Eva Staronova shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Eva, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Joy for me lately has come from connecting more deeply with my friends and loved ones — looking beyond the surface and finding that extra layer of meaning in our relationships. I feel uplifted when I can move past the illusion of separation and tune into oneness, the universal intelligence that holds us all. It’s also about connecting with my higher self and remembering that there is always more to discover within and around us.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I often describe myself as a woman of many faces — I have walked the runway as a model, served in diplomacy, created natural wellness products, and founded a non-profit. At the heart of everything I do, however, is one common thread: connection. I founded the +421 Foundation in New York to showcase Slovak culture and build bridges between Slovakia and the world. We’ve brought young designers to New York Fashion Week for nearly two decades and created projects that celebrate creativity and heritage.
Alongside this, I co-founded Royal Sense, a wellness brand based on the healing properties of Bulgarian rose water, which combines nature, beauty, and wellbeing. What makes my journey unique is that I don’t see these as separate paths — to me, they are all expressions of the same mission: to uplift, to inspire, and to remind us of our interconnectedness. Right now, I’m especially excited about new cultural collaborations and projects that weave together art, health, and human connection.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest clear memory of feeling powerful wasn’t as a small child, but as a teenager. At 16, I followed a strong inner calling to move to the United States as an exchange student in Richmond, Virginia. It was the first time I was completely on my own, navigating a new culture, a new family, a new language — and yet I felt capable, independent, and invincible. That decision eventually led me to New York and set the course for much of my life. Whenever I need to reconnect with my inner strength, I often return to that moment of trusting myself and leaping into the unknown.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has been one of my greatest teachers. It taught me to be humble, to value myself and my time, to respect my health, and to truly listen to my body and my inner self. Pain has a way of stripping away illusions and bringing you face to face with what really matters. It also softened me toward others, reminding me that everyone carries hidden battles. That awareness has deepened my compassion and made me more intentional about how I connect, support, and uplift those around me.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me is elevating others while also staying true to my own highest good. I believe that when we lift others, we rise together — and when I honor my own growth and authenticity, I create space for those around me to do the same. That sense of mutual upliftment and shared light is at the heart of how I try to live.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would stop entertaining fear the moment it knocks at my mind’s door. Fear limits, while life asks us to expand. I would also release judgment—especially of myself. Too often, I’ve held myself to impossible standards instead of embracing compassion for who I am in each moment. What I’d invite in instead is deeper trust: trust in the universal intelligence that orchestrates life with such perfection, and trust in my own highest good that is always within reach.
And each day, I would whisper to myself: Let love, trust, and presence guide me, and let all else fall away.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.plus421.org
- Instagram: @plus421foundation
- Linkedin: Eva Staronova, MBA
- Facebook: +421 Foundation
- Youtube: @plus421foundation
- Other: @evastaronova_official
@drinkrosevibes
Image Credits
Monika Lacekova
Aneta Holehesh
Gabriela Giotto
Erik Weisenpacher
Dominika Hrnčiříková
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