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

Hi Viktoria, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I personally think it is absolutely necessary to take risk, Not just when it comes to career, but in general, in life. Have you ever been in a situation that you had crazy crush on this guy/girl and you knew that the only way forward is to ask this person to go out for cup of coffee or drinks, or for her/his number, or just to make that move and say hi. And that fear inside is the one that is stopping you to do that. But then, at the end, when you work up your confidence to actually act on this feeling, it usually ends up being the best thing you have ever done. Am I right? Well, that is how I feel about risk. To me it is everything. I never had my life very figured out. I am usually the impulsive kind of type of person. But that impulse, that edge, that drive, behind all that is the fear that is making me to do what I’m doing. I am challenging myself in my own way. I am more scared of NOT taking the risk and missing out and regretting it than actually going forward with it. It has impacted my life tremendously. If I didn’t decide to apply for visa to come America, or if I didn’t take that risk of putting myself out there as a real estate agent, or if I didn’t take my last savings I had to start my own online business with eco-friendly toys and supplies for pets to really make this world better place and help animals, I would have never gotten where I am now. So take that risk. I know you’re scared, but I believe in you.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I actually started all my business at the same time, so if there is one thing I would want you to learn from me is, NOT to do the same. Ha-Ha. I woke up one day and saw this show about real estate and I was like – THIS IS IT. I have always been a salesperson, but for me it was mostly the guidance and help I could provide to people who have no idea what purchasing or renting property entails. So I studied for the test, passed and started working right away. I was very proud of myself in a sense that even tough it is harsh industry I dived into Luxury real estate within period of 6 months, but also I really put myself out there and tried everything from Zillow ads to going to other’s open houses, to cold calling etc. But one thing no-one can ever teach you, is to be you. Just be yourself, your customers and clients will feel whether you are genuine or not. Whether you do it for money or for the passion. Simultaneously I started my e-commerce biz with eco-friendly toys and supplies for pets, which was not the smartest idea ever. But we had a situation in our family and one of our dogs swallowed a piece of plastic toy and it harmed her life, and they had to remove part of her intestine. So I couldn’t wait any longer. I was like, if that happened to our dog, it can happen to any dog. I don’t want any other pet owner to go through something like this but mostly I don’t want any pets to be harmed anymore. So I took my savings, researched products for about 3-4 months and created website and started selling. But one thing I learned from it is it’ all in your mind. You can do impossible if you believe in what you do. I have never had a business nor was real estate agent before. Now I am thriving at both.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love outdoors and sports, and my friends and family know this about me, so I think they would be afraid I would force them to go to the gym with me HaHa. But I would love to take them hiking. There is one favorite spot I have in Woodbury, New York it’s called Trail View State Park. It’s not as long, but it can kick your butt. But I have recently been traveling a lot and I found amazing hiking spots in California and one of them became my favorite and it was Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park in Los Angeles. I really enjoy good food, you can call me foodie so I would try to find some awesome funky places to eat. I love one in Manhattan, it is an Oscar Wilde restaurant. I love the ambience and decor and food is delish.
I believe anyone who comes to New York wants to see traditional skyscrapers of the city, and I wouldn’t deny it to them. I have been to the Statue of Liberty like 7 times myself. There is something behind the history of all these buildings. I am sucker for jazz nights in the city. I don’t have any particular one I like, but if I had friends or family over I would search up either open mic night or karaoke night for them.
As I mentioned before I have been to California a lot recently because I got my real estate license there as well, so now I am licensed on both coasts 😉 (If you know anyone who is looking to buy, sell, invest or rent, send them my way) – it’s a personal real estate joke, It’s the line we use in any occasion LOL.
So as I was saying I spent a lot of time in LA recently and I Love the night life over there. One of my favorite restaurants that also has a rooftop and studio for after hours is Called Grandmasters Recorders in Hollywood. A lot of celebrities go there but also amazing contemporary Italian fusion and the history of the place is very fun. It actually used to be a recording studio where many rock&roll bands and singers recorded their albums.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh Gosh, I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Just in a past year I have made so many transitions in my life, and there always were this particular group of people by my side that I think they deserve the Shoutout. Most of all my family, because they know my nature and know I am always thriving for more and they are just there. For all that good and bad. And then my family I created here in New York. I can count maybe on one hand how many people stood by my side thoughtout it all, but yes, they are my support, my love and my encouragement.
Mom, Dad, and Sister, but also my best friends Michelle, Alex and Johanna.

Website: https://missflipy.bigcartel.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoria.filipiakova/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktoria-filipiakova/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcDc5xHMWptp0klmyYpreEQ

Other: I recently started to share my fitness journey as well and created 12 week fitness and nutrition program along with some clothing for our brand. It is very new but we do have several accounts so I will list them here bellow I also forgot to share my music journey with you so I link the videos of me singing since I said I was a musician but never got to talk about it. https://www.tiktok.com/@viktoria_f74?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc and here are the links for the other fitness related business https://gainssquad.squarespace.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM8m0XhWQXN2BcDyRmotGUw

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