We recently connected with Gina Zollman and have shared our conversation below.

Gina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?

I was asked to sing at a prestigious country club for their monthly Saturday morning gathering of 200 or so members, at 7:30 in the morning. Since many of the members were seniors, the event started with an invocation and a solid minute of prayer and reflection on the somber and poignant passing of two of their brethren. All you could hear was the raspy breathing of some members who were using oxygen tanks to breathe! Then the emcee announced, “And here to entertain us, please welcome Gina Zollman!” I thought, this could be a disaster! But I quickly shifted to my pre-show mantra, “embrace the obvious”, and I decided it was the perfect way to start! The audience was quiet and focused, and needed their spirits lifted! So I matched their mood, starting softly and building slowly, releasing on the refrain (from the theme to “Cheers”) “Where everybody knows your name. And they’re always glad you came!” It was a perfect start of a memorable event!

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 was always a singer, performing in choirs and in shows from age 6 on. The highlight of my choral career was performing at Carnegie Hall- a night I’ll never forget! I had been ensconced in the competitive world of finance after college and finally left at age 31 to follow my heart and pursue my dream of being a nightclub cabaret singer. I sold out my first show and proceeded to gain experience and momentum, playing more elegant venues to increasingly larger crowds. Then my dad died and I withdrew. It had all lost meaning somehow. I stayed on the sidelines until I found a new lease on life after losing- and maintaining- a dramatic weight loss, after years of yo-yo dieting. I changed my show to one of self-revelation and inspiration, which garnered recognition and requests for more shows!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I’m a talented writer and songwriter. My shows have a reputation for having great original material and a strong “book” – the patter and the glue that hold the show together. My shows are described as classy and conversational, like you’re in my living room. It’s important to me that my audience sees the private “me”- my humanity, my vulnerability, my self-awareness and even my blind spots. They relate and travel with me during my show. I share myself with them. I listen to them, and stay in the moment, making sure they know I’m with them. The original songs and specific patter really invites them to see the real me. And to maybe feel their own feelings in a new way, maybe reflecting on something I said or sang. They emerge more alive- transformed- and joyful!

Have you ever had to pivot?

After I lost 130 pounds and kept it off for several years, I realized I had to have a new show! I wanted to explore being the star, not the comic relief! I wanted to show my beauty, my essence, my sweet new lease on life! I had a club owner outline new songs for me to do in a completely new show. It was a huge success and I found my way back into performing so I was no longer the brunt of my own jokes. I later reintroduced light humor into my act, even telling stories about my character roles that were my bread and butter as a large-sized talent. Of course everyone could relate! I pivoted and kept my audience!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ginazollman.com
• Instagram: gianninaz26
• Facebook: Gina Capalbo Zollman
• Linkedin: Gina Zollman
• Youtube: Gina Zollman

Image Credits

Lesley Bohm