Spotlight Story
The Art of Bringing People Together
Creating opportunities, celebrating others, and never outgrowing your dreams.
Karina Zakharov
Beyond Titles
The Conversation
- GoBreezy:Who is Karina beyond the events, titles, and community work? What dreams and experiences shaped the woman you are today?
Karina:I came to America from Eastern Europe at 21 years old, with dreams, ambition and courage to build a life in a new country. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats-from working in Technology, Marketing to producing large-scale events, raising two children and eventually finding a new passion in Real Estate.
Every chapter has shaped me in a different way. But what truly defines me isn’t my career. It’s my love for life, my family, meaningful connections, creativity and the beauty I find in everyday moments.
I feel that life still has so much to offer, and I have so much more to discover, create and experience.
- GoBreezy:What inspired you to create international pageants? What did you hope to give young women through these experiences beyond beauty and recognition?
I’ve always had a passion for creating beautiful shows, bringing people together and turning an idea into something truly memorable. But when I started organizing beauty pageants, my vision went far beyond beauty and crowns.
I wanted to give young women a platform where they could shine, express themselves, build confidence and most importantly, be seen. And that’s exactly what happened! Some girls went on to sign contracts with modeling agencies, others made valuable connections and some even met their future husbands.
At the same time, I wanted to bring our community together in a beautiful, elegant setting like the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. I loved seeing everyone dressed up, enjoying a glamorous evening, celebrating beauty, talent and each other.
- GoBreezy:Building something from the ground up is never easy. What were some of your biggest challenges? Were there moments when you questioned whether you could succeed, and what kept you going?
One of my biggest challenges was learning to delegate and trust others with my vision. I’ve always had very high standards, and I wanted every show to be elegant, professional and produced at the highest level. That’s one of the reasons I never wanted to have a business partner. I trusted my own instincts and decisions to bring it to life.
Another challenge was managing all the different personalities and emotions that come with beauty competition. I often found myself not just being a producer, but also a psychologist, a mediator and someone who had to make sure everyone felt heard and respected while keeping everything moving forward.
There were moments when I questioned myself and wondered whether I could pull It all off.
But what kept me going was simple: I absolutely loved what I was doing.
I poured my heart and soul into every production.
Empowering Women & Building Community
- GoBreezy:You've helped so many women, especially young immigrants, build confidence and find their place in a new country. What challenges do you see them facing most often, and what do you wish more people understood about their journeys?
I think one of the biggest challenges young immigrant women face is finding their confidence and sense of belonging. Many arrive with incredible talent, beauty, intelligence, and ambition, but they don’t always know how to express themselves or where to begin.
Sometimes all they need is an opportunity, a little encouragement, and someone who believes in them.
What I wish more people understood is that behind every immigrant’s journey, there’s a story of courage, sacrifice, and determination. Starting over takes tremendous strength, especially when you’re far from family, friends, and everything you’ve ever known.
And I truly believe that being an immigrant gives you a special kind of resilience. You learn to adapt, reinvent yourself, and create opportunities where none existed before.
If there’s one thing I’d love these young women to know:
You don’t have to lose where you came from to become who you want to be. You can embrace both worlds and create something beautiful of your own.
- GoBreezy:You've brought people together through so many events and initiatives. What have you learned about the power of community, and why is creating these connections so important to you?
I believe that bringing people together is one of the most beautiful ways to give back.
Not everyone needs financial help or grand gestures. Sometimes what someone really needs is an introduction, encouragement, or simply a place where they feel they belong.
At the end of the day, people may forget the details of an event, but they’ll always remember the people they met, the connections they made, and how that experience made them feel. And to me, that’s the real magic of community.
Purpose, Challenges & Personal Growth
- GoBreezy:You're a mother of two while managing so many responsibilities. How has motherhood influenced your ambitions, priorities, and the example you want to set for your children?
Motherhood has been one of the most rewarding and important parts of my life. Raising two children without outside help, with only my husband by my side, while pursuing my ambitions wasn’t always easy. It required dedication, patience, and learning how to balance family life with my passions.
I’ve always believed in creating a warm, loving home, where home-cooked meals, quality time together, and especially family traditions play an important role. Passing down our culture, language, and traditions to my children has always been one of my biggest priorities. I want them to know their roots, appreciate their heritage, and one day pass those same values and traditions on to their own families.
At the same time, I never wanted motherhood to mean giving up my own dreams. I wanted my children to see a mother who works hard, embraces challenges, and isn’t afraid to reinvent herself.
More than anything, I want to lead by example — to show my children that they can honor where they come from while having the courage to follow their own dreams and create their own paths in life.
- GoBreezy:Looking back, what is one of the hardest lessons life has taught you? And what would you tell your younger self today?
One of the most important lessons life has taught me is to always have a growth mindset. Life doesn’t always take us where we originally planned, but I’ve learned that every experience can open a new door.
When I was younger, I dreamed of becoming a model and loved performing in theater. Although life took me in a different direction, I eventually found myself producing beauty pageants and creating opportunities for other young women to shine. In a way, my childhood dream came full circle.
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be:
Never stop learning, stay curious, and never be afraid to reinvent yourself.
Especially today, with AI transforming the world around us, I believe the ability to adapt, embrace change, and continuously learn will be one of the most valuable skills we can have.
My message to my younger self would be:
Don’t limit yourself to one dream, one career, or one version of who you think you should be. Keep growing, because your greatest opportunities may still be ahead of you.
Dreams & Inspiration
- GoBreezy:What are you dreaming about next? Is there something you haven't accomplished yet that you would still love to create or bring into the world?
Oh, I have so many dreams! I truly believe that as long as we’re alive, we should never stop dreaming, exploring, and challenging ourselves.
One of my biggest dreams is to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. I’ve always been fascinated by mountains. There’s something incredibly powerful about standing at the foot of something so majestic and knowing that reaching the top will require not just physical strength, but determination, patience, and mental resilience. For me, it’s not just about conquering a mountain — it’s about conquering my own limitations and proving to myself that I’m capable of more than I ever imagined. And Kilimanjaro would be just the beginning!
Another dream that’s very close to my heart is to travel to Africa on a humanitarian mission. I’ve been fortunate to experience so much beauty in the world, and I would love to give something meaningful back — to connect with local communities, contribute where help is truly needed, and make a positive difference, even if it’s in a small way.
- GoBreezy:If a young immigrant woman came to you today feeling invisible, lacking confidence, or unsure where to begin, what would you tell her?
First, I would tell her that I’ve been in her shoes. I know what it feels like to arrive in a new country, not knowing exactly where you belong or what the future holds.
I would tell her not to be afraid to put herself out there, meet new people, and take chances. Don’t wait until your English is perfect, until you feel completely confident, or until someone gives you permission to pursue your dreams. Confidence doesn’t come overnight. It grows every time you step outside your comfort zone.
I would also encourage her to surround herself with positive, inspiring people, build meaningful connections, and never underestimate the power of community. Sometimes one conversation, one introduction, or one opportunity can completely change the direction of your life.
- GoBreezy:What does it mean to you to truly shine? And what would you like your legacy to be?
To me, truly shining means being authentic, passionate about life and not afraid to reinvent yourself.
As for my legacy, I would love to be remembered as someone who brought people together, created beautiful experiences and inspired others to believe in themselves.
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Published by GoBreezy Spotlight