We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anita Rosenberg. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anita below.
Anita, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
In the late 1980’s, something happened that changed my life, something right out of a Hollywood movie. In fact, it was Hollywood where I became a motion picture director – one of the few women directors then, and still a notoriously rare thing in the film industry. Fresh out of NYU Graduate Film School, I stepped behind the camera to write, direct, and produce two movies: “Assault of the Killer Bimbos” and “Modern Girls.” Sure, they were far from the great art movies I’d studied and admired in film school— but, they were mine. Falling into the genre of “chick flicks,” my two movies have since become cult classics.
During my fourteen years in the film industry, I found myself in “development hell” (nothing was getting a green light.) Visa and Amex didn’t care if I was a sensitive soulful artist –they wanted to get paid. I needed a steady paycheck. So, I took a giant step backward in my career and accepted a gig at Village Roadshow Pictures with an old boss of mine, as a D-Girl aka Development Executive.
On that first day in 1990, as I exited the cavernous parking lot of a Century City hi-rise, tears streamed down my cheeks –soaking the brown paper bag lunch I had packed. This was not how I envisioned life after my directorial debut –sitting at a desk answering someone else’s phone calls and writing coverage for fifty scripts a week so that my boss didn’t have to. I was miserable. It was during those next few months where that frustration led me to make one of the best decisions in my life and take a risk. I returned to my artistic roots (I have a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute) and began painting decorative candlesticks and picture frames as a side gig. Sales took off with customers like Nordstrom and Fred Segal. After a few months, I was able to quit the desk job to grow a million-dollar global collection out of my garage in the Hollywood Hills.
Navigating the film industry taught me invaluable tools for deal-making, building solid relationships, being authentic, and using my voice. With this knowledge and expertise, I started my own home decor business which led to Asian travels where I learned about Feng Shui –resulting in my current career as the Cosmic Coach of Hollywood.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
LA Confidential Magazine has called me “one of the city’s top certified Feng Shui consultants and Queen of Qi.”
My Feng Shui journey began twenty-two years ago in Hong Kong when I was overseeing the manufacturing of my hand-painted décor collection. As the tour bus climbed Victoria Peak for a dramatic view of the city and harbor below, the guide busily chatted away into her microphone about Feng Shui this and Yin/Yang that. That was the moment I began to understand that Asian life is firmly rooted in the ancient Chinese Art of Feng Shui and I wanted to know more. Returning to Los Angeles, it just so happened that Dato Joey Yap of Mastery Academy –was in town from Malaysia speaking on the topic. That was the moment I transitioned into my next act as a full-time Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology Expert.
As a global consultant and award-winning author, my passion is helping people reach their wealth potential and improve their business and personal relationships through Feng Shui, BaZi Chinese Astrology, and Qi Men. Notable clients include Super Model and owner of Kora Organics –Miranda Kerr, Award-Winning Actors Virginia Madsen and Gwyneth Paltrow, International Artist Shepard Fairey, performer Paula Abdul, and actor, singer, and owner of Frenshe for Target –Ashley Tisdale. I am also the in-house Chinese Astrology Expert for the Aman Resort Turks & Caicos, Christian Dior Beverly Hills, Tiffany and Co. Beverly Hills, and the worldwide leadership community of Young Presidents’ Organization aka YPO.
Helping creatives and entrepreneurs shine in the spotlight and be the stars of their lives, is how I now wear my director cap. One of my favorite clients and friends –actor and activist, Elaine Hendrix (“Dynasty” and “The Parent Trap”,) has this to say about working with me, “Consulting with Anita is a powerful mystical download of empowering practical wisdom. She is remarkably facile with a complex system, and I have benefited from her inspiring expertise in Feng Shui, BaZi, and Qi Men. As an added bonus: she genuinely cares and is passionate about sharing this information with others. I am grateful for Anita and the work she does.”
How did you build your audience on social media?
Wearing the cloak of invisibility vs gaining more visibility.
We are moving more and more into the attention economy. Being of influence to others and grabbing attention is where you gain market share. Even for introverts, now is the time to be seen and noticed to spread your message. Hiding the shadows and only working behind-the-scenes makes you invisible and opportunities will pass you by. Find a way to express yourself that you are comfortable with. Have fun with it. Decide which platforms best suit your personality and audience. Hire someone to help you if marketing, PR, press, and social media are not your thing.
The art of publicity and promoting oneself never goes out of style. The approach may differ yet the results put you in the public eye so that people know who you are, what you are dong or selling, and how they can buy from you or work with you.
1. Create a brand – what are you all about? Be authentic. Be uniquely YOU and you will not have any competition.
2. Build a platform – where are you launching these fabulous ideas and products? A platform gives you a story and that makes you interesting and relevant.
Social media platforms are free. Some will be more in alignment with who you are and your authentic values. As the world continues to move fast –some platforms become more visible and some will fade away. 2024 ushers in the twenty year Feng Shui Period 9 energy which corresponds with the Li Gua in Chinese Metaphysics. This is the Fire Gua and fire spreads quickly. We are moving into twenty years of fast moving – fast spreading -information -entertainment -spirituality -and so much more. The point is to stay current with social media. Tik Tok has risen lately as the new platform to be on for businesses.
My advice is to be true to yourself on your platforms. I have many influencer clients who ‘bought’ followers. That’s one way to build your following but it will not be true fans –only numbers. I may not have the millions of followers that some of my celebrity clients do, but at least I know they are mine and they are interested in what I have to say and what I have to offer. These are all things to consider as you become more visible.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
To attract more business –build an ecosystem. If you go to the lake and cast your fishing rod to catch each fish separately –this will be exhausting. The better way to catch more fish aka clients is to create a beautiful ecosystem where all the fish will be swimming toward you. Then you take a large net and scoop them up. Google and Apple do this –once you dive into their products you can’t get out. They continue to offer you more and more within their collection because you are part of their community. If you are a consultant sell books, give freebies, add classes –always have something new to offer as part of your system. Create your world and you will attract like-minded fans.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.AnitaRosenberg.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AnitaRosenbergStudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anitarosenbergstudio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitarosenbergstudio/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HollywoodShui
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AnitaRosenberg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@anitarosenbergstudio?lang=en
Image Credits
copyright photos by Anita Rosenberg