Meet Heather Braden

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

Hi Heather , 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 have had the experience of both tremendous support from often unlikely people and places, as well as a large amount of haters and nay sayers over my career and lifetime. I have realized my ambitions, my aspire to become, my growth mindset and interests to create and achieve are often deeply resented by others, including some family and occasionally friends. To overcome this, and face sometimes blatant verbal assault I have leaned into others who have experienced and risen above the same experiences. Following my intuition, gut instincts even when I fail always leads to a new door opening, and sometimes a new path but always ALWAYS enriches me with new growth personally and professionally. Hearing the negative narrative from nay sayers is often more fuel for the fire to encourage me to continue even when times are hard and the skies are bleak. A time to create space between them and myself and to surround myself with personal care and or supporters who are often from the most unlikely of places.

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?

My latest projects are a tv series I am developing called “Beautiful” about my personal experiences being scouted as a model at age 14 in Oregon by an associate of Epstein: Jean Luc Brunel. As well as several indi films based on true events. One is about a single mother who goes homeless with 3 girls due to no fault of her own. I love taking real experiences and translating them into entertainment as a way to share stories.

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 think by far the most important is tenacity: refusing to take no, or letting no take you down: When I was starting out as a young female photo and film assistant it was usually only me and men on sets, and men who did the hiring. I worked for free at a great studio in NYC to prove myself, and would arrive early and leave late. Sometimes you have to be twice as good to be equal but I learned and built a reputation.
2) being told I was “a girl” was common. This outdated thinking was alive and very well and again tenacity pulled me through and determination to achieve while ignoring the naysayers was key. Everyone has an opinion, if you ask them theirs it’s often negative. If you ask anyone who has NOT achieved something in the realm you wish to be part of then usually it’s a negative answer. Ask the right people for mentorship, internships and you will find support and encouragement.
3) Alternative paths, and planning. Now this is something I didn’t know and or realize until I made a lot of mistakes that set me back. Having a clear and deliberate path, with goals and direction is the key to good planning on how to achieve something.
4) Never give up on a dream. Find a new version of the dream if the dream is out of reach for some reason, and never give up on a dream… if the dream changes along the way, that’s fine but don’t give up.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The Alchemist and The Prophet! I think to follow your dreams, your instincts, your heart. To find the journey but realize the journey may take various routes, you may come across storms, deserts, nefarious people, but you will also come across yourself, supporters and fans. That things may change among the way, and that is just fine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heatherbraden.com
• Instagram: Heatherjbradenofficial
• Facebook: Heatherjbraden
• Linkedin: Heather Braden
• Youtube: Heatherbraden
• Other: Thank you

Image Credits

Studio Image: Enrique Vega

Outside images: Nicole Le Bris