Karina Ochis is a next-generation leader being the CEO and Brand Master at KO By Karina Ochis, Founder of Ana Karina Luxury Concept, Serial Entrepreneur, Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Coach, Consultant, and Trainer. Karina is committed to the pursuit of life mastery whilst constantly developing and running innovative businesses.
Karina has dedicated her life to researching, understanding and developing the concepts of the future. She is especially passionate about their application at the individual and group level in society. Through her speeches, training, lectures, interviews, and publications, she shares the results of her complex study and offers implementable advice to all those interested in transformative concepts.
Karina, a Speaker for the future, has informed and captivated worldwide audiences at events such as: TEDx, Million Marketing Tour (London, Charlotte, Copenhagen, Kiev), Women Speaker Summit Nigeria, Uplevel Summit, Business Days, Elite Business Woman, The Woman Leadership Conference and the Academy of Economic Studies to name but a few. She is also an acclaimed guest lecturer and corporate trainer.
She co-authored the Amazon best-seller “Cracking the Code to Success”, together with Brian Tracy (Chairman of Bryan Tracy International and world-renowned development authority) in which she elaborated her formula on elite personal branding. Karina received the Quilly Award from the Academy of Best-Selling Authors in Hollywood for her contribution.
A visionary businesswoman, Karina entered the business world in the United States of America and has collaborated with prominent business and political figures such as George Ross (Donald Trump’s consultant), Wayne Allyn Root (US vice-presidential candidate) or JT Foxx (World’s #1 Wealth Coach). Karina’s worldwide clients and collaborators represent a vast array of sectors including individuals as well as companies.
A professional Coach accredited by Tony Robbins through the prestigious Robbins-Madanes Coaching Institute Karina utilizes strategic intervention to help a select group of individuals attain professional and personal success. Her formula for achieving massive success in the Digital Era named ‘The Olympics of Life’ was presented even at TEDx.
Hey Karina, can you introduce yourself to us?
I perceive myself as a next generation leader, being the CEO and Brand Master at KO By Karina Ochis, founder of Ana Karina Luxury Concept, serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, speaker, coach, consultant, and trainer. I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of life mastery whilst constantly developing and running innovative businesses.
As a visionary businesswoman and brand master, can you take us through your journey as to how you arrived at where you are now?
I have dedicated my life to researching, understanding and developing the concepts of the future. I have spoken to worldwide audiences at numerous events throughout the world in regard to transformative concepts. I have always been interested in the lives of the people who left their mark on history. By the time I moved to London, I was already a European trainer, high-school valedictorian, published author and acclaimed artist.
I entered the business world in the United States of America and collaborated with prominent business and political figures such as George Ross (Donald Trump’s consultant) or Wayne Allyn Root (US vice-presidential candidate). I have co-authored the Amazon best-seller “Cracking the Code to Success”, together with Brian Tracy (Chairman of Bryan Tracy International and world-renowned development authority) in which I elaborated my formula on elite personal branding. I received the Quilly Award from the Academy of Best-Selling Authors in Hollywood for this contribution.
Authentic branding cannot be realised without developing at a personal level. Consequently, as a coach, I utilise strategic intervention to help a select group of individuals attain professional and personal success. My formula for achieving massive success in the Digital Era named “The Olympics of Life” was presented even at TEDx.
The life of a serial entrepreneur suited me well. I founded Ana-Karina Luxury Concept out of a need to develop the tourism and the hospitality industry. I am currently also managing Elite Resort Hotel and Elite Life Medical Resort in Romania – an award-winning establishment.
What is a day in the life you like?
My life unfolds exactly as I have envisioned it. I plan my days following a results oriented approach which means that I am constantly pursuing activities that benefit me either professionally or personally. As a result, I get to enjoy everything that I am doing because I know the exact purpose of each action.
No two days are the same. I might be speaking at an international conference today, networking with global leaders at a white-tie event tomorrow and do scholarly research the following day. My days consist of managing the staff for all my companies, building brands, ensuring the success of my coaching clients, preparing speeches, lectures and trainings, doing press conferences and overall working 24/7. I am fueled by my passion. The best days for me are the ones in which there is ‘flow’ and everything runs smoothly. When that happens I know I am on the right track.
At what point did you realise that you were able to turn your extensive branding knowledge and passion into a career?
Deep down I have always known I will find a way to turn my passion into a profitable career. I never believed otherwise. It just took me a few years to understand exactly how I was going to do that. I have had an ‘Eureka’ moment in the US when everything came together. The picture has been clear in my mind ever since. It is truly reviving to discover your calling.
How would you say your secret formula on elite branding is elaborated in cracking the code to success?
The book “Cracking the Code to Success”, which can be purchased on my website, offers an introduction to elite branding. Building an elite brand, one that is at a global level, through which you as a professional will be perceived as the best in your filed, is different from mere self-promotion much like an amateur athlete is different from the Olympic athlete. Personal branding needs to be combined with personal development if you want to embody the brand, because you need to authentically become the person you are showing to the world. In my chapter, I explain the steps required in crafting this brand. I also offer tips and tricks that any professional can implement.
Can you talk to us about why you are passionate about developing Romanian tourism, having since returned to your native country?
Romania is a beautiful country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. From a touristic perspective, the terrain is distributed roughly equally between mountains, hills, and plains. Taking into account the diversity of its geography only magnified by the presence of the Black Sea and of the Danube Delta – which is the second-largest and best-preserved delta in Europe – as well as its temperate-continental climate, Romania will become a “must-see” country in the near future. It has breathtaking scenery, numerous historical artifacts, very interesting traditions and great warmth towards tourists.
Not to mention that the Palace of the Parliament, a colossal building which is currently the seat of the Parliament in Romania, is the second largest administrative building in the world and is one of the most complex buildings in the world. I am eager to develop its tourism because Romania has the potential and the resources to become truly pioneering in the hospitality industry.
Can you introduce your company Ana Karina Luxury Concept to us?
Ana Karina Luxury Concept offers leading solutions and services aiming to transform clients’ ideas into a profitable reality. The company is dedicated to building extraordinary business concepts, online business and high-end business locations in the domains of tourism and hospitality.
Can you tell us about KO by Karina Ochis and the thought process behind launch?
KO by Karina Ochis is the next generation branding and marketing company. Through elite consulting and high-end digital services, clients are provided with luxury products for brand management. As a full-service company, KO offers company and product branding, personal branding, political branding, employer branding, marketing and advertising. My world-wide clients and collaborators represent a vast array of sectors including individuals as well as companies.
I have always been interested in the lives of the people who left their mark on history. I decided to study this “art of fame and glory” as well as the people who attained it. Having the background of an artist and studies in cross-disciplines, I naturally gravitated towards branding. I wanted to develop a service that I knew everyone will need in the future – next generation branding. I developed my own formula for branding which is now the pillar of KO by Karina Ochis.
Who does the team involve at KO by Karina Ochis?
I assembled a team of devoted professionals that would collaborate in providing a complete and discrete service that is time-effective, quality and client–oriented. Apart from all of their other merits, the team is one of the hard-working visionaries – that is what sets us apart.
What does the company structure look like?
It is a hybrid structure adapted to the needs of the future. Apart from myself and the directorial committee, it involves an array of professional individuals from all over the world such as experts, collaborators, freelancers and temporary workers. Each client has their own brand manager who manages the team that has been organised in order to fulfill their needs.
As you continue to grow, what important factors did you consider when looking at the scaleability of your business model?
Building a scalable business takes great preparation and planning. I have always concentrated on the big picture and on long-term strategies. I started with the minimum viable product. The most important strategy that I have implemented is doing things within their own time. I have never tried to rush the development of my business nor do I delay necessary implementation.
Where can you see your self within the next 3-5 years?
On a scale of 1 to 10, I see myself at 11 – in the global elite.
How are you planning to expand KO by Karina Ochis?
The developments in technology permit me to address a wide range of clients in real-time from all over the world. Moreover, branding in itself is the venture of the future. My companies and I are here to stay and we will be forces to be reckoned with at the global level. It is through our sheer will and capacity to think strategically to develop innovative services that my companies and brands develop as well as expend.
Can you tell us what areas you have struggled in professionally?
Overall, there have been two areas in which I encountered difficulties. One objection that I have to constantly overcome is my young age. It is uncommon especially in Europe as a young individual to partake in so many entrepreneurial activities. However, due to my professionalism and academic record, I manage to handle these objections. I am a Doctor of Applied Leadership Candidate at the Monarch Business Institute of Switzerland.
I was awarded a Master of Arts in Political Marketing from the Rome Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from the Queen Mary University of London. I have also studied Marketing and E-commerce at London School of Economics and Political Science and hold a Certificate in Digital Strategy from the Online Marketing Institute in San Francisco.
Furthermore, it is often difficult to explain the concepts of the future to all generations. There are numerous misconceptions in regards to what the future holds. Yet, I do not spend my time trying to convince people who chose to live in the past.
Have you ever had any other mentor? If so how has this benefitted you to grow?
I have had a few mentors throughout my life. Some for shorter periods of time and others for longer periods of time depending on which subject I was particularly interested in tackling. Having the right mentors benefited me tremendously especially in learning that I have to constantly ask myself: “Is this [whatever I was doing] a world-class effort?”.
Maintaining relationships with the right mentors is difficult because no one wants to mentor you if you keep disregarding their advice for being too difficult – which is what most people do.
What outlets do use to market KO by Karina Ochis?
My personal brand as well as the brand of my company are quite adept in attracting interested parties. I do market the services of the company through social media and through my speaking engagements. Also, we have international media coverage and a pristine reputation. The careful construction of these brands ensures that we’ll attract our target market.
Which methods are you using to build your own network?
I do not really network – in the general sense. I allow word-of-mouth, my speeches and my brand to do that for me. The right people usually find me sooner or later. Every relationship has its own timeframe. There is no need to rush a relationship. A real lucrative relationship can take several years to develop. In that case, I rely on my instinct and common sense.
What do you believe are the common misconceptions of being in the branding industry?
The branding industry is expanding massively. In the past, branding and especially personal branding was reserved for celebrities or politicians. Nowadays, success in every industry is dependent on the brand of the person, the company or the service.
Could you explain in depth 5 pointers?
A brand is a combination of elements: symbols, emotions, words uniquely employed in creating an image that identifies a product and differentiates it from its competitors. It is a disciplined process that involves an array of concepts and disciplines, from anthropology to sociology, sensory experience, combined with a visionary approach.
As a result of the intricacies that surround this complex process, numerous misconceptions form around branding. Some of the most frequent ones are the following:
- “Naming a company, a product or a service is easy, like naming a baby,” Wrong! Naming is a rigorous and exhaustive process. Frequently hundreds of names are reviewed prior to finding one that is legally available and that works.
- Number 2: “We will just do the brand ourselves”. Various thoughtful techniques must be utilised to create and analyze the effectiveness of a brand to ensure that its connotations are positive.
- “We cannot afford to test the name,” it is too large a risk—names need to last over time.
- “If it works in the US, it should work in my country too,” until you realise it does not.
- That it is “too expensive,” you cannot afford not having one.Branding can be tailored to different budgets.
What would you like to see changed for millennials in business?
I don’t believe that we have a millennial problem. Yet, I have noticed that there is an acute misunderstanding in between the generations. The developments in technology have widened the generation gap. Unfortunately, neither generation seems to be interested in understanding the values and believes of the other generations. Naturally, generation X which are most employers around the world cannot understand, control nor manage the younger generations.
Generation Y, most employees do not understand the requests of generation X. I often coach generation X employers and generation Y employees on how to create a harmonious relationship. However, this effort needs to be implemented at every level in society, otherwise, there will be a disjointed community.
What is the best piece of advice you have received to date?
That the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing, by Stephen Covey.
Winning at life is difficult. It requires a disciplined process. Too many of us are easily distracted by the media, by fads and by the opinions of friends and family. If we keep chasing distractions we cannot reach any goal. It is that simple.
What is the number 1 critical lesson you have learned in your career so far?
That who you spend your time with is who you become. One’s success is directly proportional to the success of one’s inner circle. I have long understood that if I wanted to play at a global level I needed to become a global player. Individuals who already are esteemed professionals have a certain language and manner of conducting their affairs. One must learn that language and those mannerisms if one wishes to fit in that social circle.
One must also have the right personal brand to open doors. Becoming “great” requires a combination of personal branding as well as personal development. Surround yourself with people who can teach you about the world. Don’t forget: if you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.
How do you create an evenly balanced work and personal life?
I have never strived for work life balance. Since my personal brand “Karina Ochis” is who I am, it is difficult to draw a line between the two. However, I incorporate healthy habits in my everyday activities. I do sports on a regular basis, I eat healthy and I treat myself to the occasional massage at my Resort which has an award-winning SPA. I rarely travel for leisure purposes but travel quite extensively for business and speaking engagements.
The highlight of your career so far?
I do not think of my life in such terms. I am in a constant development. Every moment was a stepping stone to the next big achievement and has been a highlight in its own time. This way, I ensure that I do not rest on laurels and that I am focused on the future, not the past.
What gives you ultimate career satisfaction?
The satisfaction of my customers and the respect of my collaborators and partners. As a brand master, speaker and coach there is really no greater satisfaction than to have a client say to you: “you have changed my life”. In my line of work, if you are good enough, you get to hear that quite often.
Which other leading entrepreneurs and pioneering game changers do you also admire and why?
From Socrates, Leonardo Da Vinci, Einstein, Picasso, Nelson Mandela to Obama, Oprah and Steve Jobs, I admire all pioneering game changers that changed the world for the better. I admire them for embracing their calling, for their dedication, humility, talent as well as hard work. These are the values that I hold close.
How would you say you are intending to use your voice to educate others in the branding industry?
Through my speeches, trainings, lectures, interviews and publications, I share the results of my study. I have spoken about personal, employer and company branding at events around for world from TEDx and Million Marketing Tour, Women Speaker Summit Nigeria, Uplevel Summit, Business Days, Elite Business Woman, The Woman Leadership Conference to the Academy of Economic Studies to name but a few. I tackle these subjects as a global speaker, guest lecturer and corporate trainer.
I share free advice in the blog section of my website www.karinaochis.com and on social media. On my Instagram I post branding facts. For entertaining tips and tricks I recommend to all interested to check out Karina’s Branding Biz. Club on my YouTube channel, where I analyse famous personal brands.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
‘The Orange Economy: An Infinite Opportunity’ by Buitrago Restrepo, Pedro Felipe and Duque Iván is a very interesting manual designed with the purpose of introducing key concepts and areas of debate around the “creative economy”, a valuable development opportunity the world at large cannot afford to miss. I had the great pleasure to meet with the President of Columbia, Mr Iván Duque, at the “Technology, Innovation and Circular Economy Summit”, held in Madrid in July 2018 and to listen to him further his theories on the economy of the future highlighted in this book.
What does your Podcast playlist look like?
I prefer the ‘Tim Ferris Show’ as I enjoy semi-structured long-format interviews. It is generally regarded as the #1 business podcast of all Apple Podcasts.
How do you measure your own terms of success?
As a professional coach accredited by Tony Robbins through the prestigious Robbins-Madanes Coaching Institute, I have developed my formula for achieving massive success in the Digital Era named “The Olympics of Life.”
In brief, my method dictates that once you have learned your calling in life you must develop yourself in stages. Success can be reached at every stage of the process. Each stage requires a different measurement. I am dedicated to fruitfully completing each stage. However, in order to live a prosperous life, success must come hand-in-hand with fulfillment.
What does #BEYOUROWN mean to you?
Authenticity in leadership.
What is next for you and KO by Karina Ochis?
I am proud to announce the release of my first online branding course: Personal Branding 101: How to build a powerful Personal Brand! which is officially available on my website in the shop section. I dedicated a great deal of my life to personal branding. Throughout time I helped numerous individuals from all over the world achieve success through their personal brand and reputation. So, I decided to share my knowledge to all interested in becoming highly respected thought leaders.
What does the course entail?
This course covers topics which when applied properly will transform your brand, giving you the recognition you deserve. You will learn:
- How to position yourself online and offline
- How to differentiate yourself from your competition
- How to create a proper visual identity
- How to properly communicate your personal brand through your online media platforms
- How to attract businesses and media that want to interview you, seek your services and ultimately work with you
- How to gain international recognition, grow your network and sell more products as soon as possible.
Get Karina’s step-by-step, start-from-scratch course for creating a powerful Personal Brand. Learn how to position yourself online and offline, to amplify your image and create a fortune by becoming a highly-respected thought leader. Follow a strategic plan, gain international recognition, grow your network and sell more products starting this year!
