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I met Katie last year when she approached me to speak at one of her events - Girl Talk Empowerment Day – where over 1400 girls from across the GTA gathered to hear from a line up of some amazing women and men, with powerful stories and calls to action for the next generation to become World Changers. Katie as well as her line up of speakers and entertainers spent the day encouraging and empowering young women to make a difference in this world.
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Photo by: Alina Esmatyar Photography
Katie has a powerful story and is doing so many things to empower young women, from empowering events, speaking, writing, vlogging, and most recently publishing a book - “Girl Talk – Words Every World Changer Needs to Hear”. I just finished reading her book last week and it left me so inspired and challenged my thoughts in so many areas! A must read!
There is so much this woman is doing, take a read through my mini interview with her to find out more about what she’s doing, why you should follow her movement and jump on board. |
1) Who is Katie? Tell me a little bit about who you are.
Hi, I’m Katie. I’m an outgoing, quirky, fun-loving, social entrepreneur who likes eating plants, breaking a sweat every day, goal-digging and changing the world! If I could be any punctuation symbol, I would be an exclamation mark!
2) You have several projects/ventures on the go, can you tell us a little bit about each of them?
Sure! A few of the projects I have on the go include:
- GIRL TALK Empowerment—I’m proud to be the founder of a social enterprise that seeks to develop and inspire girls to become leaders of positive change.
- NEWSTALK 1010—I’m an on-air radio panelist Wednesday mornings on The Jerry Agar Show where I get to debate issues related to news & current events.
- #GIRLTALKBook—In late 2015, I self-published my first book, GIRL TALK: Words Every World-Changing Girl Needs to Hear.
- Blogging/Vlogging—I am a blogger for the Huffington Post and have also re-launching my personal YouTube channel with a new video every Thursday offering a nugget of wisdom and/or encouragement.
3) What made you decide to pursue these projects/ventures?
I am a very heart-driven person and I have always followed my WHY and told myself that the HOW’s will come along the way. My goal is to inspire people, particularly young people, to be their best selves and so I try to use all of my skills: public speaking, writing, event planning and vision-building to help forward this mission. I have always known that I would never just stick to one career or interest. For me, my life is my message to the world and I want to fully explore every passion I have.
4) What/who inspires and drives you?
I’m inspired by people who aren’t afraid to take risks and be different. My goal is to live a life that is fulfilling in every way; from relationships to health to career and faith. I love seeing people getting up at 6am to hit the gym every morning, reading self-development books, listening to talk radio and shopping for ethical merchandise as much as possible. It fuels me to see all of the possible ways for us to do good in the world and I am always eager to form new habits to help build the most fulfilling life I can possibly build.
5) Do you feel the pageant world helped prepare you for what you do now?
I didn’t choose the pageant life; the pageant life chose me. No seriously, I was nominated for my very first pageant, Miss Italia, a local pageant to celebrate Italian heritage, by someone from my community. I wasn’t sure what would be the outcome but after winning Miss Italia and then being crowned Miss Fiesta a few weeks later, I realized that maybe I had something to offer the pageant world. I soon learned that what I liked most about pageants was the opportunity to be a public figure. Having a pageant title opened doors for speaking opportunities and other collaborations that let me share my voice. I soon went on to a number of provincial and national pageants with my best result coming in 2013 when I placed 3rd Runner-Up in the Miss World Canada pageant. This national reach and exposure motivated me to build a name and spread my messages of leadership to young people. I learned how to brand myself, how to develop a cost-effective marketing strategy and how to rally people around you to reach a common goal. Whenever girls ask me if they should do pageants, I always respond: “Pageants, just like anything in life, are all about what you make them to be. If you focus solely on competing and comparing yourself, then it will be a negative experience. If you focus on building your brand and promoting your platform, then it will be a very positive experience for you.”
6) What is the one thing you want to be remembered for (your legacy)?
The greatest honour would be to be remembered as someone who made a difference in the world. I’d love to know that because I lived, other people lived happier lives.
7) What is your biggest personal achievement to date (or what are you most proud of)?
I think I am most proud of the GIRL TALK movement I have been building since 2013. To see an idea brought to life with the help of a team, is perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences I have witnessed. Like anything, GIRL TALK was one just a simple idea. I’ll never forget the way I felt on Thursday, June 5, 2013 at our first GIRL TALK Empowerment Day. We had nearly 1000 girls ages 11-18 show up at our inaugural event and during the middle of the song “Believe” by Suzie McNeil, all of the girls pulled out their cell phones and started waving their hands in the air. It was such a beautiful moment that showed me that I had created something much larger than I had even imagined.
8) What is your message to young women around the world?
Remember that you are SO much more than just your physical appearance. There is a light within you that wants to shine out into the world around you. Do not be pressured into having to look a certain way or be a certain way in order to be liked. Sure, hair and makeup is fun if you choose to incorporate it in your life, but do not become distracted by it. The most beautiful thing you can offer the world is a smart mind, kind heart and caring soul. And the best part about that beauty is that it is achievable for *everyone*.
For those of you who are Christian, there is even scripture to support this sentiment:
1 Peter 3:3-4: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
9) How can others join your movement? (where can they find you, how can they partner, etc)
To learn more about our GIRL TALK Empowerment movement visit: www.girltalkempowerment.com. You can find us on:
Facebook @girltalkempowerment
Instagraam @girltalkempowerment
Twitter @GIRLTALKEmpower
To learn more about me and how wa can work together visit: www.katiezeppieri.com. You can find me @KatieZeppieri on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.
*Subscribe to the GIRL TALK & Katie Zeppieri newsletters to stay up-to-date on new events, media and doses of inspiration!
Photos by: Kaptured by Kelly
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