Meet Don Finklea, Jr

We were lucky to catch up with Don Finklea, Jr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Don, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism comes from two incredible sources: my faith in God and my fantastic mother, Mrs. Coretha Finklea. I was raised in the church, and thanks to my parents, I have a strong Christian foundation. My unwavering faith has helped me overcome what felt like impossible odds time and time again. Each challenge I’ve faced has been an opportunity to grow a little more resilient. Over time, that resilience builds, and when life throws similar obstacles my way, I find I’m able to handle them a bit better than before.

Like many, I’ve been thrust into situations that require courage. There were moments in my life when I didn’t feel I had enough—or at least I believed I didn’t. In those times, I would pray, and inevitably, reminders would follow, showing me that the strength I needed was there all along. Faith has been my anchor, and it’s what keeps me grounded and optimistic even in the face of uncertainty.

My mother is another key source of my positivity. She’s the strongest Christian woman I know, and she’s also the most positive person I’ve ever met. Besides her beautiful smile, my relentless positivity is something I inherited from her. Growing up, my mother was always lifting up my brothers and me with encouragement and love. That’s the only way I know her—as a source of unwavering positivity. Her example has shaped me profoundly. Because of her, negativity isn’t part of who I am.

Together, my faith and my mother’s influence have instilled in me the belief that no matter how dark things may seem, there’s always a reason to hope and a way forward.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I wear a lot of hats, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Earlier this year, my wife was doing an interview on my childhood friend’s podcast, and at one point, she said, “You know him—he can’t sit down, but in a good way.” It wasn’t until the months following that I realized, “Oh goodness, she’s right—I can’t sit down!” Like they say, admitting the problem is the first step to fixing it. The thing is, this particular problem doesn’t need fixing, and my wife agrees. So, sorry, haters—there’s no slowing me down anytime soon!

So what keeps me so busy? By day, I’m a cyber engineer for a Fortune 500 company, but my true passion lies in the creative world. I’m an actor, screenwriter, and, more recently, a producer. Acting and writing fulfill my need to create, explore, and express myself in ways I often can’t in real life. Through characters, I can channel emotions and tell stories that resonate deeply with audiences. Like many artists, I dream of pursuing this work full-time, and I’ve been grinding toward that goal for years.

The journey is demanding, but I love every minute of it—whether it’s auditioning, memorizing sides, taking classes, getting new headshots, or writing and rewriting screenplays and pilots. Every step fuels my passion. More recently, I’ve been diving headfirst into producing. Almost a decade ago, I established my production company, Change Your Stars Productions, but at the time, I didn’t know how to make the most of it. I’m still learning, but I recently wrote, produced, and starred in a short film called Inner Dialogue under my company. Seeing its name in the credits was an incredible moment of pride and validation.

I’m excited for the bigger projects in development now and in the future. Every time I see “Change Your Stars Productions” on the screen, I’m reminded why I started—to tell stories that inspire and challenge people to rewrite their own narratives. And that feeling? It’s something I’ll never get tired of.

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?

The three most important qualities that have helped me in my journey are tenacity, adaptability, and a relentless positive attitude. For me, these traits work hand in hand, creating a foundation for navigating challenges and staying the course.

The truth is, most people give up too easily. At the start of any endeavor, it’s easy to feel excited and naturally positive, but when obstacles arise, that positivity often flares out. That’s where tenacity comes in. The ability to stay committed, push through setbacks, and keep moving forward is essential—not just in professional pursuits but in every area of life.

Adaptability has been equally crucial. Change is inevitable. Sometimes you can see it coming, but often it takes you by surprise. How you react in those moments of uncertainty greatly impacts the outcome. The key is being prepared and ready to pivot. I use a simple internal exercise that has served me well: I ask myself, “What if?” What if things don’t go as planned? What if the unexpected happens? By mentally walking through different scenarios and coming up with possible solutions, I’m better equipped to adapt when reality shifts. Even if I don’t have the exact solution in the moment, the practice of “what if” thinking sets me on the path to finding it.

Finally, a relentless positive attitude ties everything together. It’s not about ignoring challenges but choosing to face them with optimism and resourcefulness. Positivity fuels resilience—it’s what helps you dust yourself off after a setback and keep going with the belief that better things are ahead.

My advice for anyone starting out? Develop these skills now. Begin practicing adaptability through small “what if” exercises in your daily life. When you face a challenge, look for ways to reframe it as an opportunity. The higher you move professionally, the more you’ll need to solve problems and think on your feet. By building these habits early, you’ll find that even the biggest obstacles won’t phase you. Instead, they’ll become stepping stones toward your goals.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

With the continuous facades we see on social media—people who seem to be endlessly successful, never needing sleep or rest—it’s easy to feel like we’re not doing enough in our day-to-day lives. The truth is, everyone gets overwhelmed, stressed out, and tired at times. Yes, even your favorite TikTok or Meta influencer feels this way, no matter how much they want you to believe otherwise.

So, what do I do when I feel overwhelmed? I’ve learned that it’s not only okay to take a break—it’s essential. One of the most profound experiences that taught me this was back in 2020 when I started writing the first draft of a biopic. After weeks of writing non-stop, I finally reached the third act, and suddenly, the words stopped coming. I was staring at my laptop, completely stuck, wondering how I had nothing left to say when I had pages of notes filled with ideas. It was the epitome of writer’s block, and because this was the first screenplay I intended to pitch and sell, I felt immense pressure to finish.

Thankfully, I’ve always been blessed with mentors who guide me during challenging moments. In this case, it was my former college roommate Brandon, who works in Hollywood and has written countless screenplays. His advice was simple: “Take a break. A week, two weeks, even a month—just step away.” Initially, I felt guilty even considering it. What if I never came back to the screenplay? What if I lost my passion for the story? But I trusted his advice and ended up taking an entire month off.

That break turned out to be exactly what I needed. The guilt faded, I felt refreshed, and my passion for the story never left. Most importantly, when I came back to it, the words returned. I finished the screenplay, and as any writer will tell you, completing a project is one of the most fulfilling feelings in the world.

Now, I make taking breaks a regular part of my process. My advice to others is to give yourself permission to pause, but set a specific time to return to the task. Some people need a defined time frame to stay disciplined, and that’s perfectly fine. The key is to recognize that rest is not a sign of weakness—it’s a strategy for success. Take the break, recharge, and trust that the work will be waiting for you when you’re ready to return.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donfinkleajr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donfinkleajr

Image Credits

Bret Green Photography
BTS from “Anthony” provided by Snoop The Cat Productions
Cover Art and still from “Inner Dialogue” provided by Change Your Stars productions