Profile - Geir Ness
Imagine starting a business in a country in which you're not a citizen and do not master the language. A business and industry you know nothing about. A place where you have no family, money or any contacts to help get you started ... at all.
Welcome to the amazing story of Geir Ness, a boy born in Oslo, Norway to a humble home and a loving mother who taught Geir that the greatest gift anyone could offer in life is to love, care and share with those less fortunate than he. Working with handicapped and disabled children Geir knew that he needed to do something amazing with his life so that he could make a difference in the lives of as many people as possible. With a love for theater and film, Geir moved to Los Angeles to become an actor. Working as a fragrance model to make ends meet, his looks and accent caught the attention of the public whom constantly asked where he was from as well as what fragrance came from his homeland. Hitting one dead end film and TV opportunity after another Geir decided to launched a fragrance company, named it after his mother Laila, copied her signature and placed it on every bottle as a sign of his appreciation and love for her. In a world where everyone will tell you why you can't succeed, Geir believed he could. Today Geir and his mother Laila make special appearances throughout the United States and the company he started is an established million-dollar fragrance company. Geir is asked to speak at Positive Thinking seminars throughout the world and his true success story is being turned into a screenplay and feature film! In the words of Geir Ness, "It's effortless!"
Selling most of his cloths at garage sales, maxing out his credit cards and borrowing money from his only friend in the Unites States, Geir started his business in not only an industry he knew nothing about, but also one that is less then welcoming of any new comers. The odds of surviving were staggering; the odds of becoming successful were astronomical. But Geir Ness doesn't know the meaning of words like "no, can't and shouldn't". His determination to make his mother proud of his life's accomplishments has pushed him to heights most would say is impossible. But for Geir, impossible is simply an opinion. Armed with $5 suit, a red carpet found in the trash and a photographer who couldn't afford film for his camera, Geir staged a publicity event at Nordstrom's, ultimately landing Geir his first purchase order of 1000 bottles. Nordstrom's believed the order would last 3 months; instead Geir sold out in one hour and had a waiting list of 50 people! The next 7 years would take Geir on a roller coaster ride of events from Beverly Hills to small towns across America. From disasters in manufacturing, to an industry that wanted to see him fail, to an absolutely grueling 300 day a year travel schedule filled with personal and television appearances, radio and magazine interviews, Geir maintains the most positive upbeat and optimistic outlooks on life you will ever meet. Norway's morning show "Good morning Norway" featured him as special guest and Norway's television network did a TV special on him for prime time about his incredible life story.
Always remembering what his mother taught him and where he came from, Geir donates both his time and money to a list of foundations such as the Los Angeles Aids Ride, Cancer Foundations etc, etc. and charities such as Toast To Humanity, Chicago's Children Medical Research Foundation and recently joined forces with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for a cure for breast cancer and the Norwegian Cancer Society.
Today the Laila Perfume Company finds itself in gift baskets for events such as the Tony Awards, the Grammy's, MTV Awards, Miss Universe and the Euro-Vision Song Contest. Geir continues his 300 day travel with personal & television appearances throughout the United States, as Laila Perfume is now one of the best selling specialty fragrances at Nordstrom's nationwide, Fred Siegel, high profile boutiques and one of the top selling fragrances at Disney's Walt Disney World Theme Park and Disney Cruise.
