Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Howard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chris, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Most definitely. There is a lot of times I wish I could just be pre-med, do the 5-7year residency and become a doctor, especially since I have already reaped any benefits from pursuing my creative passion. That though circles through every now and then, usually when something happens in my life that creates doubt (every year that passes and I haven’t made it, girl becomes disinterested because I don’t have a salary job and doubts I can give her financial stability, whenever I have a set where no one laughs. This is a passion that really tests your desire for it, especially when you’re not born into it with connections already giving you the right of passage.

There’s 2 things that keep me going: the immense belief in myself and the stories of inspiration other people give me. Throughout the last 11 years of me pursuing an entertainment career I have had so many people either dm me or straight up tell me how much my ambition inspires them and how the fact that I put my financial life on the line for it has created a lot of respect for them. Just seeing how much the way you approach your passion affects people’s views inspires me. Cause it’s like, no one ever goes all in. They either dance around it and pursue it as a hobby or just straight up find a career that guarantees them a salary. Which is cool, but at the end of the day we all consume entertainment. You literally look to people like me to de-stress and to distract you from your hardships. That in of itself is validation enough that my career matters.

And also I’ve tried to live a normal life. Do the job, whatever. But I am literally not built for it. I am too independent and I am going to do what I want to do regardless. So, this is kind of make or break for me, but I have complete faith I’m moving in the right direction, even though I’m constantly getting battered for it.

Chris, 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?

The story about me thinking about switching careers tells you everything you need to know about me. How I got into standup, specifically is interesting. My dream started at 11 years old, but it was focused on acting- comedy. Then around 16, I found Kevin Hart’s Special, ” Let me Explain” and that changed my life. I saw someone onstage who my exact energy and vibe. Then I started doing standup. As I got older I started to gain more respect for comedians than actors. Actors read some words someone else wrote and act like someone else. Comedians express themselves by themselves. And you already know how much I wanna do what I want.

The services I provide always include my standup comedy but I also run a show called,” Chris Howard’s Comedy Hour” and I can run it 2 ways. I can either book myself + musicians or I can book all comedians. And its basically as simple as it sounds. My show, performers I book. Your entertainment.

The thing I am most proud of is how far I’ve come. Although I am not doing stadiums, I can throw a show whenever I want and I am good at express myself comedically to the audience. That kind of stuff you can’t just do it takes something different.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I want to provide opportunities for other artists. I want to make the road for the ones coming after me, to be easier than the road I had to travel.

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?

Man, people think they get judged. Wait til you get judged from all that, PLUS your choice of career. Not only do people look down on it, they simply don’t respect it. Just because the decision on whether you become successful or not, depends on how creative you are, no one sees it as attainable. Yet, I would argue, less than 2% of the world is talented enough to do what we do. I would also argue more than 2% of the world are doctors, engineers or in tech. Imagine you were going to med-school and doing residency and the whole time everyone in your life was looking at you with disapproval because they think there’s more secure ways to attain a salary job. I think once people see that. Then see the actual value we provide. Then try to do what we do and get embarrassed. Only then will you truly get it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: thisischrishoward
• Twitter: itsjustchrisbro
• Youtube: thisischrishoward

Image Credits
isabelle milford lexi crawford