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

AO, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I took a huge risk when I quit my 9-5 job and focused on my creative craft and mental health. It was great that I had free time to work on my mental health and surround myself with supportive family members. This also allowed me more time to focus on my work in entertainment. I am now able to get the work out faster and with more love, passion and effort into it. I haven’t had a job in about a year and honestly it has been one of my greatest risks taken thus far. It was absolutely needed and I am grateful for the time off. I feel better now that I can make my dreams come true with a healthier mindset.

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 first got into the entertainment industry in 2006 doing what I do now and that is owning my own entertainment blog site. I went viral in 3 days of launching my first blog. I wasn’t ready or prepared to deal with the type of attention my business was getting at the time, so I shut it down. I had time to reflect on my instant success over the years and now feel like I can handle it better. Since then, I have lived in Los Angeles, CA and did a lot of networking in the industry and got more hands-on experience with different projects. I help entrepreneurs in Entertainment, Tech, Film and Music gain more exposure with interviews on the site and also free promotion of their business and/or products. My brand will turn itself into a digital television platform down the line. I am just in the starting process of it all now.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Honestly, I am on a mission to help end homelessness. I have been a victim of Homelessness for many years, and it seems all too common now. Prices on everything are constantly rising and paychecks stay the same. In my 5-year plan, I have a plan to help with ending homelessness in certain communities. I just want to do my part no matter how big or small it is.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Leaving Los Angeles recently to deal with my mental health issues was a wakeup call for me. You really do not know how bad it is until it is. Thank God I dealt with it when I did, or we probably wouldn’t even be having this conversation. I think being in Hollywood away from my family for so long was a bit much for me. I didn’t have a supportive tribe around me like I needed compared to my family. My siblings came through for me when I needed them the most. I went through life altering experiences that I never want to go through ever again. It made me hungrier for success. It made me want to live and BE in the moment more. Life is fleeting and I don’t want to keep sleeping through it. I am more resilient, because of my experiences dealing with a failing mental health. I am so much stronger, because I got help. When you get all the way to the bottom there is nowhere else to go but up and I feel that completely.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aonetwork.tv
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/aomogul
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aomogul/