We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenn Henry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jenn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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.

To “take a risk”, by definition, is to expose (someone or something valued) to danger, harm, or loss. Funny how it’s a completely relative term that boils down to our own connotations of perceived “danger, harm, or loss”…the options we see at any given time, and the plausible consequences we are willing to accept. The choice is always ours; fear the mitigating variable.

That in mind, a rational person would view starting a business, especially one in the Creatives field, even under the most promising of circumstances, a risk. Making the decision to be a professional voiceover when you’re on unemployment, WIC and SNAP(food stamps) with two kids in diapers, and have skill sets/experience to work a “regular job”….completely insane, irresponsible, and selfish. Rest assured there were people in my sphere who made certain I was aware of such. They weren’t wrong. So, why that decision? How could I even believe it possible? While I possessed basic, technical skill sets carried over from a radio career, I had no clue how to build a business in Voiceover or the acumen to translate from another industry. So, risk?

(A quick aside: The irony of Arts (performance and visual) industries, is that Creatives are often, how should I saayy…okay, generally speaking, often a rolling ball of neurotic, a little nuts if even in a good way; thus, not organically well suited for the types of challenges we have to take on. Or, maybe it’s just me.)

SPOILER: It was mostly horrible in the beginning. I wasn’t prepared for the psychological and emotional impact of being a freelance Creative. I’ll spare you all the times I felt I should quit, the rivers of self doubt, guilt, environmental BS, and resulting breakdowns. If even gradually less so over time as Success came with the first financial milestone of cutting up the SNAP card, then putting something non-essential at the front of the grocery checkout instead of having to wait for the subtotal…..and so on. A decade later, I’m a respected member of my corner of the VO community, make a living, have won some awards and stuff, and occasionally host workshops, coach and speak at conferences.

So, did the “risk” pay off? That’s just it, remember “That in mind, a rational person would view starting a business, especially one in the Creatives field, even under the most promising of circumstances, a risk.”…… I’m not one of those “rational” people. I didn’t give the Universe options. Never was there a mindset of, “Well, I’ll give it a shot and if it doesn’t pan out within a particular time frame I’ll just go back to this comfortable paycheck.” There was one permissible outcome from day one, regardless of what the path held; because, the alternative was not being home with my kids, the alternative was spending career eternity (if even adequate) with authentic self and creative need strapped by status quo. For me, there was greater risk perceived in being “safe”.

Fear defines risk. The more fearless I become, the less scared I am. (Metaphorically speaking, of course. Keep your “thrills” like jumping from a perfectly good plane and stuff. :D )

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

Oh no! I may have answered part of that. I’m already long winded so I’ll try to avoid redundant. HI! I’m Jeeeenn. 52 year old (why does “52” seem weird) mother of boys 12/14…both of whom still like me and think I’m “cool” enough to have all the buddies hang out here. I could be lying to myself and it’s just that we usually have primo snacks and robust wifi. I like short walks to the fridge, long nights in front of documentaries of all topics, and/or favorite YouTubers playing games I love, and may not have the time or patience to play myself….passions land where they live; so, call it research, if you will.

Professionally, I am owner of Jenn Henry Creatives, a Boutique Production House providing, National and International Award-Winning, multilingual voice over/voice acting talent and audio production services for Commercial, Elearning, Explainer Videos, Corporate Training and Narration, Medical Narration, IVR, Political, Documentary, Live Announce (pre-recorded), Video Game and Animation, etc. My network of collaborators afford clients (which we regard as collaborators in kind), of all Industries, access to some of the most highly credited and regularly heard talent in the US, UK, and Europe, with post-production audio and video services available for most genres. In a world starved of authenticity and connection, we Bring Brands Closer to those they serve, drive more Engaging Elearning/Training, and Elevate Interactive Experiences. What makes us unique across Industries and Genres is we are Skilled, Gifted Actors able to connect and convey in meaningful ways. Amid a re-brand launch, our slogan is “Let’s Get Real”

While I’m proud of my own professional accomplishments, (Yep, there are some beefy ones) none are possible without the tenacity to see all things through, and the support, encouragement, occasional butt kicking, and opportunities provided by those who saw my potential to be come the person and performer I have, long before any was real to me. None of us achieves as a singular entity, no project simply “happens” it is Always a collaboration of talents; and, when we flood our space with positive mindset, attitude, humor…lots and lots of humor, knowing we are limited only by the boundaries of our imagination, insanely cool doors open. When I step thorough them I’m beholden to do right by those saw me there.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Somehow I was cosmic cradled when I walked into the Industry and sat down. I met people, very early on, who protected me from lots of the pitfalls. On the one hand, not knowing what I didn’t know was a huge benefit. Scores of people have pre-conceived notions of what to expect/anticipate, and unfortunately there are too many “easy money” Vultures in many industries who prey on those notions. On the other hand, “going it alone” can lead talented people to wash out before they’ve given themselves to opportunity, made the opportunity to establish a viable return on their effort.

The biggest thing ANYONE needs to learn walking into the business world is how to optimally run a business. This can be especially trying for creatives because we really just want to do what we do and feel certain roses will grow as we let #&^# mount. SURPRISE! No roses. I wish I had a firm grasp of the business of the business early on. I’m not of that mind and it is no excuse. There are tremendous business and marketing coaches in the VO industry, and a newcomer HAS to do their due diligence to find a reputable means of developing building their Creatives business or they can find themselves floundering with far fewer opportunities to gain traction. Making it part of your process so it is routine is CRUCIAL.

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

One story that illustrates resilience is really the story itself…considerably less so in recent years, still. Is it Creatives’ plight? Fear of disappointing, not meeting expectation, not being/doing “enough” the most deeply hammered nails of my foundation don’t make great complement to the fools passion driving a career in any Creative field…and yet, if it is part of who you are, it is something you HAVE to do. As an avocation, insecurities born of that suck. As a chosen occupation, they can be crippling in so many ways, none of which spared me, and to greater or lesser degrees so many like me. Over many, many years of exploring to a granular level what makes me tick, what elements of my wiring are responsible for any toxicity in my world at any given moment, and re-wiring the original engine. I learned I didn’t need to be as resilient because I saw fewer things as setbacks, knockdowns or rejections. Resilience is simple. We just have to have something important enough to us to keep getting back up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jennhenrycreatives.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennhenry226/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennHenry226/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennhenryvoiceover/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennHenryVO
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Headshot Banner Photo Credit: Diana Birdsall