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

Yenni, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?

Since graduating high school, I had a 9-5 job (and later career) and was always afraid of pursuing anything creative because ‘the money just isn’t there’. I would wake up, work, go to sleep, and then wake up again. In 2019, I was twenty-four and making almost six figures – but I wasn’t happy. I knew I did not belong behind a desk, answering calls and setting up appointments and wasting away in data-filled excel sheets. But I was scared; I was comfortable and I always had money to go out and do what I wanted. COVID came and I began working from home, having time to step away from my computer and quickly go audition at local studios and online. I began getting roles, and soon it was hard to juggle my 9-5 and the constant studio requests. I asked my partner, “What do I do?” and I’ll never forget the glint in his eyes as he said, “Take the risk.”

I put in my two-weeks (with very shaky hands) and never looked back.

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?

My name is Yenni Ann, I am a bilingual Cuban-American voice actress living in Miami, FL. I have had the opportunity to lend my voice to toys, video games, animations, live-dubbing, audiobooks, commercials, and audio dramas in both English and Spanish. Aside from being an actor, I also teach voice acting in South Florida.

My main goal as a creative is to spark interest and emotion in the audience of whatever project I’m in. But also, my main goal as a human is to help others reach their dreams and aspirations, just like I am trying to reach mine. I did not get to where I am today alone, and I promised myself I’d help others get to where they want to be.

I grew up in a loving household, but one that was realistic. I knew that acting (or anything creative) was fun, but not a ‘real’ job. It took countless years of yearning, until a pivotal moment in my life came where I had a choice: choose myself, or choose what others think is best for me. At twenty-four I took a huge risk, completely change my career path, and dove head first into what I wanted. It was scary – it still is. But almost six years later, I am so grateful and proud of myself for making that jump.

For the readers thinking, “I can’t leave my job because XYZ…” or “I’m too old, my time’s done!” I’m here to tell you that it’s simply not true. Your time is now. Your sign? It’s right here. Make the jump.

What happens when you reach rock bottom? You can only go up.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing for me is seeing my students grow. I never wanted to be an acting teacher – simply because I did not see myself as a person who could teach or give advice. A friend of mine asked me to substitute a class for her, and I nervously agreed and thought nothing of it after class. But then the owner, Lisana, of the studio I work at, Take One Acting, called me and asked me to stop by. She asked me to teach and I politely declined, but she persisted. “You’ve got something to teach,” she pressed, “You have a spark and a light that’s worth sharing.”

I still get teary eyed thinking about it. Because in my, at that point, thirty years of life… I had never had someone say that to me. I never thought I could give back, because I just didn’t know how. Who would listen to my story? Who would say, “What Yenni is teaching is exactly what I need!” It didn’t make sense to me because I did not have faith in myself. But just as I took the risk of leaving my comfortable job for the hectic yet vibrant life of a creative, I took the risk in being rejected and ridiculed (because how could I possibly teach!) and accepted the position.

The greatest reward of my career as an actress today, is seeing one of my students who starts out class nervous, unsure, and lacking confidence, walk right out that classroom door smiling, laughing, and being proud of who they are.

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

As a person who wasn’t a theatre kid, couldn’t (and still can’t) paint anything except stick figures, doesn’t sing well (unless I’m in the shower), and was raised learning that ‘acting is a real job’, I can relate to most non-creatives. It’s downright insane to leave your very fruitful career to go out into the unknown – I get it! I’m still wondering if six years later, I am insane! But the truth is, that career that’s taken hold of your life? It’s not letting you live. If you are reading this interview, it’s because you yourself and wondering, “Can it be? Is it possible?” The answer is yes, yes it is.

I did not leave my career cold turkey. I stayed in my 9-5 and was working hard until my final day in the office. Until I was overflowing with consistent work as an actress, I did not leave. I needed to make sure I could pay for my car, pay my portion of the mortgage, be able to buy food and have funds for a rainy day. I began voice acting in 2017 and did not go full-time until 2019. There is no reason to think you need to drop everything to make it into the creative space. Many creatives have multiple streams of income! For me? I am a voice actress, an acting teacher, a realtor, and recently became a podcaster!

Though I will not say it is easy, it is amazing to know that I can make ends meet doing what I love. I hope you can, too!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yenniann.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/yenniann
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/yenniannvo

Image Credits

(PHOTO OF THREE WOMEN) Lisana & Nani, Take One Acting Studio
(PANEL PHOTO) Kalel, The Kitchen Miami