It’s true sometimes things happen in our lives that hurt us so much that we feel as if the sun will never shine again.

I felt like that as I watched my father die. I wanted to scream and holler as the world kept moving forward as if nothing happened. My father modeled a loving parental relationship in a way that would be envied by most. He treated me, my mother, my sisters, and my brother all like we were special. We felt invincible.

When his heart failed, and he needed a heart transplant we worried but because he was a superhero to us, we never thought the day would come when he would die. But it did. Here is the part that makes me smile. My father handled death as he would any other problem. He digested the facts. Then he made his peace with God. He talked to each of us and told us that we would be okay and he even cracked a few dad jokes during his last weeks alive. He had lived an additional 20 years because of this new heart. We sat vigil beside his hospital bed counting the space between breaths. As they lessened, we knew the dreaded moment approached but he kept breathing. The night passed and he was still breathing so we left to take quick showers. One sister stayed as the nurse came to check on him. Right after we left the nurse noticed that he had already passed on. We were mad that we missed the moment. But in his Dad way, he spared us that pain and slipped away in his sleep. See, that is the testament of his life. He loved out loud in every way. And so should we. Today, I look back on those moments and I learned that bad events don’t make a bad life.

We control more than we admit or maybe I should say more than we allow ourselves to control. Give yourself the freedom to be happy and sad, to have good days and bad ones, and never forget:

• The community that held you up when you couldn’t stand on your own.
• The love that got you here and will keep you going.
• The faith that helps you put one foot in front of the other even when you just don’t know.
• The dreams that you haven’t had the chance to fulfill.
• The hope that another day brings.

It’s true sometimes life sucks but it’s better to have lived and lost than to have never lived at all.

Mastering the Art of Juggling Two Careers:  What’s Your Availability?

The alarm clock went off at 5:30 am but I was already awake.  I had already finished my workout or at least I broke a sweat and was sitting at my desk sending emails for my first career.  I wanted to catch up on some reports and review a few of the analytics to support a proposal before my day got busy.   The alarm was to let me know that it was time to make the kids breakfast and lunches for the day.

Once I finished, I took a shower and went back to bed for 30 glorious minutes.  I love some power naps.  In today’s world, the digital ecosystem makes it possible to do more in a day than anyone ever thought possible.  The pervasive attitude of society today suggests that you can achieve your dreams.  I agree. You can IF you are willing to put in the work and when I say work you may need to become a master juggler if you really want to succeed.

Hi, my name is Yolanda Spearman, I am the Director of Sales for the eastern half of the United States at Harley-Davidson Financial Services and I am also a very successful voiceover talent.

The fulfillment I receive from both inspires me to do more and I am not alone.  There are many people who lead lives like this, and we share a few common attributes.

What about you?  If you are a budding entrepreneur and you juggle multiple plates balancing two or more careers. Here are a few tips that may help succeed.

1. Set clear about your goals. Understand what you want and WHY. WRITE IT DOWN. Why do you need two careers?  I feel comfortable in Corporate America, and I feel like I have a few more things to do before I am ready to make a change.  Voiceover gives me the creative liberty I need to do my Corporate America job joyfully.
2. Become a master at Time Management and Prioritization (or hire someone who is)– I could say this a thousand times. But HOW to do it, is the big question.  I use my calendar for everything.  I block off time to chaperone at my children’s school.  I block time to speak to my team.  Time to do reports.  Time to do auditions – by the way – I audition early in the morning and late in the evening and I have a daily goal of only 6.  It’s small and attainable.  I only audition for jobs that I really want.  I am very thoughtful when it comes to auditioning.  Could I book more? Yes. Does it fit my availability?….. That’s the big question.
3. Know your limits: Set boundaries – I start my days early because I want to finish them early enough to have family time. There are some things I don’t do.  I don’t do late evening Corporate meetings because I usually do my voiceovers during those hours.  I don’t work weekends.
4. Be flexible – I work after the kids go to bed on many evenings. I have fallen asleep in my studio. I have gotten up before the sun to warm up my voice so that I have time to do an early session because I have a busy Corporate day.    I don’t work weekends BUT if a client wants a longer session and they are willing to do it on a Saturday, I will be flexible.  It boils down to you and how much you are willing to do to make this work.
5. Build a support network. Celia Siegel Management is my voiceover team. They keep me afloat.  I pay a fee, but it is worth every nickel.  They are master jugglers, and they juggle with me wherever I go in the United States.  This is the one piece of advice that I really want you to digest.  I could not be as successful as I am without a team to help me.
6. Embrace the power of delegation and outsourcing – I rarely edit a big project. I almost always send it out to be edited. If I can delegate a task, I do.

Managing two careers requires careful planning, dedication, and a proactive mindset.  By defining your goals, effectively managing your time, building a support network, and prioritizing self-care, you can successfully navigate the challenges and reap the rewards of pursuing dual careers. Remember, it is essential to find joy and fulfillment in both pursuits to ensure a well-rounded and rewarding professional life.  In the world of VO, it usually boils down to one question.  What’s your availability?

Want to learn the industry fast and get connected quickly?  Go to a conference.

I have cultivated and maintained a fulfilling voiceover career for myself, but it wasn’t always like this. Everyone starts somewhere, and initially, doing voiceovers was just a hobby. When I decided to get serious and turn my hobby into my second career, I found conferences to attend, which changed the trajectory of my career.  Seriously, it made that big of a difference.  I attended 3 different conferences, each providing a one-of-a-kind learning experience. My big three are, VOAtlanta, MAVO, and That’s Voiceover!, Among the speakers were industry experts, vetted agents, and coaches, who provided game-changing insights that have taken my career to new heights! You can say it’s like a one-stop shop for anyone wanting to start doing voiceovers or take their career or hobby to the next level.

VOAtlanta

Now, a closer look at each conference, and what makes them sooo worth it, starting with VOAtlanta. The VOAtlanta team has been changing lives since 2013. This conference is known as the “Largest VO conference”. This conference covers just about every niche such as animation, audiobooks, commercials, eLearning and narration, gaming, and more.  You won’t be disappointed at this conference.  Be ready to network. You missed the one for this year, but they will be back with a fantastic lineup next year. https://www.voatlanta.me/

Mid-Atlantic Voiceover (MAVO)

If the idea of hundreds or thousands of people is overwhelming to you, then you should probably consider attending MAVO. Dedicated to hosting a more intimate event, MAVO’s capacity is set at 120. The founder, Val Kelly, speaks often about keeping the conference small on purpose. That way, people can have more quality time with each speaker and really soak up the insights they have to offer. However, don’t get it twisted! Small does not mean sacrifice. The impact of the learning experience has never suffered, and it never will. With a line-up of some of the industry’s most respected speakers, you can rest assured that you will leave inspired and prepared for the next steps. Did I mention that I’m one of the keynote speakers this year? Tickets can be purchased here.

That’s Voiceover!

This one better serves people ready to get this show on the road! Their main focus is connecting buyers and producers with eager talents. In addition to the extensive knowledge shared, there were live performances, contests, giveaways, and on-the-spot auditions. They even offer segments in Spanish. Among the prizes were a mobile studio and scholarships to the Stellar Adler School of Acting. The auditions were for Pandora, CBS, and more, along with an opportunity for the talents to “speed date” with their demo reel, presenting it to agents and directors. How cool is that?! For more info visit the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVA), website for updates.

Here are a couple of other conferences that you can take a look at too.  I highly recommend you attend at least one in your career.

• https://www.onevoiceconference.com/
• https://www.world-voices.org

What’s in it for you! 

Quite a bit is on the line when you attend one of these events.  You will be vetted.  You will find opportunities.  You will be in a place that can change the trajectory of your career.  I think you should go to one.

For the most success…

NETWORK! Get connections, phone numbers, emails and follow-up!