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

Precious, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I believe it was year 2019. I was frustrated with the industry. I had a great agent, I was sent out to some decent auditions not because of the role but the production company attached to the projects. On one hand, I started to feel overlooked and type casted. On the other hand I just didn’t understand why I was booking more (including paid roles) on my end (and still had to pay my agent her percentage) then my agent. I did not feel like this was a joint partnership. Plus I was not giving fair roles that would show all of my talent. So I ended my contract and spoke to myself that I would prove that I can be a great actress and carry a film! At the time I did not know that this frustration not only pushed me in the right direction for my career, it also birthed out a gift that I didn’t even know I had! Producing! I never went to school for this, my best friend who did helped me understand a bit of the business side, but I had no idea what I was doing. I believed in myself enough, prayed and just walked my path. It just felt right! Looking back over my life, I started around 5, I can see this gift of producing! By the middle of year 2020 I finished writing my first series titled ‘Expensive Dream Season 1!’ I bought a Cannon M50 to film this project. Year 2021 I filmed it, edited it and launched the first episode on YouTube! To this date (year 2022) I am about to start filming Season 2. I have a second production company called J.C.P Power Driven Productions where we help hidden talent be seen and heard by producing their content! I also have my own channel on Roku! FRUSTRATION LEADS YOU TO THE RIGHT PATH! BELIEVE IN YOU! TAKE A CHANCE ON YOU! TAKE THAT RISK! YOU’LL SUCCEED!

Precious, 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?

Little girl looks up the mountain and says “I think I can”

My mission is to help people believe in themselves again!

From Chicago IL,

My dream of performing started at the age of 5, watching the movie ‘The Temptations.’ Everyday, all day long, I would watch this movie. Learning the songs, dance moves and acting! My family was extremely irritated by me doing this lol!! I would do the same to my favorite Disney movies! My favorite ‘Oliver and Company!’

At first I was doing this by myself, then some of my family joined me and we did mini performances for our family.
Watching The Temptations movie everyday and teaching myself these three performance skills (singing, dancing and acting), created a level of self discipline, self producing within me and sooo much joy!

After a while, our small family group stopped lol and I continued on nurturing my dream. My mom taught me how to sing, my dad bought me a piano. Throughout Elementary and Middle school I was performing in talent shows, after dance school groups, my brother’s birthday party at my friend’s house and I became a cheerleader for 3 years. Along side pursuing my dream I was motivating others around me to do the same! I was the kid who noticed other kids who were alone and brought them into my world.

After becoming a young mom at 17, listening to the opinions of others who really wanted the best for me, I decided to place my dream of performing on the shelf and attend University of Phoenix studying Family and Marriage Therapy.

Even though I enjoy studying psychology, my dream was STILL inside of me, pulling! So I made a choice to continue pursuing my dream and move to GA with my family for greater opportunities.

After my 2nd child and getting married, I was fully focused on my dream. I worked on several tv and film projects. Also working a typical 9-5 I always met dreamers who just needed motivation to believe again so they too can pursue their dreams like me.
After 3 years, I created a mentoring company called Practical Dreamer (www.practicaldreamersonly.com) Helping Dreamers believe in themselves again and team up with them through accountability and support to pursue their dreams!

Along side helping others and taking care of my children, I still continue pursuing my dreams!
Then after life’s trying moments of divorce, surgeries and frustration with the entertainment industry. I decided to surrender the dream.

What was birth from this frustration, was a way for me to be seen and heard in the industry and to finally live my dream. “Build a new hollywood” I became an Executive Producer, created my own production company ‘Peaceful Soul Production.’ I created my first show: ‘Expensive Dream.’ You can view the first episode on my Youtube Channel: Peaceful Soul Production. The remaining episodes will be on Roku.

I am most proud of myself for continuing to pray and believe in myself no matter what!

My mission is to help people believe in themselves again!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Non creatives have a hard time being vulnerable and believing in themselves.

Being vulnerable has little to do with crying. It has everything to do with standing in your truth of who you are and staying open to either receive or give. You cannot give from a closed hand nor receive!

Being a creative, I have no choice but to be vulnerable. This is how I connect with my audience, this is how I deliver my message in business, this is how I can deliver my message in song and film. Vulnerability is allowing who you truly are to show up! Then trusting that part of you to lead the way.

Non creatives also have a hard time believing in themselves. Everything starts with belief. A lot of non creatives are too logic and want everything to be predictable. Which is not a good thing because the moment something unexpected happens, you are not equipped to handle it! A balance must be created!

As a creative, believing in myself is truly having faith that God will lead me every moment. That who I am is enough to book any deal or sales. Who I am is where my success lies. The problems will be resolved and any resources or strategy that I need I will be able to figure it out.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish there were great mentors available. Every creative needs a supportive mentor in the beginning of their career to help them eliminate mistakes. I have a mentoring company supporting and helping creatives in this way. A great mentor will help you pursue opportunities that are in alignment with who you are. Never lose who you are

Contact Info:

• Website: www.practicaldreamersonly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicaldreamersonly
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/practicaldreamersonly
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/practicaldreamersonly/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd7L2rCcyEQwde1pqo9rFHw