200. Surrogacy, What Kind Of Mother Will I Be? Arsiak Vartenian

Arsiak Vartenian and I met at a Broad Shoulders women’s networking event in Chicago!  She’s an open book, a role model for women, and had quite the emotional journey to becoming a mother.  Multiple miscarriages, IVF doctors, pregnancies, embryos, and surrogacy, is becoming a mom instinctual?  Did you make plans to become a parent? Did you talk to medical professionals to find out what to expect when you’re expecting?  What kind of mother will you be?  What do you wish you knew before embarking on the parenthood adventure?  Better Call Daddy: The Safe Space For Controversy. Arsiak Vartenian, is a builder of women, the community, and the host of Smart is the New Sexy, an uplifting talk show, and online platform. She aims to highlight the power of dreaming big through storytelling, connection, community, and heart.  Arsiak grew up in Arkansas, where she never truly fit in. Her dreams often felt “too big” for her surroundings. With extended roots in Chicago, she knew that like the skyscrapers, the sky was the limit -- as soon as she could spread her wings, she moved north and signed up for college in the Windy City.

College came to a close just shy of completing her senior year when Luxury Real Estate became the apple of her eye. She took a leap of faith and dove headfirst into her raw excitement. She was ready to learn and face all of the challenges the career could provide. She just wasn’t prepared for opposition from those she hoped would be her mentors. Yet again, faced with remarks that her dreams were beyond what she could produce. Even to this day, she’s felt the eye roll of doubt around Smart is the New Sexy. 

Even through years of self-doubt and the doubt of others, a complicated divorce from her first husband, momentous financial failures, and the death of close family members, she’s chosen to push through and prove them all wrong. 

Her divorce clouded her identity for a while and she needed to rediscover who she was. She put real estate on hold and returned to school to study Fine Arts & TV Production with a minor in journalism. Flash forward and you’ll see the direct correlation to Smart is the New Sexy. It just took her a decade to really find her confidence and be in front of the camera.

This confidence was shaped from active self-discovery but also listening and connecting with others' stories of challenge and triumph. Their stories enabled her to take steps to truly change course and subsequently experience real love and build upon a successful career. 

Today, at the helm of Smart is the New Sexy, she feels more empowered now than ever before.  Empowered Women Empower Women.

Smart Is The New Sexy has also been recognized by local Chicago and national broadcasts. You can watch these features on WGN, Fox 32, CBS Chicago, Ivanhoe Broadcasting, and more by visiting https://www.arsiak.com/

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