What’s next?
This month, I celebrate a 17 year career in voiceover (19 years including years spent pursuing/studying, if we’re being entirely accurate).
Where does time go?
17 years ago this month, I quit my career in marketing/writing and started in vo full time.
Though, I wasn’t making enough money to really sustain myself. That would come about three years later. It’s still not always rainbows and butterflies. Being a freelance voiceover is an incredibly tough career. It’s a roller coaster, and any voice actor who tells you differently, is (I’m going to be bold here) lying to you. This is not a 9-5, 401K, health insurance, office summer picnics and Christmas parties, annual review where you’re told what a good job you’re doing, steady income… kind of job.
When I look back at my career, I think about all the wonderful and amazing projects I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of, the incredible creative minds and writers who’ve directed me in sessions, and all the hard work it took on my part to get here, 17 years later. The clever marketing ideas, the iterations of web sites and demos, the wondrous experiences with various coaches, the hundreds and thousands of auditions, the wonderful lifelong friends I’ve made, and… life… all the life I’ve lived in that time that shapes my perspective when I approach a piece of copy.
Lately, I’ve encountered a number of stories from role models, actors, and others who didn’t hit their peak until their 50s! Pretty astounding, right?
Take Martha Stewart. She’s a pretty shrewd business woman, always has been. But, she didn’t create the empire we know and love her for until her 50s! Vera Wang didn’t get into the fashion business until she was in her 40s. Heck, even Ray Kroc didn’t buy his first McDonalds till after the age of 50.
This morning, I woke up wondering, “What’s next?”
I’ve always said, voice over is a great career because there is NO ceiling. The opportunities are endless. One can pursue so many different lines of work in vo. Now, it also involves talent, and maybe a little luck. 😉
So, today, I wonder, “What’s next?”
I have some ideas. And I’m always open to ideas.
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