My Creative District

One-third of the iconic R&B group En Vogue, Rhona Bennett talks with host Jesse Paul Smith about the series of actions and mentality shifts that have led her to her current success. Rhona aka “Rho” speaks poignantly about the “drought” in her career and provides insight to how she got out of it. 

Show Highlights

Rhona begins by talking about her time as a Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club.

As the episode proceeds, we learn that Rhona, faced a very dry time in her career and even took a 9-5 job, where she began to apply her own principles of success.

Jesse inquires more about Rhona’s Personal Power University, which Rhona describes as “a safe place to struggle and a great place to thrive.”

Key Takeaways

What we focus on we get more of.

Do it until you demonstrate it.

Personal Power University

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Natasha Zuvela is the epitome of “good on camera.” In this episode, she speaks with Jesse about her career progression and determination to stay in control of her own destiny. 

Show Highlights

• Natasha tells the story of how she was a young entrepreneur and began making a steady income for herself at the age of 16.

• Natasha and Jesse discuss the purpose of a Unique Selling Point (USP) and how to determine what exactly it is that you do differently. 

Key Takeaways

• No matter your industry or goals, be in control of your own destiny. 

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So many creatives struggle with thinking that “making it” requires going viral. However, virality can be fleeting and short lived. In this episode, Jesse and experienced, and successful entrepreneur, Josh Tapp, discuss how partnerships bring about massive progress when it comes to any industry.

Show Highlights

• Josh Tapp tells the story of how he had his humble beginnings selling items on his parents’ lawn and what that ‘first sale’ rush was like. 

• Jesse persuades Josh to tell the audience about the insights of the joint partnerships he has built and how they have helped to scale his business. 

Key Takeaways

• Perfect your craft, but also learn how to market yourself.

• Build a platform and build a story.

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After being a highschool dropout and accepting a self-proclaimed learning disability, Paul Martinelli speaks with Jesse Paul Smith about how a change in mindset and the guidance of a mentor made a monumental shift in the trajectory of his life. Paul, a successful entrepreneur, brings refreshing insight to the importance of a mind shift when trying to reach one’s goals.

Show Highlights

• Paul brings a great new perspective to the Laws of the Universe with regards to the process of a dream becoming a reality.

• Jesse asks Paul about his process of landing the biggest contract of his career through doing what nobody else was willing to do...work for free. 

Key Takeaways

• Discipline is the ability to give yourself a command and then follow through with it.

• We have to suspend the requirements of knowing HOW to do something and just start.

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In this episode of the My Creative District podcast, host and founder of My Creative District, Jesse Paul Smith, esteemed professional dancer and creator of the Worldwide Dance Challenge, interviews successful choreographer, model, influencer,  and dancer, Amanda LaCount.

Show Highlights

Amanda tells the story of how she was treated as a young dancer and, with her mom’s encouragement, how that fueled her into building the work ethic she needed to become a sought after dancer.

Jesse and Amanda discuss her process into booking gigs and getting noticed in the Los Angeles dance scene.

We learn about Amanda’s #breakthestereotype movement and its beginnings.

Key Takeaways

Worry less about the following and more about the training.

If you don’t see anyone like you in your field, then you’re probably needed in that field. 

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In this episode of the My Creative District podcast, host and founder of My Creative District, Jesse Paul Smith, esteemed professional dancer and creator of the Worldwide Dance Challenge, interviews successful entrepreneur, educator, choreographer, director, and author of the book Trash the Trophies: How to Win Without Losing Your Soul, Chasta Hamilton. Chasta is the owner of Stage Door Dance dance studio. 

Show Highlights

Chasta tells the story of how she transitioned from her path to becoming a lawyer into becoming a successful dance studio owner.

Jesse and Chasta discuss the details of why Chasta decided to transition out of the dance competition world. 

We learn about Chasta’s success and insight into building up dancers’ character and self confidence.

Key Takeaways

As creatives, we cannot live our lives in the hope of a result.

To make radical change, the pain of radical change must be less than the pain of suffering. 

Connect with Chasta on LinkedIn

Buy Chasta’s Book

Visit Chasta’s Website

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Stage Door Dance 

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In this episode of the My Creative District podcast, host and founder of My Creative District, Jesse Paul Smith, esteemed professional dancer and creator of the Worldwide Dance Challenge, interviews successful entrepreneur and author of the book Creative Careers: Making a Living With Your Ideas, Jeffrey Madoff. Jeffrey is the owner of Madoff Productions, a top rated New York City production company. 

Show Highlights

Jeffrey tells the story of how he built a powerhouse clothing company in two years and after deep consideration closes the business in order to move to New York.

Jesse and Jeffrey discuss Jeffrey’s transition into becoming a video producer for one of the biggest fashion lines in the world, Ralph Lauren, and how he befriends the fashion icon.

We learn about Jeffrey’s journey into becoming a distinguished and sought after professor at Parsons School of Design. 

Key Takeaways

As an entrepreneur, it’s important to have the ability to recognize opportunities.

It is imperative to have insatiable curiosity in order to avoid becoming stagnant.

Learn More about Madoff Productions

Buy Jeffrey’s Book

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In this episode of the My Creative District podcast, host and founder of My Creative District, Jesse Paul Smith, esteemed professional dancer and creator of the Worldwide Dance Challenge, interviews Chasen Hampton. Chased is the owner and founder of Chasen Life LLC, a company that has helped get performers onto the world’s largest stages such as Coachella and iHeart Music Radio Awards. Chasen discusses his journey from the Bible Belt Oklahoma to superstardom on Disney’s The Mickey Mouse Club and an integral member of the band The Party.

Show Highlights

Chasen talks about his humble beginnings as an introverted child in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma learning the intricacies of performing from his father and winning several competitions.

Jesse asks Chasen about his Mickey Mouse and The Party days and what he gained from that period of his life. 

Chasen discusses his time as the Music Director at Tony Avalon’s music school in California.

Key Takeaways

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

It takes about 10 years to become an overnight success.

When doing anything, it is always important to be memorable. 

Always be ready.

Listen to “I Can’t Breathe” by Chasen Hampton

Learn More About Chasen Life LLC

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In this episode of the My Creative District podcast, host and founder of My Creative District, Jesse Paul Smith, esteemed professional dancer and creator of the Worldwide Dance Challenge, interviews Neal Hopson, founder of the One Goal Global mission. Neal discusses his transition from a young tennis prodigy to a successful dancer and choreographer who has performed for audiences of 25,000+ people.

Show Highlights

Neal tells his intriguing story about shifting his focus from being a professional tennis play to a dancer.

Learn more about the ways that Neal approached his process of beginning to make an income from his dance and choreography career.

Neal and Jesse discuss how the “why” is more important to than the “what.”

Key Takeaways

Proper preparation prevents poor performance.

If you automatically get what you want, the person you are right now is not ready for it.

Fall in love with the process and not the destination.

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Visit One Goal Global

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Learn More About the Worldwide Dance Challenge

In this episode of the My Creative District podcast, host and founder of My Creative District, Jesse Paul Smith, esteemed professional dancer and creator of the Worldwide Dance Challenge, interviews world-renowned entrepreneur and the best selling author of the book Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen, Steve Sims. Steve’s successful company, Bluefish, is an internationally famous company that makes once in a lifetime events happen for the rich and famous.

Show Highlights

Steve tells his engaging story about starting as a brick builder into his journey as a successful entrepreneur. 

Steve and Jesse discuss how creatives can expand their reach and effectiveness with one simple attitude and perspective change.

As he was writing his book, Steve discovered that once he was relaxed the book and its consequential success followed easily.

Key Takeaways

Get going. Then get good.

Don’t sell. Solve.

Join Steve’s Facebook Group

Buy Steve’s Book

Visit Steve’s Website

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Learn More About the Worldwide Dance Challenge