We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michele Nichols. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michele below.
Hi Michele, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
I decided what I love to do matters more than others negative opinions about it. I learned to form a circle of people I trust, my “board of directors” whose opinions I respect and value and get to speak into my life. Everyone has an opinion. I can learn from anyone and not get confused by the myriad of opinions now because I have a value system that I filter those opinions through. I take what works and respectfully leave the rest.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m an actress, singer, military wife, and dog mom of 2. I’ve known I’ve wanted to be an actress since I watched My Fair Lady when I was 4. I’m most excited about the fact that I’ve figured out how to leave an office job working for other people by painstakingly building a foundation of working for myself as business owner. I have built passive and semi passive income streams as well as independent contractor jobs that focus on acting, singing, producing, and coaching. I now control my schedule and my income streams which allows me the stability and flexibility to actually have acting/singing be my main focus as a career. I no longer have to ask a supervisor permission to take an acting or music gig. I have several projects out or coming soon. Letters to Stephanie is new to streaming and Do Not Grow Weary is premiering this Fall. You can check out all of my past and upcoming projects on my IMDB page.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. I learned that I am my brand and I am enough. I don’t need to brand myself around some sort of ideal that I think would be attractive to casting directors or producers. Being my unique self and branding myself around that helps me stay focused on making sure my marketing materials reflect that brand which is just a reflection of my true authentic self. It takes the paralysis of analysis away and allows me to have focus in my marketing and freedom in my performances. 2. Learning about the business and how to own, operate, and manage a business from other actors & small business owners. 3. Mindset- having a full life outside of the acting & music industry. I find my self worth & value outside of the industry. This career is a marathon not a sprint. I can only control the actions I take everyday. Everything else I do not worry about. The biggest pieces of advice I can give is: Get really good at your craft and define your brand and market yourself accordingly. Run your business like a business and build income streams you control. Fix your mindset and find value and life outside the industry. Take care of yourself. This is a long ride. Enjoy it.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
This industry requires a lot of juggling. That can quickly lead to burn out because it feels like you always have something you can be working on. Boundaries are so important. Define your boundaries and stick to them. My morning and night routines help me take care of my mind and body, spend time with God, and regulates my sleep wake cycle so I can perform at the level I need to throughout the day. I use an app to help keep up with a cleaning routine and general “adulting”. Routines help me stay focused. I get most personal things like that done before 9am to avoid interruptions. Everything gets done before 9am so I can then focus on my businesses and career. I adjust those routines to work on set with me when I’m on location. I also regulate my time on social media so I’m not doom scrolling. I also take a day off a week (typically Sunday) and take time to spend with friends and family and time alone to recharge. I’m an introvert I need that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.me/michelenichols
- Instagram: @michelenicholsofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MicheleNichols2
Image Credits
Headshots by Anthony Paderewski
Character poster & “Torment of Echoes” bts photo by Joshua Caleb
Actors credits: Nancy Garrett (seen in “The Rookie” bts photo), Evan Towell (seen in “Lies in the Layers” screenshot)
“The Rookie” & “Killing To Live” BTS photos by Evan Towell
Runway shot by Bob Kay
Screenshots by Dorian Andrade
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
