We were lucky to catch up with Christian Deaton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Christian, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I’ve recently embarked on a new chapter in Shreveport, Louisiana, leaving behind my Michigan roots and my stint near my hometown after departing California. The decision to leave Cali wasn’t easy—it was driven by the post-COVID downturn in the entertainment industry, rising crime rates, and the turbulent political landscape of the West Coast. Los Angeles was my launchpad for acting school and career aspirations, but when the pandemic disrupted everything, I knew it was time to make a bold move. So, I bailed.

I went home “temporarily” with plans to save up for Atlanta, Georgia. Funny enough, what was meant to be a short stay turned into two years, and I started feeling disheartened by the lack of opportunities in my hometown. It felt like a choice between “get a job or die,” with most jobs being mundane and the good ones demanding seven days a week and endless travel, leaving no room for a life outside of work. Matthew Lillard (you might know him as Shaggy from Scooby Doo) once warned us back in Los Angeles, “Don’t go back to Texas; most people never return.” I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had gone back to Texas with no way out—no money, no social life, and no clear path forward, especially after my brother kicked me out of the apartment. Living under my sister’s roof, in a packed house with my girlfriend, pressure was mounting. But then, my lady had an idea.

It’s remarkable how women can ignite a spark in you to pursue the unexpected. One evening, returning from work, my lady was bouncing with excitement. “Baby, look what is happening in Louisiana,” she exclaimed. What I hadn’t mentioned before is that she hails from Shreveport, Louisiana—the very place where the industry is changing. I initially brushed it off, never considering a move there. Yet, after months of her nudging me with articles, news clips, and Facebook posts about the city’s progress, I finally agreed to visit her family and explore opportunities. Fueled by determination, I ramped up efforts at my day job and co-founded a CRM software business with my friend T.J. Ammerman (A.M. Automations) back in Michigan, all to fund our trip. After grinding and saving enough to take a week off work, we packed light—just a bag of clothes, my guitar, and a laptop—and hit the road.

Once we settled in here, it felt like any other visit at first—kinda slow. But then, we stumbled upon an event that completely altered our path. After a night of mingling with talented individuals and business owners, some of whom are deeply rooted in the entertainment industry, we made a resolute decision to stay. I swiftly landed a sales job and immediately breathed life into a new script. For the past two months, every day has been a whirlwind of auditions, writing sessions, music creation, and acquiring new clients for my business—all while my job keeps the bills paid. The hunger to be back on set has been intense! Yet, I’m grateful for every step of this journey so far. Being away has taught me invaluable lessons. I found solace in a community of believers who guided me back to faith after a long absence. I learned resilience in the face of loss, the importance of distancing myself from toxic influences, and the art of appreciating the smallest blessings. Most importantly, I’ve embraced the necessity of taking risks. Life’s too short to remain in a comfort zone. At my job, I was replaceable; to my friends and even some of my family, I was too. But amidst it all, I’ve come to cherish my uniqueness. People may move on, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to extend love and respect, even from a distance.

But let me tell you something: Remember, a job is just that—a job. They can replace you as if you were never there to begin with. I understand some of what I’ve said may sound bleak, but that’s not the essence. The essence is about taking risks. There is always hope, even when it feels like the whole world is against you, even when you’re backed into a corner, even when you’ve reached your limit. Life is too short to settle for merely getting by. Personally, I find it uninspiring. I aspire to build generational wealth for my descendants. I strive to retire by 35 and continue pursuing my passions. I want to live a life where I’m not spending 40-60 hours a week working only to come home to eat, sleep, and repeat. Don’t you?

If you’d like to help me get there quicker, check out amautomations.com or my entertainment site christiandeaton.com. Whether you own a business, have a side hustle, or simply want to connect, I’m here to lend a hand and be the guy who knows a guy.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I spent most of my early years growing up in a small farm town in Blissfield, Michigan—blink and you’ll pass it. My journey in entertainment began with church plays and musicals. After years of performing locally, I graduated and moved to Los Angeles, specifically Hollywood, where I immersed myself in acting. There, I learned the intricacies of movement, speech, behavior, body language, listening, character portrayal, and more. Surprisingly, I also discovered a passion for writing country and folk music, a genre I hadn’t appreciated before; I suppose it was my way of reconnecting with home.

Once in L.A., I hit the ground running, spending countless nights crafting character backstories, reading scripts and books, and mastering lines until sunrise. My education extended beyond acting to include stage combat, dance, and psychology—a comprehensive learning experience that defies easy description!

I like to consider myself a jack of all trades. I write scripts for film and television, compose music both solo and collaboratively, act, and co-own a CRM software company called A.M. Automations. Our specialty lies in streamlining business operations—whether it’s automating backend processes, managing online presence like Google Reviews, or even serving as a virtual receptionist. As we continue to expand, we’re constantly acquiring new skills and knowledge.

Beyond my professional roles, I’m someone who’s had to learn everything from scratch. What sets me apart is my unwavering motivation and strong moral compass. There’s no option but to work tirelessly seven days a week, and I believe in honesty and accountability. If I make a mistake, I’m committed to correcting it.

What I’m most proud of is my refusal to settle for anything less than excellence. Whether it’s a scene that needs refining or any aspect of my work and life, I seek honest feedback and strive for improvement. My girlfriend, Shunteriea, also an actress, plays a crucial role in pushing me to excel, even when it’s tough to hear. Mediocrity frustrates me; if you’re not willing to do it right, why do it at all? And when mistakes happen, I’m dedicated to making things right.

The main thing I want clients and followers to know about me and my brand is this: I am my brand. I wear many hats and I’m a little blunt at times, but I am here to do my best, always.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Definitely! One great book is the Holy Bible. Right now you’re probably laughing, but it’s true. Look up Myron Golden on YouTube sometime. The man has business and motivation down to an exact science, and he uses the Bible to explain it. Outside of that, I would say this: always be willing to learn, always be willing to grow, and always put your head down and grind. My favorite teacher from college always used to say, ‘The work is the work, is the work.’

Beyond hard work is brainstorming to work smarter, not harder.

Some other great resources are:

Motivation – Eric Thomas (Videos)

Sales – The Way of the Wolf by Jordan Belfort (Book)

Relational – Conversation Tactics: Strategies to Charm, Befriend, and Defend by Patrick King (Book)

Survival/Skill/Amusement – Pretty much anything by ex-Navy SEAL Clint Emerson (Books)

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Oh man, this is the number one thing that drives me insane sometimes. But it’s understandable.

First and foremost, this isn’t meant to be taken the wrong way. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a normal 9-5 job, providing for your family, and retiring in your 60s. It’s actually admirable, and there are many times where I want to be doing that. However, it’s just not for me. I’ve worked a factory job, waited tables, and worked in construction—those are all reasonable ways to make money. If you’re good at it and you like it, do it. I actually miss bailing hay and swinging a hammer sometimes. But here’s what I’ll say: you should never give up or give in, ever! Never just settle. When I ask someone, ‘How are you doing today?’ and their response is ‘living the dream,’ 9 out of 10 times they’re lying. Most people I’ve heard say that look miserable all day.

Too many times I’ve been told, ‘I can get you a job driving trucks,’ or ‘I know a guy that’s hiring for…’ fill in the blank for any other job. But I don’t want to do that, nor do I want to be stuck doing anything else for 20-40 years. I just don’t. Every human has something that they really love, something that makes them tick, something they’re extremely good at.

For me, if my car breaks down, my girlfriend leaves me, or I feel like I’m flying high, it gets turned into a song, a script, or acted out in some way. And the thing is, I genuinely don’t know where it comes from. It’s got to be God’s gift for me. Everyone has a gift, and art is mine. I’ve been considered an idiot, a dreamer, and all kinds of other things for saying this truth. That’s for someone else, just not me. And a lot of non-creatives take that the wrong way. It’s not a personal jab at anyone in any way, shape, or form. And to be honest, if you take it personally, ask yourself this: ‘Do I actually enjoy my job and life? Do I live to work or work to live? Do I have something to leave behind for my kids?’ If you don’t, then it’s okay to admit that. I don’t have all the things I want or need yet, and that’s the key—’Yet.’

I’m willing to chase my dream, even if it means losing everything, because if I don’t, then I will have left something on the table, and I’m not willing to do that. I will spend every hour I have chasing my goals until the day I die. And when I obtain one goal, I will find a new goal to chase. I will not settle for average, and I don’t want anyone else to either. I’m not saying this as if I’m better than anyone else. That’s not it at all. I’m just a guy with big dreams and goals. And you know what? That dentist, construction worker, engineer—you name it—they are unique as well. Be unique! Do what you love, even if you have to suffer along the way. It’s worth it. You’re worth it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://christiandeaton.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian_deaton/
• Other: https://amautomations.com

Image Credits

Image credits to Scenario Photography (Horse photo and Me and the young lady back to back), Fiori Carmen (Bloody cake and the thumbs up) , Bob Wilcox (Black and white photo), and John Anthony Sutton (Headshot green shirt).