Ksenia Derouin Consulting, Grand Rapids, MI (2026)

05/17/2026

Two days in Istanbul, last summer.

I came here from Russia, where I had just said goodbye to my grandfather. He was almost 88 — a whole century folded into one human being, and then gone. I landed in this city carrying the kind of silence in my chest you can’t speak around.

And Istanbul did the thing only Istanbul can do. It didn’t try to comfort me. It just opened. Wider than my grief.

The only city on earth that straddles two continents — Asia on one shore, Europe on the other, the Bosphorus running between them like a vein the planet keeps pulsing through. For nearly 1,600 years it was the capital of empires: Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman. Constantine renamed it after himself in 330 AD. Suleiman the Magnificent ran half the known world from here. Empires die. Cities like this remember them anyway.

🛏️ Home base: — a boutique hotel in the heart of Sultanahmet, five minutes from the Blue Mosque, the Cistern, Hagia Sophia. Warm staff, breakfast on a rooftop terrace over old Constantinople. The kind of place that makes you feel held.

If you know me, you know the first two things I seek out in a new city are a teahouse and a spa — and Istanbul is the patron saint of both. Tea on every corner. Wellness and hospitality woven into the bones of the place.

I got lost on purpose. No map, no plan — narrow streets curling into narrower ones, cats in doorways, the call to prayer rolling over the rooftops. Drank tea with strangers, and discovered half the tiny storefronts have a much bigger back room with “Balenciaga,” “Gucci,” and every designer you can name. I almost walked out with one. That’s the real Istanbul — the one in the cracks between the monuments.

🕌 What I saw
📍 Blue Mosque
📍 Basilica Cistern
📍 Grand Bazaar
📍 Süleymaniye Mosque
📍 Egyptian Bazaar
📍 Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam
📍 Galata Bridge
📍 Galata Tower & neighborhood
📍 Bosphorus night cruise

I came here to escape grief. I left having met it differently. Istanbul reminded me that things end — empires, eras, the people you love — but the bridge between continents keeps standing. And so do we.

Dedushka, this one was for you. 🤍✈️

08/01/2024

On Saturdays we eat donuts

03/24/2024

Research shows that nature-based education has a positive impact on children's mental and physical health. It improves cognitive abilities, reduces stress and anxiety, boosts creativity, and promotes a healthy lifestyle. By introducing your children to nature, you are giving them an opportunity to explore, learn, and grow.

Now, more than ever, it's crucial to prioritize our children's brain health. With the constant use of technology and social media, our children's attention spans are shorter than ever. Nature education provides a much-needed break from technology and allows them to connect with the natural world.

So, take your kids for a walk in the park, go on a nature scavenger hunt, or plant a tree in your backyard. These activities can be simple yet impactful, and they will undoubtedly help your children develop a lifelong appreciation for nature.

Let's prioritize our children's brain health and give them the gift of nature education. 🌿🌳🌺

03/06/2024

🌱 Spring into Success with VIP Day! 🌟 Last Spot for March - Secure Yours Now!

Are you ready to elevate your business to unprecedented levels in 2024? There's just ONE spot left to join me this March for an exclusive VIP Day experience. This is more than just a day; it's a transformational journey tailored for ambitious entrepreneurs eager to soar.

Dive deep into a day of intensive Business Consulting and OBM Support, crafted to meet the unique contours of your business landscape. We'll tackle everything from strategic planning to operational finesse, ensuring your enterprise not only grows but thrives.

Whether it's mastering social media planning, leveraging AI, navigating CRM systems, crafting compelling newsletters, or refining your daily operations, our VIP Day is your golden ticket.

Intrigued? Kickstart this journey with a FREE consultation, where we'll map out a strategy that's as unique as your business. Tap the link in my bio to book your slot. Let's weave your success story together - one strategic step at a time. 💼🌟

03/04/2024

✨ Testimonial Spotlight & VIP Day Magic ✨

In the spotlight today is the incredibly talented singer-songwriter, TED Speaker and coach, 🎤🌟, who transformed her workflow, team's communication, and task management with a little VIP Day magic.

As a creative soul juggling melodies and mentorship, she found herself entangled in the cords of disorganization.
That's where I stepped in with a VIP Day crafted for Kate's needs. Together, we created her ideal workflow schedule and introduced Asana, transforming her approach to team communication and task management. The result? A seamless system where every project and deadline found its place, and her team could harmonize their efforts without missing a beat.

Are you navigating through your business tasks like a maze? Let's turn that chaos into clarity. My VIP Day is designed to streamline your operations, saving you time and setting up a system that grows with your business.
Ready to elevate your business operations? DM me to book your VIP Day and experience the transformation firsthand.

03/02/2024

A sales funnel is a strategic marketing concept that maps out the journey a potential customer goes through from first learning about your business to making a purchase. Think of it as a funnel-shaped process where the widest part at the top captures a large pool of potential customers, and as they move down the funnel, the process narrows down to those who are most interested and likely to buy. Here’s why having a well-defined sales funnel is essential for your business:

Structured Customer Journey: A sales funnel provides a clear pathway for your potential clients, guiding them from initial awareness to the final purchase decision. It helps in nurturing their interest at each stage with targeted information and engagement.

Increased Efficiency: By understanding each stage of the funnel, you can tailor your marketing and sales efforts more effectively, ensuring that resources are allocated where they can have the most impact.

Higher Conversion Rates: A well-optimized sales funnel is designed to convert prospects into customers. By addressing their needs and concerns at each stage, you increase the likelihood of conversion.

Data-Driven Insights: Analyzing the performance of your sales funnel offers valuable insights into customer behavior, preferences, and potential bottlenecks. This data enables you to make informed decisions and continuous improvements.

Scalability: With a sales funnel in place, scaling your marketing efforts becomes more manageable. You can systematically test, measure, and enhance different elements of the funnel to drive growth.

In essence, a sales funnel is not just about making sales; it's about creating a smooth, satisfying journey for your customers that builds trust and loyalty, ultimately leading to sustained business growth and success.

01/21/2024

Ready to elevate your business in just one day? Join me for a VIP Day dedicated to only YOU and your business goals. We'll dive deep with personalized coaching and strategic planning, transforming your dreams into actionable steps. Let's ignite your business growth together!

This intensive session is designed to offer personalized, deep-dive coaching, focusing on strategic planning, problem-solving, and actionable steps toward business growth. It's a chance to step away from the day-to-day operations and engage in focused, high-level thinking and planning. In this nurturing yet dynamic environment, you'll discover innovative strategies and gain clarity, leaving you inspired, motivated, and equipped with practical tools to propel your business forward.

01/18/2024

Big news for email senders! Gmail and Yahoo are cleaning house!

Starting February 2024, they're implementing stricter rules for "bulk senders" (whoever blasts out 5,000+ emails daily). Why the crackdown? They're tired of users drowning in spam (up to 95%!) and want to boost both user protection and brand trust.

So, what's changing? These new guidelines primarily focus on marketing and promotional emails, not your essential account alerts or password resets. Here's what you need to know:

🔶 One-click unsubscribe becomes king: Gone are the days of hunting for hidden unsubscribe buttons. Users will now have a clear, one-click option right in the email, making it easier for them to opt out and reducing spam complaints for you.

🔶 Email security gets an upgrade: Buckle up for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, your new security besties. These protocols ensure your emails are legit, not some sneaky imposter, building trust and boosting your deliverability.

🔶 Keep your spam game squeaky clean: Aim for a spam complaint rate below 0.3%, or risk getting banished to the dreaded spam folder! Monitor your stats and keep your audience happy.

Got questions or need help navigating these changes? Don't sweat it! I've got resources and tips to guide you through. Stay tuned for more info!

Remember, these changes are all about creating a better email experience for everyone. Embrace the cleaner inbox future and keep your audience engaged with valuable content!
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01/02/2024

Words of wisdom from my mentor made me think today.

The phrase "Systems run the business and people run the systems" encapsulates a fundamental principle in business management and operations. Let's break it down:

Systems Run the Business:

🔸 This reflects the structured processes, tools, methodologies, and frameworks that constitute the business operations.
🔸 Systems provide consistency, efficiency, and scalability. They ensure that everyday business activities can be carried out in a repeatable and standardized manner.
🔸 Effective systems enable businesses to handle complexities, manage data, automate routine tasks, and measure performance. They are essential for ensuring quality control, compliance, and achieving business objectives.

People Run the Systems:

🔸 This part emphasizes the human element in any business. It's about the importance of having skilled, knowledgeable, and motivated individuals.
🔸 People are responsible for creating, managing, and optimizing systems. This includes everything from decision-making, and problem-solving, to providing creative solutions.
🔸 It highlights the need for leadership, team collaboration, and employee engagement. People are not just operators of systems; they are the drivers who ensure these systems work effectively.

Overall, this phrase underscores the symbiotic relationship between people and systems in a business context. While systems are crucial for operational efficiency and scalability, it is the people who design, implement, and refine these systems. Thus, both elements are integral to the successful running of a business.

Thank you, Kate, for your continuous inspiration.

12/29/2023

As a business coach and OBM, I get asked all the time about the difference between an Online Business Manager (OBM) and a Virtual Assistant (VA). It's a common question that many entrepreneurs struggle with when it comes to hiring the right person for their business. The truth is, while there are similarities between the two roles, there are also some key differences that can make a big impact on your business. As you navigate the world of outsourcing, it's important to understand the unique value that each role brings to your team.

Send me a DM if you would like to learn more or have a Free Consultation!

Ksenia Derouin Consulting

05/17/2026

08/01/2024

03/24/2024

03/06/2024

03/04/2024

03/02/2024

01/21/2024

01/18/2024

01/02/2024

12/29/2023

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