An Interview with Jane Milovanova CEO and Entrepreneur
Meet Jane Milovanova, CEO of three successful international projects and the creator of the women’s international community, ISoul, dedicated to supporting and inspiring women worldwide.
Start by introducing yourself and telling us in your words, about your inspiring story? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Ukraine, in a small beautiful town by the Sea called Sevastopol. My family went through immigration, so I grew up in Moscow. I got a bachelor’s degree in marketing and worked in multiple companies like Coca-Cola Euroasia.
I worked in different fields and combined various jobs, marketing, modeling, English teaching, aerial gymnastics, and coaching. At 23, I moved to the United States and started here from scratch. Immigration is an incredible school and a perfect challenge to learn to be independent, empower yourself, and deeply understand who you are. I am incredibly blessed to be in this country, having been through all the challenges, and become the woman I am.
I worked as a project manager for different projects with different managers, building something valuable for other markets and companies worldwide. It was a lot of experience, learning leadership, emotional intelligence, team-building, and communication. I became the CEO of different start-ups and managed more than 200 employees worldwide
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In 2022, when I had just turned 28 and got into a car accident, where I miraculously wasn’t hurt – I decided to start creating something by myself and become a full-scale entrepreneur. I started my own women’s community to empower ladies worldwide to find their strengths and uniqueness and help them achieve their dreams.
I was always very passionate about different things, and now we have all of this in our women’s community, where we grow, learn, and support each other. Talents can be very different, and you can develop your personality and skills in different areas not focusing on ONE profession. Variety and diversity is the key to growing your inner confidence, sincerity and inner power.
Several facts about me:
- five years in the United States
- I did wing walking on the top of the flying airplane
- I do play piano and guitar and sing. My dream is to record my album.
- I do diving and free diving and am passionate about going deep into the ocean. Its my meditation
- I have lived like a digital no mad for the last three years and have to workshops offline and online across the world.
- I run a marathon in New York state in 2021
What made you decide to go into business for yourself?
I always wanted to create something big and inspiring on my own. Being in a corporate is not my thing – I love the freedom of creation and decision-making. I prefer to earn money than to get them as a salary. Its responsibility, and choice but freedom,
When did you know it was time to become a full-time entrepreneur?
I always felt like that. I was doing and moving from one thing do another, and I finally decided after that car accident in October. My boyfriend also supported and encouraged me so all cards played out on time.
What are 3 websites or podcasts you can’t imagine your day without? Why those three?
I love inspiring stories of women who combine family and business: Michele Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Mel Robbins. I love watching TED talks or science youtube channels and learning more about human psychology and quantum physics.
What are your top 3 mobile apps that help you stay organized and on top of your game?
How do you use social media in your business?
A lot. I build my personal brand through it. It is my marketing tool and place to attract my people.
What social media platform is the best for business growth and why?
Instagram. I am just there for 10 years)
How did you market your business when it was brand new?
Personal relationships, Instagram, Referrals.
Can you share some of the most important lessons you’ve learned from your successes and failures in business?
It’s okay to make mistakes – you are buying your experience.
If you are doing something – you have already won. You fail only if do not try.
The assumption is the mother of failures.
Don’t teach how it needs to be done. Just be an example.
Strong leaders make difficult decisions.
Every action have a reaction.
What are the three most important habits to be a successful entrepreneur?
Focus on actions and decisions, and measure the outcome.
Your team is your fortress; build it to pass through different times.
Discipline and Vision.
What is a typical day like for you?
I do travel all the time. So it’s often moving or flying from one place to another. I work with different time zones, so I wake up at 4 am daily. Starting with my zoom calls, doing meet ups. Sport is a part of my everyday routine: yoga, running or diving. I do love networking and organizing lots of events for my women community. We do have at least 4 per week.
How do you boost your self-esteem in moments of doubt?
I do things that recharge my soul, for example, aerial gymnastics or music, hiking yoga, which gives me lots of energy, and I feel great after that. Sometimes we really undervalue what we have already achieved, and I’m doing everything not to forget every small steps I have taken went through to be who I am now.
What advice would you give your younger self when starting this journey?
- Follow your heart
- Make a great plan ( Focus on numbers, not on presentations)
- Do understand your target audience
- Just DO
What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?
- Becoming successful in another country and going through immigration.
- Marathon – I did it because I wanted to do something that seemed impossible to me
What initiatives or actions do you believe are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?
Collaboration, empowerment, encouragement, and energy exchange between all knowledge and inner power each woman really has.
How do you leverage technology and innovation (like AI) to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving business landscape?
I utilize it and always stay on top of every technology progress. I really like AI tools that help business owners and managers to boost their productivity and free up their time.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto that inspires you?
it’s not the mountain we conquer but ourselves
Want more inspiring interviews? Read about Angela Gargano’s Guide to Meaningful Entrepreneurship, Sara Sutton Fell Founder and CEO of FlexJobs Who’s Making Meaningful Work From Home Happen, and Kseniia Chursina who is Expanding her Business and Empowering Women, part of our interview series spotlighting successful women in business.
Melissa Stewart is the founder of SheOwnsIt.com. She is a Purveyor of Possibility, Entrepreneur Advocate and Coffee Addict. She believes that behind every successful woman is her story. What’s your story?
