Hi Kira, thank you so much for finding time to catch up! Your life is so picturesque and exciting, I look forward to sharing your story with our readers. Could you please start with telling us about yourself, who is Kira?
I already feel uncomfortable (laughs) …Kira is a creative and fun girl who likes to bring her creativity into everything she does, like business, clothes, ideas, travel.
She worked in the corporate world for 7 years, but didn't get to use her creative side much. So, she quit, travelled the world for 3 months, and when she got back, started her own business where she can be creative every day!
Kira is always positive and cheerful. She loves hanging out with friends and exploring new places and doesn't like staying at home much. She is the go-to person for planning trips and events. I guess that's how I see myself. I don't know why I chose to speak about myself in the third person, by the way (laughs).
Can you tell us how your cultural background impacted your journey?
I was born in Russia, came to New Zealand when I was 17. Moving here definitely helped me to grow as a person and to mature faster. When you’re born in one country, live in another, and consistently travel, it definitely broadens your perspective, it encourages you to think bigger. It also allows you to draw inspiration from both your home countries.
My family values also had a great impact on me when I was growing up, especially the values of trust, respect, honesty, loyalty. My parents see only the good in people, and they always help everyone in need. They taught me the importance of standing by loved ones through thick and thin, and it shaped how I approach connections with others.
Also, my parents enrolled me in art school when I was a teen, helping me to explore my creativity—this is a journey I continue to pursue to this day.
Could you tell us what are your strengths?,
I like to help people and I like making people happy. I think this is my biggest strength.
Would you say you're a confident person?
Yes, definitely.
Where does your confidence come from?
I think it comes from my family. My mom is a very confident woman, so she raised me with lots of love and support. She was always telling me that I'll be great and that whatever I'm doing is good enough. That greatly helped me to build my confidence. Even if something goes wrong, like people looking at me funny or someone making a silly comment, I just ignore it. And I think that's definitely a big thanks to my mom, who taught me to be confident in myself, no matter what.
What are your weaknesses?
I struggle to delegate. I like to do things by myself. I like to be in control, definitely. And I think sometimes it's so great to be able to share your responsibilities and ask for help. We all have to do it from time to time and that's one of the things that I have been struggling with.
Are you talking about help with some chores or emotional support?
Mainly, I struggle to delegate tasks, be it at work or at home. I would rather update that spreadsheet, make the picnic setup or vacuum the house myself, if I have the time, than ask anyone else. That, undoubtedly, slows me down and leaves me with less time to focus on other important things, like growing my business for example.
Do you have any insecurities?
No, I don't think so, I think I'm too confident… may be (laughs). I just have a few things that I need to work on…
Would you tell us what you work on?
Currently, I am trying to build an empire (laughs). And I know that sometimes I procrastinate a bit too much, or even I am being too lazy, thinking that it will happen some other day and this is my current struggle.
But would you say that you might be too harsh on yourself?
Possibly. And also, I am thinking now, this procrastination comes from me just not knowing what to do next, and it just stops me. I think that's the actual reason.
There are so many tasks that need to be done to grow the business, that I don't know where to start first. Do I update my website first? Or do I arrange a photo shoot with all the wedding decorations? Or maybe I attend networking events and meet potential clients? There're always many ideas, but it's just me, that can't do everything by myself and sometimes I just park all the ideas, instead of doing them one by one.
Can you tell us a bit more about your business?
I have two businesses right now, they're both in the same industry – events styling. I do luxury picnics - I've been doing that for the last few years. But now it's time for me to grow. So, I am moving to another type of events like weddings, baby showers, birthdays - I'm expanding this side of my business.
Do you have any fear or challenge in regard to your business that keeps you awake at night?
Definitely. It's always a fear to not succeed. I think it's always the case when you are your own boss. You're always afraid that you won't make enough money or people might not like it. You're constantly overthinking. I wish my confidence in myself transformed into confidence in my business as well. I'm not quite there yet.
How do you define success though?
To me success is when you see your clients happy, when they recommend you to other people. This is what success is to me. My business is not just about making money, for me it is to make people happy.
I know you as a very energetic person. Where does your energy come from? What motivates you and how do you recharge?
I think my energy comes from my creativity. And from spending time with my family and friends. I get energy from people, for sure. If I am stuck at home, do nothing, all by myself, I am probably at my lowest - I don't function as well as if I am out doing things with my closest ones.
I also dance ballet, which helps me relax, take my mind off things and feel recharged. And I believe in staying healthy by eating well and looking after your body. Healthy body + healthy mind = happy life!
Do you have any moto in life?
Just “be happy”. Honestly, do what you need to do to be happy and to make your life a good one.
Define happiness?
I am such a people person, I love seeing people around me. I'm always there to help my friends and to be there for them. That makes me happy. Travel makes me happy. To travel with my closest ones..
Even better?
Yeah. That's like, double happiness. Actually, there are quite a lot of things, that can make me happy. I am a very grateful person, so I don't take things for granted. Having a good meal makes me happy or spending quality time with my family and friends, or buying a new side table for the house. Small things make me happy just as much.
I know that you've been in a beautiful relationship and I am lucky to call you both my friends. How long have you been together?
A few days ago we celebrated our 11 years anniversary and we've been legally married for a year... It's been a long time (laughs).
What do you love about your relationship the most?
We encourage each other to grow, help each other and give ourselves the freedom to have space when needed. After 11 years, Alex is still a gentleman, he still opens car doors as he did in the beginning. I still make him lunch when I have time just like I used to 11 years ago.
We have so many interests in common, we are both night owls – this enriches our connection. We make an effort to celebrate our monthiversaries and to go out for dates , so we can make sure our relationship is still romantic after so many years! I love that we are trying to keep our relationship as it was! Time flies, but our love stays the same, if not gets stronger!
What's the most important life lesson that you've learned so far in your relationship?
It will be a very basic lesson and common sense really: honesty. This is definitely the key for a good relationship. Yeah, just don't hide anything from each other. Otherwise, it's not going to last.
What was your biggest challenge the past year?
I would say my business side, not knowing what was the right step to do next. As I mentioned before, I'm launching the new side of the business. I have done a few important steps already: I've started working on the website, I've got the decorations, but now I'm kind of stuck. There are quite a few things to do. But what step do I touch next? I don't really want to do all of the things at once because I don't think that's the right way to do it. So it's hard for me to prioritise what's more important.
I can relate (laughs). And when do you face a challenge, what gives you strength and motivates you to move forward?
I keep thinking about the future: thinking what it would be and what I want it to be. Your strong vision helps you to get there faster.
What would be the most important life lesson that you've learned so far?
Be nice to people. Be nice in general, I’d say. Treat people as you want them to treat you.
Is there any advice that you would like to give to your younger self?
Yeah, definitely. To my younger self, I would probably advise not to put away your creativity and to start exploring it sooner.
Is there something that you would like to bring into your life?
Well, I know It will happen eventually: a successful business and I would love my husband to have a successful business as well. I would love to be there for him and to help him. And babies, one day. And more travel!
Is there something in the next year or two that you're excited about and you're looking forward to?
Yes, and again, I think I've kind of talked about it before... I know that in the next year I will be working a lot on this new side of my business. I'm really excited to see where it takes me.
And of course we've got a few trips planned, I can't wait!
Wish you luck with all your endeavours. Thank you so much for your time.
*Since our interview, Kira has successfully launched Luxury Lane Events