We were lucky to catch up with Anna Russo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

At the age of 8, I experienced the loss of my mother, which led to my upbringing primarily under the care of my Italian father, Roberto. My Italian family had immigrated to Germany as laborers, and during those times, hard work and diligent earning were imperative. As a result, my father instilled in me a rigorous and calculated work ethic.

During my childhood, if I desired something, regardless of its size or significance (with the exception of birthday wishes), my father would present me with options on how I could earn what I longed for. The nature of these opportunities varied depending on my age; they ranged from tasks like mowing the lawn, assisting with household chores, to helping our elderly neighbor carry groceries. At the age of 11, I secured my first official job as a newspaper delivery girl.

I distinctly recall earning 10 Euros for a 4-hour bicycle ride, distributing newspapers throughout the entire neighborhood. Unimaginable nowadays by looking back but it taught me at a very young age : If I want something I have to put the work in. You can have everything you put your mind to with passion, a vision, hard work and dedication.

Anna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Describing my professional journey has always been a bit of a challenge for me. I’ve often felt pressured to confine myself within the boundaries of a specific job title.
Yet, my story begins at a young age, around 5, when I developed a love for donning my mother’s dresses and cosmetics, all in the pursuit of simply feeling like a princess. My attraction to all things feminine, a penchant for aesthetics, and a desire for creative expression through fashion, style, music, and art have always been constants in my life.

After completing my schooling, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of the path I wished to pursue. It was a somewhat random decision that led me to attend hair school for three years. Surprisingly, I discovered my innate talent and embarked on a parallel journey, receiving training in makeup. I participated in numerous award shows, proudly earning several Gold and Silver accolades. By the time I had reached the age of 19, I had successfully completed my training and decided to further hone my skills by pursuing a master’s degree in the field of beauty and business.

From that point on, my vision became clear: I aspired to travel the world, work on prominent movie sets, and collaborate with as many celebrities as possible. Between the inception of this vision and today, I can proudly say that it has materialized. I made the significant move from Germany to Los Angeles, a journey I undertook alone, and began working with renowned individuals such as Demi Lovato, The Weeknd, John Amos, and Soulja Boy.
My work garnered substantial recognition, with features in prestigious publications like VOGUE.

Over the course of 14 years, I encountered numerous obstacles. From leaving behind my past life to enduring significant losses due to a fraudulent business partner, to residing in a modest office without a shower (I showered at LA Fitness) for an extended period on Hollywood Blvd, my journey was fraught with challenges. It was during this time that I conceived a groundbreaking idea for an online makeup school, ultimately securing a five-figure deal with one of the world’s largest beauty brands. In 2020, I published the book “LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE” and launched my first coaching program aimed at helping individuals elevate their careers and personal lives. Alongside my pursuits in hair and makeup, my passion for modeling and acting flourished, resulting in a level of success that mirrored my achievements in the beauty industry.

In essence, I am deeply passionate about embracing and cultivating all my talents and interests. Today, I share them with others through my YouTube channel, social media platforms, and private coaching and consulting services.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Certainly, my approach has always revolved around cultivating my own client base. It has never been a numbers game for me; rather, I place a strong emphasis on establishing a robust, personal connection with each and every client. I prioritize actions such as diligent “follow-ups” and regularly “checking in” on my clients. Moreover, my commitment to maintaining the utmost discretion and refraining from indiscriminately sharing work on social media has been instrumental in developing a more exclusive and high-end clientele.

I go beyond the confines of the booked services by extending my support to clients even after our professional engagement has concluded. This extended support serves to demonstrate reliability and conveys that clients can depend on me. Such practices contribute to the cultivation of trust and a favorable reputation, which, in turn, often leads to referrals from clients who value and seek that level of exclusivity and discretion.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to embark on an extensive journey of unlearning. Everything I had absorbed from my formal education and my upbringing at home had to be reexamined and redefined.
The remarkable transformations and advancements in my life often stemmed from the very actions I was cautioned against.
A radical shift in my mindset was imperative. I had to embrace qualities that defied convention:
I had to become delusional, cultivate an unwavering belief in my dreams, and exhibit an unyielding commitment to achieving the seemingly impossible. I was compelled to take immense risks, which, in hindsight, revealed themselves as valuable opportunities. Without taking these bold steps,
I wouldn’t have reached my current position.
Nonetheless, I also had to acquire the art of gentleness and patience in my journey.
I’ve come to acknowledge that everything unfolds with a purpose and in its own due time. Attempting to manipulate time or events, as well as interfering in the decisions of others, can yield unfavorable results.

The key, I’ve realized, is to nurture a clear vision, channel unwavering dedication toward it, and allow the magic of life to take its course.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.workationlosangeles.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/annarusso.secrets
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/annarusso-secrets
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@annarusso.secrets?si=4mFC6wfOiaHtRjng

Image Credits
Per C Bernal Visualstandard Media Getty Images