Meet Annie Wood | Writer, Actor, Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annie Wood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Ever since I can remember, the idea of working for someone else didn’t feel like it would be a good fit for me. I have too many of my own passions and ideas to be able to commit fully to someone else’s passions and ideas. So, I really never thought about starting my own business, I just always behaved as if my life is my business and I will find a way to make money from doing what I love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I used to have my own TV show A nationally syndicated dating game show called BZZZ! (it just enjoyed a re-airing in Feb 2020 on BuzzrTV!)
Having my own TV show was a lifelong dream come true. I told E! Entertainment News in a segment, “All I ever wanted was a dog and my own TV show. Now I have both!” I was flying high. I hired my best friend at the time to be my personal assistant, kept good friends close by, and traveled the country promoting the show. I was only in my 20s, and I was already living the dream. My specific dream that I wholeheartedly believed I created with my own sheer will. At the time, in the 90s, only two women before me were solo dating game show hosts in the history of television. The idea at the time is that people didn’t want to hear instructions from women. Also around that time, the same was said in the voice over world when it came to announcers. That’s around the time I became the announcer for several products, including Baskin Robbins and Giant Foods supermarkets. I heard the sexism, but didn’t pay attention and just kept moving forward. Thankfully, a lot has changed in the business in regards to this. As a writer, I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I’ve had my plays produced and poems published and when the internet came around I started writing and sharing online. After my mom passed away in 2015 I started writing about grief for the Huffington Post. I have three books out now, Dandy Day, A Quantum Love Adventure and my young adult novel, Just a Girl in the Whirl. My next book is an illustrated young adult novel, Charcoal. I created more than 50 original artworks for it and I can’t wait to share it with everyone! I believe the most important thing I can share is the absolute necessity that you be your biggest fan. Self love isn’t just a nice concept for a meme, it’s crucial. If you love yourself you will want what’s best for you. If you truly want that you will take actions that match that desire. This is your beautiful life to make as beautiful as you desire. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
1. Shop at Trader Joes for picnic stuff and picnic on the beach 2. Spend a day at LACMA. After seeing the exhibits we stop off at the gift shop, buy some books then head over to Ray’s for some lunch.
3. Visit Huntington Gardens.
4. Check out a rooftop movie at the Montalban theatre in Hollywood.
5. See a movie at iPic Westwood or the Bay Theatre in Pacific Palisades where they have fancy seats and cocktails
6. Road trip to Santa Barbara where we’d walk on the wharf and grab some lunch then walk on the beach.
7. Spend the day at the Andaz Hotel pool in West Hollywood

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The biggest influence in my life was my beautiful mom, Avigail. She showed by example what it meant to be a strong, hilarious, utterly unique woman in the world. She didn’t follow the fold and always did what felt right for her and she gave me the space to become whomever I was to become. I am forever grateful that I had her for as long as I did. I dedicate everything beautiful I make to her. My favorite male human is my husband, Peter Arpesella. He’s also an actor and has been 100% supportive in all that I do. His belief in me is unshakeable. It helps beyond measure to have people in your life who see you fully.

Website: https://www.anniewood.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniewoodworld/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniewoodworld/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anniewood

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/welcometoanniewood

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=sY8XF3eef4Y-fcsEOE9m0w

Other: My online art gallery – https://www.artistanniewood.com Etsy shop – https://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodVibesByAnnieWood?ref=profile_header Newsletter sign-up – https://mailchi.mp/09e463bf0f70/anniewoodnewsletter Profile on Medium – https://medium.com/@anniewoodinhollywood