INTERVIEW with event manager, author and publisher of party games Anita Skuja from Latvia
How did your journey to the present activity begin and why?
At heart, I consider myself a stage man. There was a time when the theater was my whole life, and that's why my ways took me to the Valmiera Drama Theater. After graduating from Valmiera Theater, I worked at the Mask Musical Theater and worked in the field of culture for a long time. Then life introduced its own adjustments to private life. I changed my direction and started organizing projects in different companies. The time came when the current job did not bring joy, lack of creativity and freedom, and it affected my health. I gradually began to think about who I am and what I really want.
I ran a corporate Christmas event six years ago, and after that it was quite clear to me that I want to be an event manager. That's how I gradually started working in the entertainment industry. As I began to take responsibility for my own life, I noticed everything going organic. The results gave an understanding of what ability and power.
Experience in leading events has shown me a great deal that there is still a lot to do in the field of entertainment. In the beginning of 2020, I created my first birthday game "Jubilārs". In the summer, together with Gaitis Lazdāns, we created a congratulatory song "Jubilārs" / Hey Jubilār, and a year later I released a party game "Who? Where? How?" and "Sing"?
What business challenges do you currently face on a daily basis?
In the entertainment industry, my main task and challenge is to remind people that they are great creators themselves. The event manager is just a facilitator, but the games are a tool. That's why I make my games so that people can get to know each other, make friends, move, laugh, sing and become creative. When people are active together and don't have to compete, they get better. Love and joy vibrate in the air!
What do you think are your biggest mistakes in business?
When it comes to publishing games, of course, the mistakes I made at the beginning were due to a lack of experience. I am happy with my partners, with whom I can still create a quality product that meets my vision, feelings and vision. This interaction is a wonderful experience not only for me, but also for them. This, of course, makes it easier to build future products. On the other hand, in the management of weddings, anniversaries and corporate parties, I took on too many responsibilities at the beginning. Over time, I realized what my primary task was and learned to delegate them to those involved.
What helps you to survive in crisis situations?
If the businessman is far-sighted and diligent, he has no crisis. He plans both his projects and finances in the long run. Of course, it is unfortunate that the state does not support small entrepreneurs in any way. I am an optimist by nature, so I always see the crisis as an opportunity. I know this is a time of change. The human value system is starting to change and it is gratifying.
How others who know you very well will descrive you?
It's hard to say about myself, but once my colleague Lydia said that I am a positive and inspiring personality who can unite other people and create a pleasant atmosphere in the company. Those who know me know that I can be trusted because I am not only creative, but also persistent and responsible. At events, I know how to please and release people, in life - I inspire and motivate to act.
How are you different from other competitors?
In the book, The World's Greatest Merchant, Og Mandino reminds each of us that "human is the greatest wonder of nature!" He writes that each of us is unique, unrepeatable, and we must learn to cultivate our individuality, which is not easy because the school system teaches us something else. Even though I have three children, it still seems like I will never get very serious. My "inner child" is so active in my life that I have fun with myself. I am happy because I can truly enjoy nature, laugh at events, people and most of all!
What would you recommend to other enterpreneurs based on your experience?
I would advise all people to become brave businessman, because an businessman is a person who can take responsibility for their own lives. It is a person who is already aware of who he is, what he wants and what he definitely does not want. To learn to live according to God's law, to create products or services that we like, to enjoy the process of doing things ourselves, to do a loving work not only for one's own good, but for the good of the people.
Games created by Anita can be purchased at www.anitaskuja.lv
