Biography
Christina Rasmussen is a bestselling author, speaker and philanthropist on a crusade to change the way we live after loss.
As the founder of Second Firsts and Life Starters both organizations to help people create a pathway back to life after loss, Christina has helped thousands of people rebuild, reclaim, and relaunch their lives using the power of the human mind.
Her book of the same name — Second Firsts: Live, Laugh, and Love Again— aims to take her message even further.
Christina’s work has been featured on the Huffington Post, NPR, The Times of India, Beliefnet, the White House Blog, and MariaShriver.com.
Christina is the mother of two beautiful girls who watched their father die of cancer and saw their mother alchemize that tragedy into a new life of joy and laughter.
She resides in San Francisco, California, with her husband, Eric, their four daughters, and their dog, Tyson.
Learn more at secondfirsts.com and thelifestarters.org.
But as she points out: “This has never been about my story. This is about the work of Reentry. It’s about choosing to dance, laugh, love + live again.”
“If you’re lost. . . if you’re gone. . . if you can barely absorb the words on this screen. . . I want you to hold this truth in your heart: when it’s your time to go, you won’t wish you’d spent more time grieving — you’ll wish you’d spent more time living.”
Connect with Christina — and 170,000+ Second Firsts fans — on Facebook and 23,000 followers on Twitter.
How does your business help entrepreneurs and professional women?
Most women have been told that they would have to sacrifice their identity, professional and entrepreneurial self when they have kids.
After all what kind of mother would they be if they didn’t.
We have so much guilt at a subconscious level that we have inherited from our mothers, and their mothers and how they sacrificed their life for us. When my husband died and I was forced to do it all and be all of me in every possible way I discovered that that sacrifice is not necessary. That I could be a mother, an entrepreneur, a passionate woman who dreams big and still be there for her kids. I want every woman to know that our kids require all parts of us if we want them to be whole.
What are you passionate about in your business and what steps are you taking to make it profitable?
Using technology and connection I have embarked on a bigger journey to give birth to the very first non profit organization that is based on social networking. Dreaming of an online world of millions who take steps together to begin again. The profitability of a non profit relies not only on a great idea, and grand writers but on the community around it. We will use KickStarter campaigns and popular media to raise the funds so we can build a vast network of Life Starters. Having a big crowd to begin with is an asset and a very big first step to opening the doors to this brand new non profit. www.thelifestarters.org
What do you hope conference attendees will take away from hearing you speak at our conference?
I believe in big missions, big dreams, passionate drivers and unstoppable minds. Every single woman at this conference has the ability to not only dare to dream big but create the most beautiful communities and networks that inspire and create change. Women are connecting spirits and serve as each others role models, without the ability to build an army, a following a cheerleading squad they won’t be able to see themselves as catalysts of change. At the end of my segment every audience member will take the first step towards the tribe that already belongs to them but has never been claimed.
What is your favourite business tool
One of the very first things any new entrepreneur should do is to be able to retain the followers they received from Facebook and twitter. Retaining our tribe via an email service is vital. I use Aweber but there are many good services who can help you manage your email list. I know this sounds simple and basic but a lot of people fail to think of it to begin with. They spend their time writing a business plan instead of finding their first customers.
What is your favourite business book?
My favorite business book is #GIRLBOSS. It shows you that any woman with a drive, work ethic and social media skills can build a multimillion dollar business and change the landscape of women leaders for the better. You don’t need an MBA and a traditional business background to make it work. All you need is a dream, attitude and of course believing that it is possible. In #GIRLBOSS we learn that as long as you have a computer, great customer service and a way to connect with your customers you can sell and build an empire from the ground up.
Connect on Twitter @SecondFirsts and at http://www.secondfirsts.com and on facebook
Hear Christina Rasmussen at the Passion to Profit Conference in Vancouver
Session: How to Birth a Large Loyal Community – Movements & Communities Begin with a Human Story
How my story was the foundation of the SECOND FIRSTS community of over 200,000 people. Movements and communities begin by the human story.
Why a successful business requires a social army.
How to start immobilizing an audience through social channels and build a loyal customer following. Community is the key to growth and success in any kind of business.
How and why I spend many hours a day communicating with my audience?
How to give ownership to your clients, your readers and your customers.
This has always been about them and not about you.
How to make your audience the hero.
How to solidify your brand and your idea via a large community.
You need your followers as much as they need you. If it wasn’t for my supporters I would not be standing on this stage today.
Watch your idea, your business bloom into a movement through a community you have created. Release the heroic in others and watch your life and business become so much more than you ever hoped for.
A vulnerable, passionate and life changing speech that will capture the essence and significance of building a community from the ground up.
About the Passion to Profit Conference
Passion to Profit is an affordable opportunity for Canadian entrepreneurs to grow their networks and find the support and training they need. October 20 , 2014 – Vancouver, BC.
