Michaela Leitnerová - Network Marketing Makes the World go Around
www.posiv.cz ǀ 33
WOMAN
Michaela, your instagram account,
b.a.b.i.k.a. Has over 80 thousand
followers. You are a successful model,
entrepreneur and you managed to
establish the Nu Skin brand in the Czech
market. How did you adapt to the various
roles in your life and what pushed you
forward the most in your career?
I believe that everything happens for
a reason and so I try to make the most of any
situation I am in. I like learning new things
and absorbing new information. I always
try to understand the core of a subject.
When I started to make a living as a model
after my bachelor’s degree, it was kind
of a trial by fire. Not only did modeling
itself teach me a lot, but the travel
associated with it taught me independence
and decision making in important life
situations. I met many inspirational people
who expanded my horizons and allowed
me to gain experience.
The beauty pageants I participated in
taught me how to communicate well and
how to be confident in presenting myself.
I fulfilled my dream of seeing the world
when I worked as a flight attendant
at a private company. I enjoy looking
back on all the interesting places I visited
throughout my time working there.
Thanks to my compassionate husband,
who has been very active with our two
sons, I was able to start a career in business
by collaborating with Nu Skin. I believe
that I have finally found my comfort zone.
I try to make use of my past experience
to continuously develop the business and
expand cooperation with my new colleagues.
Did you always know that the lifestyle
of a classic 9 to 5 job was not for you,
and that you would be drawn
to business?
I have been the target of hate for my looks
and figure since primary school. I was
called many insulting names, but I think
that I was mature enough to the point
where I did not make much of it even
back then. I remember my teacher telling
me that my larger teeth will eventually
become one of my strong suits, and that
is exactly what happened. Maybe it was
especially because of my large smile
that I managed to win 22 contests. I dare
to say that I handled the teasing well. In
fact, I managed to prove to my former
classmates that even despite what they
teased me for, I managed to succeed.
The saying “what doesn’t kill you makes
you stronger,” holds true yet again.
You became an ambassador
for the “The ŽENY” (The WOMEN)
project, which is why we are talking to you
today. What would you like women to take
away from this project? What message do
you want to convey, especially to female
entrepreneurs that are fearful of failure?
I am very honored to be part of this
project, as I believe that it carries a very
important message. I believe that my role
in the project is to show women that it is
never too late, and even full time mothers
can become entrepreneurs that follow
their dreams. I also want them to know
that even despite starting from zero, you
can grow a global anti-aging business.
I want women to understand that network
marketing makes the world go around,
and you do not need to be an expert to
reach large scale success and earn good
money. Of course, I also want them to
know that they can contact me any time.
I would be happy to offer my advice and
support their efforts.
Since you are involved in so many
different fields, you probably have to
meticulously plan out your time, is that
right? How do you manage the stress
that comes with your various roles and
what advice would you give to those
struggling to find a balance between
work and their personal life?
I definitely have to organise my time
very well to be able to manage all my
responsibilities. However a combination
of a restless personality, rebellious
attitude, workaholism, the ability to say
“no” and a tiny splash of ADHD helps me
keep it all together.
I have a phlegmatic personality and so
when something does not work out or
I cannot get something done, I try to
not make a tragedy out of it and learn
from my mistakes. Finding that balance
between work and your personal life is
definitely key. Most of the time I do a good
job of maintaining it, but I do slip up
sometimes. Like I said, without the support
of my husband, I would often be lost.
Having good teamwork and a support
network in your family is a great foundation
to build on. I had periods where I solely
devoted myself to work, but that always
ended in a wakeup call. Talking to experts
or consulting mentors here and there is
always helpful and do not forget to learn
from the experience of your colleagues.
Michaela, thank you for the interview.
You do not Need to be an Expert to
Reach Large-Scale Success and Earn
Good Money.
“
Not only did modeling itself
teach me a lot, but the travel
associated with it taught me
independence and decision
making in important life
situaons.
”
“
Thanks to my compassionate
husband, who has been very
acve with our two sons,
I was able to start a career in
business by collaborang with
Nu Skin.
”
She was the rst to
introduce a new beauty
product brand to the Czech
market. She started her
business during pregnancy.
In the beginning, she had to
face not only the challenges
of entrepreneurship but
also the skepcism of those
around her. However, she
believed in herself and
persevered. Today, thanks
to her determinaon, she
is a leader whose company
generates millions in
revenue.