Meet Anna Cipolla | Seasoned Global Marketer + Newly Licensed Realtor

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

Hi Anna, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking…even the word feels…well…risky. Some of my most thrilling accomplishments and career moves have happened by taking the first step out into the unknown and risking something…security, familiarity, comfort, a paycheck, etc. I think taking risks is critical to advancement in your career and life. I don’t think we were made to stay stagnant in a life of pure comfort and ease or monotony, which certainly is easy to fall into during these pandemic years. Like any muscle, you have to exercise your risk muscles so they don’t atrophy. With that said though, I also think it’s critical to know the times to take action and take a risk versus the times to stay put. These days the world screams at us to “jump for our dreams”, “get moving”, “take bold risks!” But that’s not always possible. We need to consider the seasons of life we’re in and trust that there will be times where we must take a risk, and times when we must stay put for one reason or another.

A little bit about my story; in 2009 I graduated from college, it was the height of unemployment after the 2008 housing crash. Being a new college graduate, I was eager to put my degree to use and start my career. I focused my job search in Atlanta, but quickly realized I would need to broaden it elsewhere when jobs here were few and far between. As I did that, my desires changed quickly and I realized I really wanted to do something daring and move outside of the comforts of my hometown. Fortunately, after numerous job rejections, I landed a marketing trainee position at Sony Pictures Television in Los Angeles. I would barely make enough to cover rent and groceries, but I had no other options, and a lingering deep desire for adventure, so I accepted and moved my life to Culver City, California. That single decision to accept a 6-month temporary position with little pay was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I was in a position to take this risk. I had a strong desire to move, I was single with no real commitments, and few financial needs, so risk I did.

I spent 6 months learning about the television industry and working alongside a dynamic team of marketing individuals. I met new friends who became like family who also moved to California from all over the country…really the world. I remember one day, in particular, attending an interview shoot with some of the cast of the NBC series Community. We interviewed the actress, Yvette Nicole Brown and she spoke about landing her role on the show, and participating in the first table read. She shared how blessed she felt to sit beside a king of comedy like Chevy Chase who starred in the show. At that moment, I knew exactly how she felt because I felt the same in my new role. Who was I, “small-town Anna,” to work alongside television executives and learn from these incredible brilliant-minded marketers?

From there I was hired on full-time and my career really began. In my 9 years in Los Angeles, I had the privilege to work for other incredible companies like ABC and Hasbro on the Disney Princess account. Each job I took was challenging. I never showed up to a job thinking “I know exactly what I’m doing here.” At ABC, I worked with advertisers and put products into scripted television shows like Modern Family and Scandal. At Hasbro, I literally learned to build a Princess doll and market it. I had no idea how much work went into making little girl’s dreams come true until that experience.

After 3 years at Hasbro and the birth of my first daughter, it became clear to me…and eventually to my LA-loving husband, that it was time to take another risk. We quit our jobs and moved across the country to my hometown of Marietta. Now, some would say this was dumb. Leaving the financial security of our jobs and the community we had built to literally start over from square one with a newborn was certainly daunting. But my mental health and the deep desire to raise our daughter close to family was worth the risk. And boy, did taking that leap once again pay off in spades for my entire family.
I could go on and on about the risks I’ve taken and where they’ve landed me in my life and career. Some have paid off more than others, but they have always pushed me forward in a new direction and brought great challenges and great joy along with them.

Throughout 2020, I took another risk and studied for my real estate license. I still work full-time in marketing, which I love, but I felt the strong pull to try something new and help make the home purchasing and selling process as smooth as possible for friends and family.

So, I want to leave you with this…ask yourself…what season of life are you in and what’s pulling on your heartstrings? Is now the time to take that leap and make a risky move? If yes, get moving. Don’t let self-doubt or other people’s opinions hold you back. Just take it step-by-step and the journey will unfold before you. And if it’s not a good season to take a risk, that is totally fine too. Trust that a time will come and you will need to push yourself to take that risk. Make a plan to get into a position to allow yourself to make that bold move. We were made to enjoy our lives and we cannot fully do that if we don’t take risks and move forward.

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?
I’ve had so many fantastic mentors throughout my career in both marketing and real estate. They’ve invested personal time into my career development and advancement which ultimately has allowed me to flourish. My parents and husband have also supported me every step of the way and encouraged me when I’ve been afraid to make a move due to a fear of failure, that even if I fall (like I have so many times before) I know how to pick myself back up and move forward.

Website: https://annacipollaweb.harrynorman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna_cipolla_real_estate/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-cipolla-42655116/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anna.holzman