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

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I literally am what people call a “self-made-entrepreneur” because I didn’t inherit some family business, but I created it from the scratch. It’s hard to say what actually sets me apart from the others, because when I start a new business adventure I never think about myself and I mainly focus on my purpose, my objective, my goal.
Unlike the common belief, real managers are not selfish but selfless: because they know that the people who are working for them come first!
My path has never ever been an easy one, but I’d lie if I wouldn’t say that’s been extremely rewarding!
To overcome all the obstacles you should always think about what you could do better the next time rather than whining and complaining about what went wrong the last time.
As awarded and successful film director Ava DuVernay recently said “If your dream only includes you, then it’s too small”: that teaches us how important is to recognize the help and the fundamental contribute of others to our good work.
I’d love the world to know how – through my agency LAfirstep – I’ve been able to make many people’s dream to happen, simply by using all my managerial skills to make them succeed!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A week long trip is not that much time in L.A.! But I’d say that the Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, The Grove (in La Brea or in Glendale, for shopping), the Universal Studios together with some hiking trails such as the Hollywood Hills are definitely worthy experiences.
In terms of dining… well I am Italian and I love some classic original Italian places such as NOVO Cafe (in Westlake Village and Burbank) or Pasquale in Beverly Hills.
The classic all-American restaurants that I love are Musso & Frank in Hollywood Boulevard, the Chateau Marmont on Sunset and Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I do honestly believe that – as the poet John Donne said – “no man is an island entire of itself” and we all should sincerely recognize how we’ve been helped in our lives, to get to some levels of success. In my particular case the Italian/American community I created through the years, on Facebook (https://italoamericano.org/epicureology) and in general (https://www.italianialosangeles.org) it’s been one of the most important motivation to move forward and create new businesses, in order to fill some necessary needs on the market.

Website: https://www.astaroxproductions.com

Instagram: @paolamariasavoia

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paola-cipollina-5a971b1a

Twitter: https://twitter.com/savoiapaola?lang=en

Facebook: https://it-it.facebook.com/paolamaria.savoia

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcO5VnDFlq7nWO7ohZwyPXw

Other: https://www.lafirstep.com https://www.savoyfer.com

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