Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Reno.
Hi Julia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I came to America originally from Ukraine, when I was 25 years old. A country across the ocean, far away. Today it is recognized by so many as a country who fights to preserve its own independence.
As an immigrant, I faced a lot of challenges. Emotionally, it wasn’t easy to leave behind my country, family, friends, steady job, and a recently purchased apartment. I also faced language barriers. I felt like I lost my personal identity… Everything I knew, loved, and was comfortable with was gone in less than 24 hours, but when you are in love, it seems there are no obstacles you can’t overcome, right?
So here I am… learning how to pronounce new words, learning how to drive on the streets of Minnesota and slowly, but surely falling in love with my new culture, family and traditions. Coming from a hard-working family, I’ve been taught my whole life to work, even if I don’t need to.
In Ukraine when we say work hard, we don’t simply mean put in our eight hours at the office, but rather, do the best we can on a daily basis. We put in a lot of effort, pride, and take full responsibility for whatever we do.
Back home, I graduated from a beauty college and worked in a beauty /hairdresser salon in my hometown. Here in the US, I had to get a license for the same job.
So I decided to start over …
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve personally overcome a lot of challenges in my life, but I’m grateful for them, because that is what made me who I am today. I have undergone 14 surgeries on my ears, which left me nearly deaf. In spite of that, I’m grateful for today’s new technologies, that provide the best of the best hearing aids. Behind them and so many other businesses are real people who learn, create, fix, heal, teach, serve and deliver everything that we need in our daily lives. My job today is to help them to be heard and showcase their products or services.
As you know, we’re big fans of JuliaReno Official. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Recently, I took classes at Harvard Business School. Founded in 1908, Harvard is one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. I chose Entrepreneurship Essentials. It was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. This school taught me a lot, and opened for me a new perspective on how to identify new opportunities, create new businesses and improve services to make people’s lives better for profit.
For me personally, it’s not only about money, sometimes it’s a privilege to be able to help someone from an established business that I’m promoting, or help a homeless friend on the street. The reward is the feeling you get, when you make a difference in someone else’s life. That’s what drives me! Loving and caring for others without expecting the same in return is the highest quality I appreciate in people and the quality I’m striving to improve in myself.
I love to inspire people to dress comfortably and feel confident in their own style. I’ve always been involved in fashion, home decor and participated in social events. It started when I won “Miss Fall”, a competition back in my beauty school in Ukraine. Since then I have modeled for shoe designer John Ashford in New York, worked along with an amazing Minnesota event organizer named Amanda Roseth for Minnesota’s Ice Castle as a snow princess for 2 years. I’ve been a brand ambassador for New York and Company, Lugz, Shein, Dream Pairs, Members Only, Adrianna Papell, Wyndham Hotels and so many more.
Also, I’m part of the Amazon influencer program and am an Instagram personality where I share my content with my audience. A lot of them become my friends. I feel connected with so many people, no matter where they are from. COVID brought isolation to so many of us, so I’ve organized New Years’ celebrations virtually with my audience from all over the world for the last couple of years and it feels like one big Instagram family.
I’m so grateful and blessed for all the opportunities I have here locally in Minnesota and around the world and want to continue to inspire, support, and share my experiences, brands, fashion ideas, events, new places and the amazing people behind them.
This weekend I was invited to promote the Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience is an immersive Regency-era ball inspired by the Shondaland hit series on Netflix
in Minneapolis (MN).
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Set goals. Write them down. Have personal values such as honesty, passion, determination, and confidence. No one likes to do business with people that are arrogant, selfish, dishonest and egotistical. Be realistic and communicate well with your partners, so both parties are well aware of their expectations. Any business venture is a reflection of the entrepreneur’s personal values, attitudes, and beliefs. Be you, that’s enough to be unique and don’t give up till you sincerely did your best. Failures are valuable lessons, learn from them and get better next time. Have faith and work, that’s your formula to success!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliareno.us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliareno_official/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100057182556973/
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/shop/home.fashion.wisdom
Image Credits
John Ashford
