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

Marlo, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Being in the performing arts can be difficult. What’s easy is to get lost and not know where to turn. At the beginning of my career journey, I put in a lot of time and hard work into finding my way. I was also lucky enough to cross paths with seasoned voiceover professionals who guided me through the ins and outs of the business. I realize not everyone is as fortunate.

Over the years, I noticed that many of my peers felt lost or overwhelmed, even after completing classes or producing demo reels. They were often left feeling uncertain about how to navigate the voiceover world or apply what they’d learned. Too many were previously trained using a cookie-cutter approach, which encouraged blending in rather than standing out.

The more fellow voiceover artists I met, the more I realized that there was a gap between studying voice acting and working in the biz. As I grew to understand my voice and reflected on my career journey, including successes and failures, I began to turn my focus to education and guidance so I could pass along what I’d learned.

At Voice Crush Voiceover, I’ve created a safe space: an encouraging and supportive environment for self-discovery and authenticity. I help clients find their strengths and weaknesses and give them the specific tools and information they’ll need to succeed. Together, we craft tailored plans that will help them achieve their goals. I empower students to embrace their quirks and unique qualities, reminding them that these traits will set them apart in the industry. By celebrating who they are, they can bring genuine essence to every performance, making it resonate with authenticity.

My goal is for each artist to come to understand that the key to booking work is simply to be themselves: their unique interpretation of what casting seeks. My message to each student is: “When we uncover your true identity, you’ll learn how to infuse that authenticity into every script you tackle.” My mission is to ensure that each client brings their unique personality to the forefront—from demo to audition to professional performance.

Marlo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey in performance began in high school, when I first began to study dance at Hubbard Street in my hometown of Chicago. This passion led me to move to New York City and pursue a professional career as a modern and break dancer. I quickly was signed with an agency and started to perform in New York City, Los Angeles, and across the U.S as a background dancer for many pop artists. Because of all the wonderful theatre opportunities in New York, I began to take classes in acting and scene study. Eventually, I moved to Los Angeles to work as a dancer and actor in films and television.
One sunny day in Hollywood, during a dance audition, I was answering questions coming from choreographers and FOX network casting directors. One of the FOX directors asked if I were working in voiceover. “Voiceover?” I thought. Later that very day, I began researching the field and reaching out to anyone I knew for insights. It wasn’t long before I was introduced to folks like Krickett Davis, Becca Flinn-White and Lynnanne Zager, which led me to study and work at Kalmenson & Kalmenson. With my youthful, quirky voice, I was signed with a few agencies and managers across the U.S, and began booking. I retired as a dancer and fully embraced being a voiceover actor. I immersed myself in everything VoiceOver, including audio engineering and post production. I’ve worked as an audio engineer, sound coordinator, casting assistant, recording assistant, educator, voiceover agent and manager. Along the way, I’ve worked with many voice actors, helping them achieve their goals, which led me to create Voice Crush Voiceover. I’m excited to be able to continually share my knowledge and my network with my clients.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My business has thrived largely through great work, strong relationships, and word-of-mouth. I’ve consistently worked hard for my clients, helping them achieve their goals quickly. When they experience the positive results of our work together, they often become enthusiastic advocates, sharing their positive experiences with others, as well.

Word-of-mouth is incredibly powerful in our industry—it creates a sense of trust and credibility that is hard to achieve through traditional marketing. When clients recommend me to their peers, it speaks volumes about the quality of my work and the supportive environment I provide.

I am dedicated to ensuring my clients see results starting from our first collaboration. By equipping them with the tools they need to feel confident in their performances and guiding them through the intricacies of the business side of voiceover, they become prepared for any situation they might encounter on the job. My methods are consistent, simple, easy to understand, and—most importantly—fun! I genuinely enjoy working with my students, inspiring them to believe in their abilities so they can thrive in their careers.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

What sets me apart from many educators and coaches is my dual role as both a mentor and manager. I believe it’s essential to guide clients through their journey, being there for them every step of the way. In today’s ever-changing entertainment industry, flexibility and a keen awareness of the world around us are crucial.

I emphasize the importance of maintaining high standards while exploring opportunities from multiple sources and across various voiceover genres. Staying focused on goals is vital, and I’m committed to supporting my clients, day in and day out. I strive to create an environment of high morale, encouraging positivity and resilience. By celebrating their successes, no matter how small, and providing constructive feedback, I help my clients stay motivated and confident. Whether they need guidance on honing their craft or navigating the industry landscape, I’m dedicated to helping them succeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://voicecrushvo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voicecrushvo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlo-flanagan-b3860711/

Image Credits

T-Mobile
Cartoon Network
Nickelodeon
Disney
Lalaloopsy Dolls
My Little Pony