~ REACH BACK TUESDAY ~ Entrepreneur Of The Week: Dean Osmon Feb 24, 2014.. Born in Saint John New Brunswick and raised most of his life in Ontario. He was always performing from a very young age he was performing for crowds and charging an admittance fee for those to watch. “For as long as I can remember, I always knew how to make money and to have people listen”….it took me many years before I realized that I had the power to create effective change – I HAD A VOICE. After an 8 year run as an International Fashion Model, I decided that I wanted to get theatre trained and did so in New York City. Spending 6 years in NYC I was able to perform in many arenas including modeling, theatre, film, TV and as a struggling vocalist. In 2001 I won the Daytime ABC Vocal Competition and shortly after the best Male Contemporary Male Vocalist – Staten Island, NY. Soon after I co-founded “Full Blaze Records in Woodhaven Queens, NY. It was here that I truly began to understand my passion for developing and branding artists. Through recording, dance training, styling and promotional event planning, I was able to get a roster of vocalist out working full time and lending towards pitching artists to MCI Records. After 911 it all seemed to fade quickly and I found myself back in Canada wondering what to do. For several years I strolled around lost and wanting to be back in the “Big Apple.” After working for 5 years in Toronto I decided to pack my belongings and head to the West Coast – Vancouver to pick up the broken pieces and begin to rebuild my life. Three years in to living in Vancouver I found myself managing/representing a new pool of talent with a strong mandate for ethnic performers. After working several years for a talent agency that wasn’t making me happy, I decided to branch out on my own and created my own agency now called Maijah Lewk. Maijah Lewk (made-ya-look) was created to force productions to LEWK at viable ethnic options – to challenge the status quo in the industry and force others to recognize the need for a fairer balance of ethnic roles in all artistic mediums. Being a person of colour myself, I know 100% that there is by no means a balance in this industry. If one considers type-cast roles and racially profiled roles FAIR…..to this day I challenge that old school mentality. We sit at a time that these trivial issues should be long past us but alas – here we are. With that said, times are changing and it has been an uphill battle BUT one that has made me stronger, most determined and above all else, extremely proud to be ethnic! With global demographics changing at rapid rates we see the need for the equality and fairness to change at a faster rate. These are challenges that we face every day and we are determined to create effective change. Now into my third year as a business owner I am able to see a brighter future through increased organization, a stronger mandate, 5 year plan and a reputation that is building quickly and for the most part – POSITIVE. My voice is used to champion global issues, effective change and an understanding that we are ALL as one Cheers to becoming actively involved in global issues that affect each and every one of us daily. We all have the power to make this world a better place for our children, parents and grand-parents…….IT IS YOUR BUSINESS! Zyrack Dean Osmon Maijah Lewk! 1. What makes me an Entrepreneur? Certainly the willingness to take a financial risk to champion what I honestly believe in. The willingness to go broke for what you believe in! Building the resources and creating a streamlined system that will generate financial gains/returns that will allow me to continue on this mission of fairness and equality. I consider myself a leader that takes on a bigger problem and works around the clock to pave the way for those to come after me. I am a firm believer that we are all responsible for our own success and if one person sees another taking a risk to create effective change, it in turn can create a domino effect. Entrepreneurs are not ever bound by a 24 hour clock…there is no real time when building a business – your time is EVERYONE’S time! Time is the very fibre that connects us leaders to a strong desire to strengthen building blocks and unify a group of others to strive toward common goals. 2. What is my elevator Speech? I have no real defined answer for this. My voice/speech is used in many ways to elevate and motivate others. I suppose it could be preaching to others to take risks and step out of the BOX or boundaries that have been automatically defined for us as a people. We are all so conditioned to fear success and therefore many choose not to delve into true potential. If one has a strong desire for something…it is that individual’s responsibility to take the bull by the horns and give an honest go at it. Fear is a term that is used so lightly these days and it is commonly mistaken or confused with lazy Born an ARIES I am all about risks and adventure after all, we only have one life to live! I would say that if we listen to what others tell us we will never achieve our greater purpose – whatever that is. It is uniquely different for all of us. Most of us recognize what we desire but do not want to put in the HARD TIME to bring it to full fruition. JUST DO IT! Nobody else will do it for us……. 3. What has been my biggest challenge? My biggest challenge has been finding enough hours in a day to keep working, organizing, building and solidifying my long-term plans. With a new business comes the need to work as much as possible. The first two years of a new business will determine if the doors will stay open. Finding balance with work and play has been a difficult one for me. I always equate time as an enemy and find myself always wanting to be ahead of the clock. There is no set time frame to win the race! It simply comes down to how much one is willing to sacrifice to make the dream a reality. In the entertainment business work is always by the minute and changes can occur at any given moment. The ability to accept that work will be a priority at any point in a 24 hour period is the key to adjusting and executing one’s purpose. This is a fact that pertains to anyone who is a new business owner……time is not yours to manipulate but rather a source used to measure progress. Time can be a true companion when met with the will and desire to achieve. In truth, I find myself understanding the importance of a solid friendship with time and therefore a partnership whose purpose is to work in tandum. 4. What is my biggest Accomplishment? This is a tough one since I have learned to acknowledge even the smallest victories. To date I feel that my willingness to fall flat on my face and pull myself back up is a huge one! The fact that I still wake up and look forward to my long days and honest efforts - allows me to celebrate this accomplishment. There are days when I ask myself, “why am I still doing this?” and yet we know it is to fulfill our dreams and watch our hard labor come to a reality. There are so many challenges and obstacles in the way that we simply put our head down and nose to the grindstone. Listening to my inner self is also a huge accomplishment. Often we tend to doubt and this can lead to negative energy. I have learned to accept that I am only human and I will continue to make mistakes – it is the willingness to learn and grow from these mistakes that will carry us through. Learning to be human in business is a tough one but one that will lead to greater success. I have honestly learned to fall hard but through faith I am always given wings to fly!!!!! Believe in whatever you do 100% and eventually the magic will begin to unfold. Trusting myself and my actions has helped me so much on this journey. 5. What piece of advice would I offer Entrepreneurs starting out? Don’t ever give up! The difference between those who succeed and those who fail…are those who never quit! There will always be obstacles and road blocks in life but we MUST choose to overcome these difficulties to see the bigger picture. The willingness to surrender is a must as well. Surrender to the fact that you will not always know where to turn or how to navigate this new venture. BELIEVE that through hard work you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Do not rush as time is intended to guide you and not fight you. Be realistic when setting goals as we all tend to want what we want and NOW!!!! Rome wasn’t built in a day and nor will your business. Patience and gratitude for even the smallest things will carry one a very long way. You are only worth what you put into it! 6. What is an average work day? My typical work day starts at 7:00am and usually stretches to 12 or 1 am. I put in a full 10 hours at the agency and then off to a second job training new hires at the Marriott and Renaissance hotels. I supplement my income to compensate for the slow periods in the film/TV/Commercial arena. I have learned to use this part-time job as an opportunity to step out of the vortex and get some “real” face time in the “real” world. Yes, this can mean a full 18 – 20 hour day but it is used as a vehicle to put money back into my business. As a bonus, I am able to scout new talent at various functions that I work and therefore I am continuously “building” my business, even when I am away from the business. A win-win situation. 7. What does the future hold? The future holds much optimism and a greater appreciation for creating effective change. When I have a hand in bringing joy and prosperity to my talent – I know that I am achieving what I have set out to do. I look forward to a stronger work ethic, building a stronger platform and creating a more diversified industry that is reflective of all ethnic groups. Now into my 3rd year as an entrepreneur and business owner, I feel a greater sense of community and the ability to foster balance and unity. Looking forward to applying everything that I have learned in the first few years to strengthen my business formula and find better alternatives to getting some solid sleep :) The future holds continued blessings for everyone who works hard and strives to keep the human element in everything that we do as a people. It is the common denominator that we all share. Let’s treat each other with respect, love and dignity and see that the global demographics are changing drastically and what used to be is no longer the case. We need each other to survive and I look forward to working with EVERYONE regardless of our differences. We all have unique stories that need to be heard and through this platform we will continue to give a VOICE and champion the humanitarian efforts. No better way to do this then through ALL artistic mediums ------- - See more at: inbiz.me/article/entrepreneur-week-dean-osmon-0#sthash.Re0VBKhu.dpuf The Source: inbiz.me/article/entrepreneur-week-dean-osmon-0
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 04:25:02 +0000
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