Meet Christina Burns | Chef, Makeup Artist, Travel Agent & Founder of The Hero Worship Initiative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Burns and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Let me start by saying thank you so much for such an incredible opportunity to be able to tell my story! I was born in Cleveland, Ohio raised in Colorado, Springs. I come from a big family, seven sisters, and my parents have been married for fourty years. I was born and raised in church as a pastors kid, and although I didn’t understand the necessity or expectation then, I’ve come to realize that my faith based background laid the groundwork for a very secure foundation and future! It matured me, gave me a strong backbone, taught me patience and perseverance. Some may assume that my parents were very strict and religiously controlling but they were far from that. They allowed myself along with my sisters to experience life, with guidance and direction of course, but they loosened the reins when they saw us grow, journey, fall…they gave us grace, love, compassion. I couldn’t be more grateful for the wisdom I’ve gained simply from my family system and the love of my parents. Let me go back a bit, both of my parents are retired doctors in their own fields. My mother a licensed psychologist and marriage counselor and my father has his doctorate in theology and also a marriage counselor with my mother. Both of them, although ministers, are masterful entrepreneurs. Collectively they own six businesses! You see where I’m going? They encouraged and advised my sisters and I to write our vision, not matter how small or big, and to work to toward manifesting that thing! So today, I am the founder and sole owner of three businesses and a nonprofit. I would not be here if it weren’t for the influence of God, my parents, and my sisters!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I believe what sets me apart from others is that I’m not in competition with anyone but me! I support other business owners who are operating in the same field and form alliances with those who may know more than I or have a sharper skill set, I learn and glean every opportunity I can so I can be better! I am most proud of my growth and how far I’ve come! I could’ve quit, but I didn’t. Even when I had every reason to, perseverance is my partner, it wouldn’t let me. I have come as far as I have simply because I invested in myself and my vision! Investing is equivalent to sowing seeds. When I sow into myself, I give myself a harvest to look forward to, and that’s what I did. I continued to sow and invest in my businesses, and that sowing, that investing, matured me and each business I birthed. It absolutely was not easy, but was labor and delivery is easy? Birthing is painful. But a successful birth brings forth a healthy seed when the carrier has carried well and responsibly! I overcame every obstacle by silencing outside interference, buckling down, and not comparing where I was and what my then present business or situation or process looked like! The worst thing a person can do it compare themselves to someone else! While in my season of building I stayed off social media because it brought me so much anxiety. I would be so discouraged seeing other successes and the notoriety, and I hadn’t even gotten started yet. I had to shut it down and hone in on the work I had to do! I want the world to know that it’s all possible! You’ll have low moments, you’ll want to stop, want to quit, but the one thing I had that nobody could take away from me is one the surety of my vision, and two belief in myself! Yes we live in a competitive world where there are millions of makeup artists, chefs, restaurants, travel agents, mission organizations, but none of them can do what I can nor can they do it like me! God gave me these businesses because He knew I’d do it how He desires! My faith drives me to move with such excellence and independence! Don’t look for everyone to support you! Find your market, find your consumers, find your regions, find your tribe and circle of influence that can and will propel you forward! Building may take time but you’d rather it take time than having such a short lifespan because you’re trying to mock or copy what someone else is doing. Do it your way! Do it the way you dreamt! Don’t try to fit in. Break out of the system of this world and be inspired to build it, brand it, and birth it, YOUR WAY!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a foodie so I would take them to some of my favorite hidden restaurant gems like C&S in Sandy Springs, they have the best chargrilled oysters in Atlanta! Coalition in Alpharetta or City BBQ in Snellville. I love going to shows where there are singers and live bands at Backstage in Atlanta and The Patio in Conyers. If they’ve never been to Skyview, which is a Ferris wheel in the heart of Atlanta, I’d take them there to enjoy city views and take a walk through Piedmont Park. I also love getting a sweet treat from Pelicans, which is an ice cream/snow cone place. I

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my beautiful angels, Gregory and Sheryl Burns, as well as my sisters; Josie, Pam, Erika, Amber, Tiffane, Sabrina, and Destinee! As I cry, I thank you all for the impact you all, as my foundation, have had on me throughout my entire life! Thank you for your endless support and belief in everything I have put my hands to build. I truly, honestly, know with every fiber of my being, that I would not be here today if it wasn’t for you! Adonis, my son, you motivate me in every way to continue progressing simply because you deserve the best parts of me, life, and the prosperity of this world! I I’ve you endlessly! Faithy, my God daughter, your willingness to journey with me and trust me as your mentor to guide you as you build for your future and for generations to come, is such privilege! You are my blessing! I love you wholly and completely! And I’m so proud of you!