Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in talent development, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mike Messier, writer, actor, and acting coach from Florida, USA.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?
I've been in the entertainment world for 20 years; likely because as a kid I watched a lot of television and movies and somehow decided that I could also be involved in them myself. Motivation comes from a feeling that I have something of value to share with others.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As an actor, playing Cybill Shepherd's son in the film Hard Luck in which I had a fight scene with Wesley Snipes and Mario Van Peeples and later having a scene with Meryl Streep and Elisabeth Shue in the film Hope Springs. As a writer, finally publishing my first novel A Distance from Avalon - when the Dying and the Dead reunite on amazon. As a filmmaker, my doc Disregard the Vampire - A Mike Messier Documentary winning 11 awards.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a solopreneur?
Not being taken advantage of by "friends" who don't want to pay for your work.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- It's better to struggle to do what you want than to waste your life doing things that don't give you joy or a sense of accomplishment.
- Major companies no longer "take care" of their employees anyway so there is very little merit to the idea of being a "loyal, lifelong employee" anymore.
- The sooner you start taking advantage of compound interest the better.
If there was one thing you could do repeatedly to help grow your business, what would it be?
Get more people to watch my doc Disregard the Vampire - A Mike Messier Documentary and get more people to read my finished screenplays and seriously consider helping to produce them with real budgets.
What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?
- Going to the movies
- Walking
- Drinking kombucha tea for the benefit of probiotics.
Who are some of your favorite entrepreneurs and why?
Spike Lee - filmmaker
Tony Robbins - motivational speaker
Laurence G. Boldt - author
I'd recommend Laurence's book Zen and the Art of Making a Living quite a bit.
Where can people find you?
Website:
https://avaloniafestival.com/
https://mikemessier.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mikemessier
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share then email community@subkit.com, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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