The Leading Lady – Female in tech
| Name | Marina Pavlova |
| Age | 35 |
| Country | Cyprus/Russia |
| Education Experience
(Secondary, Higher Level)
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BA in Engineering (Heat, Ventilation and Gas Supply Systems), Russia
MBA in Marketing, Cyprus CELTA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Cyprus Certificate in Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language, Russia |
| Training
(Business, Entrepreneurial)
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Digital Marketing at StudentLife Academy, Cyprus Calligraphy Diploma at Stonebridge College, UK Numerous online courses on Skillshare, Udemy, Coursera, Bangbangeducation, etc. (design and calligraphy related)
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| Employment History
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I worked at University of Nicosia, Cyprus as a personal assistant at Dialogue Chair of Middle Eastern Studies for few years, after that focused on teaching languages at different institutions. I have been self-employed for about 6 years, doing graphic design projects, social media content creation for clients and as a calligrapher.
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| Social Background | I am Russian/Cypriot residing permanently in Cyprus, Nicosia. I’m divorced. Currently I live with my partner and 3 dogs.
My family lives in Russia. I enjoy my work and social life here in Cyprus. I enjoy meeting people from the multinational society.
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| Personality Traits
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I’m a very inquisitive person. Somebody might say I have a “scanner type personality” meaning I refuse to choose and like to explore everything. Well, not everything but many things in search of doing what you love. Thus, my educations in various fields and changing careers. I’m adaptable, whether it’s a new work environment, learning method or lifestyle. I find myself quite independent and enjoy freelance work at the comfort of my own studio as well as teaching classes and meeting clients, doing negotiations, team brain storming, etc. I’m patient and open-minded person, accepting other’s views and opinions with no judgment or criticism. I’ve learnt to be dutiful and responsible when doing my work and try to stay as exuberant as I can. |
Their Tech Entrepreneurship Journey
| Business Name
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Marinka Calligraphy |
| What was the inspiration?
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Since I was a kid, I loved writing in my diary. I loved not only the creative process of expressing complex feeling in words but the process of writing on paper itself. I’m a stationary addict and have an impressive collection of pens and markers. I’ve also always had a pretty handwriting and many times been asked to sign posters and greeting cards. Few years ago, Instagram got bombarded by the beautiful videos and pictures of calligraphers showing their art and this is where I realised how I can put my passion in use.
Now, having been practising calligraphy for few years it became a very comforting peace of mind for me, an ode for patience and gratitude to beauty.
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| Why did they decide to set up their tech business?
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Calligraphy in Cyprus is yet very undiscovered and the main intent of my business initiative was to help others to explore and appreciate this form of art as well as educate anyone who wishes to learn it. For this reason, I decided to make use of social and digital media to share my work as it is possible to reach a massive number of people via technology. |
| What does it do?
Products/services?
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I provide various services like:
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| What makes it unique?
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I always strive to produce the best result that will make my client happy. I work hard and keep on practicing and learning so I’m able to write beautiful steady lines, letter forms, work in so many different styles of calligraphy and complete projects as quick as it possibly can be done. I believe that effective communication is the main driving force of success. My services are all about individual approach to every client and producing unique work. |
| When did they decide to set it up?
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I decided to set up my business in the beginning of 2018. |
| What were the main challenges/struggles to setting up?
Social/financial/tech issues?
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Setting up calligraphy and design business is not an easy task due:
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| How did they overcome these?
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As for smoothing the working process with a client, I set up a questionnaire that covers all possible questions that might arise, and it also gives the approximate price estimation of the final result. I always set up a meeting before starting work when I show live my skills, then we together with a client decide on the details of the project.
As for the studio, I currently work from home but planning to rent a studio with another artist in the old town of the city so to get exposure and space to teach. I try to post frequently on my social media and use digital marketing tools to search for clients. I try to go to related events to network with agencies and other artist that could possibly lead to future cooperation. |
| What were the main success factors?
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The main success factors for me is not quitting and keep on trying ways to improve the quality of my work and be open to new challenges and new people. |
| What are their future plans?
For their tech business? For themselves?
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My future plans are:
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| Top 2 tips for nascent women technology entrepreneurs
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2. Everyone was once a beginner. Keep good practice and success will be all yours! |
| Further information:
Contact details
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Mob. +357 99953978
Email: [email protected] FB: Marina Pavlova (personal) Marinka Calligraphy (my page) IG: ela_marinka Website: coming soon |