In my late teens I worked for a former actress turned theatre producer. (My first job with her was to dress up as the Ovaltine mascot and sample products for a sponsorship collab)
She was so frustrated at the lack of quality lead acting roles available for her and others like her that she started her own theatre production company. To make her dream come to life she hustled hard and knocked on A LOT of doors to secure sponsorship and sell tickets.
I listened to her on the phone selling ice to the eskimos. She never took no for an answer. If there was a no, she’d find another way. She was relentless, resourceful, determined and savvy. (After all she sold dressing up as an Ovaltine as career progression, which it was)
As a result, her production company took off and she starred in many of her national shows. It’s still standing, 20 years later having garnered extensive acclaim and featured some of Australia’s most high-profile actors including Jacki Weaver, John Wood, Peter Phelps, Samuel Johnson, and multiple Gold Logie award winner Lisa McCune.
Her grit, determination, and commitment to do what most people wouldn’t, day in day out stayed with me forever.
Through her, I learned don’t wait for an opportunity to come to you. Create your own opportunities.
