Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in talent management but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tanya Buchanan, Owner of Ta-Da! Voiceworks, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Ta-Da! Voiceworks is a talent agency that represents voiceover talent for all genres of voicework: TV/radio/web commercials, animation, video games, corporate videos, e-learning, websites, telephone systems, and more. We service two clients on opposite ends: one is the talent that we represent the other is the clients who hire said talent.
Tell us about yourself
I've always been driven by helping others be their best. Whether that be by supporting actors and helping them achieve the success they desire or by contributing to the industry as a whole through mentorship, education, and important industry initiatives. I started as an actor myself, and when I became an agent, I made it my mission to take my experience and vow to put actors' needs first and foremost. This is why I have always led my business {and also my personal life) with the credo: "how would I want to be treated?". It's also why I've kept the number of actors that I represent smaller compared to other agencies: I always want to maintain a personal touch so that actors feel heard and understood.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Unlike most talent agencies, I built Ta-Da! Voiceworks from scratch. I did not take over an existing business nor have an existing client base, so everything that is Ta-Da! is something I've created. I now own one of the top voiceover agencies in Canada that also has a strong global presence. I'm a proud female entrepreneur and an advocate for actors' rights.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being a business owner is so much more than just making big decisions and leading a team. You need to be a jack-of-all-trades, especially with a small to medium size business. Over the years, I've worked 12-18 hour days doing everything from hiring and firing to accounting, to marketing, right down to babysitting an actor's newborn and even fixing the office toilet!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't be afraid to ask for help -- and find resources to support you.
- Know and understand your company's financials inside and out. Don't rely on others for this.
- Persistence and endurance equal success and longevity. Don't give up!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.tadavoiceworks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tadavoiceworks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tadavoiceworks/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyabuchanan/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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