We recently connected with Laura Baggett and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Laura thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

There have been times in my life where I was earning a full-time living from my creative work. I was in the flow and seemed to book job after job. There have also been times, years even when I wasn’t earning from my acting. If I could go back and talk to my younger self it would be to find something else I love and really work at it. That for me turned out to be yoga. I was frustrated with all the rejection and my boyfriend at the time suggested I take a yoga teacher training course. It really helped me learn a new skill I use today. I still have private yoga clients and I still love teaching.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started modeling and acting in my 20’s in NYC. Back then, when you booked a national commercial the pay was really amazing. I also started working background in Film and TV which really helped me to learn how the process worked on a day to day basis. I currently teach yoga, on line cooking classes, and act. The order is always changing. The good news is all of these things bring me joy. I currently work with Baking with Melissa, we teach on line holiday decorating classes as well as do in person parties. It is so much fun, I love my yoga clients because I can really cater to what they need. I have never stopped loving acting and modeling so when those jobs come up it is an absolute joy. I am currently in rehearsals for a play that opens the end of October and it is such a fun process. What I am learning whether i am teaching or acting is how to become a better listener. How to tune into the actor I”m working with or the client I am teaching or the group I am cooking with. Really pausing to hear if the way I am contributing is working, still bringing my whole self to the situation, but with a bit more softness.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I really had to unlearn perfection. When I started teaching I wanted so badly to be liked, but I wasn’t using my voice authentically, i was doing a lot of people pleasing. I didn’t know how to show up and stand in my truth, which led to a lot of missed opportunities. Same for acting, I used to take rejection so personally, or think if I just was (more/better/different) I’d be booking. So I would show up to castings extremely insecure and not in my power. Now I understand to not take rejection personally. All I can do is the best job possible, and I don’t apologize for who I am. Trends are constantly changing..one day my hair is too long the next it’s too short, I’m too conservative I’m too sexy… So now I try to remind myself that what people will remember is the way I showed up, professional and prepared. For a long time I just hid because I didn’t think I was “enough” I had to unlearn that..it’s been a process..it’s still a process.
I truly believe it is never too late to change, to try something new, to allow for greatness.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

When I talk to family or business professionals they don’t always understand the up’s and down’s of success. I had a family member literally ask me why I didn’t get onto an HBO show they thought I would be perfect for. Like I could just “apply” for the job with a cover letter. And while that sometimes might happen depending on who you know it is rarely the case. I guess my point is to not give up if you love something. Just keep making things and doing stuff that makes you happy. Because life is short.
I think it’s an exciting time no matter what industry you are involved in….there is always room to try a side hustle at that craft you love doing…. Who knows what could happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.laurabaggett.org
• Instagram: @laurabaggett
• Linkedin: LauraBaggett

Image Credits
Harv Greenberg, Michelle Rene Jackson