We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cristina “stina” Kusunoki Ishmael. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cristina “Stina” below.
Cristina “Stina”, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The concept of Hello Lovely Living initially started with a heartfelt dream to intentionally create a life that I truly love and cherish. At that pivotal moment in time, I found myself navigating through a chapter in my life where I was faced with an important decision—whether to continue to pursue my established career or take a bold leap to start my own business.
From the age of 15, I had been in the workforce, and upon graduating from college with a budding career in Marketing, I experienced a profound realization and awakening: I wanted to create and build something meaningful for myself. As a result, I made the courageous decision to launch Hello Lovely Living as a blog where I could share my creative pursuits and also offer my graphic and web design services to inspiring women who were eager to launch their own ventures as well.
This decision turned out to be a transformative moment in my journey, as it allowed me to blend my professional skills with the things that I genuinely enjoy, ultimately granting me the freedom and flexibility that I had always desired in life. It was an exciting time, as many women were exploring the incredible opportunity to start their own online businesses, and I felt privileged to assist them on their paths.
Since then, the many facets of my business have evolved significantly, bringing greater alignment to the direction I seek for myself and the future growth of Hello Lovely Living. However, at my core, I have always been driven to help and spread awareness, and now I feel more equipped than ever to hone in on this mission to create a lasting and meaningful impact in the world at large.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I have always possessed an innate desire to uncover the truth in all facets of life, a curiosity that has led me down countless paths of discovery. This insatiable thirst for knowledge makes me a natural explorer and learner, perpetually choosing to walk the road less traveled while steadily seeking to deepen my understanding of myself, others, and the world around me. When you combine this trait with my profound love for creating and dreaming, it becomes clear that I am a visionary suited for this unique generation, one that has been blessed with immeasurable opportunities for exploration and innovation.
I embarked on my journey with a firm foundation in graphic design, but my passion for design traces back to my childhood when I developed an innate affection for interior design. Due to the limited resources available to me in Guam, I made the strategic decision to pivot toward the digital realm, recognizing that it was the future of expression and creativity. By merging my graphic design knowledge with a degree in business and my ventures in the online space, I have been able to cultivate Hello Lovely Living, a platform that allows me to constantly evolve while tapping into the wealth of skills and experience I have honed over more than two decades.
What brings me the greatest sense of pride today is the ability to focus more deeply than ever on the essence of who I am, all while sharing the passions that truly ignite my spirit. Through the combination of my enduring love for learning and my rich creative background, Hello Lovely Living is rapidly becoming a cherished resource for all things related to home, lifestyle, wellness, business, and travel. Over the past ten years, I have built remarkable relationships within the industry, and I am filled with excitement and anticipation for where this journey is headed next.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I can say without hesitation that the creation of my business was a pivotal starting point for me to dive deeper into the process of getting to know myself over the years. It has been an incredible journey, illustrating my ability to not only endure but also to persevere steadfastly, regardless of the personal and professional adversities that I have faced along the way. Without this profound experience, I recognize that I would not be the person I am today, and I am truly grateful that, through this opportunity, I have been able to come closer to aligning with my true purpose.
One significant truth that I will share is that this experience has powerfully demonstrated to me how to return to my authentic self. The world has a way of pulling you away from your essence, and it becomes your sacred duty to shed all the layers and masks that keep you from genuinely embodying who you are at your core. Society, as a whole, often imposes its beliefs and expectations onto you, and it is essential to be strong enough to reject the things that do not resonate with your true self today, tomorrow, and into the future.
I will never forget the countless miles of roadways I measured in Orange County and Los Angeles, all as I sought to start a new life, raise my son, and pursue the dreams that were in my heart. We all know that such ambitions are not meant for the faint of heart or those lacking resilience. There were so many moments during that time where I felt as if the road would stretch endlessly before me, but it was precisely in those challenging moments—when I found myself alone with only my drive and determination to rely on—that I knew deep down that there was no mountain too high for me to conquer.
Although overcoming one hurdle may lead you to a moment of flat ground, you can rest assured that there will always be another mountain, another valley waiting on the horizon. However, what you will learn about yourself during those exhilarating highs and challenging lows will illuminate your true strength and resilience, giving you a greater sense of confidence for the road that lies ahead. I discovered, time and time again, that I was far more capable of navigating anything that came my way than I had ever imagined, and the most vital lesson of all is to simply keep going, no matter how tough the journey may seem.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I truly had to embark on a profound journey to unlearn the deeply ingrained conditioning and programming that shaped my understanding of people, the world, and my environment. This transformative experience has been pivotal in leading me to my awakening—a realization I could have never attained if I hadn’t dared to venture into the uncertain and often intimidating realms of unfamiliar territory.
Growing up on the small island of Guam, I now recognize how a sheltered environment effectively protected me from the harsh realities of an unforgiving world. However, it was only when I came face to face with reality that I began to understand the multitude of lessons I would need to learn and, in some cases, unlearn, in order to truly navigate and survive in my adult life.
One significant reason why I ultimately left California was that I became overwhelmingly affected by the stark realities surrounding me—seeing first-hand distressing issues like homelessness, addiction, psychological struggles, and spiritually heavy environments. These societal challenges not only impacted those around me but also took a toll on my own mental health, leading me to grapple with various challenges as a direct result. As a highly attuned individual, I found it all too easy to absorb the emotional weight of the events unfolding around me.
Through this journey of self-discovery, I learned to cultivate greater empathy and awareness regarding the challenges we face within our world. I am now deeply aware of how intrinsically connected we all are to one another and how each of us contributes, in one way or another, to the collective experience. This profound understanding is precisely why I am so passionate about sharing valuable resources for wellness and mental health, particularly in these times when support is so essential.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hellolovelyliving.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellolovelyliving/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellolovelyliving/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hellolovelyliving/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hlovelyliving
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hellolovelyliving
Image Credits
Hello Lovely Living