Today we’d like to introduce you to Normita Joven.
Normita, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Icon Studios Dallas was created in June 2010 as a dream and vision to help hard working artists (primarily actors and models) from all levels succeed in the entertainment business. I saw a void in the industry because I noticed there were a lot of talented actors and models being turned away from agencies because they lacked experience, training, and marketing materials such as headshots and demo reels needed to be a professional working talent. Many of these inexperienced artists were lacking these basic necessities and were left without guidance in entering a talent agency. Who in this niche market was going to give them the real tools and basic knowledge and experience to follow their dreams?
As a former professional artist, international reporter, and marketing manager, I wanted to use my knowledge and experience to create a company that would inspire and lead artists to the correct path in achieving success in this highly competitive business. I wanted Icon Studios Dallas to be a vehicle to help the artists whether they needed the experience to build their resumes; training in acting, modeling, stunt work, voice, music, and various other disciplines in the arts and entertainment arena; and services such as photography, videography, marketing, etc. Within the first month of the business, I was already booking actors in films, network shows, national commercials, corporate videos, national print advertisements, etc. while at the same time, creating fashion shows and building my clientele of industry professionals who needed to hire actors and models for their projects. Icon Studios Dallas was no longer just an idea or dream but a reality.
The incredible part about all of this is that I started Icon Studios Dallas with no investment capital, just a desire to create a company that would inspire artists to live their dreams. The first studio office that breathed Icon Studios Dallas to life was kind enough to give me one month of free rent, so in that first month, I knew I had no budget, just a spirit full of passion and desire to help others. I had no choice but to turn my dream into a reality. I am extremely grateful as I think about my first year in business, and all the challenges and mountains I had to overcome and conquer. I could not even afford furniture but people voluntarily came and gave their used furniture and electronics, actors even donated coffee and snacks for the kitchen and even contributed pictures frames and tv/film themed decor to decorate the 2,000 square foot studio. I started with a free online website and I couldn’t afford to hire a webmaster to build the site, so I had to figure out how to build the website on my own. I did have many actors offer help with whatever tech knowledge they had. It was a group of beautiful and talented artists sharing a common vision and goal. Today, Icon Studios Dallas has grown its network to thousands internationally and we currently office out of a 24,000 square foot studio facility working with some of the most talented award-winning tv and film professionals in the metroplex.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, it has definitely not been a smooth road starting a female minority owned business with a business structure and business plan different than other entertainment companies, especially starting a company with no start-up capital or support from the community. My biggest struggle is staying plugged in and on top of the busy frenzy of the business. My talent does not see what goes on behind the scenes but every day I fight to find jobs and opportunities for them on a regular basis, and when I do find jobs and opportunities I fight to make sure they are taken care of on set and off set. I use to train and compete in the martial arts, and that discipline has helped train me to use the same focus, positive attitude, and drive to fight and never give up in business or in myself. I have a lot of advice for other women, especially young women who are just starting their journey. I post daily inspirational quotes and stories that I have created through my own personal experiences in social media in hopes to possibly reach someone and help someone’s difficulties a little bit easier to comprehend. Here are a few life lessons I’ve learned along the way in my journey.
One lesson is to believe in yourself and to know and expect that you are going to stumble and fall, know that this is just life but the hardest thing is you have to pick yourself up over and over again. I am successful because I have made more mistakes in my life than most but most importantly I have learned from them and like being knocked down in a physical fight you have got to pick yourself up again and keep moving forward. Never stay stagnant and never stay focusing on your mistakes. Never let anyone ever bring you down or ruin your day. We are all given 24 hours in a day and I don’t plan on wasting not one minute of those hours. You have to remind yourself that you are a beautiful, talented, strong, courageous person to want to go after your dreams. No person or situation is worth bring you down and taking that confidence away from you. Your achievements and accolades are something that no one can ever take away from you.
Another lesson is to take advantage of opportunities that are looking at your right in the face. Sometimes people feel afraid or inferior before they even try something or feel as if they need to improve a little more before they should take the chance or maybe they feel they are not good enough. I always say you never know unless you try and you never know unless you ask! If you are faced with an opportunity stop, shut up and leap, take a risk. You are going to learn something with the outcome either way. It is true that opportunities are never lost, they are just passed on to someone else who will gladly accept it. Every time you take advantage of an opportunity and overcome it, you grow and become a better person ready for the next challenge.
I see it all the time not just young women, but all people feel as if they don’t want to start a business or apply for their dream job because they just don’t feel as if they are ready or they don’t have all the knowledge necessary for success. I would tell them to of course do your research, educate yourself, and know your product but you don’t need to know everything to get started. I did not attend business school or know how to run a business when I first started but I learned along the way. The most important thing to achieving success is your passion and drive to make it happen. You will not have all the answers, but if you focus on what you want, and are faithful and work hard, the Universe will reward you. That is a fact.
Your life can be changed the moment you know that someone believes in you. It takes just that one. Who was that person for you, and when will you be that person for someone else? My life changed when my speech communications professor told me that my words were beautiful and that I was amazing. She said that after seeing my very first speech. She immediately put me in the speech/debate team where I ended up winning numerous national competitions, and she even encouraged me to audition for what would be my first theatrical performance. Today, she is still teaching at the college but she is also one of my signed artists and has worked many amazing projects for me. Karma is beautiful and it means a lot to me to be able to give back.
This goes out to all the young women. Do not ever think you need to depend on a man to make you happy, be the provider or to complete you. When a woman thinks that she can’t make it in this world without a man, that woman destroys something inside of her that is so crucial in achieving greatness. You have the power to be anything you want in this world. Always stay humble, give it your 110 percent whether you are making $10 or $10,000 because you are building a strong work ethic. Give thanks to God every day and be grateful for what you have, but be driven to want more. Most importantly, believe in yourself and surround yourselves with positive people who will lift you up and not bring you down.
We’d love to hear more about Icon Studios Dallas.
I am the founder and CEO of Icon Studios Dallas, an agency, and model and talent management company. I help actors and models find opportunities and work in TV, film, commercial, industrial video, fashion, print, and corporate events. I also refer services in helping actors and models hone their skills such as workshops, photography, demo reel production, marketing, etc. I am so proud that I have the capability to help artists better themselves and to help their dreams come true. It is the most incredible feeling in the world to receive letters of how Icon Studios Dallas has truly made a positive impact on their lives. It makes me want to help as many as I can in my lifetime.
I never compare myself to other agencies or management companies, I am only focused on helping my talent. What sets me apart from others is that we are able to bring in talent from different skill levels, whether they are novice or advanced. I built my company from the ground up, I have signed and know all my talent by name and have found my clients organically through networking and building relationships. The others start gaining their clients through casting sites shared by all agents and managers. I am also partnered with a large studio house that is producing 4-5 tv shows on a daily basis. Besides just submitting and booking talent, we are able to provide all types of media and management services to talent as well.
Icon Studios Dallas is comprised of a team of talented and experienced individuals who possess an innate passion for the arts and have a desire for helping talent become successful in the entertainment industry. Our focus is to assist aspiring arts and performing arts enthusiasts in the competitive industry of arts and entertainment. Our motto is “Inspiring Artists to Live their Dreams.”
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Find a mentor who has what you want. Be confident and approach that mentor and ask if you can intern or help that mentor so that you can learn from that mentor. Become a friend to that mentor. Ask questions. Anytime you don’t know or understand something. As far as networking, keep your eyes and ears wide open. Don’t take opportunities for granted. Sometimes you may have to intern or work for free to learn, and that is totally okay. Give it your 110 percent whether its a paid opportunity or not. Free opportunities may lead you to a paid opportunity, a future job or future business; you never know who other people may know that can assist you. You will build a strong character. A strong work ethic becomes a habit. I have worked for free for many projects for many years just to be able to learn and give back. Today, I can say that a majority of the clients and jobs I did for free in the past have provided me paid opportunities for the Icon Team. I have to be very selective now because of my time but it’s important for me to give back to charities and to donate my time to mentor and help others who are appreciative and are eager to learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iconstudiosdallas.com
- Phone: 214.504.6157
- Email: icon@iconstudiosdallas.com
- Instagram: @iconstudiosdallas.com
- Facebook: @iconstudiosdallas
- Twitter: @IconStudiosDal
- Other: LinkedIn: Normita Joven
Image Credit:
Jrnie Jade
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