Tori Green: Who are you? What do you do?
Anya Nicolodi: I am a model/content creator. I create content for myself as well as other models and influencers
Tori: What was your first business (including running your own business)? How long did this last or are you still involved in the same business?
Anya: My first business was my recipe book, which totally flopped but my failure actually manifested into a completely different opportunity and now I also am a personal chef on occasion.
Tori: Biggest challenge? How did you get through it?
Anya: My biggest challenge has probably been healing from childhood trauma, ie both parents being alcoholics. It's been a long journey and i'm still going through it, but I’ve learned so much about myself, my triggers, my anxieties, and I’ve learned how to create boundaries, though I am still learning these skills.
Tori: What is something that you wish you could go back and tell yourself before starting this journey?
Anya: I wish I could go back and ingrain the “fuck what people think” mentality into my head because that has been the bane of my existence. Like if i were to consider the opinions of others while trying to execute my goals i’d still be sleeping until the afternoon, missing out on opportunities and putting on a façade that wasn’t at all true to myself.
Tori: What did you do before owning your own/running your business?
Anya: Before I really delved into the business / creator world, I was studying marketing and actually worked for a plastic surgeon office creating casual content.
Tori: What/who made you take the first leap?
Anya: I’d definitely say I'm nowhere near where i’d like to be but that mentality in itself is what drives me everyday to push forward and exceed my own expectations. I try to live in the moment while also reminding myself that nobody is going to make it happen for me besides myself. Little efforts, habits, that formulate a routine and then become a lifestyle are what I've been focusing on.
Tori: Who was the first to believe in you and give you real support (financial/sweat equity)?
Anya: My mom, dad and my step mom were the first to believe in me and I owe them everything.
Tori: Was this your dream job? If not, what was?
Anya: I used to dream of being first an anesthesiologist (oh how things have changed) and then that shifted to wanting to be an architect, both of which so aren’t me.
Tori: Why did you get into this field?
Anya: I was actually sort of unintentionally thrown into it, my girlfriend posted a photo of us that went viral when the instagram algorithm was more conducive for growth and after that I started getting brand deals, then I started creating content for the brands, then myself and that's sort of the birth of my unintentional love for creating content/fashion.
Tori: What is your biggest failure that you turned into a success?
Anya: My biggest failure was for sure my recipe book but that failure forced me to look inward and really take the time to organize my thoughts and goals, then manifested into something else that i’m actually just as happy if not happier doing.n
Tori: If you could change one thing about your life today for the better, what would it be?
Anya: I absolutely am still working on organization and time management, as I am extremely busy but also really value “me time”
Tori: How is your life/work balance? Body, mind, and soul weekly routine? 13. Do you say/write out affirmations?
Anya: Well it's certainly difficult.. I haven’t gotten back into writing but everyday when I wake up, I take a few minutes to myself without my phone, to set my intentions for the day or if written down in my planner/notebook the previous night I will go over those and what I have to do for that day. I stretch, exercise my body whenever I can to help get rid of tension and stress, I catch up with loved ones, do a lot of self care/face masks. I think the main thing for me is just to give myself a break, not to be so hard on myself and take things one step at a time. I’ve gone my whole life thus far rushing, thinking time is running out but that thought process lead me to actually completely not be in the moment. For instance, if I'm brushing my teeth, I don't need to be sitting there in a different dimension thinking about what I'm going to do next, because then brushing my teeth is going to feel like it's taking ten years and it's just going to suck. If I say hey okay for the next two and a half minutes you're gonna be chillin right here brushing these teeth, that's exactly what i'm going to do and try to have a good time doing it- it's just what helps me be present.
Tori: When was the last time you tried something new/ Stepped out of routine?
Anya: Every single day. I am a creature of habit with a surprising constant need for spontaneity and discovery. I like the main aspects of my life to be constant but I definitely need to switch things up. Even if that looks like changing my style completely, wearing something i'm not familiar with wearing, doing an activity I've never done before or even taking a completely different route to where i'm going normally
Tori: Favorite book that changed your life?
Anya: Non violent communication.
Tori: Do you think your gender gives you an advantage or disadvantage in today’s world?
Anya: For me personally I feel as though it's been more of an advantage than disadvantage, that being said though I will absolutely not neglect the disadvantages of being a decent looking 24 year old woman.
Tori: Have you experienced different treatment from your peers of the opposite sex?
Anya: Absolutely, guys are literally nicer to me when I have makeup on, wearing a push up bra, and when I just look overall perhaps more physically appealing to them.
Tori: What advice would you give your children/ future children about succeeding in a patriarchal society?
Anya: I would tell them to keep their heads high, cultivate their strong reliable relationships and carry them to the end, and lastly to always maintain composure because especially being a woman in society, being erratic or appearing emotionally unstable will only be a disadvantage. It’s really important not to let others opinions waver your confidence… but it's just as important to do the things that make you FEEL confident, because it's one thing to appear confident but it's truly something else to be and feel it.
Tori: If you could talk to a young boy/girl from your hometown neighborhood who aspires to have your career/job/focus what would tell them? Advice.
Anya: I would tell them to CREATE CREATE CREATE. And stop waiting for good lighting or acne or weight to go away and get on tik tok while the algorithm is the way that it is and start posting content about literally anything you are passionate about or that interests you.
Tori: Fun fact about you?
Anya: I can speak french! lol
Tori: Number one piece of advice you remember?
Anya: Always get back up even if it doesn't feel like an immediate reason to.
Tori: Where can we find you online?
Anya: IG @Anyanicolodi