Hello Darlings,

The Future is Female! 

You got that right and I love that my entire brand and upcoming book totally highlights women sharing their personal stories and how they are making a difference in the world!!!  Not to mention, kicking ass and taking names in every industry.  Nothing lights me up more than sharing these amazing women’s wisdom and successes on my many platforms❤️❤️❤️❤️

Buttttttt, enough about me……….

Here is another one of my Drop Dead Gorgeous Goddesses, Julia Lescova, @julialescova which I am so honored to have her in my upcoming book, “Empowered Women that Empower Women- Vol 1″📚 

Julia is one beauty that I always have my eye on.  When we did our interview🎙, 4 years ago, her portfolio made my jaw drop to the effing floor💋💋I’m not even kidding! And it still does. 

Since our interview she has gotten married to the man of her dreams and welcomed a precious little girl in the world.

Watching her growth is so inspiring and her family is so adorable!!!!

This Latvian model (Russian Descendant), was the 2011 face of @guess campaign ⭐️Presented the “Best Model in the World Award”🥇Also walks for numerous fashion designers; to gracing the covers of over 40+ magazines; @revlon campaign; numerous brand campaigns and featured in the pages of countless magazines.

She was Sports Illustrated‘s “Lovely Lady of the Day” on September 9, 2016. 💕Julia has also worked with the world’s top designers like @marcjacobs @giorgioarmani , Vivienne Westwood, Mariela Burani, @pierecardinsemarang La pearl, and many others.  Julia has also appeared in the Dream Fashion tour where music artists, fashion designers/models, and beauty queens come together❤️❤️❤️

Holy Smokes, she is unstoppable!!!!!

Now go check out her fabulous portfolio on Instagram: @julialescova

On a side note: I had such a blast learning all about her heritage, where she came from, details on how she grew up and the ups and downs of her journey. If you want to be inspired, then you want to continue reading our interview below⭐️

I appreciate you so much @julialescova for sharing your story with me and going it to great depth about your journey. Thank you for joining me in my journey and being apart of my book project 📚🎙💛

I love and adore you beautiful🥰

Julia Lescova
The Latvian – American Model

Featured Entrepreneur: Julia Lescova  

Mom 1^st, Wife & Latvian – American Model

Interviewed by: Anna Svetlik De La Rosa 

Episode # 50

Date: 1/26/2021

 

Q1. What did you want to be growing up?

I wanted to be in the fashion industry, so I decided to pursue being a model and that was my starting point. 

Q2. Where are you from? 

I’m from a town called Daugavpils, it’s in a small country of Latvia, officially known as the Republic of Latvia, on the coast of the Baltic Sea, which is in Europe. 

Q3. Tell us about your career as a model. How did you get started?  

At first, I got discovered at a beauty contest in my city, when I was 15 years old to join the leading model agency in Riga, which is the capital of Latvia. Once I joined that agency, I started working as a model, doing local fashion shows and shoots for magazines and local brands. Then at 16 years old, I was scouted by an Italian modeling agency where they sent me to work in Milan. I was staying in Milan for about 2-5 months at a time and then coming home for intensive studies to finish my school work.

I managed to work in Milan and still finish school with good grades, despite my excessive absences. Looking back, I started working and became independent at a very early age. 

Q4. When did you first sign with an agency and what was that like?

When I first signed with Latvian agency at 15 years old, I was very excited to start working and get experience in modeling. I was working on my portfolio and making some money to buy little things for myself and my family. It was exciting to be able to support myself at that young age, because I remember growing up not being able to afford anything I wanted that other kids had.  The most exciting part for me at that time was being able to help my mom with the money I made. Also I was proud to be on my first magazine cover at 16 years old.  I can remember  my teachers and students at school would come up and show me the magazines I was featured on.

Q5. Do you have any advice for those who want to start modeling?  

The best advice I would give beginners would be:

• Toughen up as much as you can in advance on the inside, because this business might try to bring you down.
• Never allow the rejection to affect you and your goals.
• Stick to your plan and work on yourself.
• If something is not working out, don’t just quit and leave your agency to look for another. Be loyal and stick to it by working on getting better at what you do.
• Look your best, be professional and be on time for all castings and jobs.
• Do test shoots and invest in your career.
• But the main thing – BELIEVE in yourself, find your niche and don’t get affected by being told NO. Just Go For It!!!!

Q6. What is your best model experience ever?

Over the years I have had many beautiful experiences, so it’s hard to pick the best. One of them that stands out is after I had been modeling for many years, there was one particular show in Milan, a relatively new model recognized me and was a little starstruck over me. It was actually the first time in my entire career where I felt like I had made it. I ended up spending some time with her before and after the show discussing my journey with and what she had encountered up to this point. It really made me realize that I had done something that wasn’t easy, that not just anyone could do. That was a real satisfying moment for me.

Q7. What are the main challenges in modeling today?

Now there are so many more models out there than before.  

Many of those models today are willing to work for much less money, so the demand has gotten lower and “supply” has increased.  The models really have to fight for the job nowadays, not to mention get paid less.

I mean, It’s still better than some 9-5 jobs, but the modeling jobs are not consistent and not permanent. You have to make sure you make a good name for yourself so you can continue to have steady jobs lined up.

Also a lot of clients, even very big names offer jobs to models just starting out, for no pay at all just so they can gain “exposure”.

Today models do anything to get out there.

When I started my modeling career it wasn’t like that.

Another thing that we didn’t have back in the day was social media.  It can get challenging at time keeping up with all the social media platforms.

I had to learn how to build my social media accounts, be current, active and engage with my followers which took some time to get it all down.  In the beginning you aren’t compensated for that being a model and I think it can get overwhelming at times.

Q8. Do you think models are able to find long lasting friendships within the industry today?

Yes, I think it’s possible. You spend so much time in the industry that you can’t help but make friends.  There are a handful of friends that become very close and some become your soul sisters.

Q9.  What is one of your most treasured accomplishments?

Getting to where I am today from where I began is such a big accomplishment for me.

Recap: I came from nothing with my single mother raising our family and being completely broke.

I went from starting my modeling career at the young age of 15 to living all over the world as a very young girl to somehow getting to the USA at 22 years old.

Fast forwarding to now, I live in Los Angeles, Married to the man of my dreams, have a gorgeous daughter, made a good living over the years with working as a model.

The best part is, I did it all on my own with no assets starting out, just myself and my modeling dream. Sometimes I feel like I didn’t really get to take advantage of my modeling dreams because I didn’t have enough guidance or right management!  I also thought I waisted some time making wrong career choices, but now I know that isn’t the case at all. 

I was on my path all along and had to go through in order to arrive to where I am at today. The young girl from a little town in Latvia, had the dreams and desires to not stop and I think I did pretty good. 

Q10.  What do you think are the three biggest mistakes women make when it comes to modeling that keep them from achieving their goals?

• Leaving model agency too soon because something didn’t go right or season is too slow. Be patient. 
• Act “too busy” for agents, take too many personal trips and be unavailable for castings and jobs. 
• Taking a brake in modeling, being late to jobs, not watching body, face or hair. 

Photos By: @dreamstatelive

Q11.  You have like the perfect body, spill your secrets?

I used to enjoy Pilates Reformer, but with the challenges that has occurred with Covid, I had to change up my workout routine a bit. Currently I workout about 4 times per week, focusing on Yoga and some weight training. I never let myself go too long without my fitness regimen because it’s soooo hard to get back into it. Consistency is the key. I purchased a treadmill for my home workouts to use from time to time and listen to my audiobooks while I walk.

Q12.  What motivates you?

My Gorgeous Family as well as my dreams and goals. 

Q13. Your favorite quote?

 Oh, I absolutely love quotes!

I have so many favorites, depending the occasion that I can’t just pick one!

Here is one that I hold dear to my heart by A.A. Milne:

    

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think” -A.A. Milne

Q14.  Please share with our tribe of Women, one piece of advice that you have received, which has helped you throughout your journey?

Before every success you manifest and see come to pass in your life, you will encounter about 10,000 + NO’s, lots of rejections, some emails you send out unanswered and also doors that are slammed shut or not opened at all.  My advise to everyone is stay focused, stay hungry, stay humble and most of all don’t give up!

Julia Lescova’s Instagram: @julialescova

Photo’s By: @dreamstatelive