We recently connected with Erman Baradi and have shared our conversation below.

Erman, appreciate you joining 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.

You know how The Rock has his “seven bucks” story? I think I’m there now, at the brink of something that’s fingertips away, even if I can’t see how far I’m reaching. The last whole decade has been a risk to me, and I’ve adapted, pivoted, and changed. I remember getting dropped from my office job at my film school during my senior year. I stood at a crossroads: continue to go the office route, or go all in on my creative endeavors. I chose the latter.

I already knew the risks, but I’m thinking long term. I’ve slept on the couches and ate the ramen. I could’ve had a comfy 9-5 for the last ten years, which has its benefits like nice cars and endless vacations that a lot of my friends back home have. It’s funny. They look at me like “I want to be like him.” But I look at them like “I wish I had what they have.” But again, I remind myself that I took the creative route and if something hits big, I’d have more impact and a bigger reward. I want to send my parents on vacation all the time and help fund my siblings’ business ventures. I’m banking on the long term route to do that.

Many things I do I’m reminding myself of the endgame. I’ve spent my own money and stayed in the red many times on risks that I know will pay off for me someday. People will see me hanging out with executives or take pictures on red carpets and think I’m living the life, but on the inside I’m racing to figure out how to survive another day just like anybody else.

These anxieties I’ve used to my advantage, though, when it comes to my writing. As a screenwriter and poet, I channel the pain, self-doubt, uncertainty, and even the optimism of tomorrow into my work. Ultimately, I believe, the risks are worth the outcome. Universally, we can relate to the life of a creative cutting his teeth in Los Angeles of all place. It’s like we asked for the pain.

Speaking of risks, ever done an Instagram ad and got nothing out of it? Yeesh.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m called “the top networker in Hollywood.” It’s a long story, really, but I’m used to telling it. You can say I’m the glue between an aspiring talent (actor, writer, musician) and the pros (producers, casting directors, music execs). We’re in a busy world, so I find the time for both parties to connect. I’ve been doing these in a variety of ways like panel events, mixers, parties, film and screenplay and music contests, speed networking, coffee meets, etc. I get creatives either signed, introduced to collaborators, or connect them with friends. I’ve had several incarnations for a brand, but currently, my brand is Ermantourage. (Don’t think too hard. It’s Erman + Entourage)

Now, that’s what I do on the surface. There’s nothing like a friend or a stranger telling you something you did saved him, changed him, or made his day better in some fashion. If I could compare it to music, there is music you listen to at the club with your friends. Then there’s the quiet drive home where you listen to a song that makes you feel good about life or reflect on memories and people you love. I’m thrilled that my brand does both. We do the parties and the red carpets, which is all great. Then, you dives deeper. People feel connected in a lonely time. We’re surrounded by millions, yet feel alone. When we have events people connect on a genuine level. There was an occasion when a friend told me an industry event literally saved her life during her worst times. It brings meaning to what we do. On the creative side, I’ve started putting out poetry. It’s one of the things I’d do sitting in class while everyone else was paying attention, so it’s kind of a first love. Along with that, as a hobby that could be something bigger, I’ve turned poems into songs in collaboration with songwriters. I’ve had readers and listeners tell me my poetry and songwriting affects them deeply. That’s the type of movies I want to make. You’re entertained, but walk away more connected to the material on an emotional level.

What I’m most proud of is pulling off what I do on a grassroots level. I don’t have the backing or the budget or the numbers as these more well-known organizations, but I put together the best lineups.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

There’s someone out there in the world just waiting to see what I have to offer and it’ll change him. You know that moment when you just fall in love with life again. I’d like to supply that to someone. Of course, it’s all about taking of the family first and foremost and make sure their needs and wishes are met. My job is done when they don’t have any more burdens. My next poetry book “Bad Times & Goodbyes” that I’m putting out soon gathers new and reprised pieces that mostly center on the ups and downs of growing up, but with hopeful endings. My desire is for everyone I know and strangers alike to read it and keep their dreams alive despite the obstacles in our ways. Also, I’d love to be like Mr. Beast one day. I want to make a billion dollars just to hit it then give it away to invest in family businesses or make someone’s last wishes come true. That’s what I really hope for out of my career, to become successful then use my resources to make someone else’s year.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My very first Instagram name was Armani Bacardi because I took two successful businesses that sounded like my name and put them together. I guess it’s manifestation. Let me be as big as those brands! But things really took off when I made the name Erman LA on Twitter and Instagram. After years of gaining an audience organically just by doing cool things and being funny, I eventually switched everything to just my government name. I don’t have the biggest presence ever, but I got a memorable presence. Advice I’d give is to not try so hard. By that I mean don’t kill yourself over having just 500 followers and you’re wishing for 500,000. For me, it’s not about the how many but the who. Impact the people who currently follow. If it’s just 500, okay, go make a difference to those 500. The rest will come over time as long as you’re staying true to your niche.

Contact Info:

• Website: ermantourage.gumroad.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/ermanbaradi
• Facebook: facebook.com/ermanbaradi
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ermanbaradi
• Twitter: twitter.com/ermanbaradi
• Other: patreon.com/ermanbaradiwrites

Image Credits
First 2 group pics: Hughes Le. Blonde picture against back drop: Electric Victory Getty pic with red carpet: Unique Nicole