Working Actor Life: the reality of six-figure side jobs
Feb 13, 2025
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Gabrielle Ben-Loss, a business partner of Sam Valentine, shares her journey balancing acting with entrepreneurship. They candidly discuss the reality of juggling multiple income streams, the challenges of side hustles, and the realities of maintaining mental health while managing careers. Gabrielle highlights their strategies for energy management and self-care, while also emphasizing the importance of merging passions with finances. They also explore the re-launch of Side Hustle Academy, offering valuable resources for actors seeking independence.
Actors must balance multiple responsibilities in their daily lives, showcasing the need for effective time management and prioritization.
Diversifying income through side hustles is essential for financial stability in the acting industry, as relying solely on acting is increasingly challenging.
Understanding personal mental health needs, such as managing ADHD, can significantly enhance productivity and effectiveness in juggling multiple tasks and businesses.
Deep dives
Juggling Multiple Responsibilities
Actors often face the challenge of balancing various responsibilities, ranging from auditions to personal life demands. In the podcast, one host discusses her whirlwind day that includes attending a callback, managing three special needs dogs, and ensuring she has time to eat and exercise. This scenario highlights that behind-the-scenes, the daily lives of actors involve far more than what is typically visible to the public. The conversation emphasizes the need for efficient time management to accommodate these overlapping duties.
The Importance of Side Hustles
Having multiple streams of income is essential in sustaining an acting career, especially in today's market where auditions may be sparse. The hosts mention that collectively they have six sources of income, which allows them to be more financially secure while pursuing their passion. They reflect on their experiences with various side hustles, acknowledging that while some attempts may not yield significant profit, others, like podcast production, have proven to be fruitful. This diversification not only provides financial stability but also alleviates the pressure to solely rely on acting for income.
Navigating ADHD and Business
The podcast delves into how having ADHD can affect one's approach to managing multiple businesses and side hustles. One host shares her journey with ADHD and how medication has helped her find clarity in her responsibilities, although she sometimes questions her focus without it. By understanding their own mental health better, the speakers encourage listeners to recognize the importance of accommodating their needs while balancing professional pursuits. This conversation also underscores that whether struggling with ADHD or not, effective energy management is crucial for maintaining productivity.
Embracing Flexibility in Career Management
The discussion touches on how flexibility in managing an acting career can lead to better outcomes. One host learns to prioritize her auditions by focusing her energy on high-stakes opportunities while delegating other tasks, signifying a shift from trying to do everything at once. This adaptability is crucial, especially during periods of fewer auditions, and is supported by their successful membership program. Such a mindset allows actors to pivot their attention based on current opportunities while still progressing in their business endeavors.
The Value of Community and Continuous Growth
The importance of a supportive community and constant development is highlighted as both hosts discuss their Side Hustle Academy initiative. The program aims to provide actors with resources and guidance to grow side businesses without sacrificing their artistic pursuits. They emphasize that actors can leverage their skills to create something meaningful, even from small beginnings. The concept of community resonates strongly, as they believe that sharing knowledge and experiences can help others find success in their own paths.
Gone are the days when actors could just rely on one source of income but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. So we are not sugar coating this for you…we made six-figures but we also struggle with our sh*t.
Gabrielle and I are having an honest conversation about how we ‘balance’ (lol) our work + actor + personal lives…with some solid do’s and don’ts. Bonus points if you know your human design!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 — Inside View of Side Hustling
02:25 — Managing Multiple Businesses
07:33 — Balancing Side Hustles & Acting Careers
11:15 — Making Your Life Full
14:28 — How to Sit in the Win
20:16 — Building a Business Off Your Personality & Interests
24:20 — Energy Management & Hygiene
31:54 — Current State of the Entertainment Industry
