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

Hi Malin, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

When I was younger I worked a lot more 24 7, especially when I lived in NYC. Then I actually enjoyed it, and I would not want to change any of  that. It also makes you get a solid work ethic! Now when I am older I have learned how to balance work and my spare time. I am the one always telling everyone I work with to go outside for a walk, take a break during the day, meditate,  and try not work late nights and def not weekends unless you absolutely have to. You need to rest to be able to give it 110% the time you do work to stay focused. Everyone needs it. And because of the pandemic everyone started to realize how good it is to take a break, you need rest and recharge or you will hit a wall and break down. And it is not worth it. I have seen it happen with friends and it is not fun.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So I started out in film when I was 18 years old, by chance I ended up as a script girl on a feature although I had no experience. I wanted to work in production and was stubborn and rang every production company in the phonebook from A-Z and found one that I could do an internship with. I loved it! But I also wanted to try something else . So I called up the editor in chief at ELLE asking her for a job at the magazine, she did not have anything at the time,  but recommended I call her ex husbands wife, she was an agent for fashion photographers and stylists.  We meet and then that is how it started. 

After three years I then moved from Sweden to London for another three years and then to NYC for seven years all the time working as an agent & manager with high level fashion photographers and stylists for  brands such as: W Magazine , Vogue Japan, Vogue US, Armani, Jcrew, Aveda, Tommy Hilfiger, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, , etc. Then I unfortunately had to move back home to Sweden because of family reasons. So then I decided to open up my own agency representing fashion photographers, illustrators and Creative directors. I was then called up by a bigger agency in Paris and was offered a partnership for Scandinavia, Germany & England. We had offices in Paris, Milano, Sweden and New York. I loved it and we worked with even bigger clients such as : Burberry, Vogue UK, German Vogue, H&M, Laura Mercier,  Isabel Marant, Porter Magazine, Net a porter, Acne studios, Mary Katrantzou, Vogue Paris to name a few. After 7 years I decided it was time to change city again, and decided upon LA! I think what sets me apart is that I have dared to take risks, I have not given up! I have worked really hard. And I have not been afraid to take on a challenge, or to move to another country and city to fullfill my dreams. And my journey around the world pursuing my career has now brought me full circle – working with film again! And I am having the time of my life. I am now the Director of Artist Management at NEER managing the most incredible group of filmmakers and working on campaigns for Brioni, Estée Lauder, Vanity Fair, Louis Vuitton, Valentino and going to festivals such as AICP, Tribeca film festival etc.  And always, ALWAYS be nice to everyone, cause you never know where you end up in life and where they end up and you might need to help each other out.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Griffith Park for a hike for sure, as well as the mountains in  Santa Monica. Brunch at Soho House where the view from the Weho location is just stunning! The enormous Century City to show a big shopping mall, the smaller stores in Silverlake where it feels more cool. The french bistro Cafe Stella in Silverlake for amazing steak frites and the best bar and people watching, Black Cat is a great alternative and just around the corner. Then of course you have the classic Craig’s and Sunset Tower Bar & Hotel for a bit more luxury and celebrity watching. In West Hollywood there is this little hidden restaurant called Noras, they make the best drinks and have the cutest back yard ever, perfect for date night!A day out in Malibu /Zuma beach with brunch at the Swedish place on the pier : Malibu Farm Pier Cafe , they have Swedish hot dogs !You have to go people watching in Venice, walk on the beachwalk the canals and of course the famous Abbot Kinney Blvd for shopping and even more people watching. Go to the Butchers daughter for a wonderful vegan lunch or dinner, and also Great white for possibly the best brunch in LA, make sure to be there early cause the line gets long and you cant make any reservations!Of course then you have to head to Palm Springs for 2 days and spend a full day  in Joshua Tree. AND you can’t be in LA without going to at least one of the big flea markets, preferably Rose Bowl flea market, but also the one in Long beach and the smaller one in Santa Monica are really nice!

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?
My mother! She never stopped me from doing what I wanted. She lives in Sweden and works as a healer, I am her only child so it was hard for her when I moved to London and then NYC and now LA. She always supported my every step, and have been there when I felt down and was not sure I could do it, and when thing did not work out the way I wanted and hoped.  She always believed in me and still does.

She herself was never able to live or work abroad so she wants me to get that experience. I love her more than anything!

Website: http://artandaid.se/ ( my charity ). www.neermotion.com   www.neerfilms.com  www.artandaid.se (charity) www.troublemanagement.com

Instagram: malin_m_stenborg

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

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

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