E42: Entrepreneur/Creator Donna Kasseinova on the Importance of Self Reflection and Pursuing One’s Passion
This week, host Troy Edgar meets with Entrepreneur and Creator, Donna Kasseinova at the L.A. studio.
Donna discusses her journey as an immigrant from Russia to the United States and her passion for music. Before arriving in the US, she had graduated as a classical pianist from the prestigious Gnessin Music Academy in Moscow. She drifted away from music and prioritized her focus on hard work, networking, and building her business skills. She also maintained her connections back in the fallen Soviet Union and eventually set up a very successful business that matched the new Eastern Europe demand with products and services available in the U.S. As her business grew, she realized the need for business education and went back to school and earned her MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business.
Donna eventually began to give back to her community and reignited her passion for music. She founded the Southern California-based Palos Verdes Music Salon. Alongside musical director Evgeny Tonkha, she brings together some of the nation's best musicians for intimate performances in exquisite private homes, carefully pairing patrons with artists for a unique musical experience.
In this episode we listen to Donna's personal experiences and insights, highlighting the importance of self-reflection, support for artists, and pursuing one's passions. She provided her thoughts of the American Dream and emphasized the importance of looking inward and taking responsibility for one's own success and encouraged individuals to pursue their passions and become professionals in their chosen fields.
A great follow-up episode is Ameritocracy E4: World Renowned Artist Olga Krimon, Preparing for a Successful Career Transition. In this episode, Olga shares her journey of transitioning from a thriving corporate career to becoming an award-winning artist, showcasing the power of embracing calculated risks and investing in oneself.
