Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Handy.
Christine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story pivotally changed after I was diagnosed with breast cancer and completed 15 months of chemotherapy. It was then that I realized I needed to share my story and create a platform to reach a wider net of people to mentor, help and give hope to. I wrote and published my first novel called Walk Beside Me in 2016. Shortly thereafter, I published articles in the USA and in Europe on ‘Walking Through Cancer’.
I became a best selling author right after my book was published and subsequently worked as a radio personality and motivational speaker. I am also a Fox Radio News breast cancer early detection advocate. I travel on a national level to speak to wide audiences not just about my journey but also about the importance of walking through life with people that will carry you forward through the good, the bad and the in between. We truly are who we surround ourselves with and because of that we must choose wisely our friends and companions. My motto is there is purpose in pain but it’s a choice to use it to help others. My book is now in its second publishing and I have another novel on the way.
Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth road – I am not sure that exists. Ha… but I have worked whole heartedly to make sure my brand, my book as well as my mission has been authentic to who I am and what I believe in. It has taken a while to be where I am today but that is only because I worked hard to get here on my terms. I wanted my book to be truthful and I fought the publishing system to keep my book exactly as I had wanted it.
Authors and speakers face the challenges of competition like most industries. My book has been very successful and it speaks for itself. I have big dreams for my book as well as my speaking career and those dreams take time. I am a wise woman and I am constantly learning that the best is yet to come and to be patient with the process . I work for myself which is a gift. In many ways, I can set my own schedule but ironically I have a hard time shutting off my work. I would rather work than do most anything. But, I am learning a balance. My sons are teaching me balance.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My company is called Walk Beside Me. It is the name of my first novel and my brand. I am most proud of my company, because I started with a dream and made it happen even though it was a great shift from my former career as a model. I took a leap of faith in myself and wrote a novel, published some articles and became a national motivational speaker in a very short time. It was a tireless few years and I didn’t get a lot of rest but it was well worth it. I have helped more lives than I could possibly count and I have motivated people to take a real look at their lives and who they are aligned with and for that, I am very proud.
I specialize in speaking about being unstoppable, social justice and equality and about empowering people.
I have just recently collaborated with another speaker and author to go on the road and really fight for social justice and to bridge the gap between different cultures, races and genders. This collaboration has really set me apart from other speakers in the business.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my courage to write a story and put it out into the world. Whether it had been successful or not, I would have always known I had completed my dream.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Miami is a great city to start a new company and to start a new life. I came here to write my book and I ended up starting my brand here. I was welcomed by the community and they helped propel me into my future success. Miami is filled with people that don’t care about where you came from, but they do care about helping you get to where you want to go professionally and they will help you get there, that’s the kind of town I want to be aligned with.
Miami is a very inclusive city with people that are all trying to raise the level of business and community here. It’s a great time to be starting a company in Miami and it’s a great resource to find support from the community here. It feels very different than other cities I have lived in. It feels more accepting and supportive versus competitive and maybe a bit divisive. I am proud to be here and to be based in Miami. I am proud that I was able to get my career off the ground here. In Miami I have had so many people who were willing to stand by me and help me get to where I wanted to go professionally.
Our city has work spaces popping up for self employed people to have spaces to work in communities. Miami is on the forefront of that. It’s a great time to start small businesses and to be self employed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.christinehandy.com
- Email: chandy71@charter.net
- Instagram: chandy71
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkbesidemebychristinehandy/
- Twitter: willow_mia
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw9QebOlzk2wcLfHFkz95XQ
Image Credit:
Matt Roy, Karlo Gomez
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
