We recently connected with Hunter Phoenix and have shared our conversation below.
Hunter, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
Yes, I have been fortunate to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it has spanned creative professions – actress, model, voice over artist and now content creator. It has been wide and varied, but not an overnight success— definitely a journey of persistence, adaptability, and continuous refinement, mores today than ever!
It became apparent early in my career that success in this industry is not just about appearance but also about professionalism, networking, and understanding the business side of things. I’ve worked with a lot of wonderful companies and brands over the years, but my journey has included a lot of small jobs— the kind that “keep you eating” as we say in the biz. But each opportunity, no matter how small, was and continues to be a stepping stone. You just never know where it’s going to lead.
One of the key milestones in my career was securing agency representation in multiple markets. Living and working in eight different countries broadened my perspective and helped me develop an international portfolio. I learned to adapt to different aesthetics and cultural expectations, which made me more versatile and marketable.
Another pivotal moment was recognizing the importance of branding. I treated my career as a business, ensuring my image, reputation, and relationships were carefully cultivated. Social media has also became a tool to showcase my work and personality beyond the traditional portfolio, opening doors to direct bookings and collaborations.
Looking back, could I have sped up the process? Maybe. If I had known earlier how crucial networking and self-promotion were, I might have positioned myself for bigger opportunities sooner. But every lesson, even the hard ones, played a role in shaping the career I have today.
Ultimately, longevity in this industry comes from evolving with it—staying professional, adaptable, and always ready for the next chapter.
Hunter, 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?
First and foremost I’m an actress. I never really planned on any of the other stuff, but I also fell into the worlds of modelling and voice over, with over 20 years of experience, having the unique and wonderful opportunity to live and work in different countries. My career has been defined by versatility, elegance, sheer bold action, and the ability to adapt to different markets and creative visions. Whenever I’m in front of a camera it’s always about storytelling… sharing in someone else’s vision, embodying a brand’s identity, and bringing a concept to life.
My start was like in this industry much like so many others — through local castings, test shoots, unpaid projects and a lot of perseverance. But what has set my career apart has been my willingness to explore global opportunities. Working in different markets, has given me a depth of experience that has allowed me to transition seamlessly between various genres. International exposure not only refined my skills but has also given me a unique understanding of cultural nuances.
One of the things that has set me apart over the years is my sheer drive and professionalism. I work extremely hard and want to make every production the best! I have a fanatical obsession with detail. One of the hardest things for me to learn was to step aside and give others room to breathe in the creative space.
It’s not just about showing up in front of the camera but about bringing value. This is nuanced in so many ways from technical excellence to creative input. I really pride myself on my ability to collaborate and bring 100% to set, building lasting relationships with clients and peers who trust in my ability to elevate their projects.
Beyond my on-camera work, I am passionate about mentoring and sharing insights with aspiring creatives, helping them navigate this industry with confidence and strategy. I always say “people have a backstage pass with me.” I really don’t hold back! I want new blood coming into the business and breathing new life into it and I will go out of my way to help someone else succeed.
This is one of the things I’m most proud of; I call it “creative generosity.” Life is simply stagnant without it. As a very famous book once said “We do not live for ourselves only…”
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Life, careers and business is nothing but constant pivoting – the only thing you can count on is change. My career as wonderful as it is, certainly doesn’t look anything like I had thought it would, or planned on. I trained classically as an actor. I never planned on modeling, or voice overs, script doctoring, or working as a producer’s assistant or content creation. Lol! Content creation didn’t even exist until just a few years ago really. It’s absolutely brand new in the grand scheme of things.
I had to pivot during the writer strike of 2007 when I had just booked a lead role on a TV series, moved across the country, bought a new home in a city, where I knew no one, and then had the entire industry collapsed just a few weeks after I got there. I was living someplace with no friends, no family, a new mortgage, and now my job was gone! Because of lack of work, my agent even left the country. That was a HUGE pivot just to keep the bills paid and the lights on.
The Covid shut downs caused us all to pivot again… Literally overnight. Then, of course, there was a double strike of writers and actors in 2023. Reality TV was invented during the first writers, strike, and that disrupted the entire television industry, Streamers have disrupted traditional network TV series shooting and scheduling. In any industry count on completion, count on disruption, count on change. It’s always just around the corner!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
There are SO MANY books, essays, podcasts and more that have impacted my life and my career. I’m an absolutely voracious reader, always have been and you can take just about any book out of the top 10 motivational books any given year, and I can pretty much guarantee that I will have read it.
Some of the books are general success skills like Jim Rohn, Jack Canfield or Tony Robbins, and others have been industry specific. There was a fabulous book, titled “The Hollywood Economist”. It used to be updated every year, but it got to a point where the industry just changed so rapidly I imagine the updates were no longer feasible. Phenomenal piece of writing. It really helped me understand a lot about the business side of show business.
A few other resources that have influenced my entrepreneurial thinking:
• Atomic Habits by James Clear – a game-changer for mastering small habits that lead to long-term success.
• The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss – eye-opening strategies on optimizing time and building an independent career.
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck – a must-read for shifting into a growth-oriented mindset.
• Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss – essential for learning the art of negotiation, a key skill in securing contracts and partnerships.
• Daring Greatly by Brené Brown – a powerful book on vulnerability, authenticity, and leadership.
• Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – a groundbreaking book on women, leadership, and workplace dynamics.
Beyond books, I’ve also gained insights from TED Talks, industry podcasts, and interviews with top creatives and entrepreneurs. Platforms like MasterClass have been fantastic for learning from industry leaders in film, in television and in business.
Ultimately, real-world experience is the only way you learn, but equipping yourself with knowledge from those who’ve navigated similar paths can is a crucial tool for success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://HunterPhoenix.tv
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterphoenix.tv
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realHunterPhoenix
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterphoenix/
- Twitter: https://x.com/Hunter_Phoenix
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HunterPhoenix
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hunterphoenix.tv
IMDB: https://www.imdb.me/hunterphoenix
Image Credits
Michael Tari – Photographer (pink background headshot)
Awry Productions – screenshots from film