She turned her passion into a business - here's how you can do it too

Meet Diana, originally from Vilnius, living in Amsterdam, from where she runs her new business. Her strong passion for sustainability and living green, is guiding her decisions. Recently she took her interest to a new level by taking over and managing the webshop NULIS, offering organic products. At same time, she jiggles a career in a multinational corporation. It shows that a combination of interests is possible: to start something new, does not have to mean you give up something else. We met to talk about her passion, her holistic view of conscious living, and running her e-shop.

"I trust one of the most important qualities is to be brave and don’t be afraid of a change and/or failure - because it is the best lesson you may ever learn."

What is NULIS? It is a Zero Waste webshop called NULIS.store, focusing on the Lithuanian market.

Tell us how it all started with NULIS: I have always been interested in sustainability, ecology and social enterprise, NGOs. On one hand, I was living off working at corporates, while at the same time I was doing something in parallel what I believe in or am passionate about. Lately, I can allow myself spend more time and live off the projects that I am enjoying working on, while creating certain shared value, or contributing to society in some way.

What did you do before NULIS? I started my career in music business that slowly shifted towards digital media and marketing. I have worked for corporates such as Hard Rock International, Heineken and PVH/Tommy Hilfiger and have been volunteering in organisations such as TEDxAmsterdamEducation, organising communal cleanups, helping homeless people and refugees.

What enabled you to get going with NULIS?

I did not launch it as new, as I bought a very small, but already existing business.

It was a very natural and organic shift, as I was thinking of it for quite some time. I try to be conscious of my decisions and choices and I aim to consume responsibly, therefore, I’d like to inspire others to start thinking about it in the same way.

Special qualities that you think are needed when launching something new like you did? Why these qualities?

I trust one of the most important qualities is to be brave and don’t be afraid of a change and/or failure - because it is the best lesson you may ever learn. Act, learn and embrace.

Advice to others wanting to be/become an entrepreneur, or do what you love?

Get out of your comfort zone, try new things, that excite and motivate you and empower you to move forward.

Something you did, saw, read or listened to, that particularly inspired you?

Aerial yoga and meditation.

Dive further into the topic

Are you interested to know more? Some time ago, we recorded a podcast together. In this first and trial episode of the podcast, Diana shares her best tips for a healthy living in general and a raw food concept in particular.

Listen here

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Open Eyes Policy is meeting cool, inspirational personalities that have found a way of fulfilling their passion or goals. The series explores how they managed to get what they wanted, and tools and ideas that can support and inspire others looking to do the same.

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