At the Affiliate World Asia 2025 conference, Jitendra Vaswani interviewed Catherine Tarasova, the PR Head at Adsterra, about her personal philosophies, life lessons, and experiences that have shaped her.
Catherine opens up about her family, career, and what drives her success, offering a glimpse into her life beyond her professional role.
😮 Experience at Affiliate World Asia Bangkok 2025
Catherine describes the conference as “super intense” but highly rewarding.
Despite the exhaustion, she and her team were happy to meet numerous existing and new clients, particularly from the Asian markets, which Catherine highlighted as crucial for Adsterra‘s growth.
Philosophy on Money and Happiness
When asked whether money can buy happiness, Catherine says no, viewing money as simply a tool or energy. She believes the key lies in how we manage it.
While acknowledging that money can sometimes corrupt, she stresses the importance of using it wisely to do good in the world.
“Money is a tool, but it’s the way you use it that truly matters.”
Regrets and the Pursuit of Wisdom
Catherine shares her biggest regret: not being born wise. She explains that gaining wisdom is a long and often painful process. You often lose people and things before realizing the lessons life is trying to teach you.
“Wisdom takes time, and often, you only understand it after losing something precious.”
Fear of Unrealized Talents
Her greatest fear is not realizing her true talents. She believes everyone has potential but the challenge lies in discovering and developing those abilities. This fear pushes her to value every moment and use her time wisely.
“We all have talents, but discovering and nurturing them is the real challenge.”
Cherished Childhood Memories
Annie recalls fond memories of her childhood, especially after her parents divorced. Her father, a businessman, would take her along on his business trips, and these outings became her “grand adventure”, filled with interesting memories.
Overcoming Professional Failure
Catherine opens up about a major professional failure early in her career as a PR specialist.
While working for a youth community, a rescheduled meeting with the mayor caused her to mistakenly delete press releases, which were then misquoted by the media.
This led to her immediate dismissal, an event that felt like the end of her career at the time. However, it taught her two valuable lessons:
- Be cautious with wording.
- Look at situations from a wider perspective—what seems like a disaster might lead to growth and new opportunities.
Influential Figures in Her Life
Catherine credits several people as influences on her life:
- Her mother, who taught her to see the beauty in the world.
- Her father, who instilled in her the value of resilience and standing strong no matter the circumstances.
- Jesus Christ, whom she considers an ideal role model in understanding and loving people.
“My father taught me to stand straight, no matter what life throws at you.”
Morning vs. Night Person
Catherine admits she’s trying to be more of a morning person as she gets older, realizing how important it is to spend quality time wisely.
“Life moves fast, and we all need to make the most of every day.”
What Would She Do with $10 Million?
Catherine says that if she won $10 million, her life wouldn’t change drastically. Her priorities would be:
- More travel to experience different cultures and meet new people.
- Stable investments for long-term security.
- Charity and cross-cultural projects to give back to others and make a positive impact on the world.
Personal Storytelling in Media
Catherine notes a growing trend of personal storytelling in podcasts and interviews, emphasizing that behind every product is a person with a story. This approach is now being integrated into Adsterra’s podcast development.
“People connect with stories. It’s not just about selling a product; it’s about sharing the human side behind it.”
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✅ Final Words
Catherine Tarasova’s story is one of resilience, personal growth, and learning from mistakes.
She balances her professional success with deep personal values, emphasizing wisdom, authenticity, and connection with others.
Her journey serves as a reminder that success isn’t just about achievements but about how we grow and evolve as individuals.
