We were lucky to catch up with Joanna Thomas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Joanna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a story that illustrates an important or relevant lesson you learned in school

I went to college for dance, acting, and singing. My major was acting. I was not the best dancer in class however I had to put a ballet piece together. Me, as a former hiphop inspired person. You can imagine that laughters, jokes, and pressure where all on my side! At the time I fell out with the director as well, which didn’t lead me to be great or confident at all! So, here we are in class week after week trying to put something together. Like in every creative process there are ups and downs and my down time came maybe right in the middle of the process and I was ready to give up. My teacher said: “Joanna, do something. Offer something. Do your part. Better than nothing.” See, at the time, I was not confident anymore but I did continue. I continued unoriented, walking by faith I guess. Ultimately, I did put something nice together with all the help I could get and it was approved. I still believe that the costumes have been the prettiest out of it all though, haha!
What’s the lesson out of that besides being drained and tired? I HAVE TO PUT MYSELF OUT THERE. I have to start somewhere and the best place to start is where I am, with myself, and what I have. This entire package is unique and an offer to become better, bigger, and greater! Be brave woman, just do it. You are enough, everything else will fall in place, just work it.

Joanna, 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?

People, I am just a girl from Hamburg/ Germany trying to make it in big America! I started as a child model and actor, after graduating High School I went to college following my dreams with smirks on people’s faces. After getting my degree I somewhat hit rock bottom, NOTHING worked out for me. When I say nothing, it was everything I touched did not go into somewhat the direction I had thought of. So, I packed my bags and came to the US for work. I always had wanted to come! After a year, I tried again and BOOM! Things started happening. I took acting classes with Scott Oakley, I got signed with back then the amazing BELL AGENCY, today FORWARD. I became a mom to two amazing daughters. To be fair, I also got married to my most amazing better half and husband James.
During photo shootings for and with my daughters I got to know so many amazing people, I learned so much about myself and my work. Most importantly, I realized how much I love my job. That this is my passion and I don’t want to do anything else but working on set. Dreams are coming true with consistency!

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

YES!!!! I LOVE this question. Simply because I was always so ashamed of telling people that. I worked for a very well-known fast food restaurant located all over the world. My particular location was inside of Hamburg Airport, so of course I met everyone and could not hide (even though I wanted to so badly!!). I was good at it, I loved my job (for a couple of months). I worked full-time selling fries, burgers, and chicken nuggets for the entire summer. I asked for extra shifts, double-checked every paycheck with the days and hours I have worked. I continued my job in the weekends only while I was going to school full-time during the week. I did what I had to do. Don’t get me wrong, I was just starting out and making some money with my own hands, trying to stand on my own feet. I am still in contact with one of my best friend co-worker. She now lives in the city where I’m from, is married, and we have a daughter in the same age.
I learned to work with people, to speak up for myself, and A LOT ABOUT taxes. I will leave it right there!! ;-)
I will never forget about the hustle I had, my first paycheck, the vision for my dreams, and the struggles that come with that. So so so glad I did it. I would do it again.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

ALWAYS CHOOSE THE HIGH ROAD. End of the story!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Joannawthomas
• Facebook: Joanna Thomas

Image Credits
Photos: Jamila Lisbon HMU: Brandi Luster Styling: Brittnai Person