Daria Hanson is a business mentor, life coach, Joy of Business facilitator and global finance coordinator for Access Consciousness®, a set of life-enhancing tools practiced in 173 countries worldwide. After earning her degree in Economics and Management in her native country Russia, Daria began a successful career in retail sales and store management. At the age of 18, she moved to Canada and continued her career, diversifying into administration, business finance and executive leadership.
Through Joy of Business, a special program by Access Consciousness, Daria coaches entrepreneurs and business owners around the world, empowering them step up to their greatest capacity. An advocate of unlimited creation, Daria’s career and coaching is centered on the need to see beyond labels and to focus on possibility and contribution.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
The despair and depression I saw in a lot of people’s lives on a personal and professional level. For a long time, seeing this had made me wonder what I could do that would allow others to see greatness in themselves, and recognize the difference they can make in the world. Since I was a young girl, I have known in my heart that when we acknowledge and embrace who we are and our abilities, this creates a platform to achieve greater possibilities.
Tell us about your business.
My business is about ‘question-based empowerment’. Every day, people have an opportunity to acknowledge what they actually can do and achieve in life; often times, these are things that they don’t even know they are capable of. I do not tell people what they should do – I lead them into their own ‘knowing’ of themselves. We work together so they can change their situations and gain new perspectives.
What often are the roadblocks to change are what we have decided was true in the past and is unchangeable. Is that really true? So we explore their beliefs based on their education, culture, and life experiences.
Where is your business based?
My business is global. The internet and my laptop are the essential tools that allow me to reach my audience.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
The first step I took to get my business up and running was to stop judging myself, and what I could offer others. I stopped paying attention to the thoughts of what others thought of me and what I was doing – whether it was right or wrong or good or bad. I had to acknowledge that those who required a different perspective on life, and their life choices, would benefit from my business.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
The best way has been word of mouth and social media. People love seeing what is possible and being inspired. I can’t make people do anything… but I can inspire them to reach beyond their limitations.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
My biggest challenge has been to rise above judgement (from myself, and others) that I am 31 years old and advising and counselling people in their 50s and 60s, with regards to their relationships and business.
How did you overcome these challenges?
It takes courage and trust in yourself to overcome other peoples’ projections and points of view of you. The tool that helped me is a simple mantra. “Interesting point of view. I have a point of view that their point of view is real and valuable”. I just keep going, and created a personal script, “Get up. Wake up. And conquer.” I didn’t make other people’s ideas or ideals about age or credentials crucial to my success. For me, success is seeing a change in people’s world and having them go beyond their previous limitations.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
My favorite motivational tool is the ‘question’. Questions always empower. Some of the questions I ask during difficult times are;
- What else is possible?
- How does it get any better than this?
- What is the capacity here?”
“What else is possible?” destroys any doom and gloom and opens up a space for the possibility of greater things to show up.
“How does it get any better than that?” takes you into a space of recognizing something different and greater is possible and opens up a space for the request for the greater to show up. Even in the Bible it says, “Ask and you shall receive”.
“What is the capacity here?” makes you realize that nothing that comes at you that you cannot receive and deal with. If it shows up in your world, you have a capacity to change it and go beyond it and grow with it. It is your chance to better yourself and step into capacities and capabilities you have not yet explored. Life brings opportunities to you to learn things about yourself that you would never explore if life did not challenge it.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I don’t believe in competition. How can you compete with anyone? We all are uniquely different and bring different perspectives and expertise to the table. People who require what I have to offer will find and be attracted to me. Those who go somewhere else, simply require a different contribution than mine. And if others choose to function from competition, I let them and do not allow their choice affect me and what I am creating.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Never give up. Never give in and Never quit. Just keep going and know what is true for you.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Start looking at what makes you different and embrace this. Stop trying to compete and be better than others. You can’t be someone else. All you can be is the greatest version of you. When will you upgrade your iOs to what is true and available to you that is not available to anyone else?
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“The Alexandrian Quartet” is the most recent book which has changed my perspective on business. Although the plot is fictional, it’s a brilliant novel that could assist business owners, managers, and executives to become greater at what they do. This four-book series depicts four prospective on the same event. In my point of view, it is very important to be aware of other people’s perspectives to create the greatest effects in business.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I am currently learning more about marketing and business expansion. Every business owner experiences long work hours, many pressures, and tough deadlines. There is no shame in asking for help or greater expertise. Coaching and mentorship are vital elements in avoiding many potential hardships. Expertise doesn’t always have to be earned through your own life experience.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
The upcoming months are going to be exciting for me. I am expanding my business into Russia. There is a strong tug to connect with and contribute to my homeland. There are many struggles businesses and entrepreneurs have in that cultural and economic landscape. I’m passionate about what I do! There are many elements in creative motion such as developing a new course and writing a book.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @ms_dariahanson
Twitter @msdariahanson
Facebook www.facebook.com/DariaVHanson
Website www.dariahanson.com
Email info@dariahanson.com
Hashtags #dariahanson