We were lucky to catch up with Jaki Lauper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jaki, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? We’d love to hear the backstory the illustrates how you grew your brand.

I think as an actress this is definitely an interesting question. For me it was constantly striving to get better and learning all I could. So being in the right acting class for me which is probably not the right acting class for everybody but for me the PATH technique with Greg Sims is just amazing and I love it and have never felt so comfortable with my work. It also meant learning all I could about the self tape process now that the majority of auditions are self tapes. And just constantly learning and researching and trying new things.

After I did all this (and it’s a work in progress so I’m never done) and was blessed to book a recurring role on the Disney Plus acclaimed show “Doogie Kamealoha, MD,” in Hawaii the up leveling in other areas began in in regards to scaling up my resume/reel, adding or changing members of my team and more.

Jaki, 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 recur as Donna Rosenblatt throughout season two of the celebrated Disney+ medical comedy-drama series, DOOGIE
KAMEALOHA, M.D

I started my acting career back in the days of afterschool specials with
an appearance in the ABC Afterschool Special Just Tipsy, Honey, followed by
an episode of the drama Family Medical Center. Since then, I’ve
appeared in many indie film projects, including several in the horror genre
earning the coveted title of ‘Scream Queen’ for my on-screen bloodcurdling screams. I also starred opposite internet personalityand actress-singer Indiana Massara in the comedy digital short
VegansGiving.

When not working on-camera, I work as a Radio Anchor/Host and Traffic & News Reporter for multiple iHeartRadio stations. Before making my way back to the west coast,
I got my start as a journalist in Connecticut, gaining experience as a host
and producer of a local talk show and as a journalist writing for the local
paper. I’m also a proud mom of 3 children and many fur babies.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Yes, as I can really relate to this question. When I was young, late teens, my family and I moved to LA., the move was very difficult and emotional to leave great friends behind, but once we got here I was so excited, as I had always wanted to be an actress, since I was a young child and here was my chance! I worked consistently at my craft (acting), was very resilient as it was very slow going in the beginning and after working hard for a while, I started to get some success, worked some shows, theatre etc. and then as young folks do, I started yearning for other adventures and so I stepped away from acting and moved out of family home, lived out of state, traveled, had fun, experienced life really. Years later I met my now husband, got into radio work and had 3 kids and enjoyed my radio on air work but in late 2018/early 2019 I started really missing acting and it just wouldn’t leave me, the acting bug bit again and I wanted to try it again but I had severe doubts that I was too old, too many years away from the business etc. but I stayed resilient and kept going, training, learning, doing all the things I needed to do to get back in the business and I’m grateful that I did even though it hasn’t been easy. I’m blessed to be able to still work in radio and work as an actress and have my family life as a wife, mom of three kids and many fur babies.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes, I wish I knew to just ask more people in the business for help, referrals and more. I think learning from those in what ever field you are in – is so important as they have tools, guidance, referrals, training tips and more but you just have to ask and keep asking a variety of people and never stop learning as you can always strive to be better.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/JakiLauper
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jakisbuzz
• Twitter: Twitter.com/JakisBuzz

Image Credits
Bella Saville Photography Matt Stasi Photography Disney Plus