SHOCEO^® Reading for Success: 7 (Seven) Minutes.

For this edition of the She’s Her Own CEO^® Interview Series, we are excited to introduce you to Lifestyle Expert, Barbara Majeski!

Barbara Majeski’s story is one of challenge, diligence, positivity, and renewal. A few years ago, Barbara was a married, stay-at-home mom, raising her three kids in the suburbs of New Jersey. She worked diligently to “check all the boxes” of what she believed it meant to live a good life. She stayed fit with 5:00AM runs that wouldn’t interfere with her steadfast commitment to being a loyal wife, dedicated mom, and an active member of the community. She was the Class mom, a philanthropy chairperson, and an organic food-buying expert. Check, check, and check. The right clothes, the right shoes, and the right BMI.Triple check.

Then in the summer of 2015, things began to unravel. Seemingly out of the blue, Barbara’s marriage came to a devastating end. With her self-esteem shattered and her future uncertain, she began to reassess her life. In the midst of her new reality Barbara was handed a stage 3 cancer diagnosis. Her imminent divorce would have to wait as cancer took center stage.

During treatment, Barbara vowed that if she beat cancer and was given another shot at life, she would live bigger, better, bolder, and with greater purpose, meaning and intent. Determined that if given the chance, she would no longer define happiness by mythical metrics of perfection but instead explore and redefine what it really means to live a good life.

After two years of treatment and recovery she ended her marriage, began pursuing her dream career in media, and launched an online community united in personal growth, purpose & authenticity. Today, Barbara Majeski is Curator of the Good Life, where she shares and explores what it means to live with purpose, style and adventure!

You can catch Barbara’s “Second Act” on television as an On-Air Contributor for Today, Inside Edition, and Fox and Friends, among others.  Her catchphrase, “Living Life with Purpose, Style and Adventure” is ever present. As the #FinderoftheFabulous, she shares the best of the best for bringing families and friends together to create unforgettable memories. She uses her megaphone to shine a spotlight on emerging businesses and entrepreneurs who are socially responsible and environmentally conscious. On social media, she shares the behind-the-scenes of her “second act” as she rebuilds from the ground up with an infused sense of purpose and a zest for life.

Eager to grow, learn and explore what it means to live the “good life,” Barbara’s new podcast, “Baring it All,”  brings authentic real conversations that dive into the mindset and backstories of successful entrepreneurs, thought leaders and change makers.  Barbara, also known as the “Queen of Oversharing” takes her gift of gab, sharp-wit and brassy sense of humor to the airwaves and has her audiences laughing through tears.  She holds nothing back as she aspires to inspire people “to get out of their own way” and live their best life.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Hi Barbara, thanks for sharing your story!  On ShesHerOwnCEO.com, we often talk about how one can best Lead, Provide, and Create™.  Each of us, in our respective world, has opportunities to Lead Ourselves, to Provide for Others, and Create for the Larger World. Barbara, please share with me your favorite example of how you Lead, Provide, and Create™ in your professional and/or personal world!

Barbara Majeski, Lifestyle Expert: My favorite example of how I lead, provide and create would be my role as a philanthropy ambassador for Operation Smile. In 2009 after going on a medical humanitarian mission with OPSmile to the Dominican Republic, I crafted a plan to leverage my circle of influence to raise money. I launched the “Adopt a Smile Campaign,” which to-date has raised over one million dollars. While on the mission, I learned that Colgate/Palmolive were sponsors and they were invited to have several volunteers and mission attendees.  After learning that by raising $150K you could be recognized as a sponsor I pitched the idea to former colleagues at Cydcor. I had never raised even $5 for anything up until that point but I really believed that by bringing their team of executives together for one collaborative global mission, I could garner enough support. And I did. The first goal of $150K took longer than anticipated. There were fits and starts. The motivation was there, but there was also a lack of execution. I learned a ton over those 18 months, and by 2011 we had raised the 150K and our first funded mission to Brazil took place. Five executives went on that mission trip, and from that point forward, momentum was strong. The next few years, we raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and in 2015 I was honored with a Global Humanitarian Award. I did all of this…as a stay-at-home mom.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Being the CEO of your world can take many forms (for example, volunteering in your community, holding a formal corporate position, engaging in creative pursuits, or being a reliable mom/sister/daughter. 

In your opinion, what is the best way to achieve success and to become the boss of your world?

Barbara Majeski, Lifestyle Expert: I believe success is a by-product of living in service. How can you use your unique gifts to help others? We all have ways to help others — to serve. It’s about asking yourself questions such as, “What is in their best interest?” and “How can I help or be of service?” These are great ways to find solutions, opportunities, and clarity in your own journey.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®:  Any additional advice you can share with motivated, aspirational professionals?

Barbara Majeski, Lifestyle Expert: Faith over fear. Believe in yourself. Do you and do it well! A few others:

“Other people’s opinion of you is none of your business.” –Rachel Hollis.

“People that mind don’t matter, and people that matter don’t mind.”  –Dr Seuss

 

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Barbara, thank you for sharing your story of perseverance and positivity!

Learn more about Barbara’s work here:

Website: https://www.barbaramajeski.com/

Facebook: @BarbaraMajeskiLifestyle

Twitter: @barbaramajeski

Instagram: @barbaramajeski

Looking for even more #CEO inspiration?  Check out my other #CEO interviews and be sure you’re subscribed below!

 

xx Kathryn