Check out our interview with the XO Team and XO Agency co-founder Mary Senn alongside Gary Grey.
The XO team is comprised of a talented group of creators, producers, actors and musicians who have tapped into every industry, leaving their 10.3M YouTube subscribers and 39M TikTok followers in awe of their versatility. Their latest music video, “Reason,” was released just 2 months ago and already has over 15M views.
The XO Team has managed to amass and maintain their viral success through their personalities, incredibly innovative minds in the way they re-imagine content and AI (they have a virtual metaverse house member, ENNY) and even an entirely self-produced reality tv series.
Follow Mary on IG @marysenn / TikTok @marysenn & XO Team @the_xo_team
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Inspired, supportive, creative
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
My grandma, because my whole life she told me that I can achieve anything I want. She would always support my weirdest creative ideas, starting with me hosting a karaoke concert at her house with my friends. I was selling the tickets for a couple of cents. She was my motivation.
Name one your strengths?
Ideas. I believe that I have a superpower where I can communicate with the universe, and it tells me where to go. Ideas and inspiration have always been my strength. I feel like I’ve been developing this quality from childhood as I believed and listened to my ideas.
Tell us about your super successful content creator house the XO Team?
I always dreamed about having friends with whom I can film videos and create. Because our industry is competitive and not all influencers want to collaborate, I decided to create a house where we can do it all together and support each other. It became a huge thing, and we are spreading love and positive vibes around the globe.
Describe the XO team project in one word?
Love.
When and how did you and Gary Grey decided to create this project, and when did you guys view this project as the next big thing?
In 2017, I couldn’t find open-minded people around me, so I invited my friend and offered my help to boost her account as an influencer. Then I invited my sister. I saw potential, but she was shy at first. I saw a video on my her phone where she was telling some stories and I decided to help her to open up herself and become a blogger.
I just wanted a community and to raise talent. We moved into a house and I started filming a reality show, where subscribers always commented that it looked like “Keeping up with the Kardashian’s” and I decided to fully go for it. We eventually started earning money.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
When I see that my followers and members of my team are inspired by me to become who they are and follow their destiny. I live to see people grow.
What’s your advice for the newer influencers and content creators?
Go according to your feelings. No one will tell you the recipe. Believe in yourself, and don’t look at others.
Can you mention the top 3 challenges you had as a founder of the XO Team, and what mindset you had at the time to overcome those challenges in the early days of the project?
Responsibility for other members. I took care of a lot of bloggers and it was hard. Navigating you early 20’s and becoming an adult is a struggle for many people- I felt like I was a mom, a therapist to them.
Money was also a challenge- you need to learn how to become an entrepreneur, even if you are a creator.
The third is communication – when a person becomes popular and successful on social media, there are always changes. It’s a new step which requires a lot of energy.
How do you guys select people to join the project or how people are selected to be part of your very successful project?
Always differently. Firstly, it was through videos they were creating. Secondly, I felt that they were people I needed. It’s just my feeling.
How would your best friend describe you?
“I have never met such an open hearted person.” People describe me as supportive and kind.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
Love will save the world, and that there is nothing impossible . I want to be that piece which makes people better, helps them be kinder, and encourages them to think that everything is possible.
What mindsets helped making you so successful and popular?
It’s simple. Don’t look at other people. Just do your thing and listen to your heart. Mistakes are fine. Follow your path. I was just creating all the time. Time management is important and so is perseverance.
When you started your Social Media accounts, did you expected such a success?
I hoped and knew deep down that I would make it. I was always communicating with different artists, taking part in their music videos. Even when I just started my social media, the audience was growing naturally . I was being myself. I wanted it.
As a popular entrepreneur and influencer you are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of doing always the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
I don’t feel pressure. However, I face difficulties with speaking English, as I’m still learning the language. I love my audience from all over the world, but I want to talk more and in order to go global, I need to reach and connect with as many people as I can.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
Tony Robbins “Awaken the Giant Within”. The most powerful one.
What’s next for Mary Senn and the XO Team in 2023?
I want to go global. I feel like I need to tell people a lot with my art, learn English, and appear on social media. We also need to think more about technology and the future. For XO as a whole, our focus is growing our music for all to hear. Every single one of us is so unique, and I want to show that to people.
What is your favorite healthy food? And your favorite cheat food?
I eat what I feel. I love grapes and apples- fruits in general.
What is your own definition of happiness?
When you are at peace with yourself, your soul, and where you need to go. When you are calm.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Mac Miller and Michel Jackson. They gave a lot to this world and I feel that way about myself too. Just share some energy. And from the living, I would love to meet Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and Ariana Grande – they are so cool.
Best advice ever given?
Believe in miracles. This phrase changed my life a lot.
Do you support any charity?
Back in Russia I did a lot and when I feel like someone needs help, I just go for it. I don’t talk about it a lot, it’s more of a personal mission to give back.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I see myself as an inspired, inspiring, and purposeful person. My career is my art and feelings.
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings”
What do you think of Social Media?
It’s a great opportunity to show people what you think and yourself in general. You can showcase your talents.
Where we can follow you?
