"Keep going…there will be frustration, setbacks and times where you feel like you’re getting no luck, but you have to persevere" with Christian J. Hadjipateras

Christian J. Hadjipateras is a London-born writer and keynote motivational speaker. Having been born with severely complex craniofacial anomalies, he underwent over fifty reconstructive surgeries. His mission is to share his story as well as be a voice for adults and children that have similar conditions. He has been involved with two US-based organizations, Face the Future Foundation in Chicago and Children’s Craniofacial Association in Dallas, dedicated to helping children born with facial differences – both emotionally and financially. He also serves as an ACPA Social Media Ambassador.

He holds a Higher National Diploma in Business from Southampton Solent University and has also studied film and production at the London and New York Film Academies. Passionate about film and production, Christian is also working on his first screenplay. He has also been featured in Authority Magazine, ThriveGlobal.com, contributed to HuffingtonPost.com, is a soon-to-be contributor to PopSugar.com, and has an active blog on Medium.com.

Christian and his wife Stephanie split their time between Athens and London.

Can you tell our readers about your background? 

I was born in London with severe craniofacial anomalies and underwent some 50+ reconstructive surgeries up until my mid/late 20s. Despite the interruptions to my education, I achieved my aim of going to university and graduated in 2009 from Solent University, Southampton, England with a Higher National Diploma in Business. I started my career in the maritime shipping industry, an industry my family has been involved in for generations. However, my passion for film and writing led me to Los Angeles where I worked for a TV distribution company and simultaneously delved into film production, and I attended both the New York (Burbank) and London film academies, achieving certificates in film production and screenwriting respectively. More recently I’ve pursued a long-term ambition of motivational speaking to be a voice for adults and children living with facial differences. These days my wife and I are based in Athens.

What inspired you to start your business? 

Motivational speaking has been a long term ambition of mine for years. Growing up with facial differences had both a physical, and psychological impact on me, particularly when I entered my teenage years. Despite having the love and support of friends and family, I chose to suffer in silence during the tough times and I want to reach out to those who may be going through hard times. Nobody should ever have to suffer in silence. I’m also determined to spread the message of kindness, tolerance, and acceptance. Society has come a long way, but we have to do more collectively.

Where is your business based?

As is the case with us allowing to the unprecedented times we’re in, I work remotely, but otherwise, I’d be travelling to speak at conferences, summits, retreats, schools, universities, etc, to share my story/experiences with others and to reach out to those living with facial differences.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

The most important part for me was making sure I was ready. Motivational speaking is something I’ve always wanted to do, but it had to be at the right time. From a young age I’d expressed myself, my story and experiences through writing. I’ve always loved writing, but I also knew that speaking about my experiences would bring a whole new dimension to the message I strive to send out.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business? 

Although we should never underestimate the impact of the ‘old-fashioned’ word-of-mouth, social media is the most effective way to get your message out there. Writing about my experiences is also something I’ll always enjoy doing alongside the impact of being able to talk to an audience face-to-face.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 

Being born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate and profound hearing loss, among other issues, brought their own challenges. I received intense speech therapy when I was young. At that time I was only properly understood by close friends and family. My speech has improved drastically over the years with a combination of operations,  speech therapy, and working on improving my confidence.

How do you stay focused?

A combination of maintaining physical exercise and a routine, particularly in these unprecedented times.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition? Because of the topic I focus on, I don’t look at fellow motivational speakers as competition because the more there are, the better. Working together is great.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business? 

To focus on organisations who offer emotional and financial support to children and adults living with facial differences – and also parents. When I was born, organisations like those were virtually non-existent and my parents had no other parents to relate to, so I know how important these organisations are.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs? 

Keep going…there will be frustration, setbacks, and times where you feel like you’re getting no luck, but you have to persevere. Timing is important too. I wanted to do what I do now years ago, but it just wasn’t the right time.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

Right now I’m reading. Barack Obama’s new book, A Promised Land. I enjoy reading travel blogs and travel-related apps as I love going to new places.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

I’ve had an interest in the stock markets for years so I find Bloomberg a great resource for keeping up with financial news.

Who is your business role model? Why? 

I’ve always admired Richard Branson…he started out by selling items from his boot and went on to form one of the largest groups in the world. Hard work almost always pays off – and of course that bit of luck, but I believe you make your own luck.

How do you balance work and life? 

By having that all-important routine because it allows you to separate work and social life. Of course there are times when work will consume you a bit, but as long as you keep to the routine as best you can then you will get that balance. 

What’s your favorite way to decompress? 

Walking our dog is a good way to clear the mind as is going for a run. Reading screenplays and watching films is something I enjoy too. My wife and I also love going to an amazing region in northwestern Greece for its nature and we try to go when we can.

What do you have planned for the next six months? 

My main aim alongside my motivational speaking is to finish my screenplay. I started it last year and hope to have the first draft completed in a few months.

How can our readers connect with you?

You can find out more about my background on my website, christianhadjipateras.com, and I’m also on Facebook, Instagram.com, and LinkedIn.

Q&A with Author & Influencer, Whitney Geathers

Whitney MG is an author and influencer from Orlando, FL. Inspired by her daughter and the importance of representation in media and literature, Whitney prides herself on making sure each piece of work she releases gives children and adults confidence in knowing that they are truly magical! 

Can you tell our readers about your background?

My name is Whitney Geathers, I was born and raised in Orlando, FL. I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Elementary Education. I taught 6th grade language arts before moving to Indianapolis in 2015. I have always had a passion for books, especially children’s books.

What inspired you to start your business?

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I knew I wanted her to have books that represented her. Books that helped give her confidence in who she is and the things that make her who she is. I started writing my first book Numbers Naturally, I found an illustrator and decided to self-publish it. I didn’t intend for it to be a big deal, but after I released it, and having received so much positive feedback and support, I knew I wanted to continue writing books and create my own brand. Whitney MG

Where is your business based?

My business is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, but I’m often in Florida as well.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

I started by business by publishing my first book. I started creating accounts specifically for my business and created business cards. Once my book was released I started promoting myself as Whitney MG and eventually created a website. 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

I’m still very new and have so much room to grow, but social media has been a great resource for helping to promote my business and reach as many people as possible.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

My biggest challenge has been learning the industry and learning what works and what doesn’t as far as the content of my work and marketing. I’ve been able to overcome these challenges by reaching out to other authors, researching, and always asking questions. I even ask friends and family what their concerns and/or challenges are and I try to keep those in mind as I brainstorm ideas.  

How do you stay focused?

It’s difficult sometimes, but I found that having a notebook/planner handy, and designating a small amount of time daily towards my business has helped me stay focused. I also keep my goals in mind as motivation.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

There are many children’s books on the market, but what sets my books apart is that my books typically offer informative content. With my education background I always try to incorporate education into my books while making them fun and diverse.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

Instagram has been extremely effective. I’ve been able to reach so many people through hashtags and promotions. 

What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

My best advice would be to never give up. It may seem like everyone else is doing the same thing but even if 100 other people have a similar product as you, there is always someone who needs YOUR product and not someone else. So don’t give up. Stay positive. 

What’s your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is Instagram because I love expressing myself and my thoughts through pictures and being able to see all the other creative minds that showcase their talents on Instagram as well. I always feel inspired when I find good profiles. My favorite book at the moment is actually a children’s book called “What Do You Do With an Idea”, because the message is for adults as well. I get ideas every day and some of them I act on, others I don’t but the important thing is to never let a good idea get away. I always keep a notebook close by to write any ideas I have just so I don’t forget them later.

What’s your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

My favorite business tool is email. It may seem super old but I do so much of my communications through email. I get them straight to my phone so it’s easy for me to respond no matter where I am.

Who is your business role model? Why?

My business role model would have to be Alex Elle. She is a writer and encourages readers on a daily basis. I admire her for always staying positive, but also expressing when things get real or difficult, and showing that bad days happen and that’s okay but there are always positives in every situation. 

What do you have planned for the next six months?

I plan to start working on my next book, of course. But I’ll also be supporting my husband’s career as well. 

How can our readers connect with you?

You can find me on Instagram and Twitter @bywhitneymg or via email at bywhitneymg@gmail.com also my website, whitneymg.com.

Q&A with Clinical Therapist, Karolina Pasko

Karolina Pasko is a registered clinical therapist and coach, helping people overcome the pain that comes as a result of divorce, sexual trauma, or a heartbreak. Mostly working with your typical ‘power women’ and overachievers, Karolina herself is no stranger to love and intimacy struggles. With a rare combination of academic credibility, experience, humor, Russian flavored straight-talk, and strategic advice, Karolina Pasko is a sought-after sex therapist, media psychologist, and relationship expert. She invites you to Date Yourself!

Can you tell our readers about your background? 

I was born in Russia. I was fortunate enough to find my way to the UK, where I studied business in Cambridge. Living on my own in a new country since I was seventeen was a remarkable experience. When I moved to Canada and became one of the top students representing Canada on different Marketing competitions, I realized that I wasn’t fulfilled. This what a turning point in my life when I decided to scratch my success and start all over. I’m proud to have become a "power woman," beloved wife, and entrepreneur under 30. 

What inspired you to start your business? 

From a very young age, I was curious about relationships, love, and sex. I’ve gone through my share of toxic relationships, abuse, self-doubt, and betrayal. I remember staying in an abusive relationship, where my ex-was cheating on me, only because I thought the problem was me. I was never taught how to love and stand up for myself.  I thought love was a self-sacrifice, pain, and doing what the other person what’s you to do, hoping to get love in return. One day, I couldn’t take it anymore. I left my old life, healed my pain, and decided that I will do everything I can to help other people do the same.

Where is your business based?

Everywhere. I’m about breaking limits that we use to imprison ourselves. I remember my friends telling me to first build a successful private practice locally in Vancouver, where my husband and I are currently residing, but I refused!  I started building my clientele internationally: North America, Europe, and Asia. Believing in myself, when no one did, helped me break through the traditional brick-and-mortar model of traditional counseling and build an online-based platform that opened unlimited opportunities for my clients.  

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

Business Knowledge: Even though my parents forced me into business school without ever consulting with my desires or dreams, I am deeply grateful for this experience because I was able to learn the fundamentals: accounting, financial forecasting, and planning. 

Professional Expertise: Then, I got my professional credentials earning a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Adler University.

Emotional Grit: I used to measure success by how many clients or money I had and what I could buy.  This motivation brought a lot of pain into my life forcing me to reevaluate my mindset. Once I shifted from money to doing what fills me up, money started to flow into my life. Once I moved from push to pull, everything I have ever wanted began to appear in my life.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business? 

Consistency. I remember posting my YouTube videos and having only one person watch them, or doing Facebook Live with no people joining. I continued and never stopped. Also remembering that I am a brand, helped me maintain the integrity and not jump into collaborations that could have been potential financially rewarding but detrimental to my brand equity.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 

Mind games!!!! Comparing myself to others was the greatest challenge. I remember always checking what other people in my industry were doing and then questing if what I was doing was wrong. Seeing their posts about how they made six figures in just six months, made me question whether I was good enough. This was egregiously cancerous. I went on comparison-detox and never looked back.

How do you stay focused?

First, it’s about motivation: my WHY and WHAT are the powers that keep me focused when it gets hard and feels like I’m hitting the wall.

Second, saying NO: Knowing what I want and why help me decipher the projects that I say NO to and the ones that I pursue.

Third, being my own creator of life: I make sure not to allow other peoples’ urgency become mine. Deciphering what’s urgent and what’s important is the key for me.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition? 

Just by being me and leveraging my talents. I’m not afraid to share my story and be vulnerable. Having experienced excruciating pain in my life, I don’t want to see another person go through it. My honest, upfront and no BS approach is refreshing and healing. When you say what other people think but might not have the courage to share, they start feeling the strength in themselves, knowing that they can also speak up for their truth and let go of what other people think of them.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business? 

Full funnel marketing has been crucial. The objective is only to spend money on profitable returns. For that, you need to know your CORRECT audience: Who Exactly? Why them? Next, it’s about building a relationship with your audience, so you are at the forefront of your audience’s mind.  Last, it’s all about evolution, experimentation, and measurement.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs? 

Don’t let your business become a reflection of your insecurities. Make sure you are strong and feel complete on your own. The emotional grit will help you love yourself unconditionally and not base your self-worth on the status of your business.  Ladies, learn to date yourself, so you are a woman first, boss second.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

Clips – this app is my golden chain to creating great videos on-the-go.

Shots of Awe – Jason Silver’s 3-minute videos supercharge me and give me permission to just be me: weird but amazingly real.

My favorite book is “How to Finally Get The Love You Deserve.” I’m so proud of myself for creating this vulnerable and honest piece of art. I share my story and professional knowledge of how to stop allowing men walk all over you, how to become a woman first, boss second, and get the unshakable confidence that is a magnet for the right men to enter your life.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

It’s the masterful Jay Abraham’s free resources on his site. I had a pleasure of meeting this legend during Tony Robbins’ conference. His thinking and innovative approach are mind-boggling.

Who is your business role model? Why? 

I don’t have just one. I look up to many people for different aspects of their success. Tony Robbins for transforming personal development industry. Beyoncé for becoming Queen B and setting a new record for what a woman can do and be: mother, sexy lady, lady boss, and brand legend. Oprah for being an outstanding example of that your past doesn’t define your future.

What do you have planned for the next six months? 

I’ve just recently released my first book “How To Get The Love You Deserve” that is exclusively available on my website. There is a ravishing adventure ahead promoting it. My one-on-one clients are my priority. I work with women who’ve achieved success in most areas of their lives except for one – love. I will continue helping them heal their hearts and date themselves, so they can get the love they deserve.

 How can our readers connect with you? 

They’re always welcome to explore my website http://www.passioninlove.com/, they can find an abundance of resources to start healing their emotional pain. I share my weekly love advice on my blog.My

YouTube Channel where I release new videos weekly deep dive into questions we all have but too afraid to ask.

Facebook - My biggest platform. Join the Date Yourself community & stay up to date on everything I do.

Instagram - My favorite place. Quotes, stories & your chance to rejuvenate