We recently connected with Erika Mays and have shared our conversation below.
Erika, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
Wow! This is a loaded question for so many reasons. Mainly because my thoughts have changed so drastically over the last few years. I used to think like the majority of artists who probably feel that starting a career so unexpected would be best to do younger when you have the “least to lose” sort of speak.
I started fairly young in this career and ultimately spent so many years of my life in a delusional space. I wasn’t as smart with my attention, energy, and investments. I STILL laugh to this day thinking about my “5 year plan to Hollywood” phase! I seriously thought I’d move to NYC, book a guest star role in my first year, land a series regular role on the hottest Netflix show by year 3, and be buying my first condo in Calabasas by age 25. HA!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s amazing to relentlessly believe in the success of your career goals, it’s a quality I share with so many other talented actors; but lacking life experience can result in hurtful reality checks, and years of discomfort.
Looking back i would’ve found peace and stability, then used that to catapult my artistic career.
Erika, 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?
Well, for those who don’t know me, I acted in a few projects in the past until my world completely changed in 2020 when I decided to record my first Voiceover audition. Since then, I’ve booked over 100 roles in the voiceover industry: from Commercials, to Audiobooks, Animation Games and more! Need a conversational, cool demeanor to voice your next advertisement? Look no further for the most eclectic sound in the industry.
While I love being in the booth, I still LIVE for a good story. I’m amazed at the amount of content that’s so readily available these days! Although there’s a lot of mediocre projects out, I think it’s beautiful to live in a time where many collaborations are able to have viewers all over the world. My ultimate goal is to be part of the telling of great original stories. Ozark, A Handmaid’s Tale, How to Get Away with Murder, Dead to Me, Money Heist, Wednesday…you know, good stories.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Absolutely. Since 2020 I’ve really propelled myself on a personal journey to become as financially intelligent as possible. I’ve made it routine to read books, take classes, listen to podcasts…I even have amazing mentors that lead by example (whether they know who I am or not). Currently, my favorite female leaders are Sierra Gates and Marie Forleo. My favorite podcasts right now are from Black Girls Heal and Women & Wealth.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Oh definitely. In this kind of career you’d be doing yourself a dis-service if you don’t pivot honestly. It becomes part of anyone’s journey to success in your doing it right.
To be honest, I’m now finding myself pivoting in more drastic ways than ever because my career is flourishing in many different directions. I have no time to serve, bartend, or keep a retail job – -actually, at the end of 2022, I completely left my safety net and although it was nerve-racking I’m so grateful for the pivot. Living in my career this way is what’s helped me start interested in financial structure, taxes, business benefits, and the like. Life really is greater once you jump off fear mountain.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://about.me/erikamays
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikasway_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheErikaMays
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikamays/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/erikasway_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erikasway_
- Other: https://linktr.ee/erikasway_
Image Credits
Photos by Coco Jourdana, Carlos David