Masha Malka (40) is a successful entrepreneur, best-selling author, international speaker, and a mentor to thousands of people around the world. She knows what it takes to successfully balance the demands of a growing career with 3 children, husband, family, friends, and personal needs - she is passionate to show others how they can do it too!Masha has delivered workshops, seminars, written articles and books, and provided personal training and coaching in the field of success and the skill of learning since 1998 and she is a Russian American. I-Marbella found out about her life on the coast.

What brought you to the area?

Lifestyle and family brought me here 13 years ago.

Do you have a favourite area or part of the coast? 

Yes.Any place with a perfect view of the mountain La Concha is my favourite.

What attracts you most about the southern Spanish lifestyle besides the climate? 

I like it, because it is a great place to raise children.

If you had to choose another profession, what would it be? 

I would like to be a singer.

What would you say is the best and the worst aspect of your job?

The best is that it gives me a chance to work and learn from interesting people and it helps me fulfill my purpose in life. The worst is that as any business it can be unstable and sometimes people don’t pay.

What is the best advice on how one can be successful regardless of one's background? 

Success has nothing to do with your background, it has to do with your mindset – your set of beliefs and habits. Study the mindset of the people you consider successful and you will become successful as well.

What is The One Minute Coach? 

The One Minute Coach is the name of my free weekly newsletter as well as the name of my best-selling book. You can sign up to the newsletter at www.mashamalka.com and can purchase The One Minute Coach book in Bookworld Espana (or any other store and amazon.com).

Describe a few ways how you spend your time here? 

My 3 children and my husband take up most of my time; I also see clients each day as well as potential clients and friends. I do radio interviews and attend luncheons as well as charity events. I rarely have time for shopping or time to go to the beach…

Do you have any free time for hobbies? 

I do yoga at Princess Studio weekly and try to take some dance classes when I have time (I used to be a dance teacher). I used to paint and write songs but now I don’t have time for that.

Do you go for a holiday to any other destinations now that you have relocated to a luxury resort? 

I go to Miami, Florida, about 3 times a year where I usually combine my holiday with work and visiting my family.

Name a few of your favourite restaurants or cafes here and what attracts you to them? 

My all time favorite, for a special occasion, is Val Paraiso in Mijas. It combines a perfect ambience with fantastic food and unbeatable service! Otherwise you will find me most often in the Passion Cafe in San Pedro or in Terra Sana.

What kind of events is coming? 

I will be putting together a coaching group, do a Russian book-launch, and deliver a seminar in Gibraltar in the next couple of months. The best way to keep on top of what I am doing is by signing up to my newsletter on www.mashamalka.com

What are your plans for this summer? 

I will spend most of my time in Marbella this summer, but also planning to fly to Ukraine to launch my book in Russian and will probably fly to Miami as well.

What are the most memorable moments that you have had in Marbella?

I had a wedding here and all of my 3 kids were born here; I began my speaking career here; published my first book; made amazing friends… Marbella is my home now!