In this episode of the Acting Coach Network podcast, I'm joined by certified business coach and Advanced Meta Ads Strategist Gwen Baird for an honest conversation about visibility, alignment and what it really takes to grow a creative business without burning out.

Gwen shares her journey into the online world more than twenty years ago, how living with an invisible illness has shaped the way she runs her business, and why building a business that works for your life matters more than ever. Together, Savanna and Gwen explore the biggest visibility challenges creative entrepreneurs face and the core foundations you need before you ever start running Meta ads.

This episode dives into practical and realistic strategies for business owners who want to attract more leads, improve their marketing, and build confidence in their message. Gwen talks about how to know when you’re truly ready for Meta ads, why ads amplify what already exists in your business, and how to align your offer, your audience and your content so your ads can actually convert.

You’ll also hear helpful insights about

• finding balance as a business owner with an invisible illness

• the difference between being busy and actually growing your business

• why creatives often undercharge for their work

• shifting from passion project to CEO mindset

• building a long term business strategy that supports your lifestyle and energy

• creating simple forward planning systems that make ads work harder for you

If you’re a creative, acting coach, theatre school owner or service based business owner who feels stuck, stretched or unsure of your next steps, this episode will help you understand what to focus on first so you can grow your business with clarity and confidence.

Gwen also shares details about her brand new Meta Ads Mastery programme, designed to help business owners understand and run their own Meta ads with confidence.

You can connect with Gwen here:

Advanced Meta Ads Mastery

Instagram: @GwenBairdOnline

Facebook: @GIBaird

LinkedIn: Gwen Baird

Grab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download Here

To be the first to get info on my Black Friday Offer for LAMDA Teacher Training Join The Waitlist Here

Instagram - @theactingcoachnetwork

Book you Free 15minute call with me here

Email - [email protected]

Check out YouTube here

In this episode I am joined by actor and drama coach Heather Nye, whose journey into the performing arts and coaching world is rooted in courage, self belief and a deep commitment to helping young people grow in confidence.

Heather started out volunteering in drama classes simply because she loved working with children and wanted to be part of something creative. That choice led her to discover a passion for teaching, pursue professional acting, and eventually become a franchise owner with The Drama Centre. Today she teaches across schools, runs her own drama club, and continues to build her acting career with curiosity and determination.

We explore what it means to build a business while pursuing performance opportunities, how mindset and emotional tools support the creative journey, and the role confidence plays both in the classroom and on stage. Heather speaks honestly about choosing the harder but more fulfilling path, navigating vulnerability, and trusting yourself even when the future feels uncertain.

In this episode we discuss:

• How acting training can strengthen your teaching practice
• The mindset tools that support confidence and resilience in business
• Why choosing the harder path can lead to greater fulfilment
• How to navigate vulnerability, rejection and self doubt in the arts

This is a warm and open conversation about creativity, resilience and backing yourself through the ups and downs of building a life in the arts.

You can connect with Heather here:

Instagram: @heather_thedramacentre and @heatherlynye

Grab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download Here

To be the first to get info on my Black Friday Offer for LAMDA Teacher Training Join The Waitlist Here

Instagram - @theactingcoachnetwork

Book you Free 15minute call with me here

Email - [email protected]

Check out YouTube here

In this episode of the Acting Coach Network Podcast, I sit down with Tom Newton, co-founder of Middleweek Newton Talent Management, MN Academy, and the groundbreaking MN Awards - the first Ofqual recognised awarding body to specialise exclusively in film and television.

Tom shares his journey from actor training to casting professional, agent, and now education entrepreneur, and the pivotal role screen acting has played throughout his career. Together, Savanna and Tom chat about:

• The story behind launching Middleweek Newton Talent Management from a spare bedroom
• How MN Academy and Cromer Studios became creative hubs for innovation
• The five-year journey to Ofqual recognition and the resilience it demanded
• Why screen acting deserves to stand shoulder to shoulder with theatre in drama education
• How teachers can bring film, TV, and digital media confidently into their classrooms

They discuss the significance of CPD training for teachers, and the future directions for MN Awards, including new qualifications in filmmaking. The conversation emphasises the need for resilience, innovation, and the recognition of screen acting as a vital discipline in the performing arts.

This episode is a must-listen for acting coaches, theatre school owners, and educators who believe the future of performing arts training lies in embracing both stage and screen. 

Connect with MN Awards:

Website: www.mnawards.co.uk (Book your CPD here)

Instagram: @mnawards

Facebook: @mnawards

Adult Classes: www.mnacademy.co.uk

Agency: Middleweek Newton Talent Management

Grab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download Here

To be the first to get info on my Black Friday Offer for LAMDA Teacher Training Join The Waitlist Here

Instagram - @theactingcoachnetwork

Book you Free 15minute call with me here

Email - [email protected]

Check out YouTube here

Are you ready to take your creative career to the next level? In this episode, I talk with Matt Zina, acclaimed acting coach, author, and creative entrepreneur, about how to grow your career, not just your craft.

Matt shares his insider insights on how performers and creative professionals can navigate today’s evolving entertainment industry, build a sustainable business around their art, and embrace opportunities that go beyond the stage or screen.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why speaking passionately and driving emotion can create real change in the arts.
• How to leverage social media to grow your audience and become visible online
• Matt’s bold predictions for the future of acting, including digital-first and vertical content.
• The Trinity Acting Method, a simple framework for mastering preparation, technique, and application.
• Key entrepreneurial lessons for creatives: scaling your business, hiring a team, and embracing imperfection.
• Balancing creativity, mindset, and personal life to stay inspired and productive.
• One actionable tip to overcome feeling stuck: start creating content today.

Whether you’re an actor, coach, or creative entrepreneur, this episode will give you practical strategies, mindset shifts, and inspiration to build a thriving career in the modern arts industry.

You can connect with Matt here:

www.linktr.ee/mattzina

Grab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download Here

To be the first to get info on my Black Friday Offer for LAMDA Teacher Training Join The Waitlist Here

Instagram - @theactingcoachnetwork

Book you Free 15minute call with me here

Email - [email protected]

Check out YouTube here

Are you constantly working in your business? Teaching every class, answering every message, juggling every task and wondering how to create more freedom and growth?

In this solo episode, I share what it really means to step into a CEO mindset as performing arts business owner. I talk about how I used to teach seven days a week, when everything depended on me, and how things began to change once I started thinking like a CEO instead of just a business owner.

You’ll learn:

• The key differences between a business owner mindset and a CEO mindset
• Why investing time and money into your business is essential for growth
• How to start creating space to work on your business instead of constantly in it

If you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed, this episode will remind you that stepping into your CEO role isn’t about doing more it’s about thinking differently.

Grab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download Here

To be the first to get info on my Black Friday Offer for LAMDA Teacher Training Join The Waitlist Here

Instagram - @theactingcoachnetwork

Book you Free 15minute call with me here

Email - [email protected]

Check out YouTube here

In this episode of the Acting Coach Network podcast, I speak to mindset and accountability coach Kirsty Knott about her journey from a corporate HR career to coaching. We discuss the importance of mindset tools in navigating tough times, understanding procrastination, and the impact of imposter syndrome. Kirsty shares practical strategies for rewiring the brain for success, making decisions during difficult times, and finding balance in business and life. The conversation emphasises the need for action, self-awareness, and the importance of focusing on what truly matters.

Key Takeaways

• Mindset tools can help navigate tough life situations.
• Journaling and gratitude are effective coping strategies.
• Procrastination is a natural response to fear and uncertainty.
• Rewiring the brain involves practicing new beliefs and behaviors.
• Imposter syndrome is common and can be managed with positive affirmations.
• Finding balance in life looks different for everyone.
• Taking small actions can lead to significant changes over time.
• Self-awareness is key to understanding productivity patterns.
• Focus on one task at a time for better results.

If you’ve ever put off raising your prices, delayed launching a new class, or struggled to show up online, this conversation will give you the mindset tools and encouragement you need to take your next brave step.

Connect with Kirsty

• Instagram @expansionscoaching
• LinkedIn Kirsty Knott
• Unstuckable Podcast 

Grab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download Here

To be the first to get info on my Black Friday Offer for LAMDA Teacher Training Join The Waitlist Here

Instagram - @theactingcoachnetwork

Book you Free 15minute call with me here

Email - [email protected]

Check out YouTube here

In this episode of The Acting Coach Network Podcast, I’m joined by Katie Taborn, founder of Jazz Hands Performing Arts and The Performing Arts Pro.

For the past 15 years, Katie has been creating spaces where confidence can flourish through the performing arts from children’s classes and parties, to after school clubs, women’s dance workshops, and even dementia friendly sessions in nursing homes.

She opens up about:

• Growing a business while navigating single parenthood, divorce and family life
• Imposter syndrome in the age of social media
• Why kindness and collaboration matter more than competition
• Balancing work, self-belief and personal wellbeing
• Her new Business in a Box model and how it’s helping others build rewarding, flexible businesses

Katie is living proof that it is possible to run a business you love, that fits around family, and that makes a real impact in the community.

Connect with Katie

• Instagram (Jazz Hands): @JazzHandsPerformingArts
• Instagram (Business in a Box): @ThePartyEntertainerPro
• Website: www.jazz-hands-performing-arts.co.uk

Grab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download Here

To be the first to get info on my Black Friday Offer for LAMDA Teacher Training Join The Waitlist Here

Instagram - @theactingcoachnetwork

Book you Free 15minute call with me here

Email - [email protected]

Check out YouTube here

In this episode I sit down with actor, dramaturg, writer and coach Sarah Day.

Sarah trained at ArtsEd and is now represented by BBA Management. Alongside her stage and screen work, she’s the founder of Speak Up with Sarah, a LAMDA coaching business that helps students of all ages build confidence and communication skills, and Day by Day Productions, where she writes bespoke scripts and showreel material tailored to each actor’s unique strengths.

We go behind the scenes of Sarah’s multi-stranded career:

• from teaching kids and CEOs how to speak with confidence,
• to writing over 1,000 scripts for actors,
• to working as dramaturg on Burlesque and as script assistant on the West End run of The Devil Wears Prada.

Sarah shares candid insights into building authentic businesses, avoiding burnout, and why keeping things simple often creates the strongest creative work. This is a conversation full of practical advice and encouragement for actors, coaches, and anyone juggling multiple creative passions.

Key Takeaways

• Why LAMDA exams build confidence far beyond the stage
• The process Sarah uses to create bespoke showreel scripts that actually showcase actors’ strengths
• The importance of keeping it simple when filming showreels (and avoiding the “Tower of London” trap!)
• Behind the scenes of The Devil Wears Prada musical, from workshops to West End opening
• Why passion and authenticity should drive your creative business
• Practical ways to avoid burnout while still staying creatively fulfilled

Connect with Sarah

• Instagram (Coaching): @SpeakUpWithSarah
• Instagram (Scripts/Showreels): @DayByDayProductionsUK

Grab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download Here

To be the first to get info on my Black Friday Offer for LAMDA Teacher Training Join The Waitlist Here

Instagram - @theactingcoachnetwork

Book you Free 15minute call with me here

Email - [email protected]

Check out YouTube here

In this episode of the Acting Coach Network podcast, I chat with actor, educator, content creator, and twin mum Bethany Wilson (aka Bethany Unwin).

Bethany shares her journey from training in musical theatre at Bodywork Company to performing professionally, launching multiple I Am Pro theatre schools with her husband, and building her online community through The Performer Journals. We talk candidly about:

• the challenges (and wins) of hiring the right people and creating a “hell yes” team culture
• balancing business growth with the unpredictability of motherhood
• the realities of social media as a creative tool (and why it never feels “done”)
• how writing original ensemble-based shows keeps her creatively fulfilled
• why sometimes the best advice is simply to trust the process

This honest and energising conversation is full of wisdom for creatives juggling many roles, and a reminder that success doesn’t mean doing it all perfectly, but doing it in a way that feels right for you.

Key Takeaways

• Hiring lessons: why the right energy matters more than a perfect CV
• Team culture: appreciation, mentoring, and investing in people pays off
• Content creation: growth is messy, but showing up leads to big opportunities
• Creativity as leadership: from writing original theatre school shows to shaping student experiences
• Motherhood & artistry: finding balance, resetting, and giving yourself grace
• Advice for creatives: stop rushing “what’s next” — sometimes you just need to be where you are

🔗 Connect with Bethany

• Instagram: @theperformerjournals
• TikTok: @bethanyunwin
• Theatre schools: I Am Pro (Leicester, Nottingham & Derby branches)

Grab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download Here

To be the first to get info on my Black Friday Offer for LAMDA Teacher Training Join The Waitlist Here

Instagram - @theactingcoachnetwork

Book you Free 15minute call with me here

Email - [email protected]

Check out YouTube here

In this episode, I get to chat with the brilliant Katie Zakkak, a drama teacher turned creative entrepreneur to explore her unique journey from directing high school productions to running her own creative business, Much Ado About Drama.

Katie shares her path from studying Educational Theatre at NYU, to leading productions at St. Cecilia Academy, to launching a thriving Teachers Pay Teachers store where she creates engaging, ready-to-use drama resources for educators worldwide. We talk about the challenges of being a “department of one,” the creativity behind resource design, and how she’s expanding her impact through blogging, YouTube, and one-to-one coaching.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance classroom teaching, creative entrepreneurship, and family life, while still nurturing your love of theatre, Katie’s story will leave you inspired and encouraged.

Key Takeaways

• How Katie blended her passion for theatre with her calling to teach
• The behind-the-scenes reality of being the only drama teacher in a school
• Why she started Much Ado About Drama and how it supports teachers worldwide
• Practical tips for creating classroom and production resources (yes, Canva lovers, this one’s for you!)
• The importance of connection and community for creatives who often work solo

You can connect with Katie on instagram @muchadoaboutdrama

You can download her Free Drama Toolkit here

Check out here YouTube Channel here and the Teachers Pay Teachers Store here

https://muchadoaboutdrama.com/

Grab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download Here

To be the first to get info on my Black Friday Offer for LAMDA Teacher Training Join The Waitlist Here

Instagram - @theactingcoachnetwork

Book you Free 15minute call with me here

Email - [email protected]

Check out YouTube here