Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Janae Burris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Janae, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I never intended to own my own business. I’m an actor and stand up comedian and I’d like to be staffed on a television show. I’d love to call Issa Rae or Lena Waithe my boss. I’d happily clock in to write quips for Jimmy Kimmel. One route to becoming a television writer is to get really good at stand up comedy and the art of writing jokes. As a stand up comic I am my own boss. I decide which jobs I say yes to and I determine my own salary.
Before I started performing stand up and acting full time I worked many day jobs:  server, caterer, hostess, camp counselor, teacher, office admin, sandwich maker, cashier,  tour guide, seamstress, customer service operator,  ticket seller, one on one aide to kids with special needs, psychic friend, nanny, and more. With every job I worked I continued to audition for acting gigs and perform stand up comedy. I was incredibly stressed over jobs that didn’t make me happy, beat up on my body as well as my self esteem, and still left me struggling to make ends meet. I was having anxiety attacks while trying to get sandwiches delivered in time for office meetings, and then riding the bus home. Never once was the money worth the stress. One day I decided to put more effort into booking stand up and acting work than I was putting into making sandwiches.
My first paid writing gig was for The Cannabist Show at Denver Post. The once a week gig afforded me a little room to cut back on shifts at my sandwich making job. I made the transition to full time stand up comedian/actor inch by inch, shift by  shift, gig by gig. I think the final push was a role in a play at DCPA where rehearsals kept me too busy to go back to my day job. I started one of the best  open mics in Denver so that I could still perform stand up while I was in that play.
I know, this doesn’t sound like a traditional “business owner” situation, but it is. There is no job security,  there is only daily hustle. I’m the only employee. If I don’t show up, the business doesn’t make money.

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 call myself a “Colorado based” comedian and actor. I studied theater in college and Colorado has a really wonderful theater community. Colorado also has a thriving comedy scene. I’m from Los Angeles but I’ve lived in Denver for 9 years. Colorado has provided many opportunities to use my stand up  comedy skills, my acting chops and my storytelling  abilities. This last summer I was Film on the Rocks’ first female MC. I recently became the first woman to run the Comedy Works New Talent program. I’m performing stand up comedy nationally, both as a feature and headlining act. I teach stand up comedy workshops and lead a summer camp for teenage girls who are interested in stand up comedy and developing their sense of humor. Ya know, as  I talk it out I feel like I still have so many jobs, I guess the difference now is that  i’m happily working within my field as a performer and  performing arts instructor. I enjoy being in mentorship positions.

If Lorne Michaels ever calls please patch him through, but while I wait for that call  I have the privilege of working in my field as much or as little as I want.

Oh yeah, I’m also mom to a toddler. Motherhood is the absolute toughest job I’ve had but I feel like I get to represent moms in my field. Often moms just don’t have the time or energy to continue the comedy or acting grind. I’m lucky to have a partner who supports me and works around my schedule so that I can continue doing the work that makes me happy. Lately I write jokes about motherhood and I perform for moms. I mean, not exclusively for moms, the rest of you can listen to the jokes but you won’t get it like moms get it. If you’re into stand up comedy,  come to a show. If you have friends, bring them to a show. If your boss is trying to hire a comic for the annual Christmas shabang,  book me (holiday rates apply). Follow me on Instagram so these club owners can see that people are rooting for me. And buy my merch; most of the money goes to diapers.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media is extremely important for a freelance artist. Clubs and bookers pay attention to your potential for selling tickets. It’s also a place where you may be able to show off some creativity and share your unique voice. Lately I make it a point to ask for those follows, right from the stage. I don’t think my audience is creating a lot of content themselves or hanging out on the gram as much as I am but a simple follow goes a long way and I appreciate every one  I earn. I’ve had plenty of people reach out to me via Facebook or Instagram for booking opportunities. It’s been one of the most useful tools in my career for the last ten years:

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ve had to unlearn the habit of waiting to be asked to be on a show. You can’t just sit  around waiting for anything in this industry. You’re going to have to pitch your product constantly and confidently; the product being you and your unique story.  It’s so scary to put yourself out there but I’ve seen less talented people get much further in this industry simply because they are bold and confident in asking for opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: Janaeburris.com
• Instagram: @negativenegro
• Facebook: Janae Burris
• Linkedin: Janaeburris
• Twitter: @negativenegro
• Youtube: @janaeburriscomedy
• Other: Venmo @janaeburris

Image Credits
All photos taken by my partner David Hanan