We recently connected with Dominique Franceschi and have shared our conversation below.

Dominique, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I’ve been working since I was able to. I forget how old I was when I was already selling gum and soda in school. My senior year in High School I was working part time, and I had a full time job before I knew what I was going to study. I’ve had my fair share of regular jobs, but as I look back on them, I realize every single regular job I’ve had, was to support my creative career at that point. I remember how surprised I was the first time one of my bosses asked me if I wanted to cash in my sick days, or if I was planning to use them. The idea that I “earned” free time for every hour worked was completely foreign.

While the perks of a regular job can be very alluring (hello health insurance), my reality is, no amount of PTO can replace the joy of loving what you do.

Of course, you are basically trading job security and a clear career path for the wilderness that is a Creative Career, but, as lucky as I have been to have wonderful bosses, there is something truly magical about working for yourself, and more than that, working on something you are passionate about. That passion has made my creative career a self powered machine. Not because I don’t need to do anything to make it work (on the contrary, you’re always looking for your next project), but because I get as much joy out of all the hours of work I put in, as I do when I look back at (and get paid for) the finished product.

Now I am not saying only creatives can find joy, but I do firmly believe that there is something out there for everyone, and if you can get paid for it, then that’s the true jackpot.

Dominique, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Colombian Narrator & VO Artist based in Los Angeles. On stage, I have voiced characters from the operatic Wardrobe from “The Beauty and the Beast”, to the foxy Velma Kelly from “Chicago”, as well as the wise Sarabi from “The Lion King”.

I got my ‘official’ start on audiobooks when I joined Elise Arsenault’s course “The Great Audiobook Adventure”, which really helped me elevate my craft so that I could pursue Audiobooks and VO full-time. As a reliable, versatile, and bilingual (Spanish/English) narrator, I loves bringing Latinx, Fantasy and Sci-Fi stories to life. Having a BFA in Performing Arts, as well as two Associate of Arts in Dance and Communication Studies also helps me create voices that are genuine, and narrate compelling stories; perfect for YA, Self-Help, or Literary Fiction.

When not in the booth, I enjoy playing RPG video games, teaching Ballet, leading Movement Based Early Childhood Education classes for toddlers, and taking photos of landscapes I one day hope to paint.

Being a multilingual immigrant sits at the core of who I am, but it’s not everything I am. My dream and hope is diversifying the stories we read, as well as the voices that get to tell them. I am most proud (and most lucky) to have found a space that allows me to use my voice to elevate others. I am passionate about doing what I can to make sure this world is a kind, inclusive and safe place for everyone.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think understanding the difference between a mass produced product and a hand crafted one is key. Yes, you will often have to make a larger investment up front for something that is hand made, and done by a single individual instead of an automated system, but by doing so, you are also getting a litle piece of that artist that no one else will have. You are getting something made from the heart, something unique, something human. Creative careers (and creatives) exist because not everything in this world can be contained into a linear path of learning and existing.

Learn about the creative ecosystems in your communities, see if any of them resonates with you. Go see a live show, explore your local businesses, ask your circle if any of them have any passion projects. Who knows what they might spark in you?

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

*Practice Makes Perfect*

So, for me, doing something I was passionate about meant me doing my best to do my best. For the longest time I thought that if I gave 100% of me to 100% of the things I did, then the ROI (Return on Investment) would always be a new 100% towards progress, and would bring me closer to “perfection”.

It never occurred to me that giving away 100% of me meant there was 0% of me left to enjoy the journey I was in.

It never occurred to me that unless I was strategic with where I was putting in that energy, society could just take my 100% and give nothing back.

But the most important one, (and if anything stays with you after this, I hope it’s this), perfection does not exist.

We could dive into the social constructs driven by consumerism that are designed to make us hate ourselves, and convince us that buying or doing XYZ will fix us (make us ‘perfect’), make us happy, and make us love ourselves. But understanding all that means nothing unless you come to terms with the fact that, unless you are 100% truly doing it for yourself (and not for ANYONE else); it. does. not. matter.

While we can always continue to grow and learn new things, it’s also important to know what growth and knowledge we are seeking, and understanding WHY we are seeking them. You are the only person that spends 100% of your time with yourself, so doesn’t it make sense that you make yourself a priority?

Practice can lead to improvement, but be honest about why you are practicing. Do you really want an A+? Do you really want to fill up a stadium? Do you really want that corner office? There is no wrong answer here, but also, there is not a single universal ‘perfect’ answer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dominiquefranceschi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domfranceschi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/domfranceschiofficial
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r2domi2/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/r2domi2
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi9e8wl490gmMG8nzWVeP_w?view_as=subscriber
• Other: Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/@domfranceschi?utm_medium=ch_profile&utm_campaign=qFudfAMSzhTx01nHzgrObA-125847