Christine DerOhannesian is a single mother of two who withstood many life challenges in her 43 years. She has overcome many hurdles in her life and contributes her success to her positive outlook and the ability to turn struggles to strength. She consistently views failure and being turned down not only as opportunities to explore and grow, but Christine has always trusted it's a stronger force clearing her path. 

 

Christine has become passionate to cultivate her life lessons as she feels to connect and inspire others gives her experiences purpose. Her products and publishings are all a reflection of her personal experiences and to encourage everyone to know that it's OK to just BE. When she visits schools and other book signing appearances, she enjoys discussions on PASSION & PERSEVERANCE. 

 

 

Here's a glimpse of some things she has personally and humbly overcome.   

 

​Age 12, uprooted from sleepy upstate NY to urban LA. Jumped by a girl gang simply for being the new girl in town and an assumed snubbed "gringa". Fought back hard to defend herself and is currently still in touch with 3 of them. 

Her Lesson: Never judge.

 

 

Age 18, survived traumatic auto accident over high school graduation weekend.  Was air-lifted to a trauma center with a broken neck and cracked skull.
Her Lesson: Life is short. Every day is a gift. Make the most of each moment. And, everything happens for a reason.

 

 

Age 20, lived in 2 warehouse rooms with no kitchen or bath. Only ate microwavable canned foods and took sponge baths in public restrooms for 6 months until she was back on her feet. She went to work every day polished and professional during that time. No one ever knew.
Her Lesson: There are Victim vs. Trailblazer mentalities. I chose to not burden others with drama, but to channel those same energies to seek resolutions and build my own independent strength.

 

 

Age 24, onto her 3rd promotion in a dedicated career, was relocated to Boston. Her U-haul truck was stolen with her entire personal belongings and hard -earned apartment furniture. Started anew with one laundry basket of dirty wash on hand. It took a year to rebuild the smallest of items, like tweezers, and forced an appreciation for her lost favorite 10 year, perfectly worn-in jeans.  

Her Lesson: Possessions do not define you.

 

 

Age 29, worked way up the corporate ladder, was training for Vice President, 9 years and 5 promotions later, but lost her job to the effects of 9/11 and the elimination of her department.  

Her Lesson: Rags to riches, riches to pauper- all can happen over night.  People are people. Treat every single one equal.

 

 

Age 34, lost her father. 
Her Lesson: Some people are just conditioned to love and be loved a certain way. While some things can change about a person, certain upbringings can not. Be realistic with yourself and others around you, and adjust expectations accordingly.

 

 

Age 37, divorced.
Her Lesson: Our greatest strengths are also our worse weaknesses. We need to surround ourselves with relationships of ALL kind where our strengths are celebrated & remain our strengths, not used against us as a weakness.

 

 

Age 38, hit rock bottom w/2 young children, in attempts to start over.
Her Lesson: Those who love and support you, always have, always will. Those who don't, never did. When you allow the mess to hit the fan, in both cases, you'll realize just how much.

 

 

Age 38, started own business with nothing, and just as it started to flourish, was hit by Hurricane Irene just 6 months later. The years of aftermath and mayhem it created compromised the perception of her business reputation and life choices. 

Her Lesson: You can never explain or justify enough to the public all that you are going through. Perception is truth.  If you know you're doing the right thing and always giving your best, hold your head up high and just do you. Believe in yourself, there's no need to convince others.

 

 

Age 39, experienced a personal place of "death, darkness & rebirth". After struggle & short depression,  rediscovered herself with her own spiritual awakening. Created Bumble Fly to cultivate her findings. (her passion & personal commitment to help others discover their own sense of belonging; she calls it discovering purpose & placement) She created her brand and logo of Bumble Fly and purchased the domain name with the last $37 available on credit.  

Her Lesson: Only after our darkest moments, can we see the brightest of light.

 

 

Age 39, evolved business and opened Community Cafe with the desire and passion to provide further connection.  Again, in turn around and full swing, encountered 7 breaks in wrist and hand during a Town fundraiser event, forcing Christine to close the cafe. She almost became addicted to painkillers, but within two weeks, caught herself becoming dependant on the pain free- peace it provided. She forced herself through an intense withdrawal to stop before it started. She sat with her hand in an ice igloo for 2 months instead to numb the pain. She prayed extra hard for internal strength, peace of mind and understanding.  

Her Lesson: my upbringing, strength & support rerouted what could have turned very ugly, not everyone has that will or chance. Try to understand where people come from. Everyone has a story, take time to listen.

 

 

Age 40, continued a slow rebuild. Started an up-swing after what she views as God's "slow down, to hurry up". 

Her Lesson: it's ok to walk away from things long enough to rebuild internal strength and create trusting alliances; filter who's truly on your team. Allow things to come back full circle (goals, ideas, plans or people) with improved understanding, adjusted attention, increased patience with some things, less tolerance for others. Stronger, better, solid. Become a rock that will not be moved.

 

 

Age 41, adopted her Mother full time. Christine's Mother collapsed with what should have been a stroke, but was saved by the grace of God. The event created an awareness of her increased dementia and need for full time supervision. 

Her Lesson: There will come a time where a deeper level of patience and compassion is needed that every day life will not prepare you for.  It's crucial to not allow nonsense or negativity to consume your energy. Be good to yourself, know what you do & do not deserve, so your caring heart can be strong for others. 

 

 

Age 42, had a compromised Christmas. Christine and her two children had their first Christmas in a downsized tiny apartment.  They had NO FIREPLACE to hang up their stockings or chimney for Santa's crawl down. She creatively thought of the story and concept of SANTA'S MAGICAL CHIMNEY. After being told "you're not a writer", Christine became a registered Author through the Library of Congress. She independently created the Santa's Magical Chimney business from A-Z in product development, design, manufacturing, logistics, etc. all in a scurry rush to share the magic with children all over the world! She quickly realized how many other homes might be left out of the sensible place to hang up their stockings and Christine felt deep compassion and immediate thrill to share her new tradition.

Her Lesson: whatever you endure in life, it's OK to just be. Don't give up on ideas and don't take NO for an answer.  You CAN do it, you just have to figure out a way.  Trust TIMING. God gives you what you can handle WHEN you can handle it. And like I said, sometimes failure or rejection is just clearing the path of what's meant to be and most likely, the journey to our greatness!

 

 

 

 

Today. Age 43, Her personal mission:

To set an uncompromising example of determination and perseverance for her children. To continue to live a life of opportunity and positive outlook. To create smiles and the feeling of connection. 

 

As Christine says: "To view my life as a symphony which is masterfully orchestrated by someone greater than me and humbly accept that I am simply an instrument."

 

"To share MY STORY and in all that I do and hope that one day, one way or the other, I have touched a soul, a spirit or a life in an up-lifting way."

 

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