Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maria Natapov, CEO of Synergistic Stepparenting, located in Quincy, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I help stepparents and parents in blended families transform family chaos into meaningful and harmonious co-parenting through a combination of coaching and Rapid Resolution Therapy sessions.
Our work focuses on 4 pillars:
- Strengthening Your Boundaries and Values
- Getting Aligned with Your Partner
- Building Community with the Family
- Creating Trust with Your Stepchild and Child
I work with clients remotely, either via phone calls or via Zoom sessions delivering coaching support and Rapid Resolution Therapy sessions. My work is high touch and high value. It is custom-tailored to meet the individual exactly where they are and help them create meaningful connections and a supportive family dynamic that brings them ease, peace, and joy.
Tell us about yourself
I'm a domestic abuse survivor and a divorcee myself, and I became a stepparent about 10+ years ago when my current partner and I got more serious. Five years into my stepparenting journey, my stepdaughter told us that she was being abused and neglected by her bio-mom and stepdad, that it had been going on for years, and that she was being silenced. We acted quickly, my partner got full physical custody, and overnight I became a full-time mom while holding space for the fact that I'm not her mom.
Six months later, the honeymoon period was over as she faced Chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Suicidality, and food restriction head-on.
As luck would have it, my company re-structured, and my job was eliminated. This turn of events is what helped me learn the lessons in my rearview mirror that are the foundation of the rock-solid relationships I have in my blended family. This is the core of what I help clients find as well during our work together. While job-hunting, I stumbled on a trauma-informed parent coaching program and was enrolled within one day. This was the start of my coaching journey.
When I joined blended family support groups, I quickly learned how overwhelmed and isolated stepparents felt. Many of them were depressed, some suicidal, and often relied on substances just to cope. I realized I'd acquired useful skills and strategies that have been instrumental for my family and that I can, as I said before, help stepparents and parents in blended families transform family chaos into harmonious co-parenting too. Which is how Synergistic Stepparenting was born.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
That through my coaching and Rapid Resolution Therapy work, as well as through my Synergistic Stepparenting podcast and the writing and international speaking I've done, I've positively impacted hundreds of people. Who, because of the ripple effect, have positively impacted thousands of people. This amazes me, brings me so much joy, and lights my soul on fire; wanting to create an even more and bigger positive impact.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Moving through the difficult times and navigating what feels like stuck-ness and indecision to get back into alignment and flow.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start where you are. Where you are is perfect and exactly where you need to be.
- Listen to your intuition/gut/inner wisdom/guidance system. Believe in yourself and honor yourself. Only you know what's best for you and your business.
- Just like every night has its dawn and is transient, so are the dark moments in business. The more you honor and listen to yourself and what's calling you as the next step without judgment, the faster you'll get back into the flow.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://synergisticstepparenting.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.natapov/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/synergisticstepparenting/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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