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

Hi Anastasia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I believe that taking risks is an essential part of a happy and fulfilling life. While society imposes certain norms and expectations, it is important to remember what truly brings joy and happiness. In my case, I was expected to secure a “regular” job right after graduation and climb the so-called career ladder. However, deep down in my heart, I knew that this was not at all what I wanted or was ready to dedicate my life to. That is why I spend most of my time creating content, building partnerships with amazing brands and expanding my social media presence. While it is a risk to invest all my time in something as abstract as social media, I am confident it is a much better use of my time, since with each day I dedicate to it, I am closer to my dream.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As someone who loves to create videos, travel, host, enjoy good food and shop, my work culminates in a combination of all these passions. I strive to deliver content that inspires others. Whether it is a travel destination, a dinner with friends I am organizing or a new clothing find, I want to beautifully capture it to showcase to my audience. Therefore, I invest a lot of effort, time and attention into everything I share. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to just go for it, as you will never succeed if you do not try. The more time you spend pursuing what you want to do, the better you become at it. I am excited to hone my craft, expand my reach and see where this journey takes me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is one of my favorite questions because I love creating travel guides! Los Angeles has so much to offer, making it easy to have a great time. Here is the itinerary for exploring LA, with each day focusing on a particular area or neighborhood to showcase the city’s versatility.

Monday:
Start your week off with breakfast right on the beach at Shutters on the Beach
Check out the Santa Monica Pier and the surrounding beach
For lunch, indulge in a West Coast favorite, In-N-Out, on Washington Blvd (my go-to is the animal-style cheeseburger with raw and grilled onions)
Rent a small boat from Marina Del Rey to experience LA from the water
Stroll around the marina as the sun sets
For dinner, enjoy the best hand rolls at Kazu Nori or freshly made pasta at Uovo on Admiralty Way

Tuesday:
Start your day at Cafe 27 in Topanga with a delicious turmeric latte overlooking Topanga Canyon
Explore Hidden Treasures Vintage, The Well Refill, Canyon Gourmet, Topanga Mercantile and other little shops for interesting and artisanal gifts and trinkets
Next, head over to Malibu Country Mart and grab takeout from Taverna Tony for amazing Greek food
Drive to Zuma Beach to soak up the sun, watch dolphins and enjoy the sunset over your late lunch
On your way back, have dinner at Mastro’s Ocean Club, renowned for its delicious steak and seafood

Wednesday:
Start your morning at the Getty Museum, where you can enjoy delicious banana bread muffins and coffee while exploring its extensive art collection
Head over to Rodeo Drive and the Golden Triangle for high-end shopping and admire the beautiful shop adornments
For lunch, savor pasta at the famous Il Fornaio
Relax at the Bel Air Hotel spa
Finally, enjoy cocktails and light bites as the sun sets at the Waldorf Astoria rooftop

Thursday:
Grab coffee and breakfast at Go Get Em Tiger on Hollywood Blvd
Rent a swan boat in Echo Park for a fun activity
Stop by Alcove on Hillhurst Ave for a delicious lunch
Visit Griffith Observatory to take in all of LA and stay to watch the sunset and the city lights after dark
End the evening with dinner at Cara Hotel, enjoying the most romantic atmosphere

Friday:
Start your day with an iced latte and a zucchini tomato quiche at Caffe Luxxe in Pacific Palisades
Shop around at the beautiful Pacific Palisades village
Grab a pizza and a sandwich at Jemma Pizzeria, then enjoy a picnic with incredible ocean views at Pacific Palisades Bluffs
Take some time to house hunt in the neighborhood
Finish the day at the luxurious Bay Theater, where you can enjoy dinner while watching a movie

Saturday:
Enjoy brunch at Ivy at the Shore
Rent a bike and drive down Venice bike trail
Stroll along Abbot Kinney and shop at the unique boutiques
Don’t forget to stop by the Venice Canals to see the charming houses and little boats
Explore the Georgian Room speakeasy for live jazz performances and delicious dinner

Sunday:
Start your morning with a hike to the Hollywood Sign to see LA’s most iconic landmark
Grab a coffee and a pastry at Erewhon in Fairfax
Visit the Melrose Trading Post to search for artisan goods and antique finds
Enjoy delicious sushi at Catch LA for lunch
Explore Melrose Avenue for cute shops, like House of CB, AMI Paris and Reformation
End your week with a movie night at the Melrose Rooftop Theatre

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Sadly, posting on social media often brings a lot of judgment from others, or at least the fear of it. Thankfully, I am blessed with the most supportive and loving friends and family who are always there to talk me out of feeling insecure or scared to put myself out there. They are my biggest fans, which helps me to keep going. So, thank you, Connor, Barbara, Dasha and Tasya, for making me feel confident and valued. Your encouragement means the world to me and inspires me to continue pursuing my passion.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasia.ak/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@anastasiaakimkina

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anastasia.ak?_t=8r9JsAUCUxe&_r=1

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.