Svetlana Kim's story reminds us that pursuing our dreams remains our most powerful path to success

Svetlana Kim is the author of White Pearl and I: A Memoir of a Political Refugee, which chronicles her journey from Russia to the United States, where she arrived with only one dollar in her pocket and a few words of English at her disposal; today, she is a leader among her peers in the business world, and has been honored with numerous awards citing her commitment, skill, and integrity. 

Svetlana Kim reminds us that pursuing our dreams remains our most powerful path to success. Svetlana’s unlikely path takes her as a political refugee from Leningrad to NYC and beyond. Today, Svetlana (Lana) is an accomplished author, public speaker, founder of Svetlana Kim LLC, and active community advocate.

"I find myself looking in the mirror and realizing with no uncertainty that I will continue to redefine my life, my brand and my work." -- Kaira Rouda

Kaira Rouda is an award-winning entrepreneur, marketer, speaker and author.

Kaira is the bestselling author of REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs (Wiley), founder of numerous companies including Real You, and brand creator of Real Living Real Estate, the nation’s first women-focused real estate brand.

In late 2009, and with the help of a tweet, Kaira helped orchestrate the sale of Real Living to Brookfield Residential Property Services, a Toronto-based firm with approximately USD $90 billion of assets under management. Kaira remains brand strategist and consultant for the company.

Kaira's first novel, HERE, HOME, HOPE (Greenleaf Book Group) was published in May of 2011, and won a 2011 Indie Excellence Award for fiction.

An interview with Merav Knafo, Founder and CEO of iJoomla.com

1. Tell us about your background

I started out as a web developer 10 years ago, as a software designer for my own companies: LookBetterOnline.com – a photography service for online daters and PeopleFishing.com – a dating site network. I started using Mambo that then turned into Joomla  in 2005, and never looked back! 

In what project are you currently involved?

I spend most of my time on iJoomla.com and some of it on LookBetterOnline.com and UsabilityTesting.tv

2. Tell us about iJoomla and usabilitytesting.tv? What inspired you to found iJoomla and usabilitytesting.tv?

I started iJoomla.com right after Joomla forked out of Mambo. I noticed many of the developers were doing Joomla apps as a hobby and I thought there could be a good opportunity to do it professionally.

“I didn’t choose management; management chose me” 

Top executive turned international speaker and author, Joanna Tong founded the online business Bright-i that offers the best East-West blended business and leadership information in eBook and MP3 audio formats. Joanna gives presentation to international audiences at high-levels based on her book: Dragon Leadership: Eastern Wisdom for Modern CEO.

Joanna describes her career as colourful (no set formula), adventurous (full of surprises) and challenging (constant learning). Her achievement list looks pretty impressive: the first woman executive of a world-class performance venue, Director of £35 million economic regeneration projects, Winner of the first-ever North West Women Achievement Award and Radio presenter at BBC Manchester. She said modestly, “I didn’t choose management; management chose me.” Is she the woman who has it all?