Tanya Slavova

Growing up, I absorbed a bombardment of well-intentioned advice: “Stay humble,” they said,”Your teacher’s never wrong.” “Success is all A’s and following the norm,” they claimed. “youcan’t be a business womanand be a musician -it does not fit well together” a notion that left mefeeling like an oddball in a crowd.”Speak up,” they urged, but then came the twist, “Your confidence is too much, dial it down anotch.” In the midst of all these opinions,, I beganto see a maze of perspectives aiming todefine me.Yet, I brushed aside those attempts to mold, listened instead to my own strong feelings.With a determination that burned like a flare, I hung on to my essence even when I was very young.Today, Iwork with business development while pursuing music simultaneously. I learned to skateboard at the age of 30 and now perform gigs at night while handling deals during the day. I optedto disregard stereotypes and ignore others, listening only to the fire within if it speaks differently.So, what does power mean? It’s defiance with purpose, staying true to your need. A canvasunmarred by the world’s faded paint, a testament of resilience, a stance far from dull.What’s your way of defying stereotypes?