We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarafina Vecchio. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarafina below.

Hi Sarafina, thanks for joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

I grew up working in my family’s small visual aid manufacturing company outside of Chicago. While I was always in the arts, starting dance at the age of 3 and voice at 8, the family business was always my ‘destiny’. My parents were incredibly supportive of my interests, ,and I knew that our business was the reason they were able to afford to put me in as many classes and projects as I could handle. When I was 15, my dad died suddenly, leaving my mother in the position as CEO- of the business AND the family. She was an absolute selfless star for the next 27 years. She kept supporting me and my brother (a musician) and our art, and gave us both very comfortable and flexible jobs within the company. I was able to make a living wage while also earning a BFA in Theatre, and, eventually, a post graduate degree in Teaching Shakespeare. I also started working professionally as an actor in the evenings. When I had day time auditions or shoots, I was able to navigate the schedule, thanks to the selflessness and strength of my mother/boss. My mom, my older brother Matt, and I worked side by side every day for over 20 years. While my brother ran the factory, my mother and I were busy with the day to day operations of the office. I was trained in everything from basic accounting and HR logistics, to marketing, sales, advertising, you name it; everything that a small business needs to survive from day to day, I was doing. Little did I know that when we finally were forced to close the business after 27 years, I was completely and uniquely prepared for the next chapter of my life: a teacher/coach for actors who also need some help on the business end. I have been able to develop individual plans for many artists; budgets, branding, marketing, supply chain management, daily logistics of their careers- the list goes on and on! I feel that during the chaos of my dad suddenly dying and the daily efforts to keep his business alive, I was developing a skill set that would eventually give me a unique and important voice in my arts community!

Sarafina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

If there is an artist who needs help finding their way through the daily business aspects of the industry, but doesn’t want to sacrifice their creativity, I can help them! My background as a business owner in the manufacturing industry, coupled with my decades of simultaneous experience as an actor, director, model, and teaching artist, gives me a perspective that can’t be taught I’m a classroom.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Many of my non-creative acquaintances don’t understand why anyone would want to deal with the ups and downs of finances in the arts. They tend to see my “lean” times as something scary or unwanted. Money can go away just as quickly as it comes along, which was my experience in my teens and early adulthood. Believe it or not, money does NOT drive everyone. It does not drive me. I am driven by the passion in my belly for my art. I will adjust my day to day living to make ends meet, and it doesn’t stress me out like it might others. I was born with a lust and love and drive to create- I can’t imagine who I would be without it. It is what gets me up in the morning!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

“Acting in Chicago” by Chris Agos
“Barking Up The Wrong Tree” by Eric Barker
“Being an Actor” by Simon Callow
“Thinking Shakespeare” by Barry Edelstein
“How to Direct Shakespeare” by Adrian Noble

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sarafinavecchio.com

Image Credits

Vavoom Pinups, NBC Universal, Red Guerilla Productions