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What you’ll learn in this interview:

1 social media scheduler she uses
1 easiest film editing software she recommends
1 top screenplay writing course
2 amazing books all entrepreneurs need to read
How she keeps the wrinkles away
Her favorite superfoods

How This Actress Runs Her Business Behind The Scenes

1. What do you do? Who do you help?

I’ve had recurring roles on Showtime’s I’M DYING UP HERE and currently on BET’s GAMES PEOPLE PLAY. I’ve recently been on larger screens in GLORIA BELL, MUSE, and SPINNING MAN.

As a writer/performer, my one-woman show, UNDER THE JELLO MOLD, tells the story of my mom at the end of her life. The title refers to where my mom hid her post-mortem instructions; it turns out my mom was also hiding a secret.

Through its humor and relatability, I share how universal the mother-daughter relationship is, and how we can carry on and even laugh, after one of the most difficult times in our lives: the death of a parent.

2. List your favorite business tools.

SOCIAL MEDIA

SmarterQueue – great social media scheduler for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

EMAIL MARKETING

ConvertKit – the best email automation software for small businesses.

DIGITAL PRODUCT

Wondershare Filmora – easy film editing software.

3. What is a good course, website or book you would recommend and why?

COURSES

Write A Screenplay In 30 Days With The Mini-Movie Method – I did this in more than 30 days (at my own pace), but it was a good pace-setter and helped set concrete deadlines and guideposts to get a screenplay written

BOOK

My Side: The Autobiography of Ruth Gordon – a great reminder of how an actress has to take matters in her own hands and refuses not to be noticed. Before Madonna, there was Ruth Gordon.
You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero. Because you are and I are, too.

4. What is the best piece of advice you have received?

“Leave a room cleaner than you found it.” – This was advice given to me by my mother (and who hasn’t been given this piece of advice?) It is basically my moral in life. I stretch the word “room” and “clean” to mean “world” and “better”: I hope to leave the world a little bit cleaner, nicer, and better than I found it. That is what motivates me to do good in my work and life every day. And to pick up trash in the street whenever possible (although sometimes, this task just gets overwhelming and I have to let it go).

5. What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

Remain true to yourself.
Money isn’t everything.
Be good to everyone along the way; the person who carried your luggage may someday be your boss.
Network with people who are in and outside of your field.
Lift other people up – you help yourself by helping others.

6. What is your beauty and/or fitness routine?

BEAUTY ROUTINE

I’m allergic to a lot of ‘products’ so I keep it incredibly simple and organic.
Avalon Organics Wrinkle Therapy mixed with Aura Cacia Shea Nut Skin Care Oil is my moisturizing routine in the morning.
Cleanse my face at night with LaRoche Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
A couple of drops of Desert Essence 100% Pure Jojoba Oil is all I use at night.
Smile a lot! A smile is a great business tool and your best beauty routine.

FITNESS ROUTINE

I walk for fitness a few times a week (I try to do it at least three times a week) and I just try to be as active as possible all day – take the stairs, not the elevator; park farther away, not close; and if music is playing, I’m going to dance to it.

7. List the products or items that are indispensable in your life.

Qi’a Honey Chia Superflakes – I’m gluten-free, all-organic and can’t eat anything processed. I eat this cereal every single day (sometimes for breakfast AND dessert); I keep it stocked in my cabinet like the Apocalypse is coming. I love it!
HBO, Netflix, Amazon Prime – because “Barry,” “The Kominsky Method,” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and free shipping
Laughter
Cookies – currently I’m having a little thing with K-Toos… they’re gluten-free vanilla sandwich cookies and my husband is a little jealous. Also cheese. Thank God I can still do dairy.

8. Which female entrepreneur(s) do you look up to and why?

Oprah, Oprah, Oprah. Because Oprah.
Nell Minow. She heads a company called Value Edge Advisors that advises institutional shareholders on corporate governance issues, and was my boss when I was in college. She is also a movie critic in her ‘spare time,’ and is one of the coolest, most well-rounded people I have ever known. She is also a blast to spend time with as she is incredibly knowledgeable about many things, and always a great listener (which is a valuable thing to be in business).