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

Hi ingrid, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I grew up by following a general motto that is: “in media stat virtus” (virtue is in the middle), and, even if I don’t always succeed, I believe that in life there is a priority which is life itself. I tend to the balance by first remembering it. This comes from my cultural heritage, from the habits and customs of my people. I believe that it is useless to talk about perspectives and even more about evolution in this slave system.

Having started my career at a young age, I was completely shaped, I mean professionally modified. And this is probably the reason why, even today I am what I do. So far it seems I play my parts well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I can count myself lucky. I was a teenager when an Italian entrepreneur saw me acting and dancing, and offered me a contract as a performer that paved the way for my professional career. I immediately joined professionals in the sector from whom I also learned the side business of entertainment. Therefore I launched myself as an entrepreneur in the entertainment, hospitality and guest industry.

The first year of activity my company “Etnica Animazione & Spettacolo” dealt with 6 tourist facilities in Southern Italy by participating in the International Tourism Exchange and obtaining the interest of the regional newspapers for the offer of 100 jobs seasonal with a better remuneration than the large Italian companies that dealt with the management of tourist resorts. At that time, female entrepreneurs in this sector, in my country, could be counted on the fingers of one hand and Facebook was not even been conceived.

While coordinating 6 staffs, I continued to perform. This also gave me financial independence that also helped me to produce my shows. I lived and worked in an area of the Mediterranean sea called Costa Degli Dei (Gods’Coast) I had all the best and there was nothing else I could wish for!

Moving from Naples (Italy) to California was unexpected. Getting the results I am getting was not a walk in the park.Despite the love and support from of family, I experienced some moments of despair and at some point I felt stuck.
I had to fill the feeling of emptiness by building a new life. I followed the suggestion of comedian Milton Berle who says, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” I built a small door which then opened.

Eventually, as I became more familiar with the language and lifestyle, I decided it was time for action.

Today I am proud of the goals I have managed to achieve, even if, in reality I don’t know if I have overcome the challenge. Eduardo De Filippo, a famois Italian writer, used to say: “exams never end!” I believe so are the challenges. Don’t you think? I find interesting to challenge myself and to enjoy the path which, regardless of the goal, is first itself part of my evolution which for me is the real final goal.

I continued working as an artist manager, as a performer, as a journalist, getting to know the artistic scenario of Los Angeles, that also helped me expanding the network of contacts. I have obtained consensus and trust abroad by starting with interviews with big names of music industry such as Eddie Kramer (LED ZEPPELIN), Serj Tankian (SOAD), Ross Hobarth (LA TOYA JACKSON), Ludovico Einaudi and collaborating with Italian and foreign publishers and magazines.
I have worked as a talent scout, author and host for “U.S.A. United States of Artists” introducing artists and bands that pursue the American dream, on RadiostarTV Rome.

Everything was taking on bright colors. Events, interviews, parties and more connections in this plastic enviroment.

However what really interested me was to build something that was continuous.
I had thoughts and ideas that soon after I started to realize thanks to Low Pulse Project that gives me the daily bread. Beside dealing with music productions (we do booking, create shows and organize of events and multi-art workshops and also publish stuff) that we usually do for others we find some spots to produce and publish our own creatures too.

One of of which is a book that I have written for foreign children to learn Italian. It is entitled I Miei Primi 10 Passi (My First 10 Steps) and is suitable for non-Italian speaker parents. It includes 10 nursery rhymes / songs, 10 short stories, 10 beautiful colorful illustrations by South African artist Begona True, full English translation and grammar notes. It is available in all countries of the world, request especially in Canada and Australia that gratifies me a lot. The nursery rhymes are set to music by Daniele De Cario and can be listened to by visiting the youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWOaWZzqG2lSv-QorT1Zapg
or by purchasing the cd https://www.amazon.com/I-miei-primi-10-passi/dp/B07CVXVSBN.

One of the most recent creatures to which I care a lot is Napulitanamente, a paper and online publication featuring Neapolitan heritage abroad, that, for obvious historical and geographical reasons, unfolds to the entire Mediterranean area “From Naples to Tehran!”

Napulitanamente magazine is a project that started, as a side project, two years ago. Although it turned out to be an unexpected success. In fact it is gaining interest from different parts of the world and giving us a lot of satisfaction. Most of all I am proud of this project because it is reaching the purpose for which it was born and that is basically to rediscover and spread culture and beauty.
Since I moved abroad I realized incorrect information about the history and culture of my country. That is not all. Those wrong and offensive information is also disseminated by Italian cultural channels themselves.

I have decided to do something solid and continuous that can dispel myths and clichés built on the history and culture of my people.

Furthermore, through Napulitanamente magazine we introduce Mediterranean talents to the world and get to know other wonderful cultures through the discovery of their beauty.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are many places to go in Los Angeles. You can get lost like in a toy store and there is something for almost everyone. However it depends from your needs. Being a “green witch” the thing I enjoy most is a walk in Griffith Park. It is surrounded by the sound of nature that I love to hear and, in flashes, it is truly wild and fascinating. There are spots that were once lived in by the natives of America and have remained the same over time. I go up to the observatory from which you can see the whole city, and which overlooks the cloud of smog. It is an evocative, very particular view, especially at sunset. A tour in Griffith Park is nice but can also be tiring. The open space, the acrid smell of the earth, the scent of plants, and the long paths require energy and so at some point you get hungry. Then I would recommend that you go back reach your car at the parking lot and go to a place that is special for me. A pearl of design that offers a beautiful environment and excellent food. It is named L’ Antica Pizzeria da Michele and it is located at 1534 N McCadden Pl. It’s a place where you can find the real Neapolitan pizza, with ingredients that come directly from Naples, Italy. The owner, Francesco Zimone is a valid Neapolitan entrepreneur, a dear friend and a lovely person.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost I always thank my family for their love and support. In particular my brother who is my half and is always supportive and my sister-in-law who is a valid librarian. She gave me the first important elements, especially the language, to be able to integrate myself into the community. Then I want to thanks dear old Antonio De Monte and his lovely wife RoseMary who helped me and encouraged me at the beginning of my staying in Los Angeles. I want to thanks dear Franco Brescia of Il Corriere di Los Angeles with whom I collaborated and to whom I am very grateful because he has been very patient and often he cooked spaghrtti for me! Most of all I say thanks to Low Pulse Project (https://lowpulseproject.com/) (https://danieledecario.com/) who bears me with love.

(https://www.graconproductions.com/)
with whom the collaboration always gives excellent results.

Website: https://www.napulitanamente.com/

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPoQAYXD3AK1QM4xRygE3A

Image Credits
Low Pulse Project 

Alex Ciuffrida

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