Meet Sonia Maslovskaya | Public Speaking Coach and Communication Expert, Founder of SoniaMPower

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sonia Maslovskaya and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sonia, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
When I was 21, I moved across the world to America, leaving my friends and family behind. In the beginning I felt out of place and at times struggled to break through communication barriers. I didn’t have a full grasp of the language, and was challenged by cultural differences. If someone told me at that time that I would be coaching high-level executives, entrepreneurs and thought leaders on communication and public speaking, I would have never believed them! But if you follow your passion and harness the power of perseverance, you will reach incredible heights.

I was born and raised in the Caucasus, which is in Southern Russia. The region is known for its cultural diversity, with a rich blend of ethnicities, nationalities, and languages. Having Jewish, Ukrainian, Russian and Georgian roots, I have been exposed to different cultures and religions throughout my life. My dad was a professor of English, and he was my inspiration to study languages. I also studied the piano and classical music for a decade, and I believe that music is a language in and of itself. I often draw parallels between speaking and creating music when I coach my clients. My passion for languages grew deeper as I went to study at a university in Russia, and received a Master’s Degree in Linguistics and Intercultural Communication. My profound interest in languages and communication not only helped me build a successful career and business in America, but also carried me through many personal challenges in my life.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Throughout my career I have met so many talented people with incredible ideas, skills or life experiences which should be shared with the world. However, they are held back by the fear and anxiety of public speaking and lack of skills. To solve this problem I established SoniaMPower. My company empowers people with the most effective public speaking and communication tools, and helps them overcome their fear and anxiety of public speaking. SoniaMPower offers a variety of coaching options, including highly personalized one-on-one coaching sessions, live virtual courses, masterclasses and corporate training.

As a public speaking coach, I designed a unique and highly effective method of developing people into unforgettable speakers, which encompasses not only the physical and intellectual, but also the spiritual and emotional aspects of communication. This year I was proud to become a member of Forbes Coaches Council, an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. and I was honored to have been promoted to lead Forbes Public Speaking Group. I don’t take this responsibility lightly, however, my proudest moments always come from helping my clients unlock their unique voice, gain confidence and remove barriers that stand in the way of them becoming phenomenal speakers. I believe that communication is an extension of oneself, and it requires both internal and external work. It’s such an important skill that provides a bridge between where you are now and where you want to be, and I take pride in guiding my clients through this process. It brings me tremendous joy to see someone blossom into an outstanding communicator and use their voice to positively impact others.

I also aim to use my own voice and my platform to create positive change, as I passionately advocate with organizations that fight and prevent human trafficking. I raise funds and awareness through various campaigns, and donate a portion of all my profits to Dressember, IJM. and other organizations that support survivors and help rescue vulnerable children, women and men in many parts of the world.

My biggest drivers for success are my twin boys, Samson and Solomon. They inspire me to constantly challenge myself and continue to set and reach higher goals. At the same time, I am learning to find balance between being a businesswoman and a single mother –  a mother who is not only hard working, but who can be present for her children and spend quality time with them. This can be a difficult balancing act, yet one I’m happy to explore.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Calabasas, and absolutely love this area. We have great hiking trails, overlooking the ocean and parts of the valley, excellent restaurants, such as the newly opened Crossroads, and a wonderful community. One of my favorite things to do is take a drive from Calabasas to the Malibu beaches through one of our gorgeous canyons. The views are stunning! One of my favorite spots is Westward Beach – whether I want to play with my boys, have a picnic with friends or simply meditate and connect with nature, I love spending time there!

When I have the time for a longer escape, my number one choice is Ojai. It’s one of the best kept secrets in Southern California, and truly a special place. The moment you enter Ojai, you can feel the energy shift; it’s no wonder that this small charming town attracts so many people who are into spiritual practices and mindfulness. When in Ojai, I love visiting Meditation Mount, local vineyards, strolling through downtown or finding gems in boutique stores, or perhaps getting a spa treatment at the Ojai Valley Inn. If you are a book lover, make sure to visit Bart’s Books, the world’s largest outdoors bookstore.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, the credit goes to my sons for motivating me every day. I have also been fortunate to have several powerhouse role models in my life. And there’s one woman in particular who had the strongest influence on the trajectory of my career as a public speaking expert. A few years ago when I was going through some challenging times, a dear friend of mine gave me a book by NIURKA, titled “Supreme Influence”. NIURKA is a transformational leader and a master results coach. This book allowed me to elevate the way I think, and break through my mental barriers and limitations. After reading NIURKA’s book I knew I had to meet her in person. I attended one of her live events in LA, where she picked me out of the audience and guided me through a powerful process. NIURKA’s guidance helped me create a clear vision and align with my true calling – helping others break free from their fear of public speaking, and empower them with tools to become unforgettable speakers.

Website: www.soniampower.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soniampower/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniamaslovskaya/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoniaMPower

Other: Forbes executive profile: https://councils.forbes.com/profile/Sonia-Maslovskaya-Founder-SoniaMPower/69eb9e1c-f263-4add-a444-b0eb26ea2603