How Ruslana became Rome’s go-to make-up artist

Ruslana is a professional make-up artist and hair stylist, currently based in Rome, Italy. I met Ruslana when I was in Rome in 2015 for a branding photoshoot (my first one!) with the incredibly talented Wendy Yalom. Ruslana and I connected right away. Her positive attitude, and enthusiasm were contagious! Not to mention her incredible talent! Since that first photoshoot, Ruslana has been my go-to make-up artist for my signature retreats in Paris. Ruslana is a dream to work with, and is starting to make her mark as the bridal expert of Italy. 

What was your big dream, and what inspired you to go after it?

When I was a child, I wanted to become an artist. I always felt inspired by colour and use different techniques to create something beautiful. When I grew up, I chose a career as a makeup artist so I could make brides-to-be beautiful. It’s such a wonderful feeling, to be able to just do what I love every day.

I’ve always wanted to work for myself. I never wanted to work for someone else, or have a boss telling me what to do. That’s why I love my job and why I’m so happy to be my own boss. I love the freedom I have from working as a freelancer.

Did you always have this dream?

I’ve always wanted to create things. I loved having “projects” and making things. In primary school I was always the one who wanted to organize work for the whole class, I was always creating. So yes, frankly speaking, I had entrepreneurship and leadership in me from childhood.

What was one of the first thing you did to get you started?

When I decided to turn my passion for make-up and hair styling into a business, the first thing I did was to invest in a website so I could show my skills to actual customers, not only to friends or my family. It was a big thing for me because at the beginning, I was a little shy, uneasy about showing myself to the world like that.

I think my talent pushed me to start. I was never scared to touch the face of a woman with my brushes. It felt so natural to me. Along the way, with all the support I’ve received from people that I didn’t even know, I understood this was what I should do with my life.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in working toward achieving your dream?

My biggest challenge was definitely breaking the language barrier. As all my clients are foreigners or mostly English speaking couples, I needed to learn English enough so I could explain my concepts, makeup ideas, hair styling vision and so… That was a huge issue for me at the beginning. But I knew that I could do it, and that it was necessary to achieve my dream. I believe what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. This interview, alongside my growing business, are proof that it’s true. 

What do you wish you would have done differently? What would you warn others about?

I’m happy about my life and about all the opportunities I’ve had. I wouldn’t change anything. I just wish I started sooner. I wish I could go back to my ”younger” self and tell her:  “Just do what you really love!”

Would you say you’ve achieved your big dream yet?

No. There is always something bigger, right there behind the corner… so why stop here?

What do you think helped you achieve it?

Having a supportive husband and family. 

Without support, entrepreneurship can be really lonely, not to mention hard. Having someone to talk to when things don’t go as planned, or simply be able to share ideas and get a different perspective can be so valuable. I’m really blessed to have people in my life who care, and that I can always go to.

What’s the best advice you have for others who want to follow their big dreams?

Not to be scared, to do what they want and just to follow their dreams. It seems banal but self-esteem is still very important. Women need to know their value. To believe in themselves. Because once they do they become unstoppable.

Start doing something and never quit!

More about Ruslana – ruslanaregi.com

Ruslana offers luxury bridal services, and travels around the country (and the world) for destination weddings. She loves her job so much that it never feels like a real job, it’s her personal mission to know your wedding vision inside and out and give you the bridal look you’ve always dreamed about.

Ruslana participated in various small and big projects (one of them was for Lamborghini). Currently Ruslana collaborates with many world-famous brands and celebrities like Alana Masterson, Bijou Philips, Anfisa Chekhova, Anna Sedokova. Her work was published in international magazines such as Elle Bulgaria, L’officiel Latvia, Muaclub, wedding blogs, and Paris fashion week.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Ruslana! She loves connecting with women from around the world. You can do so through her website at ruslanaregi.com or on Instagram @ruslanaregi.

Ruslana’s favourite quote is:

Always remember: Life is for enjoying.
– Abraham Lincoln

Ruslana’s dream for the world is:

To make this world much happier and open-minded. Let’s stop judging and let people live their lives.

If you want more inspiring stories, I’ve got great news for you! This story is part of an interview series, you can find all entries here.

How Nadine started her own communication and copywriting agency

I met Nadine at a business retreat I attended a few months back. We sat across of each other during a workshop session where we had to reflect on our goals and the future of the projects we were working on. Pretty quickly, Nadine and I started talking. Her bubbly nature was so inviting, and her advice so honest and valuable that I needed to learn more about her, and how she got to be such a delightful wordsmith (you know me). Here’s how she did it.

What was your big dream, and what inspired you to go after it?

My big dream was to start my own communication advise and copywriting agency. I’d been helping a lot of people for free with copywriting when one of them told me I could send in the bill for the work I had done for his company. That’s when a light bulb went on. Until then, I thought I was just helping out (like I did with so many – too many – people) for free. But after that the Orange Typewriter was born.

Did you always have this dream?

Nope. My dad had his own printing business for many years. And as a kid I witnessed how my dad was always working. Then, the last ten years of his career worrying about money. Add to it that I loved the corporate international world I was working in, and there was nothing telling me I would ever start my own business.

What was one of the first thing you did to get you started?

Incorporate my business – making it official – by signing up at the Chamber of Commerce. And drink champagne afterwards. Talk enthusiastically about what I did – which helped spread the word. Talk to two entrepreneurs I knew about starting your own business. Design my logo – Which made it real :).

What were the biggest challenges you faced in working toward achieving your dream?

Confidence to just do. Taking that first step. Corporate is one thing, having your own business feels much more personal. So failing business to me would feel like failing as a person, as I saw how it was for my dad.

I also had to let go of control: I left corporate because I choose to take care of my kids of which one is dealing with autism and the other has juvenile arthritis. It was a really good decision which I would take again, but it did make me an overly concerned tiger mom. Always there, always taking care. Now that they are teenagers we all have to learn that they can stand on their own two feet.

What do you wish you would have done differently? What would you warn others about?

Be clear to clients what they can ask for what price. In the beginning I definitely under charged. So my advice is: remember that you’re worth it. Giving freebies, or a lot of none chargeable hours (which the clients often don’t even know about) doesn’t make you more valuable to them. They care about getting the solution they’re looking for, not the gifts and specials you offer them in silence along the way.

Would you say you’ve achieved your big dream yet?

Yes. I successfully started my own business. It’s about a year old now, and it was an amazing year. Getting clients I didn’t even think I could ever work for. I thought way too small! Can I still grow? Is there still a bigger dream out there for me? Yes, for sure! But wow did I achieve so much already.

What do you think helped you achieve it?

Enthusiasm and professionalism. Enthusiasm to my clients, enthusiasm in my communication and in the meantime delivering bad ass texts my clients need to grow.

What’s the best advice you have for others who want to follow their big dreams?

Just start! Every great run, every great business, every adventure started with one step, one action.

Me doing great, shining in my business is also better for my family. Yes it’s true I’m not there with them all the time. And my two kids had to get used to it. But when I am home, I’m happy – singing – dancing – taking them on adventures. My growth makes them grow as well. They are so proud of me. There is a reason I registered my business on the birthday of my daughter, hoping to show them that you can always start a new dream (even when you’re 40). It’s important to remember this, especially as women who often think about and care for everybody except themselves.

More about Nadine – theorangetypewriter.nl

Nadine graduated from the School of Journalism & Design in 1998, and was an Art Director for Reed Business Information from 1998 until 2003, when she moved to Germany and got kids. Since 2016, Nadine is specializing in International Business Communication and Communication Strategy for small business owners.

You can find out more about Nadine through her website at theorangetypewriter.nl or on Instagram @nadinevanlierop.

Nadine’s favorite quote:

Let’s go on an adventure! (Free translation from Bilbo Baggins – The Hobbit: I am going on an adventure!)

Nadine’s big dream for the world:

Appreciate and enjoy each other’s differences, each other’s cultures. It’s an asset that we are so diverse. Not a threat.

If you want more inspiring stories, I’ve got great news for you! This story is part of an interview series, you can find all entries here.

How Mardi is helping business leaders thrive in a state of wellness and harmony

Mardi spent the last fifteen years working as a lead HSE and Legal Compliance Advisor and System Auditor as well as an integral member of senior executive teams with global organizations in the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific and Australia. 

Throughout that time, and journeying her own struggles to adapt as a woman working in male dominated industries, she learned that to experience success as part of a business landscape there must be a balance between harmony and performance – of both chasing success with determination and zealously adhering to your own ethics and values.

This insight became the foundation of the elite performance system she developed and now calls PerforM. Clearly Mardi’s my kind of human. So I had to know more about her and how she created her system. Here’s how she did it.

What was your big dream, and what inspired you to go after it?

My big dream was to be a thought leader in creating healthier and more balanced corporate environments. There is no doubt that the corporate world is changing and we as leaders, employees and technical professionals are struggling to operate within the old structure. Performance is dropping, almost 80% of people have been found to be unhappy in their jobs, people are either getting injured at work or executive teams are having to go over the top in implementing processes where their staff are no longer allowed to be creative in their roles. The dysfunction between masculine and feminine energies can also no longer be ignored. You see it on the news almost every other day, but fighting it and demanding change isn’t the answer –the key is to create a balance between the energies, letting both operate in harmony.

My inspiration to mentor people around how to achieve higher levels of performance, wellness and sanity within this waning corporate structure until the new structure is fully born came from my previous role as a Senior Health and Safety Executive as a woman working in male dominated industry. I saw the struggles of dysfunction day in, day out and over fifteen years working within it, I realised that I’d developed a unique way of helping people and teams not only increase their performance, but find more fulfilment, creativity and wellness while they were doing it. Now I help corporate professionals including lawyers and scientists, especially in the STEM industry, move from a place of high stress, high pressure and overwhelm in their corporate roles to a place of high performance with wellness and ease.

Did you always have this dream?

I would say my dream has always been part of me however, it has grown and become defined as I have evolved and experienced life. I come from a family with a long-line of medical and health professionals so it was no surprise that from a young age I was always interested and invested in people’s health and wellbeing.

As time went on and I heard more about people being injured and fatalities occurring in the workplace, I had this burning desire to step into a role that can be influential in stopping such events, questioning the imbalance and wanting to manage this issue in a new way. I didn’t believe that lives should be lost or we should in anyway compromise ourselves in an organizational setting. This led me into a career as a Health and Safety Professional knowing this role will allow me to make a difference, be proactive and impactful to people’s holistic wellbeing in the work environment, helping create healthy and balanced corporate environments, cultures, systems and processes to protect people’s lives and wellbeing at work.

This was a crucial time as it gave me a unique insight into how we can do it differently, how we can perform in harmony, look after our people and leaders and align with the needs of today’s society. This was the platform that confirmed and brought my big dream alive.

What was one of the first things you did to get you started?

I knew I needed a strong personal brand to communicate my level of expertise to the corporate world and to start building reputation as an expert and thought leader in the field, so my first strategy was to create a website to communicate my individual and organizational mentoring packages and to start speaking at events to get my message out there. It didn’t take long to realize just how many people were suffering with corporate overwhelm. These people are all highly qualified and experienced professionals in their fields but they were struggling with how to work with their expertise within the corporate environment. Things like how to navigate office politics, how to resolve issues with management teams, how to mitigate performance review problems and how to actually get the promotions they were working tirelessly to prove they were ready for.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in working toward achieving your dream?

Oh self-doubt for sure! Whenever you have a big idea or a big dream there’s always an element of self-doubt. I could see the need was out there, but there’s not many mentors doing what I do, so there was a little voice in the back of my head that kept saying ‘You’re crazy Mardi, just stay with your comfortable corporate salary, it’s too risky’. But I took the risk anyway.

Starting a business without having a background in business management does have its twists and turns for sure. Unlike being an employee there’s so many other things to get your head around like marketing and financial management, and what I’d say in that area is hire experts to help you. If it’s not your area of expertise, outsource it, every time. Trying to save money by doing it yourself doesn’t work, it just wastes your time and makes your dreams take longer to materialize.

What do you wish you would have done differently? What would you warn others about?

I try hard not to have the mindset of “I wish I did it differently”. Hindsight as they say, is a beautiful thing. Like many others I use my own experiences to share with people so they move through their experience with more ease, with a better understanding and at a quicker pace.

One thing I would share is to find yourself a mentor(s) when you are igniting your dream, it can be lonely, you can lose sight and momentum. External support and guidance helps with accountability, perception and achievement, keeping you in balance.

Would you say you’ve achieved your big dream yet?

Ha ha, my big dream is very big indeed! As a society we have a long road ahead of us in creating a corporate environment that honors both masculine and feminine energies. It’s not going to happen overnight, but I’m on the right path and it’s my life’s work to see it happen. I do feel like I have achieved a big dream in seeing the results my clients get after working with me. To see them go from stressed and hating their jobs to renewed and energized about the possibilities ahead; possibilities they didn’t dream they could make a reality, gets me every time. That’s the biggest reward for me.

What do you think helped you achieve it?

Stubborn determination. Dreams don’t come easy or everyone would be achieving them. It takes commitment and grit to keep believing and striving every day.

What’s the best advice you have for others who want to follow their big dreams?

Be open-minded, fearless and authentic. Find those special few friends who will support you and your dream and whether you have a win or take a little step sideways, share the adventure with them.

Dreams arise within us for a reason. It is our imagination and our intuition bringing into consciousness our higher purpose. Believe that we can achieve, that our dreams present ideas to help ignite positive societal change and growth needed in this fast evolving world.

More about Mardi – mardikeyes.com

Mardi Keyes is an International Performance Consultant, Organisation Coach and Leadership Mentor. With her signature elite program perforM she’s made it her mission to help business leaders thrive in a state of wellness and harmony delivering exponential success in today’s rapidly changing corporate landscape.

You can find out more about Mardi and her work on her website: mardikeyes.com or connect with her on LinkedIN.

Mardi’s favourite quote is:

There are so many quotes from inspirational people around the world that I adore, but here are two that I refer to when things get a little overwhelming in my life to propel me into a new perspective:

Hard times arouse an instinctive desire for authenticity.
– Coco Chanel

Mardi’s big dream for the world is:

Purely to create a healthier, well-balanced corporate environment that honours both masculine and feminine energies so it provides an environment where people thrive in a positive state of wellness, creativity, high performance and ease. And masterfully, by creating this new balanced environment by default it addresses the current diversity, inclusion and equality issues in today’s current workplace.

If you want more inspiring stories, I’ve got great news for you! This story is part of an interview series, you can find all entries here.

How Michelle’s Ultimate Life Binder became a bestseller on Etsy

I met Michelle through the Members’ Club of the Female Entrepreneur Association. First online, by going through the creative bundles she created for the members and the work she did for FEA. Then last year in person at Carrie Green’s Inspired Vacay. Michelle’s story is one of those stories that immediately inspires you to become a better version of yourself. Her mission is to help people take 100% responsibility for their life. She does this by creating beautiful products to help others manage their projects and lives. It’s also how she went from living what she calls a mediocre life to becoming a best seller on Etsy with her absolutely amazing The Ultimate Life Binder™.

What was your big dream, and what inspired you to go after it?

My big dream evolved from a big fear I had – the fear of living a mediocre life. Looking back, I realize that I was stuck in a pattern of putting other peoples’ needs above my own and this led to me becoming an empty version of myself. I woke up one day and realized that I had just lived the same year twice and that it was a mediocre year. I had given away my power to design my own life by putting myself last. My dream from that point was to create a life in which I was fully in the driver’s seat. I’ve learned that helping other people needs to come after helping yourself, otherwise you end up right back where you started from and no one really benefits.

Did you always have this dream?

I remember how as a child, I always wanted to be the next best version of myself. I was always playing at being a “grown up” and I wanted to learn everything. In my teenage years however, I found myself dealing with many challenges at home as a result of my parents’ failing marriage and I put my dreams in the “back seat” and got into the bad habit of being everyone’s “rescuer” at my own expense.

What was one of the first thing you did to get you started?

After reaching a breaking point in my early 20’s, I resolved to put my dreams and myself first again. At the time, what I did was drive alone to a coffee shop every Saturday and sit there with myself and my empty notebook spending time thinking about who I wanted to become and what I wanted to do with my life. I started to realize that the fastest way to get out of my rut was to do whatever I was afraid to do. I started to plan things that scared me into my week: go to a networking event, say yes to co-hosting a radio show, enter an essay contest. I started inviting other girls to join me on my Saturday night planning sessions. When one girl could never make it to the meet-up, I decided to put up what I was learning on a blog for her to read. I called my blog “The Secret O.W.L. Society” and without knowing it at the time, that was the birth of my business. I didn’t start my business to change my life. I changed my life first by changing myself and out of that my business was born.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in working toward achieving your dream?

I would say that my biggest challenges come from slipping back into my old pattern of over-giving to people who never give back to me. As I’ve said, nobody really benefits from that arrangement. Sooner or later, the giver ends up used up and starting over and the people who you gave your energy to end up back to where they started as well. I’ve learned that being a leader doesn’t mean holding someone’s hand and making sure they’re there every step of the way. Les Brown said that when two people are walking together, one person will always either speed up or slow down to match the speed of the other person. By being an over-giver, I’ve slowed down more often than I would like to admit for the wrong people. You simply cannot help everyone. The only people who will benefit from your help are the people who will do what they need to do with or without you. Now, I believe that the best way to know who will truly benefit from my help is to see who is still following while I walk on ahead on my own, without holding anyone’s hand.

What do you wish you would have done differently? What would you warn others about?

I’ve been learning a lot about what it means to be an empathic person. The book “Dodging Energy Vampires” by Dr. Christiane Northrup has been exceedingly enlightening. As an empathic person, if you don’t learn how to protect yourself from people who would take your energy from you, then you’ll never fulfill the purpose that you’re here to fulfill. If you truly want to help people, you have to learn how to help yourself first as an empath. If I could go back in time, I would have given myself the book I just mentioned, but seeing as how the book was only just recently published…maybe everything happened according to diving timing after all.

Would you say you’ve achieved your big dream yet?

I’d say I have a lot to learn and a long way to go. I’m not going to say that my dream is to “help as many people as I can” because I know that for me, that statement comes with a precursor in order to actually work. My dream is to become the best version of myself, to take care of myself, to learn more about myself and THEN, from that place, help as many people as I can. Since human potential is nearly limitless, I’d have to say that the dream is to continue to make every year 10 times better than the last because I’m constantly becoming 10 times better. I never want to live the same year twice again as a result of letting myself stagnate in a rut. The beautiful thing is, I’ve had so many people – thousands – benefit from the contribution I’ve been making in the world since the day I started my blog. Not a week goes by without someone reaching out and thanking me for the value I’ve added to their life and business. Which tells me that this recipe for life really works – the more you help yourself, the more you can help other people.

What do you think helped you achieve it?

When I realized I had just lived the same year twice I started to do things differently. By driving alone to a coffee shop every Saturday and sit there with myself and my empty notebook I was slowly changing my habits and my thinking. This initial realization, and the intense wish not to live the same year yet again helped me move forward, and stay on track.

What’s the best advice you have for others who want to follow their big dreams?

Don’t be afraid to let your old life fade away. Old friends, circumstances, and people… What you hold onto holds onto you. Making progress is about letting go more than it is about what you put on your to do list. We are all overcoming old beliefs and debilitating patterns that we picked up in childhood. As Dr. Christiane Northrup said in an interview I watch today, “The minute you put yourself and your needs first, your old life will start to go away.” Let it.

Michelle during a hot seat session hosted by Carrie Green during the Inspired Vacay (Mallorca)

More about Michelle – secretowl.org

Michelle is the founder of the Secret O.W.L. Society and the creator of the Ultimate Life Binder™. She believes that when you take 100% responsibility for your life, you can create anything you want and she create printables, courses, videos, and articles to help people do just that.

You can find out more about Michelle on her website at secretowl.org.

Follow Michelle’s adventures on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest.

Michelle’s favourite quote is:

If you want things to change, you have to change. If you want things to get better, you have to get better.
– Jim Rohn

Michelle’s big dream for the world is:

That more and more people become a shining example of what it means to love yourself, take care of yourself, and put yourself first. Life never works until you do.

If you want more inspiring stories, I’ve got great news for you! This story is part of an interview series, you can find all entries here.

How Michelle started her own freelance copywriting business

I met Michelle at the end of 2016, when she was settling into her new apartment in Paris. Michelle had read one of my posts about multi-passionate creative women and could see herself in what I was describing. What followed were some powerful months where Michelle got clear on what she wanted, and finally admitted her secret dreams to herself. Today – through Michelle’s hard work and dedication – those dreams are becoming reality. Here’s how she did it.

What was your big dream, and what inspired you to go after it?

To be honest, for a long time I felt sort of lost. I didn’t have just one dream. Instead, I had a thousand thoughts consisting of… “It would be awesome if…”. But one of the biggest ‘thoughts’ was to be able to travel the world and try new experiences. To be able to document these wonderful places forever, and sharing them with the world. That’s why I decided to move from North America to Paris with my husband. It was a dream we both shared so it made sense.

Did you always have this dream?

I always had many things I loved to do. I never thought there was a position that could encompass them all! Let alone creating a writing/copywriting business. It was never on my list. And then I read about this thing about “multi-passionate woman”. That’s how I met you. Through one of your blog posts. What caught my attention was your multi-passionate coaching series. I didn’t realize it till I read your blog. Wanting to be and do many things… was normal!

What was one of the first thing you did to get you started?

It seems so long ago. The first thing to get me started? Opening up to you. Trusting you and becoming more aware of myself. That freedom to become completely honest with myself opened so many doors for us… allowing us to dissect and explore.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in working toward achieving your dream?

There were a few. The biggest? The challenge of putting yourself out there, being vulnerable to failure or defeat. Those “villains” in the back of your head questioning your motives and moves. The 2nd biggest, starting your career over and having to learn new things. At my age, most people think, ” You’re too old.” or “It’s too late.” Let me tell you, I feel so young right now. Everything is fresh and new. Sometimes I feel like I’m turning “ageless”. It’s quite exhilarating.

What do you wish you would have done differently? What would you warn others about?

To not have been so stubborn to learn things on my own. I would suggest to save time and sanity, look at the areas you need improvement in or struggle with. Look into a mentor or get help from a person specialized in that area. With their expertise you’ll be able to weave your way to your goals a lot faster, and perhaps be introduced to other people or tools to help you with your goal.

Would you say you’ve achieved your big dream yet?

Yes and no. I’ve actually turned this dream into a step in order to achieve a final goal… much grander in scale. So yes, I’ve hit my milestones – creating a business, obtaining new experiences and sharing them. But as you develop, so do your dreams. This business has become the first step to a vision I imagined only a few years ago! A vision I never thought could be possible. Today I see it. The final destination. With all the lovely little branches of goals (soon to be turned into milestones)… that include all the things I’ve ever wanted to do.

What do you think helped you achieve it?

Your and your coaching series was the supporting force to this grand plan. Previous to working with you, I never believed I had a big dream. I just wanted to be happy. I felt lost on where to go or what to do to get to that place. But through your contagiously amazing aura, I broke free from a life with no direction.

What’s the best advice you have for others who want to follow their big dreams?

As Nike says, “Just do it”.

More about Michelle – michellemedia.ca

Michelle is a Canadian writer, explorer, believer and inspirer, design thinker, design lover, and designer of her life. She currently lives in Paris but who knows where her big dream will take her next?

If you’re looking for a writer/copywriter you can contact Michelle at michellemedia.ca or I can put you in touch directly.

You can follow Michelle’s new adventures on instagram @michellenouvelle and on her blog michellenouvelle.com.

Michelle’s favourite quote:

Don’t be afraid of your fears. They’re not there to scare you. They’re there to let you know that something is worth it.
– C. Joybell C.

Michelle’s big dream for the world:

To have the courage to go after their dreams. Every single one of them.

If you want more inspiring stories, I’ve got great news for you! This story is part of an interview series, you can find all entries here.

How Stéphanie is bringing local farmers and families together

Stéphanie and I go way back. We met in high school. One beautiful Spring day we ended up sitting together in chemistry class. We hit it off right away. I loved hearing Stéphanie’s stories of the time she spent in Africa, her passion for nature and biology. Most of all I loved her big heart, positivity, and enthusiasm. After high school we lost touch, both went our separate ways building our lives. Then, many years later, when I launched my first online program Stéphanie enrolled. She was at a crossroads in her life (like so many multi-passionate creative women) and needed a change. For a full year she worked hard to discover what she really wanted for herself, and how to make her big dream come true. Here’s how she did it.

What was your big dream, and what inspired you to go after it?

My BIG dream was to be recognized for my work. To be part of society in an active way. To make a difference. I loved the idea to work together with others towards a goal, to belong to a community. My dream was to mean something to society, by doing something where you SEE the results. To be accepted for who I was, working together with like-minded people to create a better world. That’s why I became the representative of Boeren & Buren in my local community, and now run my own little company within the structure of “The Food Assembly”.

Did you always have this dream?

When I was a child I was already sensitive to injustice, and thinking of a better world in terms of pollution, and all the things we were doing to the environment. I could see that many things were wrong and could be done in a better way.

What was one of the first thing you did to get you started?

Taking part in your Dream Bigger Program! After my burn out I needed change. I wanted to rediscover myself, and change my world. You and your program were there at the right time for me. Being part of your program for a year was a big, transformative experience for me!

What were the biggest challenges you faced in working toward achieving your dream?

I knew I wanted change but I didn’t know what it was. I kept asking myself: “What do I really want?” and “What I am looking for?” It was hard to find the answers to these questions by myself. I realized I needed to take action in order to move forward. By showing up for myself, and doing the work I slowly got clear on what I wanted to do.

What do you wish you would have done differently? What would you warn others about?

What I could have done differently? Not wait so long to look for change! People were used to me always being available, ready to help. Somehow, I allowed them to take advantage of my positive attitude and personality. I was always there for others but not for myself. I missed the self-love part of life. I lived without listening to myself.

What I would say to others is that there’s a time to be there for others and there’s a time to be there for yourself, to love yourself, and it’s important in your life to listen to yourself more carefully!

Would you say you’ve achieved your big dream yet?

Not yet…it’s still growing, I can feel it! There are still some issues to overcome, and milestones to achieve. I’m going with the flow without forcing anything, simply “listening” to what the world is saying to me, and that is that I have to make decisions at the right time with the right people. You have to be attentive to what’s happening around you, to what the world wants to tell you… then take the opportunities when they cross your path.

What do you think helped you achieve it?

Listen to yourself. First you have to take care of yourself, be kind, be patient, go inwards. You have to be willing to listen to the questions you’re asking yourself, and to answer them. When you enroll in a program like yours you have to be willing do the work. Take enough time with your “me”.

You have to go for it. You might be scared because you think you can’t do something. But you need to go out of your comfort zone and trust the people who know you and support you, especially when they’re telling you to go for it!

What’s the best advice you have for others who want to follow their big dreams?

Trust yourself. It’s a bit like listening to yourself. You have to give yourself the tools to build your own story, you have to do the work required to build yourself up to the person you want to be so that you can have the life you want. Don’t get distracted with other people’s experiences or good advice, your experience is your unique path. Everyone is different. Make sure to surround yourself with people who can help you reach your goals. Keep on learning. Read books.

Stéphanie at a local market presenting the work of the Buurderij

More about Stéphanie – Buurderij Dilbeek

Stéphanie is mama to 3 adolescent sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical and biological techniques. After 22 years in fertility and diabetes research, she turned her life around completely, and said farewell to the lab. Today she’s still in the environment of scientific research but in a different position. At the Veterinary Animalarium of the Free University of Brussels (ULB) she’s responsible for the technical aspects of research, manages a group of people, is the contact person for representatives, writes protocols. A social function that she really enjoys. Besides this full-time job, Stéphanie now runs her own small company within the structure of “The food assembly”. A lot of it is volunteer work, but the return offers her great satisfaction, knowing she’s bringing people together and making a difference in the world.

You can find out more about Stéphanie’s work with local farmers on her Facebook page

Stéphanie’s favorite quote is:

Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you!

Stéphanie’s big dream for the world is:

Treat people right, and do it without expecting anything in return. It will come back to you in a positive way. Being true to your values, and respecting others is a win-win for everyone.

If you want more inspiring stories, I’ve got great news for you! This story is part of an interview series, you can find all entries here.

How Christine started a soulful creative services business

Christine is a vibrant, multi-passionate explorer of life. Following her own entrepreneurial path, Christine created a company where’s she able to enjoy and benefit from many of her passions: photography, writing, traveling, life coaching. Something I know many creative women would like to do, and the reason why I needed to know more about Christine’s inspiring journey. Here’s how she achieved her dream.

What was your big dream, and what inspired you to go after it?

The big vision I held that I couldn’t stop dreaming about was becoming a successful soulpreneur. I believed it was possible for me and I knew it was only a matter of time, but it still felt like another lifetime away.

I craved the freedom to fill my schedule with the variety of things and passions I came to love over the years. This entrepreneurial dream morphed when I found Life Coaching. It was the missing piece of my multi-passionate puzzle.

Did you always had this dream?

I wanted to become a full-fledged entrepreneur for as long as I can remember. The dream evolved – as I did – over time from a brick and mortar business to the latest iteration of a sustainable creative entrepreneur. As an internationally certified Life Coach, I support and empower both women and men to uncover true alignment with themselves and throughout their lives.

What was one of the first thing you did to get you started?

One of the very first steps I took toward pursuing this dream was enrolling in a class focused solely on Entrepreneurship during my senior year of high school. I went on to study and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Management with honors to boot. I was pulling double duty throughout high school and my undergraduate studies as I worked my way up the ranks in various full-time retail positions, always with the hopes of taking my career to the next level.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in working toward achieving your dream?

I think it’s safe to say that any creative or entrepreneur deals with their own inner critic on a regular basis. Whether it’s with the far-fetched ideal of perfection or the notion of not-enoughness. As if that isn’t enough of a beast to wrestle, I also had to release and detach from people’s opinions and perspectives about my life and the way I chose to live it. It was imperative that I weed out the voices and attitudes from those people who ultimately didn’t support me and weren’t vital to my forward momentum. And, when you learn to be discerning, you begin celebrating yourself instead of relying on others for praise.

What do you wish you would have done differently? What would you warn others about?

There’s a big part of me that wishes I would have leapt and left my day job sooner to fully and wholeheartedly pursue creative entrepreneurship. With that being said, the biggest piece of advice I can offer is that there isn’t an exact equation or ‘right’ series of steps to follow. You’ve got to figure it out for yourself and your life.

Would you say you’ve achieved your big dream yet?

Yes! And I know it’s also only a matter of time until another level or bigger dream appears and it’ll be completely up to me to choose whether I grow with it or not.

What do you think helped you achieve it?

There were a number of things that helped me finally transition from an employee to an entrepreneur. Seeking out and developing an unwavering support system was hugely beneficial, but the belief in myself had to come first and foremost or I never would have jumped. I had to arrive at this place where I was more confident with my abilities and the work I wanted to share with the world and less concerned or worrisome of the unknown. And here’s the truth of the matter: the pleasure and pride I have for the work I now put out into the world as a writer and a life coach is more important than any opinions or critiques.

What’s the best advice you have for others who want to follow their big dreams?

The only piece of advice you need is to be relentless in paving your path! There will always be someone who has something to say if you’re looking for it so make things easier on yourself and stay focused on what actually matters. You are going to have challenges and obstacles come your way so you’ve got to find the thing worthy of your time and your fight.

Christine embodying soulful, unconventional courage

More about Christine – thrivingadventure.com

Equal parts explorer, writer, and life coach, Christine has a penchant for sharing her real (read: human) journey while encouraging people to reclaim ownership and reignite courage so they can live out the adventure of a lifetime within their own lives.

You can learn more about Christine’s work on her website.

You can follow Christine’s journey, and adventures on instagram @christine.barnes and read her thoughts, and insights about living an unconventional creative and courageous life on medium @hellochristineb

Christine’s favorite quote:

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.
– Mary Ann Radmacher

Christine’s big dream for the world:

To encourage and support women and men to live the adventure of a lifetime within their own lives! We all have the ability and power to live our best lives regardless of our backgrounds, our locations, or the paths we choose to pursue and I’m committed to making this less of a far-fetched idea and more of a reality.

If you want more inspiring stories, I’ve got great news for you! This story is part of an interview series, you can find all entries here.