Meet Deanna Colon

 

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

Hi Deanna, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Many years ago while living in NYC, I went to an open call auditon for Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Everyone in the room was 5’7″, thin and stunning! I remember signing in with the audition monitor, who happened to be a vivacious gay man and stated to him “WTF am I doing here? I don’t look like anyone!” and he quickly quipped and said “Doll, they are a dime a dozen, you are unique and because of that you stand out and you are never going to compete for the same roles as them- that’s your superpower”. I wish I knew who that man was because today I would like to thank him. That statement, his words of empowerment, encouragement made me realize being different is the thing that has kept me competing only with myself and made me realize that I am ineded special and what is for me, is for noone but ME!

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 explain myself as a multi hyphenated masterpiece! I am a singer – songwriter – actor – dancer – vocal coach – host. You can follow my journey via my website IAMDEANNA.com as well as across social media @deannabombchica.

I teach all of my students that to succeed in the entertainment business, you must be multi talented! Having those many talents keeps you afloat waiting for the next opportunity. Vocal coaching is my baseline income, so I never have to stress about when my next singing gig, commercial, song placement or live hosting gig will come in. This mentality and skill set building has kept me comfortable financially and also continually career stimulated. I am constantly working in different areas which keeps it fresh for me and exciting!

I was also raised in a restaurant, so cooking is a huge, creative, fun skill for me. I took that and have competed to win a white apron and make the Top 20 on Season 10 of Master Chef, which has then had me appear on Food Network, cook and host culinary events country wide as well as build a fun cooking show called “Fork My Life” on tik tok @deannabombchica with close to 300K followers. This then creates revenue streams for me as well as working with different brands!

I am never bored. I am forever evolving through different creative paths. My life never gets stale because I never know what’s coming and that to me is thrilling!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Professional
Prepared
Persistent

Professional: I do not show up on time, I show up early. I am pleasant to work with, accommodating, friendly, positive. I do not have a to do list, I schedule what needs to get done, so it always gets done! It’s also not what you say but how you say it. Stand up for yourself + set your worth and there is an approach to do that without appearing pushy or egotistical.

Prepared: Practice makes perfect and whatever you put into something; you will get out of it. My ducks are always in a row. There is no greater turn off to me that being messy. Cross your T’s and dot your I’s, people pay attention to that. Whether it’s a meeting, an interview, a role or a gig- do your research. Learn who you are working with, so you aren’t going into anything blindly. The more prepared you are the more pro you will look. You will earn respect and repeat business, bookings, etc.

Persistent: I have gotten nowhere in my life just “sitting back and letting it happen”. Follow up professionally, Be kind but push when necessary. This goes to the point of believing in yourself audaciously. This business is not for the weary. You must believe in yourself 110%, you will hear 99 no’s before you hear a yes… do you have enough faith in yourself to hold on? I hope so! Keep going and believe in yourself. The next one may be the one, so dust yourself off and as Aaliyah sang, “try again!”

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

They were not enablers. They were tough. Looking back though, I am so glad they raised me as they did. They are hard workers and really, really instilled that in me. They raised me to know, life is not fair and not everyone gets a trophy. I also grew up in a time, where that was the case. If you want something, work and go for it- don’t give up. That mentality had led me to winning a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music, to making the quarter semi finals on America’s Got Talent, to winning a white apron and a spot in the Top 20 on MasterChef to even being a 51 year old , plus size woman not slowing down, ever. I have goals and dreams on no societal limitations will ever stop me from where I want to go and accomplish in my life.

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