If you’re here, you are definitely someone who Performs Acts of Random Kindness and that makes you a PARKer and part of my Kind Qrew!
I’ve actually been called a serial acronymist (somebody who creates and uses way too many acronyms) and I can’t think of a better title to start sharing a bit “about me”. 🙂
When I was 10 years old, I had the great fortune of learning that kindness is my superpower and I discovered my talent for speaking and creating events in high school. My college years were eventful and formed me into the leader I am today with a clear vision and mission on this earth as a “Kindness Influencer”.
My vision is a World where Everyone Performs Acts of Random Kindness #wePARK
After earning my Masters in Higher Education and working for the corporate, non-profit and public sectors, I decided to pursue my vision full-time and started my own company in January 2010. I had no business plan, no employees, no email list or social media following. All I had was my vision and my self-confidence in planning successful large and small scale events. Nine months later, I founded PARK Project, a 501c3 non profit movement to inspire people to Perform Acts of Random Kindness worldwide.
My early years as a social entrepreneur were stressful, to say the least! I was a “one woman show” producing prestigious events such as the Women’s Success Summit, FIU Torch Awards Gala, the City of Doral’s Earth Day and All Kids Included Family Arts Festival, to name a few! At the same time, I was recruiting and mobilizing a team of volunteers to create my first signature event, which later became the 5K PARK Fest, inspiring thousands of people to PARKticipate and fundraise $50,000+ for dozens of local non-profits and schools!
Allow me to BRAG (Be Real And Grateful) about the Awards & Honors I’ve received:
AXA Advisors, Philanthropic Business Women of the Year, Finalist
SFL Minority Supplier Dev. Council, Doing Well While Doing Good Award, Winner
BizBash, Event Producer of the Year, Finalist
Miami Herald Business Plan Challenge, 3rd Place, Winner
South Florida Business Journal’s 40 under 40, Nominee
Dorothy Shula Award for Outstanding Volunteerism, Finalist
White House Champion of Change, Nominee
“Changing Face of Miami” feature in Latino Leaders Magazine
“Spirit of Giving” feature in Key Biscayne Magazine
“Miami’s Most Inspiring Stories” feature in Voyage MIA
Master Storyteller Academy, “Master Storyteller” designation
While I, and others, celebrated all my outward success, the truth is I was incredibly overwhelmed and suffering from chronic stress, anxiety and debilitating migraines. I wasn’t sleeping, barely eating, rarely socializing, never exercising and always working around the clock. Eventually… you guessed it. I BURNED OUT!
That’s when life forced me to start my “Self-Care Quest” and I began to realize that the only way to stop burning out consistently is to be the SPARK (Someone who Performs And Receives Kindness), starting with my own.
I’ll be forever grateful for the practice of yoga helping me befriend who I WAS (Worried. Anxious. Stressed) and connect with who I AM (Aware. Mindful) by teaching me how to breathe and slow down long enough to be present with my restless mind, aching body and neglected spirit who were all begging me to be kind to myself for many years before I listened.
The #1 excuse I used to give myself is … “I don’t have time”.
Can you relate?
Immersing myself in yoga and self-love and kindness practices inspired me to study (a lot!) in order to become a RYT-500 (500 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher), all while running a profitable business … and pregnant! I’m honestly most amazed by this accomplishment and humbled when I share I’ve taught over 400 yoga classes for beginners and professional development workshops for corporations and non profits. As a result of the 2020 pandemic, I pivoted quickly into a digital business and created my first online course called “BEST Way to Stress Less” and began hosting virtual events to give “busy leaders” – like you and I – a kind invitation to rest, reconnect and recharge by discovering your own “BEST” self-care practice – that actually fits your lifestyle!
Why am I sharing all of this? Because I believe there’s always TIME to be kind. This Is My Experience (TIME).
That’s why I secretly baked this acronym in name of my new podcast “TIME to be Kind with Marly Q“ which shares personal stories, insightful interviews and valuable tips to enrich your life with the currency of kindness, connection and community. I hope you’ll check it out, subscribe and leave a kind review.
Why? Because the TIME to be Kind to ourselves, the people we interact with and the world we all share … is NOW.
ThankQ for connecting and learning more about me. Now it’s your turn, Join my Kind Qrew! You’ll get inspirational emails, never miss my upcoming events or latest podcast episodes and you’ll get the exclusive chance to win free surprises and give-a-ways, just for YOU!
Kindness is Your Superpower | Marly Q | TEDxJWUNorthMiami
SHE’s a woman with a mission to spread kindness.
SHE’s a woman with a mission to spread kindness.