Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilona Seddik.
Hi Ilona, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My Journey: From the Arctic Circle to Empowering Entrepreneurs in the USA
My journey is nothing short of extraordinary. I was born in Latvia and raised near the Arctic Circle—one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth—a place that shaped my resilience and ambition from an early age. Over the years, I’ve built a multifaceted career spanning law, education, writing, entrepreneurship, and social impact, making it my mission to be a voice for women and immigrants around the world.
Before moving to the United States, I achieved what many would consider the pinnacle of success in my home country. I spent over a decade as a lawyer in the world’s #1 corporation in mineral fertilizers. Specializing in constitutional law, in 2009, I defended my dissertation and earned my Ph.D. in Russian law, focusing on the effectiveness of constitutional rights in the Russian Federation. But my thirst for knowledge and service didn’t stop there. In 2020, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in teaching Russian language and world literature and later worked as a teacher in the Russian public school system.
In 2019, my life took a bold and unexpected turn. At 35, with two young children in tow, I packed my life into three bags and moved to the United States. I didn’t know a word of English, and I saw America for the first time through the eyes of an immigrant. The challenges I faced could have paralyzed anyone, but I chose to find strength in my dreams. Within a few short years, I built a thriving social media marketing business from scratch. Today, I specialize in creating powerful content systems for entrepreneurs, helping them amplify their visibility and profits online.
As an author, my words have reached thousands. My bestselling novel *Cahokia* (2019) helped hundreds of Russian women heal from the trauma of domestic violence—a subject close to my heart as a survivor myself. My literary achievements led me to become a twice Amazon International bestselling author. I also had the honor of co-authoring a book alongside global thought leaders like James Redfield (*The Celestine Prophecy*) and Ken Honda (*Happy Money)*. I’ve even spoken at incredible events, including Columbia University in New York City. In 2023, I was proud to be recognized as a member of the *Who is Who* list in America – the anthology of professionalism in the USA; you can be only invited to be featured there.
Passionate about empowering women, I co-founded the Women Empowerment Club (WE Club) in 2020. This vibrant community of over 300 Russian-speaking women provides resources and support for personal growth, business development, and motherhood. Creating safe spaces for women has become one of the hallmarks of my work and one of my proudest achievements.
My advocacy also extends to my role as a social media strategist for Shelter House, a local organization that supports survivors of domestic violence and homelessness. I’m honored that my work was recognized with the *Creating New Beginnings Award* at the 10th Annual Volunteer Appreciation & Awards Celebration in 2024.
I’ve always believed in the power of sharing my story to inspire others. I recently contributed to *Dare to Ignite Your Dreams* (2024), where I shared my raw and uplifting perspective on starting over in a new country. And I’m just getting started—in 2025, I’ll publish my new book *Be Yourself, Grow, and Sell*, a step-by-step guide to building a profitable personal brand and thriving on social media.
When I’m not building empires or empowering others, I find joy in life’s simplest pleasures. I live in Virginia with my two children and husband, and my greatest daily success is sitting down together for a homemade family dinner. I walk 11k steps every day, and I bake as a hobby—because balance and mindfulness are so important to me in this fast-paced life.
My story is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the limitless possibilities of reinvention. From the Arctic Circle to the USA, from lawyer to bestselling author, from survivor to women’s advocate—I am living proof that with courage, dreams, and perseverance, anything is possible. It’s impossible for them, but it’s so real for you!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest obstacles I faced in my life was not accepting myself for who I truly am. For a long time, I struggled with my body, my worth, and my voice.
During my childhood and young adulthood, I lived in a bigger body. At my heaviest, I weighed 103 kg (227 lbs). I was bullied and abused because of this, and by the age of 11, I believed that something was terribly wrong with me. That belief opened the door to years of battles with eating disorders, shame, and constant efforts to “fix” myself.
Everything shifted after I gave birth to my two children. For the first time, I saw my body through a lens of gratitude and strength. I stopped fighting against myself and started honoring everything my body has done for me. Instead of endlessly trying to fit into someone else’s standards, I now choose to love myself fully. I see my uniqueness, my flaws, and my wins as parts of the beautiful whole that is me.
Growing up, I was always smart, curious, and in love with books. Reading was my escape, but in the eyes of those around me, it was “boring” and “uncool.” For years, I believed them. Even as I continued to write and dream, I felt like a loser, convinced that life was just passing me by. It wasn’t until I wrote my first bestseller that I finally realized the truth: my passions are my strengths. What others dismissed as unimportant turned out to be my greatest gift.
Social media added another layer of struggle. I scrolled through success stories, feeling like everyone else had it all figured out while I was stuck. It took me years to build my own business on social media. During that time, I battled postpartum depression and overwhelming anxiety. I wanted so badly to find the “right” advice, but every tip or strategy I heard just felt out of reach. It wasn’t until I stopped blaming myself and started listening to my own voice that things changed. I decided to write a book for people like me—those who need support, understanding, and permission to ask for help, make mistakes, and keep going.
Accepting myself has been the greatest transformation of my life. I learned to embrace my imperfections, celebrate my wins, and stand confidently in who I am. Today, I am happier, calmer, and stronger than ever before—not because I’ve become someone else, but because I’ve finally become me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Authenticity: The Key to Connecting with Your Dream Clients
Authenticity is my core value. I truly believe that authentic marketing is the quickest and most powerful way to connect with your dream clients and create financial success.
In my work, I promote a simple yet transformative idea: be yourself, share your story, and showcase your passion for your product. Sales should happen for you, not to you. When you embrace your imperfections, share your gifts, and let your real self shine, you build a community of people who accept and value you for who you truly are. That connection is priceless.
I know how scary this can be—putting yourself out there, taking risks, and showing up as your most authentic self. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to fix anything about yourself to be ready to shine on social media. You already have everything you need to inspire, connect, and make an impact.
And you don’t have to do it alone. I’m not going anywhere.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Great question! Yes, I’ve been to Los Angeles—but only on screen so far! I moved to the USA five years ago with just $300 in my pocket and, since then, I’ve traveled along the East Coast. Los Angeles has always felt familiar to me, though, because it was a part of my childhood. American movies like Clueless and Buffy the Vampire Slayer were my window into your incredible city.
Growing up in Russia near the Arctic Circle—one of the coldest places where humans live—was a unique experience. At the time, Russia was transitioning from the Soviet Union to modern Russia, and we were finally introduced to American and European culture that had been cut off for decades. Hollywood movies and TV shows became a big part of my TV experience, and Los Angeles felt like this magical, warm place where dreams came true.
While I haven’t visited Los Angeles in person yet, the Golden Gate Bridge is high on my list of dream destinations. I hope that one day, I’ll finally get the chance to spend time in your warm, welcoming, and iconic city. Until then, I’ll keep dreaming and working hard to make it happen!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ilonaseddik.myflodesk.com/services
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilonaseddik/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilona.seddik
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilona-seddik-069011203/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ilonaseddik/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ilonaseddik
