Please introduce yourself. What do you do? Why? What do you want people to know about you?
Hi friends, my name is Anna Russo. I am originally from Germany with Italian Roots, living my California Dream.
I started my career as a professional Hair and Makeup Artist 15 years ago. Back then, only in Germany, but later I discovered Europe and worked in Paris, Milan, Barcelona, and other European hotspots for fashion shows and film productions.
I had achieved so much so fast so I decided to try my luck in Los Angeles, where I was challenged the very first time in my career as an entrepreneur. But I hate regrets about things I’ve never had the balls to do, so I jumped right in.
I never give up and my learnings are my most valuable currency. I see the beauty in EVERYTHING and I’m not afraid to fail. Now I own my company and brand Luxury Problems, I developed a unisex luxury beauty product, have a German and English Podcast/YouTube channel for visionary people that want more out of life, and act as well model successfully in the industry.
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
I’m not attached to the idea of pleasing everybody’s needs and wants. The only person you should ever make it right to is yourself.
I’m not only a girl that loves makeup and hair, but I’ve also always seen the big picture and I’m in love with tech – nuances, business and personal developments and always loved the idea of being a pioneer in everything I start.
I always wanted to be the name, that people especially “creatives” associate with an institution for success, happiness, and living a life of purpose.
I love to give and see others grow, especially when they come to my coaching program and I see their whole journey and development, what they had to overcome and me being a part of this, fulfills me tremendously.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you’re doing what you were born to do.
It took me a long time to realize, that I don’t need anybody to achieve whatever I want to achieve. I always thought I needed a business partner or big funding to be successful, happy, and fulfilled.
Now I know better, after all the failures and disappointments that I had with these false illusions. One day I couldn’t take it any more. The pressure was too much and I knew, in order to succeed, I simply just need to be my authentic self (which I was scared of for a long time). But this realization changed everything for me, my business, and my clients.
If you think that you need this person or that money, because you yourself are not powerful enough etc. then stop right here! YOU ARE CAPABLE OF EVERYTHING.
Your passion is your drive and your results are your gas to keep going and building that momentum is just the most important to build a solid foundation. Not only for your business but especially for your confidence as an entrepreneur.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to go through and how did you grow through it?
The biggest challenge of my life I had, when I decided to come to America and I thought everything is going to work out like in a perfect Hollywood Movie. *roll my eyes lol
I partnered up with the wrong business partner, that promised me the world and great opportunities, if I take care of business here in LA (while his ass was always in Germany) which was ok for me because I saw the bigger picture.
So I sold everything in Germany – my car, my apartment, I donated all my clothes and just came to America with 2 Bags and got a Office on Hollywood Blvd.
While I was building my Network and great Business relationships in the first 2 months, I was wondering where my final Visa documents are so I called him, since I only had 1 month left on my visa I had at this time.
He said, he doesn’t have the money and we cant continue this project…
Which meant, that I had to move back to Germany, after living 3 months in a tiny office without shower and toilet, so I had to go to LA Fitness every morning to take care of my hygiene there…Which I was all ok with…I SAW THE BIGGER PICTURE!!!
So, I left LA after 3 months building the business BUT i was smart enough to trick my brain, and I left my 2 Bags in the office that I rented and just traveled back to Germany with a fanny pack.
I had to pretend that I’m just back to “pick-up” my Visa, because everybody told me ahead of time “you’re back in Germany anyways soon”, “Anna every girls has that Hollywood dream, why should you even make it”
So I had to pretend everything is perfect, but it was not.
In my head I knew I had to come up with something fast.
I NEEDED PASSIVE INCOME was my first thought.
I was coaching in Makeup Academies and thought “why not just filming how I’m teaching and sell it online”
Sure enough I pitched it a few days later to one of the biggest Cosmetic Companies worldwide and got immediately a 5 figure funding in order to create my first online Makeup School, which i named AROMS (Anna Russo Online Makeup School)
Everything after this is history, I got back to LA without business parnter and encourage everyone to do the same. YOU CAN DO IT ALL YOURSELF.
No Risk no Fun Baby 😉
Who are the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could elevate your career or business? Why these specific individuals?
Madonna – she’s a Diva a fashion icon, having her as a client would not only be a challenge, because I know she knows what she wants but also asking her where she got her ideas and inspiration as a young woman from
Sadhguru – just his spiritual knowledge and wisdom itself is mind blowing.
I would just enjoy a carefree and deep spiritual conversation about Life, Death, Purpose and things we cant see with our eyes and cant explain
Dwayne Johnson – I’m a action Movie junkie and even I NEVER watch TV but i love adrenaline. I adore his discipline and big heart and i would ask him if i can be his Co-star in his next Action Movie 🙂
Drop your social media links.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/annarusso.secrets
Instagram: www.instagram.com/do.you.have.luxury.problems
Youtube (English): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8I0YNFLr8Vk46lFg4bFZkw
Youtube (German): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_PP_XkyiS611G6sh6JOxA
Podcast (English): https://open.spotify.com/show/3feUvJblKsApen8lMhT8Nc?si=29907a37bbfa4c9d
Podcast (German): https://open.spotify.com/show/5gL2Pxs8ccoAVq7DE9TIad?si=1f5495f6bd2c46d8
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@russo_anna17