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: What feminism means to me is that I recognize my own value and my worth–before asking anyone else to do so. I am confident, I know what I bring to the table, and I approach situations from a place where the question is not whether I’m going to be accepted or not, but rather how I can contribute and collaborate with others. I think setting standards and boundaries for myself and those around me (and ultimately, for society) is very important–but it’s not easy. It’s not about hating men–to me, it’s much more about recognizing that other women around me are not competition, but allies and we can and should help each other get where we want to be. When we women respect and support each other; when we realize that when we work together (instead of being catty or trying to sabotage one another), we can achieve so much more. There is enough to go around for all of us.

MORE FROM BEA: What I have learned over the years is that we really do create our own reality. We are way more powerful than we think or dare to believe. It’s not always easy and we have to do the work…but what other choice do we have? Patience and consistency go a long way too–I used to give up almost immediately if something didn’t work out the way I imagined. I always have multiple ideas, and projects going on (I am a Manifesting Generator), and I can be quick to get started on one then just leave it and move on to the next…then it all just ends up in chaos. Figuring out a plan, putting in the work, and giving it a fair try holds great value, and ultimately, I think this is the key to success.

Check out my website here: www.SparkedUpDogs.com

Join my free Facebook group here: Dog Food & Holistic Health 101 for Small Breed Dogs https://www.facebook.com/groups/143094182028705/

Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/SparkedUpDogs

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Q and A with Freja from Denmark

“I already had tremendous respect for moms all over the world, but after becoming one myself, I just feel so passionate about helping moms like myself who run their own businesses get the energy to have a fulfilling life with a business they love and plenty of quality time with their kids.”

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: I am passionate about helping women who are both moms and entrepreneurs optimize their health and energy levels so they can have the energy and long-term health to build their dream business while also being the fully present moms they want to be.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I was brought up by a single mom who was an entrepreneur and was inspired by a sense of mission and purpose in her business. She became an entrepreneur to have more time with my brother and I. And I think she did spend more time with us than she otherwise would have, maybe because she used the hours after she had tucked us in, to work. But I also witnessed the pressure she was under and at some point, she just couldn’t keep going. She had a burnout and was just lying in bed or on the sofa for months. Somehow, she managed to not make my brother and me too worried. But looking back, I can only imagine how stressful it must have been to not be able to work for months as a solo entrepreneur. I was brought up as a vegan with a focus on healthy nutrition and mindset and when it came to picking an education, my passion for how our amazing bodies work and how we can optimize our health and energy with our food, lifestyle, and mindset led me to study medicine and become a holistic medical doctor and later certified in functional medicine.

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

A: I have taken the experience of my mom’s burnout with me and have been very aware of taking care of myself with quality nutrition, walks in nature, meditation, exercise, etc. to make sure that I didn’t hit a wall and fell into burnout. But I have always felt a bit torn because, besides my passion for holistic health, I am also a singer-songwriter and feel like it is my mission to get my music out into the world. So, a couple of years ago, I had been working intensely for two years on my album besides working full-time as a medical doctor, and finally, everything was written, arranged, and recorded, and I released my album.

I felt amazing! But after the release concert, I suddenly felt different than I had ever felt before. I felt empty and with no energy whatsoever to do the work to spread the news and get the music out into the world. And it occurred to me that I had completely forgotten to take care of myself while working on my album. It felt so important to me, that somehow taking care of myself had become something I just didn’t prioritize. Not being able to help my music reach the people who would benefit from it of course felt very discouraging after putting so much work into making the album. It took me months to get my energy back using all my knowledge on nutrition, mindset, meditation, the benefits of being in nature plus the power of music, dancing, and singing. I ended up developing a method where I found my deepest why and transformed the unconscious beliefs that had made it hard for me to take proper care of myself into new beliefs that fully supported the implementation of my new self-caring habits that ended up giving me my energy back.

A year later, I became a mom while building my business, and oh my, did this transformational method and my self-caring healthy habits come in handy during this period of my life. I already had tremendous respect for moms all over the world, but after becoming one myself, I just feel so passionate about helping moms like myself who run their own businesses get the energy to have a fulfilling life with a business they love and plenty of quality time with their kids.

Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism to me, means that we are all equal and it means supporting women from all over the world. Here, in Denmark where I live, we have come a long way with gender equality, but still, there is a pay gap in many workplaces. And I am painfully aware that women have terrible conditions in many places in this world. So, to me, feminism is about supporting each other, like one big sisterhood in rising from the horrible history we have in our baggage together and moving towards a world where we are all equal no matter what gender we are and recognizing and celebrating each other’s differences.

MORE FROM FREJA: At the moment I am interviewing women who are both moms and entrepreneurs and struggle to have the energy to build their dream business while being fully present with their kids. It is purely for research purposes for a project I am working on, and I would be so grateful if you would jump on a call with me and let me ask you some questions. If so, you can find a time that fits you by using this link, click here.
The purpose of my music is to nourish your soul and support you in living a life full of meaning and purpose where you feel free to express yourself fully just as you are. You can check out my two albums Out of My Hands and It’s Time for a Sustainable World on most music platforms. My “artist” name is Freja Eriksen, so I am not hard to find.

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Q and A with Abiola from Lagos State, Nigeria

“I want children to seek help if they are being abused.”

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: I have a passion for children and business. I am currently working in a school, but I am not a part of the full-time teaching staff. I found my passion for business when I started being immersed in a business environment when my husband introduced me to his business. Since then, I have started learning about online business.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I must confess to you that my younger years were tough. My primary education was rough because of a constantly changing of environment (by moving from one state to another). My upbringing was not good at all because, when my parents separated, my dad took me to my stepmom, and some years later, I was raised by my father alone with my stepbrothers. What impacted my life to where I am now is my passion for children, which led me to the school.

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

A: I would like others to learn from my growing up because, when I mention my younger years were tough, it is comprised of so many things I went through. Most especially, my teenage years were rough. I think I would not have been sexually abused if my parents had not separated. I want children to seek help if they are being abused.

Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism is about all genders having equal rights and opportunities. It’s about respecting diverse women’s experiences, identities knowledge, and strengths, and striving to empower all women to realize their full rights.

ADVICE FOR SOMEONE WHO KNOWS SOMEONE WHO IS SEXUALLY ABUSED from Abiola:
If someone has been sexually abused, it can be extremely emotional, scary, confusing, and possibly shocking. Some of the best advice is to first listen to them, and tell them that the assault was not their fault and that they did nothing wrong. And also reassure the person that they’re cared for and loved. We should provide unconditional support in terms of counseling and medical support by encouraging them to seek medical attention. Sexually abused people should be advised to know the kind of friends they mingle with because some of the abuse (sexual as well as other kinds of abuse) often comes from friends. Since indecent dressing can also contribute to abuse, most especially here in Africa, they should be advised to dress in clothes that fully cover their body on some occasions. Also, they should reduce the amount of alcohol they drink when they’re alone with strangers. What sexually abused victims really need is love.

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TikTok: @crystal_business.10

Q and A with Kara L. from Blanding, UT

“A solid business foundation saves you time, makes you more money, and helps you avoid expensive mistakes.”

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: I am passionate about business. Overly passionate. I love everything about it. My passion for business started when I was in the 6th grade. The entire grade had the project to create our own little businesses. At the end of the week, we had a “market day,” and everyone brought stuff to sell in their “business.” We used Monopoly money to shop with each other. I just thought it was so cool. I loved that we could all make money by making and selling our own things. I loved how we were all essentially selling the same stuff (Rice Krispy treats), but the way we presented ourselves and our products changed where people spent their money. It also changed how much they were willing to spend. I thought it was awesome, and I have loved business ever since. I have started six businesses; I have sold four of those, and now I run my last two. The business I am passionately devoted to right now is called Launched. At Launched, I teach other business owners, especially women, how to start and run their businesses the right way. I teach them how to build solid foundations for their business. A solid business foundation saves you time, makes you more money, and helps you avoid expensive mistakes.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I grew up in a small town (one stoplight and Walmart is 100 miles away…kind of small town). It is easier to see entrepreneurship here because many people have their own businesses. We don’t have very many corporate businesses around, so it wasn’t uncommon to know the business owners at every place we shopped growing up.

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

A: The most valuable thing that I think I have learned is that none of us should be going through life alone. When I started my first business, I thought that I had to do it alone or it didn’t count. I didn’t want to get help or follow a plan because I thought it was cheating, it didn’t feel like my win. It took me five years of screwing up, losing money, and constantly struggling before I let myself get the business help that I needed. It is good to ask for help. If every kid who was interested in science had to learn everything for themselves and were never given the knowledge of the scientists that came before them, science would never move forward. I think that business ownership, especially for women, is the same way. Many men (some women, but more men) have businesses handed down to them. They have generations of knowledge and tools. The people who are just starting their businesses don’t have those benefits; they don’t have that edge. So, they need to go get it. Learning to actively seek business knowledge from the right sources completely changed my life and all my businesses. We all need to be willing to ask for help in our businesses. Learn from the people who are further down the road.

Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: For a long time, feminism meant being angry to me. It meant marches and hating men and not wearing a bra. I didn’t identify as a feminist because I don’t like crowds, I do like men, and I am attached to my bra. I didn’t want to wear a vagina hat and scream at people. I didn’t want to breastfeed topless. I didn’t want to be angry all the time. Turns out, that isn’t what feminism is. [Kara laughs.] Feminism is understanding the insane value that women add to our communities. In whatever capacity a woman chooses for herself, she is bringing value. She is worth recognition; she should be treated with respect. She should be listened to, have a say at the table (whatever table that is), and be treated like a human being who is equal to anyone else. Feminism, to me, is not dismissing women in any capacity.

The only additional thing that I want to mention is that if any woman is starting a business and wants the steps to do it right, I have a free checklist for all of you. This checklist gives you all the steps, in the right order to make sure you are building a solid foundation for your business. Here is the link: https://launchedacademy.com/business-essentials-checklist/. None of us have to do this alone, and we shouldn’t have to.

Q and A with Victoria from New Jersey, living in Denver, Colorado

“Sharing your story, not for you, but for those who may be touched by resonating with what you’ve gone through, experienced, and learned is a highly selfless act that I’m realizing more and more each day.”

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: My passions include deep self-work [transformation, plant & animal medicine, microdosing, and shadow journaling], traveling, and immersing into cultures [traveled to/lived in 65+ countries], voraciously reading sci-fi/fantasy/historical fiction, sharing endless opinions about film, speaking on stages or facilitating workshops, putzing around with tarot and oracle cards. Currently, I’m working on simply building my business enough for myself to be a place where I can feel safe to consider thinking about starting a family. Standing on my own two feet as an entrepreneur is essential; I don’t need to make seven figures, but I want to have more than enough. With this in mind, I am spending a ton of time creating frameworks, processes, and systems as well as leaning into connecting with communities in person, collaborating with other creators, and learning how to trust that what is meant for me will come.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I’m an only child to a set of interracial parents, raised in a city burb of NY within NJ. I grew up in a super diverse city that was about 15 minutes from Manhattan; so learning to drive and ‘going out’ was often in the boroughs while I was a teen. I didn’t grow up close with my extended family, from a rift that began when my parents married due to familial/racial differences. My mom instilled an absolute love of travel in me, with my first overseas trip being to Istanbul at 4 months old! From then, I traveled internationally at least twice annually until I got to college; a level of privilege I had a hard time overcoming.

At 15, I had a freak accident that had me in the hospital for three days after an emergency surgery where I flatlined twice. I had the classic out-of-body experience and it’s commemorated on my body as a tattoo. That episode is something I am still working through, at 33, and simply didn’t realize how much it ended up insidiously directing my life; decisions I’d make, who I’d date, when or how I felt safe, and it caused me to tend toward inappropriate humor when bringing up difficult topics. It’s such an intangible thing, hard to quantify my progress, and it has absolutely been a defining line in the chapters of my life.

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

A: Sharing your story, not for you, but for those who may be touched by resonating with what you’ve gone through, experienced, and learned is a highly selfless act that I’m realizing more and more each day. Secondly, requesting support→actually explicitly asking for support from those who love you, is another act that can significantly alter your relationships to a place of vulnerability, love, and the connection that we all truly yearn for.

Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism is women coming together in collaboration to keep the ladder up for every single one of us and hold the net below just in case one of us falls.

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When You Grow Up Oreo: A Blog Post

The Power of Quitting

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