Artistpreneur | Creative Business Strategist | Mentor - DR. THEDIA SAMARA

DOLL: Artistpreneur, Creative Business Strategist, Dr. Thedia Samara

DOLLHOUSE: Virtual, Online, Remote

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Availability:

• Location: Long Island, NY, USA
• Nationality: USA
• Fluent Languages: English

Open to customers worldwide.

About

I'm a CEO, Ph.D. and interdisciplinary artist: singer/songwriter, producer, award-winning poet, publisher, author, writer, content creator and entrepreneur. I am an independent producer and publisher of intellectual property and information products, an investor and the Founder/CEO of businesses based in the arts and culture; creative placemaking, enrichment education, publishing, entertainment, entertainment architecture and entertainment/edutainment productions, artistic experiences and events.

My first artistic venture began at 13 with poetry and prose. in my latter teen years, I was introduced to the entertainment industry as a rapper and singer (my dream was to be a recording artist), dancer and model in music videos.

I have previously worked in feature films and on television. In between singing gigs, I was featured in anthologies and honored with awards and poetic accolades; among them, a finalist in a poetry competition sponsored by McDonald’s restaurants. I was on a WNBC series in which I was featured as a finalist in a poetry competition in Hollywood, CA. I went on to win a publishing contract that led to my first book of poetry "For the Unsung" and was also featured in an anthology, "The Solace of Night."

The McDonald’s poetry competition led me to join their gospel choir with whom I performed at the former Westbury Music Fair, Madison Square Garden, The Paramount Theater, Radio City Music Hall, The Apollo Theater, the Soul Circus, and Rockefeller Center, and on TV programs on ESPN, NBC, ABC, and their Emmy nominated special, Gospelfest, on UPN; as well as recording a radio commercial for the company at NY’s Hit Factory studio.

I was also a backup singer for Grammy and Tony-award-winning artists: Cissy Houston, Donnie McClurkin, Jennifer Holiday, Aretha Franklin and Melba Moore. I was once offered a major recording contract with Sony Records.

While in college, I modeled for a high-end fashion designer; cosmetics and hair care companies, and photographers.

Never abandoning my writing roots however, I began screenwriting and playwriting shortly thereafter as a way to combine my passions and was thrilled to have been awarded a scholarship from “X-Men” director, Brett Ratner, to attend the NY Film Academy. I garnered interest in my web series by Larry Meistrich, an Oscar-winning producer from the movie, "Sling Blade," and in my first feature-length screenplay by the makers of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” who judged the Christian Screenwrite competition eventually leading to the sale of my first play. My unscripted TV pilots were green-lit for a channel on the Cox Network.

Education-wise, I graduated magna cum laude with undergraduate degrees in Business and Organizational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Music with a focus on pedagogy and education. I also have honorary doctorates in Bible History and Gospel Music.

My current fields of research involve creativity, early enrichment education, neuromusical development and neuroaesthetics through the Aspen Institute and Johns Hopkins International Arts + Mind Lab Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics. I am also a member of The Nova Institute for Health and The Sound Health Network, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco, in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I currently reside in New York state, on Long Island.

Career

I bring a multi-disciplinary approach to creative business development based on my background as a scholar, artist and entrepreneur. My mission is to help creatives become entrepreneurs and create a life and a business they love. To do that, I offer so many diverse tools to get and keep you inspired, motivated and clear on what you need to do to live the life of your creative dreams.

There's so much negativity in this world and there are people and circumstances constantly telling you what you can't do. Well, I'm here to tell you that you can realize your dreams. To be able to help creatives is what gets me out of bed in the morning or what keeps me up UNTIL the morning is probably more accurate. You can be a successful creative entrepreneur and my goal is to help you.

During my time in the entertainment industry and pursuing a career in the recording arts, I had day jobs and I hated one more than the other, this is where my attraction to entrepreneurship began. I was terrified of becoming a "starving artist" and wanted to find a way to make money while still having the freedom to pursue my passions. It was challenging because I felt like I was always trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

I got into every money-making business that sounded passive enough to fill the void: house-flipping, online retail, health and fitness products...the list goes on. The problem with this strategy is that every business, regardless of the industry, needs to be nurtured and takes time to build. I wasn't giving either role the attention it deserved and while I made some money, I felt like I was losing my identity.

Still, I kept at it until I reached my goal and was offered a major recording contract. My excitement was short-lived, I turned down that contract and after eventually growing disillusioned with the recording industry, I decided to focus solely on my business pursuits. However, the “all business” approach took away from my artistry and that's something I'd never planned to abandon.

Being an artist is not a job or a career, it's who I am and I decided to fully embrace it and stop trying to live two lives, but that didn't mean I couldn't do everything I want to do, I just had to figure out how. Here's what I did, I changed the recipe, but not the ingredients and that's how I found my mission. I used my passion for the arts and business and changed my strategy. I put on my researcher hat and studied business both within and outside of institutions of higher learning. I have three degrees, two of which are in business. I know artistry and I know business. I have businesses and investments now that work for me instead of vice versa.

What I learned is that business and the arts have a lot in common, primary among them, creativity. In business, as well as in the arts, it's the people who are the most creative who stand out and are more successful in the long run. Creativity is not a secret sauce reserved for artists, we just access it easier. For years, I've researched what works and what doesn't, I HAD to learn how to do everything because I wanted control over my time, my money and my art. Sure you can take the path that I did and scour the internet, research, attend classes and workshops, get three degrees, read books, listen to podcasts, watch videos, read articles and attend conferences, network and every other thing I did to get to where I am.

But full disclosure, it's exhausting and frustrating. But here's the good news, I've already done it so you don't have to, I've been there done that and have the baseball cap to prove it. Ours is a journey that is constantly unfolding, changing, evolving, it's also a journey that allows you the freedom to live the life you deserve. So here I am, ready to help other creatives abandon the “starving artist” lifestyle, ditch the dreadful day jobs, learn how to be a true creative entrepreneur and create a viable business within your chosen craft or your many diverse crafts. You don't have to work horrible day jobs until you make it big or reach your goals. You CAN be an creative entrepreneur and my mission is to help you create a business and a life you love. You absolutely can use your passion and talent to make a sustainable living. Whether you're an artist, creative professional, creative entrepreneur or are just exploring your business ideas, I guarantee there is a place for you.

Don't you want to make money from your passions and finally have control over your time and future?! Of course you do! Stick with me kid and get ready to be more awesome!

Virtual Career Tours

Time slots: 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes

Information Session:  I will give you a detailed breakdown of what I do, including job responsibilities, ways to start, required skills, educational pathways, industry insights, experiences, etc. and answer any questions that you have about my career. If applicable, I can show you the physical environment(s) in which I work. For those who want to know more about my career / field / role.

Coaching Session: I will provide foundational support for building your business, including skill development, internal processes setup, software / tools guidance, tips, goal-setting, accountability coaching, etc. Please note that I cannot give legal, tax, financial, or medical advice. For those who want actionable advice and career planning help.

Process

1. You purchase my service (please only purchase one service at a time).
2. Once I get your order, I reach out to you over email (the one you used to purchase this order) within 14 days to set a time and date for our virtual meeting.
3. We conduct our virtual meeting over Zoom within 30 days of your purchase (We can meet after 30 days, though the option for a refund will not be available to you from Doll & Dollhouse, so please use your discretion).

If you don't see my email in your inbox, try searching your spam folder. Feel free to use the contact form above to message me with any questions. Looking forward to meeting you!

*Please remember that you have 14 days to request a cancellation refund from Doll & Dollhouse. After 14 days since your purchase, cancellations are not allowed. You will also have 30 days to request a Seller no-show refund if we do not conduct our session within 30 days of your purchase.*

By purchasing this product/service, you agree to abide by all Terms, Policies, and Guidelines set forth by Doll & Dollhouse. Please note that Doll & Dollhouse shall not be held liable for any interactions or events occurring outside the platform.