Beautiful Minds
Marina Passalaris |
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Marina Passalaris, a South African expat in Australia, has answered the prayers of many Australian mothers with young, impressionable teens. Marina runs Beautiful Minds – a company whose self–development course provide role models, life–skills and huge confidence boosts to a growing number of young women in Australia. |
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ExpatWomen's Interview with Marina |
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ExpatWomen: Marina, you are originally from South Africa. What were you doing before you left South Africa?
Marina: I did a 3 year performing arts and dance course through the London Trinity College. I also did a make–up artistry course at nights, as I knew how difficult full–time work in the entertainment industry was. It was through this background that I also started teaching Grooming and deportment classes at an agency in Cape Town. |
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ExpatWomen: When and why did you leave South Africa to set up your new life in Australia? |
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ExpatWomen: What were some of your memories of first arriving in Australia?
Marina: My mum, dad and I all arrived together on Australia Day, not having any idea of the day's relevance. I remember walking down to a beach in Sydney and thinking 'what a weird place we had moved to...everyone is hanging out having a barbeque, waving Australian flags...I remember thinking how proud these people are...was this a daily sight in Australia?' It was a Monday and we only discovered later on in the week what was going on.
ExpatWomen: How long do you think it took you, to understand Australian customs/society and to integrate in your new country?
Marina: It took me a full two years as it was just the three of us and we moved and traveled around a lot as we did not know one single person in this new country. I probably only made Australia my real home when I moved to the Sunshine Coast (north of Brisbane) and bought my first house in Australia, about three years ago.
ExpatWomen: You were recently featured in an Australian magazine for your 'Beautiful Minds' course. Can you please tell us more about the course and your reason for starting the course?
Marina: Beautiful Minds is a course for girls aged 12 – 18 years of age. It is unlike any course offered for teens today. I have had 11 years of teaching Grooming and Deportment in agencies in South Africa, London and Queensland. I started the course as I felt young girls were not benefiting 100% from doing a course through a modeling agency – as there is too much pressure on looks, weight and height in this industry. I wanted a course that would accommodate all types of girls. I took the best parts of the Grooming (eg, make–up, hair, fashion, catwalk, a photo–shoot and a social etiquette dinner) and added all the life skills that are not being addressed enough at school (eg. drug and substance abuse – I have ex–addicts that come in and chat to the girls about the life–altering choice that is drugs; public speaking; nutrition; confidence; mind power etc.) and a counselor that helps the girls with setting up boundaries and expressing emotions. I started the course because it has everything in it that I wish I could have learnt at a younger age, to have made my journey a little smoother.
ExpatWomen: You said in your magazine interview that you wanted your course to be made a compulsory course in every single school in Australia. Why do you think schools in particular, need this course?
Marina: Australia is my home now and I am horrified by the youth drug problem and general social problems in this country. The government has programs for individuals once they are addicts, drop outs, need government funding etc., but why assist only after the damage has been done? Let's grab these young minds before they go astray and assist them to become the best they can be in their life. It may take a while to get this through each school but it's my mission. Education needs to offer more life skills than mathematics and science.
ExpatWomen: In the field of grooming and self–confidence, what would be your Top 5 Tips for all women and girls, everywhere?
Marina:
- Believe you can achieve anything and decide what it is you want out of life and go for it;
- Speak clearly and loudly... you have a right to be heard;
- Enjoy being a girl... it is such a gift... be feminine and present yourself proudly to everyone;
- It's ok to say NO...set up boundaries. Find time for you, get to know who you are and what you want out of life; and
- Always walk into a room with your head held high... be proud of being you!
ExpatWomen: Thank you very much Marina. We wish you incredible success in creating beautiful minds across Australia.
Marina: Thank you!
"Let's make these young minds as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside."
Marina's Contact Details:
Marina: 0410 424 701
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