The Expert Empire Podcast
A podcast for Coaches, Consultants, Speakers . . . anyone looking to take their expertise to the next level!
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Episodes
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Andrea Koehler is known by many names – That Coloring Lady, the Asker of Hard Questions, the Singer of Show Tunes – but, by far, her favorite is the Creator of Transformational Spaces. She's the CEO/Founder of Coloring Broadway as well as this week's guest!
In the Season 1 Finale episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Andrea to discuss a shared passion in coloring books!
Referenced in this Episode:
www.instagram.com/coloringbroadway
www.coloringbroadway.com
If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, we’d love it if you could share your love in a review!
Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsFacebook
Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsInstagram
Join the group exclusively for Entertainment Entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/EntertainmentEntrepreneurGroup
Learn more: https://www.bigleapbrands.com/
About The Guest:
Ela Thier went to film school at NYU and graduated in 1993. After film school she felt totally discouraged, didn’t think she had what it takes, and she couldn’t handle what felt like cut throat competitiveness. She also believed that a creative life was all about waiting around to get discovered. That wait went on for years.
So she quit.
After graduating from film school she spent her days at a soul sucking office job. Filmmaking became a dusty and long-forgotten dream, though she did try to occasionally write as she continued to harbor the secret hope that some day she’ll sell a screenplay.
She also continued to take more screenwriting classes; there she got ridiculed when she showed works-in-progress.
She left these classes becoming a total perfectionist about my writing. Plot point X must happen on page Y! The perfect recipe for writing blocks. She quit writing too.
More than ten years after film school, a series of events and insights turned that ship around. She made a U-Turn and went at it. Slowly at first, gaining momentum, and eventually at full steam ahead.
About The Host:
Monica Hammond is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Big Leap Brands. As a Broadway marketing professional, she has worked on numerous shows, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, It’s Only A Play, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, as well as the National Tour of A Night With Janis Joplin. Off Broadway: Tammany Hall, That Bachelorette Show, The Awesome 80s Prom, Daddy Long Legs, and A Better Place. She is also the Chief Coloring Officer of Curious Custom Coloring Books and founder of Broadway Murder Mysteries.
About Big Leap Brands:
Founded by Broadway Marketing Professional and serial entrepreneur, Monica Hammond, Big Leap Brands is part marketing agency and part coaching/consulting program for entrepreneurs. Monica has taken her passion for theater and marketing and created Big Leap Brands to do two things . . . Help entertainment entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses so they can find financial freedom and free themselves of dreaded "day jobs." And, help theatrical productions build their audience and get butts in seats. Recent clients have included Ken Davenport, Natalie Weiss, Mandy Gonzalez, Miguel Cervantez, Mat and Savanna Shaw, and Tammany Hall at SoHo Playhouse.
About The Producer:
Mary Elizabeth Dina is a producer and content expert. Currently, she works for Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Spring Awakening, Daddy Long Legs); and her clients (past & present) include Kathleen Turner, Broadway Teaching Group, and Big Leap Brands. Mary is the co-host of the theatre podcast, Page To Stage: A Conversation with Theatre Makers and producer of The Producer’s Perspective Podcast and The Entertainment Entrepreneur.
This podcast is also supported by Abbie Martin.
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Meet Joe Rosko. He started his fitness career at he age of one from his family's garage when his dad put a pair of 2.5lb plates on each side of his broom stick. In this episode, we learn about how one wealthy businessman he met at a gym helped launch his own business, Built For The Stage. Also, we hear what's most important to him for his clients and for the longevity of his company.
Referenced in this Episode:
www.instagram.com/builtforthestage
www.builtforthestage.com
If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, we’d love it if you could share your love in a review!
Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsFacebook
Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsInstagram
Join the group exclusively for Entertainment Entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/EntertainmentEntrepreneurGroup
Learn more: https://www.bigleapbrands.com/
About The Guest:
Ela Thier went to film school at NYU and graduated in 1993. After film school she felt totally discouraged, didn’t think she had what it takes, and she couldn’t handle what felt like cut throat competitiveness. She also believed that a creative life was all about waiting around to get discovered. That wait went on for years.
So she quit.
After graduating from film school she spent her days at a soul sucking office job. Filmmaking became a dusty and long-forgotten dream, though she did try to occasionally write as she continued to harbor the secret hope that some day she’ll sell a screenplay.
She also continued to take more screenwriting classes; there she got ridiculed when she showed works-in-progress.
She left these classes becoming a total perfectionist about my writing. Plot point X must happen on page Y! The perfect recipe for writing blocks. She quit writing too.
More than ten years after film school, a series of events and insights turned that ship around. She made a U-Turn and went at it. Slowly at first, gaining momentum, and eventually at full steam ahead.
About The Host:
Monica Hammond is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Big Leap Brands. As a Broadway marketing professional, she has worked on numerous shows, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, It’s Only A Play, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, as well as the National Tour of A Night With Janis Joplin. Off Broadway: Tammany Hall, That Bachelorette Show, The Awesome 80s Prom, Daddy Long Legs, and A Better Place. She is also the Chief Coloring Officer of Curious Custom Coloring Books and founder of Broadway Murder Mysteries.
About Big Leap Brands:
Founded by Broadway Marketing Professional and serial entrepreneur, Monica Hammond, Big Leap Brands is part marketing agency and part coaching/consulting program for entrepreneurs. Monica has taken her passion for theater and marketing and created Big Leap Brands to do two things . . . Help entertainment entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses so they can find financial freedom and free themselves of dreaded "day jobs." And, help theatrical productions build their audience and get butts in seats. Recent clients have included Ken Davenport, Natalie Weiss, Mandy Gonzalez, Miguel Cervantez, Mat and Savanna Shaw, and Tammany Hall at SoHo Playhouse.
About The Producer:
Mary Elizabeth Dina is a producer and content expert. Currently, she works for Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Spring Awakening, Daddy Long Legs); and her clients (past & present) include Kathleen Turner, Broadway Teaching Group, and Big Leap Brands. Mary is the co-host of the theatre podcast, Page To Stage: A Conversation with Theatre Makers and producer of The Producer’s Perspective Podcast and The Entertainment Entrepreneur.
This podcast is also supported by Abbie Martin.
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
In this episode, we sit down with Broadway actor, Enterprenuer, and Dr. Pepper Rockstar -- Justin Guarini! Justin has appeared on the American Idol stage where he quickly rose to fame where te went on to star in six Broadway shows. And over the last 5 years, he's been exploring entrepreneurship.
Referenced in this Episode:
www.instagram.com/justinguarini
www.justinguarini.com
If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, we’d love it if you could share your love in a review!
Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsFacebook
Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsInstagram
Join the group exclusively for Entertainment Entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/EntertainmentEntrepreneurGroup
Learn more: https://www.bigleapbrands.com/
About The Guest:
Ela Thier went to film school at NYU and graduated in 1993. After film school she felt totally discouraged, didn’t think she had what it takes, and she couldn’t handle what felt like cut throat competitiveness. She also believed that a creative life was all about waiting around to get discovered. That wait went on for years.
So she quit.
After graduating from film school she spent her days at a soul sucking office job. Filmmaking became a dusty and long-forgotten dream, though she did try to occasionally write as she continued to harbor the secret hope that some day she’ll sell a screenplay.
She also continued to take more screenwriting classes; there she got ridiculed when she showed works-in-progress.
She left these classes becoming a total perfectionist about my writing. Plot point X must happen on page Y! The perfect recipe for writing blocks. She quit writing too.
More than ten years after film school, a series of events and insights turned that ship around. She made a U-Turn and went at it. Slowly at first, gaining momentum, and eventually at full steam ahead.
About The Host:
Monica Hammond is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Big Leap Brands. As a Broadway marketing professional, she has worked on numerous shows, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, It’s Only A Play, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, as well as the National Tour of A Night With Janis Joplin. Off Broadway: Tammany Hall, That Bachelorette Show, The Awesome 80s Prom, Daddy Long Legs, and A Better Place. She is also the Chief Coloring Officer of Curious Custom Coloring Books and founder of Broadway Murder Mysteries.
About Big Leap Brands:
Founded by Broadway Marketing Professional and serial entrepreneur, Monica Hammond, Big Leap Brands is part marketing agency and part coaching/consulting program for entrepreneurs. Monica has taken her passion for theater and marketing and created Big Leap Brands to do two things . . . Help entertainment entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses so they can find financial freedom and free themselves of dreaded "day jobs." And, help theatrical productions build their audience and get butts in seats. Recent clients have included Ken Davenport, Natalie Weiss, Mandy Gonzalez, Miguel Cervantez, Mat and Savanna Shaw, and Tammany Hall at SoHo Playhouse.
About The Producer:
Mary Elizabeth Dina is a producer and content expert. Currently, she works for Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Spring Awakening, Daddy Long Legs); and her clients (past & present) include Kathleen Turner, Broadway Teaching Group, and Big Leap Brands. Mary is the co-host of the theatre podcast, Page To Stage: A Conversation with Theatre Makers and producer of The Producer’s Perspective Podcast and The Entertainment Entrepreneur.
This podcast is also supported by Abbie Martin.
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
This week we're going behind the CAMERA to talk with Ela Their. As a filmmaker, Ela started the Independent Film School to help other filmmakers. And in this episode, we discuss what it was like for her to make the transition of side hustle to full-time business owner.
Referenced in this Episode:
www.theindependentfilmschool.com
If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, we’d love it if you could share your love in a review!
Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsFacebook
Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsInstagram
Join the group exclusively for Entertainment Entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/EntertainmentEntrepreneurGroup
Learn more: https://www.bigleapbrands.com/
About The Guest:
Ela Thier went to film school at NYU and graduated in 1993. After film school she felt totally discouraged, didn’t think she had what it takes, and she couldn’t handle what felt like cut throat competitiveness. She also believed that a creative life was all about waiting around to get discovered. That wait went on for years.
So she quit.
After graduating from film school she spent her days at a soul sucking office job. Filmmaking became a dusty and long-forgotten dream, though she did try to occasionally write as she continued to harbor the secret hope that some day she’ll sell a screenplay.
She also continued to take more screenwriting classes; there she got ridiculed when she showed works-in-progress.
She left these classes becoming a total perfectionist about my writing. Plot point X must happen on page Y! The perfect recipe for writing blocks. She quit writing too.
More than ten years after film school, a series of events and insights turned that ship around. She made a U-Turn and went at it. Slowly at first, gaining momentum, and eventually at full steam ahead.
About The Host:
Monica Hammond is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Big Leap Brands. As a Broadway marketing professional, she has worked on numerous shows, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, It’s Only A Play, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, as well as the National Tour of A Night With Janis Joplin. Off Broadway: Tammany Hall, That Bachelorette Show, The Awesome 80s Prom, Daddy Long Legs, and A Better Place. She is also the Chief Coloring Officer of Curious Custom Coloring Books and founder of Broadway Murder Mysteries.
About Big Leap Brands:
Founded by Broadway Marketing Professional and serial entrepreneur, Monica Hammond, Big Leap Brands is part marketing agency and part coaching/consulting program for entrepreneurs. Monica has taken her passion for theater and marketing and created Big Leap Brands to do two things . . . Help entertainment entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses so they can find financial freedom and free themselves of dreaded "day jobs." And, help theatrical productions build their audience and get butts in seats. Recent clients have included Ken Davenport, Natalie Weiss, Mandy Gonzalez, Miguel Cervantez, Mat and Savanna Shaw, and Tammany Hall at SoHo Playhouse.
About The Producer:
Mary Elizabeth Dina is a producer and content expert. Currently, she works for Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Spring Awakening, Daddy Long Legs); and her clients (past & present) include Kathleen Turner, Broadway Teaching Group, and Big Leap Brands. Mary is the co-host of the theatre podcast, Page To Stage: A Conversation with Theatre Makers and producer of The Producer’s Perspective Podcast and The Entertainment Entrepreneur.
This podcast is also supported by Abbie Martin.
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
In this episode of The Entertainment Entrepreneur we head backstage to hear what it's like to be a Broadway Dresser who also runs her own business! Teale Dvornik currently works as a dresser on Broadway's hit musical Wicked. But nearly 10 years ago she launched a blog that started it all for her. Listen to Teale's journey, what great advice she's gotten from her dad, why taking a tour of the theater district with Broadway's big sister is better than any other tour you will find, and more!
Referenced in this Episode:
www.thebackstageblonde.co
www.instagram.com/thebackstageblonde
If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, we’d love it if you could share your love in a review!
Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsFacebook
Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsInstagram
Join the group exclusively for Entertainment Entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/EntertainmentEntrepreneurGroup
Learn more: https://www.bigleapbrands.com/
About The Guest:
Teale is a lifelong theater lover and hold a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Costume Design from Samford University. She moved to New York in 2014 and headed straight for Broadway. Currently, she is a Dresser at the hit musical Wicked!
She's worked at the shows Aladdin, The Prom, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, On The Town, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular and nine New York Fashion Weeks.
Her passion for theatre history and the architecture of Broadway's 41 theatres led her to becoming a licensed NYC tour guide. She resides in the Theater District and is absolutely in love with living in the greatest city in the world.
About The Host:
Monica Hammond is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Big Leap Brands. As a Broadway marketing professional, she has worked on numerous shows, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, It’s Only A Play, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, as well as the National Tour of A Night With Janis Joplin. Off Broadway: Tammany Hall, That Bachelorette Show, The Awesome 80s Prom, Daddy Long Legs, and A Better Place. She is also the Chief Coloring Officer of Curious Custom Coloring Books and founder of Broadway Murder Mysteries.
About Big Leap Brands:
Founded by Broadway Marketing Professional and serial entrepreneur, Monica Hammond, Big Leap Brands is part marketing agency and part coaching/consulting program for entrepreneurs. Monica has taken her passion for theater and marketing and created Big Leap Brands to do two things . . . Help entertainment entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses so they can find financial freedom and free themselves of dreaded "day jobs." And, help theatrical productions build their audience and get butts in seats. Recent clients have included Ken Davenport, Natalie Weiss, Mandy Gonzalez, Miguel Cervantez, Mat and Savanna Shaw, and Tammany Hall at SoHo Playhouse.
About The Producer:
Mary Elizabeth Dina is a producer and content expert. Currently, she works for Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Spring Awakening, Daddy Long Legs); and her clients (past & present) include Kathleen Turner, Broadway Teaching Group, and Big Leap Brands. Mary is the co-host of the theatre podcast, Page To Stage: A Conversation with Theatre Makers and producer of The Producer’s Perspective Podcast and The Entertainment Entrepreneur.
This podcast is also supported by Abbie Martin.
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
In this episode of The Entertainment Entrepreneur we're cooking up something special for you! Chip Klose, an artist turned marketing genius, helping restaurants with their brand presence and revenues. In this episode, we discuss what the journey can look like for an entrepreneur as you scale and pivot your business over time.
Referenced in this Episode:
"Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
"Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth
The Restaurant Strategy podcast: http://www.chipklose.com/podcast
If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, we’d love it if you could share your love in a review!
Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsFacebook
Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsInstagram
Join the group exclusively for Entertainment Entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/EntertainmentEntrepreneurGroup
Learn more: https://www.bigleapbrands.com/
About The Guest:
Chip Klose is based in NYC, where he runs the marketing agency Chip Klose Creative, working with chefs and restaurant owners to help them grow their brand presence and increase revenues. Klose is also the host of a weekly marketing podcast, Restaurant Strategy, where he talks about many of the strategies and tactics he uses day-to-day in marketing restaurants. To learn more, visit ChipKlose.com.
About The Host:
Monica Hammond is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Big Leap Brands. As a Broadway marketing professional, she has worked on numerous shows, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, It’s Only A Play, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, as well as the National Tour of A Night With Janis Joplin. Off Broadway: Tammany Hall, That Bachelorette Show, The Awesome 80s Prom, Daddy Long Legs, and A Better Place. She is also the Chief Coloring Officer of Curious Custom Coloring Books and founder of Broadway Murder Mysteries.
About Big Leap Brands:
Founded by Broadway Marketing Professional and serial entrepreneur, Monica Hammond, Big Leap Brands is part marketing agency and part coaching/consulting program for entrepreneurs. Monica has taken her passion for theater and marketing and created Big Leap Brands to do two things . . . Help entertainment entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses so they can find financial freedom and free themselves of dreaded "day jobs." And, help theatrical productions build their audience and get butts in seats. Recent clients have included Ken Davenport, Natalie Weiss, Mandy Gonzalez, Miguel Cervantez, Mat and Savanna Shaw, and Tammany Hall at SoHo Playhouse.
About The Producer:
Mary Elizabeth Dina is a producer and content expert. Currently, she works for Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Spring Awakening, Daddy Long Legs); and her clients include Kathleen Turner and Big Leap Brands. Mary is the co-host of the theatre podcast, Page To Stage: A Conversation with Theatre Makers and producer of The Producer’s Perspective Podcast and The Entertainment Entrepreneur.
This podcast is also supported by Abbie Martin.
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Ahh, there's nothing like an accidental business! Jen's story of how Scenery Bags came to be has got to be one of my favorite -- and it's not just because it runs parallel to my own entrepreneurial story!
In this episode we talk about Jen's exciting journey of giving new life to retired theatrical materials from all over the country. Not only is every product made in the USA, but for every item purchased on their site, they donate 10% to TDF's Introduction to Theatre Program.
If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, we’d love it if you could share your love in a review!
Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsFacebook
Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsInstagram
Join the group exclusively for Entertainment Entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/EntertainmentEntrepreneurGroup
Learn more: https://www.bigleapbrands.com/
About The Guest:
When she's not not behind her computer or visiting the shops in Florida and South Carolina, our CEO and Founder Jennifer Wheeler Kahn is probably chasing her two boys #InternHudson and #InternJudah around the house, park, library, or museum.
Jen was a professional Stage Manager for 17 years getting to work on such shows as: The Deaf West Revival of Spring Awakening (Broadway), In the Heights (National Tour), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (La Jolla Playhouse and Paper Mill Playhouse), Hold Onto me Darling (Off-Broadway at the Atlantic), Kinship (starring Cynthia Nixon and Christopher Lowell at Williamstown Theatre Festival), and many productions at The Old Globe Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego.
Over her last 4 years as a Stage Manager she also ran a blog on giveback and ethical style. SCENERY was born as the love child of these two parts of her heart. Ethical style, Theatre, and giving back to make theatre more accessible for others.
About The Host:
Monica Hammond is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Big Leap Brands. As a Broadway marketing professional, she has worked on numerous shows, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, It’s Only A Play, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, as well as the National Tour of A Night With Janis Joplin. Off Broadway: Tammany Hall, That Bachelorette Show, The Awesome 80s Prom, Daddy Long Legs, and A Better Place. She is also the Chief Coloring Officer of Curious Custom Coloring Books and founder of Broadway Murder Mysteries.
About Big Leap Brands:
Founded by Broadway Marketing Professional and serial entrepreneur, Monica Hammond, Big Leap Brands is part marketing agency and part coaching/consulting program for entrepreneurs. Monica has taken her passion for theater and marketing and created Big Leap Brands to do two things . . . Help entertainment entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses so they can find financial freedom and free themselves of dreaded "day jobs." And, help theatrical productions build their audience and get butts in seats. Recent clients have included Ken Davenport, Natalie Weiss, Mandy Gonzalez, Miguel Cervantez, Mat and Savanna Shaw, and Tammany Hall at SoHo Playhouse.
About The Producer:
Mary Elizabeth Dina is a producer and content expert. Currently, she works for Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Spring Awakening, Daddy Long Legs); and her clients include Kathleen Turner and Big Leap Brands. Mary is the co-host of the theatre podcast, Page To Stage: A Conversation with Theatre Makers and producer of The Producer’s Perspective Podcast and The Entertainment Entrepreneur.
This podcast is also supported by Abbie Martin.
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
At the start of the pandemic, Anant Das set out to bring joy and a splash of Broadway to theatre fans all over the country. What he wasn't prepared for was just how much of a demand his subscription boxes would become!
Broadway Boxed Up is a theatre-themed subscription box connecting fans with the Broadway world, and reimagining theatregoers’ relationship with merchandise. And in this episode, I set out to learn all about his process of launching, scaling, and maintaining this business.
If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, we’d love it if you could share your love in a review!
Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsFacebook
Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsInstagram
Join the group exclusively for Entertainment Entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/EntertainmentEntrepreneurGroup
Learn more: https://www.bigleapbrands.com/
About The Guest:
Anant Das (“un-nunth”) (He/Him) is a creative producer, theatre investor, and CEO of Broadway Boxed Up, the longest-running theatre-themed subscription box with a focus on elevating BIPOC, Deaf, and disabled theatrical voices, connecting fans with the Broadway world, and reimagining theatregoers’ relationship with merchandise. He is currently producing a new musical, How to Repair a Mechanical Heart, and has experience as an investor with Fairycakes Off-Broadway and the Museum of Broadway. With a background in financial valuation, computer science, and as a consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Anant is passionate about the intersection of theatre, tech, and finance, as well as energized to increase access to both theatrical opportunities and theatre education. Recognized as one of the “Class of 2019’s Best & Brightest” in undergrad by Poets&Quants, Anant’s interest in exploring how innovation can disrupt the arts began when he attended the top ranked public high school in the US.
In his free time, you can find him screening films for the Washington West Film Festival, belting a Sara Bareilles album or his one-man show of Waitress, trying that restaurant he saw once on Instagram, or convincing himself that he will wake up at dawn for a yoga or rowing class.
About The Host:
Monica Hammond is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Big Leap Brands. As a Broadway marketing professional, she has worked on numerous shows, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, It’s Only A Play, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, as well as the National Tour of A Night With Janis Joplin. Off Broadway: Tammany Hall, That Bachelorette Show, The Awesome 80s Prom, Daddy Long Legs, and A Better Place. She is also the Chief Coloring Officer of Curious Custom Coloring Books and founder of Broadway Murder Mysteries.
About Big Leap Brands:
Founded by Broadway Marketing Professional and serial entrepreneur, Monica Hammond, Big Leap Brands is part marketing agency and part coaching/consulting program for entrepreneurs. Monica has taken her passion for theater and marketing and created Big Leap Brands to do two things . . . Help entertainment entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses so they can find financial freedom and free themselves of dreaded "day jobs." And, help theatrical productions build their audience and get butts in seats. Recent clients have included Ken Davenport, Natalie Weiss, Mandy Gonzalez, Miguel Cervantez, Mat and Savanna Shaw, and Tammany Hall at SoHo Playhouse.
About The Producer:
Mary Elizabeth Dina is a producer and content expert. Currently, she works for Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Spring Awakening, Daddy Long Legs); and her clients include Kathleen Turner and Big Leap Brands. Mary is the co-host of the theatre podcast, Page To Stage: A Conversation with Theatre Makers and producer of The Producer’s Perspective Podcast and The Entertainment Entrepreneur.
This podcast is also supported by Abbie Martin.
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
Natalie Weiss gained an international following from her performance videos and popular YouTube web series, "Breaking Down The Riffs," which have collectively reached over 4 million views.
Now as a private vocal coach and master class teacher, she trains performers across the US and throughout the world.
In 2020, Natalie Weiss set out to design her own online course based and in 2021, she launched it to the world! "The Guide to Breaking Down the Riffs" takes students through Natalie's teaching methods and providing an epic, self-guided pop singing & riffing course.
For more information, visit her website: https://natalieweissofficial.com
If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, we’d love it if you could share your love in a review!
Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsFacebook
Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsInstagram
Join the group exclusively for Entertainment Entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/EntertainmentEntrepreneurGroup
Learn more: https://www.bigleapbrands.com/
About The Guest:
Natalie Weiss is an American singer and actress known best for her YouTube series "Breaking Down the Riffs," her standing as a semifinalist on season 4 of American Idol, and her work in musical theatre. Weiss holds a BFA in musical theatre from Penn State where she graduated in 2007.
About The Host:
Monica Hammond is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Big Leap Brands. As a Broadway marketing professional, she has worked on numerous shows, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, It’s Only A Play, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, as well as the National Tour of A Night With Janis Joplin. Off Broadway: Tammany Hall, That Bachelorette Show, The Awesome 80s Prom, Daddy Long Legs, and A Better Place. She is also the Chief Coloring Officer of Curious Custom Coloring Books and founder of Broadway Murder Mysteries.
About Big Leap Brands:
Founded by Broadway Marketing Professional and serial entrepreneur, Monica Hammond, Big Leap Brands is part marketing agency and part coaching/consulting program for entrepreneurs. Monica has taken her passion for theater and marketing and created Big Leap Brands to do two things . . . Help entertainment entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses so they can find financial freedom and free themselves of dreaded "day jobs." And, help theatrical productions build their audience and get butts in seats. Recent clients have included Ken Davenport, Natalie Weiss, Mandy Gonzalez, Miguel Cervantez, Mat and Savanna Shaw, and Tammany Hall at SoHo Playhouse.
About The Producer:
Mary Elizabeth Dina is a producer and content expert. Currently, she works for Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Spring Awakening, Daddy Long Legs); and her clients include Kathleen Turner and Big Leap Brands. Mary is the co-host of the theatre podcast, Page To Stage: A Conversation with Theatre Makers and producer of The Producer’s Perspective Podcast and The Entertainment Entrepreneur.
This podcast is also supported by Abbie Martin.
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Tony Award-winning TheaterMaker Ken Davenport is the ultimate serial entrepreneur. Bit by the entrepreneur bug early in life, Ken's earliest memory is selling candy at his father's cardiologist's office. Now, a 2x Tony-winner, Ken estimates he's started over 150 companies in his lifetime. Hear what it takes to run a success business and what it means to be a successful entrepreneur.
If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, we’d love it if you could share your love in a review!
Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsFacebook
Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/BigLeapBrandsInstagram
Join the group exclusively for Entertainment Entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/EntertainmentEntrepreneurGroup
Learn more: https://www.bigleapbrands.com/
About The Guest:
Ken Davenport is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and writer whose credits include Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It’s Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Tony Award), and more, including multiple Off-Broadway productions such as Altar Boyz, The Awesome 80s Prom and more. Ken’s shows have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world. He is the founder of TheaterMakersStudio.com, a one-of-a-kind "masterclass" community that provides training and inspiration from Broadway's best to writers, directors, producers and more. Ken created the best-selling board game, Be A Broadway Star, one of the highest-ranking Broadway gifts on Amazon.com. Ken was also the Executive Producer for North America for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and is the Theatrical Consultant for Primary Wave, a music management and publishing company. Ken’s unique production and marketing style has garnered him international attention in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. Upcoming projects include A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, Broadway Vacation, Joy the Musical, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. For more information, visit www.KenDavenport.com.
About The Host:
Monica Hammond is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Big Leap Brands. As a Broadway marketing professional, she has worked on numerous shows, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, It’s Only A Play, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, as well as the National Tour of A Night With Janis Joplin. Off Broadway: Tammany Hall, That Bachelorette Show, The Awesome 80s Prom, Daddy Long Legs, and A Better Place. She is also the Chief Coloring Officer of Curious Custom Coloring Books and founder of Broadway Murder Mysteries.
About Big Leap Brands:
Founded by Broadway Marketing Professional and serial entrepreneur, Monica Hammond, Big Leap Brands is part marketing agency and part coaching/consulting program for entrepreneurs. Monica has taken her passion for theater and marketing and created Big Leap Brands to do two things . . . Help entertainment entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses so they can find financial freedom and free themselves of dreaded "day jobs." And, help theatrical productions build their audience and get butts in seats. Recent clients have included Ken Davenport, Natalie Weiss, Mandy Gonzalez, Miguel Cervantez, Mat and Savanna Shaw, and Tammany Hall at SoHo Playhouse.
About The Producer:
Mary Elizabeth Dina is a producer and content expert. Currently, she works for Tony Award-winning Producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Spring Awakening, Daddy Long Legs); and her clients include Kathleen Turner and Big Leap Brands. Mary is the co-host of the theatre podcast, Page To Stage: A Conversation with Theatre Makers and producer of The Producer’s Perspective Podcast and The Entertainment Entrepreneur.
This podcast is also supported by Abbie Martin.
Welcome to The Entertainment Entrepreneur, the podcast for actors, writers, producers, and really anyone working in entertainment with a passion for entrepreneurship.
I’m your host, Monica Hammond, a serial entrepreneur in the entertainment industry.
Join me as I sit down with Broadway stars, Hollywood favorites, and Industry change-makers to chat about their own journeys launching, running, pivoting and scaling their businesses.