I started Overcoming Odds to help others overcome their own odds, to provide a safe space for others to share their stories, and in doing so, to find inner-power to move forward in a positive way.
Here's my story:
I was nine years old when I became an orphan, but before I was an orphan, I grew up in a small, cold, and empty apartment in Russia with my older Sister, and an alcoholic Mother. We were born into poverty.
Living without a Father and with an alcoholic Mother forced me to make difficult decisions at an early age. I needed to come up with creative solutions to everyday problems in order to survive, whether it was to bargain for food or to find a place to sleep. For me, developing an entrepreneurial mindset was not an option, but rather a necessity, even when I was only six years old.
In 2005, I walked into a new family through adoption, in a new country, to start a new life.
At the time I knew that adoption was a step closer to a better life, but I did not know the things I would have to give up in order to have that better life.
Adoption taught me how to appreciate. I appreciated the warmth of home filled with love and respect that my parents offered me.
The transition from poverty to affluence was more than an outer transformation; it required me to go through an inner transformation too. I had to become comfortable with change in order to survive.
Children, who are adopted, have no option, but to change. They have no option, but to give up pieces of themselves, such as their birth name, their birth family, friends, their native language, culture and memories.
With the love and support of my family, I was fortunate to overcome these changes. In fact, I was fortunate to experience two spectrums of life: from poverty to wealth. I was not only fortunate to be adopted by a caring loving family, but also to have the opportunity to graduate from both high school and college.
I entered Kent State University with a passion to study Russian, as a way to keep in touch with my birth family in Russia. Though soon into my college career, I also gravitated towards entrepreneurship, with the realization that I was already an entrepreneur. On a broader scale, I realized that my life had a mission, a mission that required me to learn from my own journey, and to contribute to a greater cause. A cause that has helped me to discover my purpose in life, which is to help individuals live a better life, despite their hardship and misfortunes.
At age 23, I finally decided to stand up and speak up. I realized that despite still being an orphan, I am no longer alone. I am no longer scared. I am no longer defined by a word.
Overcoming struggles can be challenging, but I promise YOU, if you surround yourself with people who have gone through challenges, the process becomes much easier.
I know this because I have done so.
If my mission speaks to you, please join me in helping individuals around the world Stand Up & Speak Up.
