Christine Klahn shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Christine, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Who are you learning from right now?
I am learning a lot from Mel Robbins right now. I love her energy, her common sense, and the vast array of speakers she brings on her podcast. Anyone from neurobiologists to love coaches, and her topics are timely and incredibly interesting. Her honest look at life and her transparency in her own life make her a great positive support system for so many people. I see her as a mentor for my professional speaking and podcasting, although my focus is much more specific than the general population. Her newsletter and short reels are uplifting and often a nice change of pace in our social media feeds.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Christine Klahn, Chemical Engineer, CEO and Founder, and Professional STEM Speaker. As an entrepreneur and owner of ChemE Queen Bee Co, I have had the pleasure of formulating products for celebrities to launch their own brands and brought exciting new technology to the consumer market. More recently, I have been speaking in front of STEM organizations and corporations, bringing my career knowledge as a chemical engineer in manufacturing and R&D, to the future leaders and managers of some of America’s largest technology companies. Our keynote site just launched, and the Podcasts on topics such as how to communicate with engineering types or using game theory to your advantage as a STEM leader, will be available by the end of next month. Stay tuned!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As an only child, I didn’t have siblings to play with. So whenever I was around other people, I would talk anyone’s ear off that would listen. Since kids were supposed to be seen and not heard, I thought I was too much, too chatty, too inquisitive about the world. Now, as an adult, I see it as a gift that I asked so many questions and talked about so many things. It opened my mind to science, and all of the possibilities (quantum physics), which has become my ultimate passion.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
About 2 years ago, when my son moved away, I had an empty nest and a mid-life crisis on my hands, on top of other stresses that felt out of control at times. At the time it wasn’t fun, but looking back, it forced me to look at my life, what I was proud of, what I hadn’t yet accomplished, who I needed to forgive, and who I needed to ask forgiveness from. That year of struggle has changed me into someone who has found balance and peace, takes good care of myself, cherishes my relationships, and lives authentically. Success never could have forced me to look in the mirror like struggle has.
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. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is more polished on the outside than the private version of me. I save the beautiful clothes and magnetic lashes for the public and often spend my alone time in a messy bun and gym clothes, or outdoors on a paddleboard on the lake, or in a snorkel in La Jolla Cove. But who I am at the core is always the same. I let people see my quirky (and nerdy) sides and judge for themselves. A personal brand should be just that: who you are as a person.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely! I am internally motivated to a fault sometimes. I make a point of comparing myself only to my previous self, whether that is at the gym lifting weights, or in the office working on a new keynote speech. Praise is a nice bonus, but true satisfaction comes from within, knowing I put in everything I had, regardless of the outcome.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://christineklahn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christineklahnkeynote/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineklahn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christineklahnkeynote
Image Credits
Photos of me, Jason Janik, professional photographer. [email protected]
American Chemical Society, ACS photo, yes I can use it as a member since I will be attending and likely speaking. I spoke in 2022 for them in San Diego.
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