ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Some voice actors are redefining what it means to build a sustainable creative career. What if the secret to thriving in voice acting isn't just about landing the perfect commercial, but about thinking like an entrepreneur from day one?
In this episode of "Conversational with Carrie Olsen," I explore the entrepreneurial mindset in voice acting with Rachel Porter, a fellow Kansas City voice actor who has built multiple successful income streams within the entertainment industry. You'll discover how to create financial stability while staying authentic to your creative goals and values.
Episode Highlights:
- The Tenacious Year One Mindset - Rachel's decision to give voice acting one full year and her "I'm not taking no for an answer" attitude that drove early success (01:09)
- Beyond Commercial Dreams - How to build a sustainable business when the "sexy" work isn't your bread and butter, plus the power of direct outreach and relationship building (05:18)
- The Entrepreneur Evolution - Rachel's journey from seeing herself as a voice actor to embracing her identity as a full entrepreneur with multiple business ventures (07:18)
- Overcoming Past Rejection - How a college professor's harsh criticism nearly derailed Rachel's broadcasting dreams and how voice acting became her redemption story (09:40)
- Building Multiple Safety Nets - Strategic diversification through on-camera work, location rentals, and social media marketing to create financial stability (15:19)
Start Before You're Ready - Give Yourself A Realistic Timeline Rachel's approach of committing to one year while being honest about modest early earnings ($3,000 in year one) shows the importance of setting realistic expectations. Success isn't about massive income immediately—it's about seeing enough progress and enjoyment to justify continuing. Give yourself permission to be a beginner while still showing up professionally.
Think Beyond Your Main Craft - Leverage Adjacent Opportunities The most successful creative entrepreneurs don't just master their primary skill—they identify related opportunities that complement their main business. Rachel's expansion into on-camera work, home location rentals, and social media marketing all stem from her voice acting foundation but create multiple revenue streams and safety nets.
Community And Coaching Trump Talent Alone Rachel consistently credits community support, mentorship, and professional coaching as more important than natural ability. Whether it's voice coaches who provide business guidance, fellow actors who share opportunities, or improv classes that build confidence, investing in relationships and learning pays bigger dividends than expensive equipment upgrades.
My Perspective:
Rachel's story reminds me why I'm so passionate about helping voice actors think beyond just "booking the next audition." Her willingness to embrace the entrepreneur identity, even after years of calling herself "just" a voice actor, shows how our self-perception shapes our opportunities. The most successful voice actors I know all share this quality—they're not just performers, they're business owners who happen to use their voice as their primary tool.
Action Step: The Adjacent Opportunities Audit
Take 15 minutes to list all the skills, connections, and resources you currently have through your voice acting work. Then brainstorm three ways you could monetize adjacent opportunities—whether that's on-camera or assistant work or related creative services. The goal isn't to dilute your focus but to identify potential safety nets and revenue diversification.
You can access Rachel's contact information and business websites in the resources section below.
Resources Mentioned:
- Rachel Porter:
- For VO (Voiceover & On-Camera Work): RachelPorterVO.com
- For Digital Marketing: FullStopDM.com
- Carrie's Voice Over Success Intensive community
- The Artist's Way workbook (mentioned for creative exploration)
- Alison Steel Voice Acting Coaching
Connect With Me:
- Leave a voice message at CarrieOlsenVO.com/ep15
- Email: carrie@carrieolanvo.com
"I think anyone could do it... there's so many different genres of voiceover, and those genres lend themselves to different personalities as well. So there's different opportunities there." - Rachel Porter
