Meet Ilona Seddik

We were lucky to catch up with Ilona Seddik recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ilona, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

How I Found My Purpose (Hint: I’m Still Searching, and That’s the Beauty of It)

The idea of “finding your purpose” often feels like a treasure hunt with a single grand prize waiting at the end. But my journey has been less about finding and more about continuously searching, evolving, and embracing the unknown. Let me show you how I’ve turned this search into something fabulous.

The Early Dream: A Lawyer’s Ambition

In my teens, I was captivated by the film The Devil’s Advocate. Its portrayal of confidence, eloquence, and bold advocacy inspired me to pursue a legal career. I envisioned myself standing firm in courtrooms, delivering compelling arguments with unwavering confidence.
After high school, I dedicated five years to earning my law degree and eventually a Ph.D. I thrived in the corporate legal field, not because of the courtroom drama I once fantasized about, but because of the problem-solving and teamwork. I loved helping others find the right solutions and being a valuable contributor. But over time, the work became predictable—a carousel of familiar cases, new faces, and recycled challenges. My passion dimmed, and I realized I needed a change.

A Mother’s Shift in Purpose

Around this time, I became a mother. My priorities shifted dramatically. Suddenly, my purpose wasn’t just about my career but also about raising my children in the best possible way. I reenter the university for a bachelor’s degree in pedagogy, Russian language, and world literature. I got the degree and found a new passion for teaching. I dreamed of becoming a teacher in my children’s school, shaping young minds and staying close to my kids. It was simple but fulfilling—until life threw me another curveball.

Starting Over in a New World

At 35, I moved from Russia to the United States. I didn’t speak English and had no professional network. My purpose became providing a better life for my children—not just materially but by showing them how to adapt, grow, and find their place in a new world. As a mother, I’ve always believed that children learn best by example. If I wanted them to thrive, I needed to lead by living a purposeful life myself.

Turning Pain Into Purpose

My past as a domestic abuse survivor and a victim of rape and humiliation was something I carried silently for years. Healing took a decade, but when I emerged from that darkness, I knew it was time to give back. I started small, sharing my story within the Russian-speaking community.
I wrote a novel about my survivor experience and self-published it. Promoting the book on social media was a leap of faith, but it paid off—it became a bestseller. That success sparked curiosity among friends and acquaintances who sought advice on launching their own projects. Before I knew it, I was helping others market their courses, masterminds, and books. This grew into a larger mission: helping female entrepreneurs amplify their voices and stories online through social media, email marketing, and websites.

The Journey Is the Purpose

Today, I find joy in connecting with women around the world, sharing in their excitement, and celebrating their successes. I’ve discovered that purpose isn’t a final destination or a static goal. It’s a fluid, evolving journey—a series of steps we take to serve others, grow ourselves, and make an impact. My purpose shifts as I do, but the heart of it remains the same: to help others find their voices and fulfill their dreams.
So, no, I didn’t find my purpose in a single moment of revelation. I’m still searching, and that search is what drives me. The beauty of purpose is that it’s not about arriving; it’s about the incredible journey of becoming.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Me and My Brand

I love systems and helping other people. My passion lies in connecting creativity with analytical thinking. Over the years, I’ve carved out a unique space in the market by creating content systems for a 360-degree online representation of brands—encompassing social media, email marketing, and websites.

After working with diverse entrepreneurs for over six years, I’ve learned one crucial truth that no one tells you at the beginning:

Just posting doesn’t work.
Just sending emails doesn’t work.
Just a website doesn’t work.

It’s all about a cohesive, targeted system. A system that allows your audience to feel your mission, hear your voice, and become part of your community.

My Journey to Building a System

When building my own brand, I faced a harsh realization: I couldn’t just wing it. I needed a structured system. And for me, generic advice simply didn’t work.

I’ve always admired how some creators can share a single motivational quote or tip, and their audience executes it flawlessly, achieving incredible success. That wasn’t my reality.

I hesitated. I was afraid to post. I struggled with anxiety about speaking in front of people. I was terrified of the rejection I might face if I started recording videos of myself. It took me years to adapt and evolve. To help myself, I became a certified adaptive intelligence coach, a journey that taught me resilience and self-compassion.

Helping Imperfect People Build Strong Brands

Now, I’m dedicated to helping imperfect people—those with anxiety, messy pasts, and low self-esteem—build personal or professional brands they can be proud of. If you can get everything you need from a seven-second inspirational video, I’m not the right person for you. But if you’re looking for someone to guide you through your fears and struggles, I’m here.

I’m here for the ones who hesitate, who overthink, who fear judgment. I’m here to help you be heard and seen, to empower you to fulfill your dream life. I want you to know you’re not alone. It’s okay to struggle, to feel unsure. It makes at least two of us. Together, we can navigate this journey and create something meaningful.

You don’t have to compare yourself to others. You don’t have to have it all figured out. What you need is to take one step at a time—and I’ll be right there with you.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. You Know Better

No matter where you are in your journey, remember this: you know best. You already possess the necessary knowledge, expertise, or means to turn your dreams into reality. Don’t let others dictate what you can or cannot do.

If you seek advice, choose mentors who embody the results you aspire to achieve. But even then, take their guidance with a grain of salt. At the end of the day, you have the final vote in your life. Trust yourself.

I came to this realization after escaping a near-death experience in a domestic abuse situation. It took me staring down the possibility of losing my life to understand a simple truth: I’m not the crazy one—I know better.

Of course, rebuilding my life wasn’t instantaneous. I had to rediscover myself:

Who am I?
What do I value?
What lessons have my past experiences taught me?
How do I make decisions?
What are my priorities for the next 1, 3, or 5 years?
Who do I want to become tomorrow?

Answering these questions led me to the most fascinating road of all—a lifelong journey of curiosity about Ilona.

This decision inspired me to earn a BA in teaching Russian language and world literature—despite having two kids under the age of two and little external support. On the surface, it seemed absurd for a lawyer with a Ph.D. to pursue a public school teaching degree. But I trusted myself, absorbed every bit of knowledge, and nurtured the skill set that now forms the foundation of my social media marketing business. Understanding the basics of language and communication has been instrumental in my success.

Remember: You know better. Always.

2. Talk About Yourself More Than Anyone Else

Growing up, I was taught to be modest, to let my results speak for themselves. Talking about yourself was seen as selfish and shameless. So I stayed quiet. I watched classmates succeed with less effort, colleagues get promotions while working fewer hours, and friends be noticed while I lingered in the shadows.

I was the “good girl”—silent unless spoken to.

That all changed when I published my first book. It was a novel to help women heal from abusive relationships. To connect with those women, I had to speak up and promote myself. And the results were astonishing. My book became a bestseller, and I connected with thousands of women worldwide.

Talking about yourself helps others.
They see themselves in your story and find healing.
They realize they’re not alone.
They gain the support they need.

And you? You feel connected to the world. It’s the most human feeling of all.

In today’s world, no one will know your story unless you share it. Don’t hesitate.

Be the first to speak up.

3. Creativity

For years, I believed creativity had no place in building a sustainable life. Art was just a hobby, not a livelihood. I was terribly wrong.

Creativity is invaluable, and it takes countless forms: art, music, dance, writing, video creation, copywriting, knitting, sewing, digital painting, and so much more.

Find your creative outlet and nurture it. Creativity enhances productivity and curiosity. It adds richness to life, making every moment sweeter and more vibrant. When you embrace creativity, the world becomes brighter, and you feel stronger and lighter.

Be creative in your own way.

Final Thoughts

These three qualities—trusting yourself, sharing your story, and embracing creativity—have profoundly shaped my journey. To those starting theirs, I say: believe in your inner wisdom, don’t shy away from the spotlight, and let your creativity guide you. The road ahead is yours to carve.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

What Do You Do When You Feel Overwhelmed? Advice and Strategies

Let’s face it—social media can be overwhelming. There are so many aspects to juggle: strategy, graphic design, copywriting, video creation and editing, self-coaching, styling, and more.

It’s too much for one person to handle.

I’m just like you. Trying to do everything on my own? Unrealistic. But over time, I’ve developed a strategy that helps me manage the chaos:

1. Decide What to Do Yourself vs. What to Delegate

The key is knowing what you enjoy doing. The tasks you genuinely like should be the ones you take on yourself. For me, that’s video creation, editing, copywriting, and strategizing.

But what if delegation isn’t an option? What if money is tight?

I’ve been there, too. In those moments, focus on the essentials. In social media, the absolute must is posting. Your content doesn’t need to be picture-perfect or have flawless design. Start simple, but start.

2. Create a Roadmap

Once I identify what I need to do, I map out a plan. I define my starting point (Point A) and my desired outcome (Point B). Then, I break the journey into smaller steps.

For example, when I wanted to improve my video creation skills, I focused on two areas:

Learning how to shoot raw footage
Mastering editing tools

Step by step, I built a clear path to success.

3. Embrace Focus and Intention

To stay productive and calm, I intentionally eliminate distractions while I work:

Turn off all notifications
Find a comfortable, quiet workspace
Wear cozy clothes
Meet basic needs like staying hydrated, nourished, and well-rested

This focused approach allows me to fully engage with the task at hand, making even overwhelming challenges feel manageable.

By prioritizing tasks, breaking them into steps, and creating a distraction-free environment, you can move forward—even when it feels like too much. The journey might not be easy, but with the right strategy, it’s always possible.

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