Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle “Chelle T” Turner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Michelle “Chelle T”, thanks for joining us today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?
The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is let me fail. There is a misconception that is spreading wildly, and it’s the idea that everything is supposed to be successful. Every endeavor has it’s ups and downs and if you only expect the positive outcomes the negatives hit you like a ton of bricks. I was a teen parent and I was told by a family member that because of my choices I would never amount to anything. I was hurt and devastated but oddly inspired to prove them wrong. My mother was a strong support system for me, but she never played mom to my, now 38 year old, daughter. She made sure I felt every bit of that responsibility and dealt with all the ups and downs of the endeavor. I made mistakes and experienced some victories. With all that knowledge and wisdom gained from that journey it taught me how to face my greatest challenges head on and dust myself off when necessary, because if I continue to the end I will experience real success. My husband Joe and I have raised a family of 7 (that’s a whole other interview) and have been married for 27 years. Not easy at all, nor without it’s continued difficulties, but we’re still here and up for the daily challenge, we all call life.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
2 Real Entertainment has been in business since 1996. My husband and I started it off as a record label and branched out into an overall production company in the early 2000s. We currently have over 27 years of professional experience in the entertainment industry. During this span of time we’ve raised 7 children as a blended family, have pastoral roles in church, and own a bustling Barbershop.
2 Real Entertainment has produced music, stage plays, music videos, comedy shows, comedy tours, and even a motion picture. Most are currently available on platforms such as Amazon, Vimeo on Demand, Spotify, and Sirius XM Radio, just to name a few. 2 Real Entertainment took things a step further and opened their Management division of the company in 2019.
2 Real Entertainment has expanded yet again in 2023 with the merging of their graphic design and literary company “In Just the Write Words” and the newly added Artist Development/Talent Agent division. With these two additions we are well on our way to leaving an undeniable mark in the entertainment industry while helping aspiring artist reach their career goals.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Building a reputation in the entertainment industry can go one of two ways. I always wanted to be sure people found me trustworthy, honest, fair, and kind. This business can get real short and impersonal; the focus tends to always be on the bottom line or closing the deal. I want to always keep the people the bottom line. What’s best for them in the big scheme of things? No matter what side of the table you sit on, in this business all of our jobs have to intertwine to reach the overall goal, and when we understand that we will consider people as an asset instead on an obstacle that must be conquered. Treating people with respect, in every area of business, has given people the desire to show me the same level of respect. It may sound corny, but it makes life just a little bit easier to maneuver through.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
Funding for the Barbershop was a true blessing. We were connected to an organization called “Working Solutions” and we were able to get a very low interest loan that covered all the startup costs. The program is set up to help small minority businesses get the funding needed to start the business, expand the working capital, or to scale up the business itself. The program not only provides you with the money, but it also gives you access to financial planners, attorneys, business mentors, etc. for the length of the loan. The organization wants to be sure you not only start a business, but that you stay in business. It was a dream of Joe’s to own his own shop, and Working Solutions made that dream come true. We opened up in March 2020, yes the exact month the entire world shut down, and we are walking into our 3rd year of business, and the shop is thriving. Our goal for this year is to fill all the available stations in the shop. But we are being very selective to be sure those that join us fit into the family oriented feel of the shop.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.2realentertainment.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertainment2real/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelletfunny
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Black Jewel Images LLC