Why So Many in Entertainment Fail when heading to Los Angeles — And What No One Tells You
Every year, a wave of talented creatives head to Los Angeles chasing the dream. They’ve paid thousands to agents, secured their O-1 visas, and uprooted their lives with hopes of breaking into the industry. They land in LA full of energy, optimism, and belief, and then they sit. They wait. They wonder when the phone is going to ring. And for far too many, it never does.
I have witnessed it time and time again for over the last ten years.
How, because I have not only seen but known hundreds from Australia all heading over in pursuit of their hopes and dreams, many sent over by their agents.
Here’s the hard truth: the majority of the time, the system sets them up to believe someone else will create their big break. Agents are positioned as the key to success. But most agents never teach their talent how the business actually works. They don’t show them how to network, how to pitch, how to get in the right rooms, or even what to say when they get there.
And that’s the problem.
I’ve been working across Los Angeles and Australia for over a decade, moving between media, PR, partnerships, and entertainment, through my photography work, my philanthropic endeavours & consulting work. I’ve been in the rooms, behind the cameras, on the stages, and in the meetings most people don’t see. Over the years, I’ve had countless actors and creatives reach out asking how I make things move so quickly when I’m in LA. How do I get into these events? How do I build the relationships I have? How do I know what I know?
The answer is simple, but not easy.
I paid attention. I listened more than I spoke. I studied how the industry really works behind the scenes. And I didn’t just get curious about the creative side, I got obsessed with the mechanics, the psychology, and the strategy that drives it all. Most people are taught to perfect their craft. I learned how to navigate the business because being in front of the camera as ‘talent’ has never been of interest to me.
I’ve seen far too many talented individuals sent to LA with the promise of opportunity, only to become burnt out, disillusioned, and, in some cases, depressed when nothing came of it. They weren’t lazy. They weren’t untalented. They were unprepared for the reality that no one is coming to save you , and that agents, while valuable, are not enough.
That’s why I run masterminds on the ground in LA not only for my international co-authors and speakers but those in entertainment. These are immersive, strategic masterminds designed to take people from passive observers to active drivers of their careers. They learn to build real visibility, understand how to pitch, connect with high-level people in the industry, and most importantly, take ownership of their path through learning the theory and putting it in to practise with me.
When you understand the industry’s ecosystem, you stop waiting for permission. You stop giving your power away. And you start creating real traction, real relationships, and real results.
It’s not about who you know — it’s about how you show up.
And no agent can do that work for you.
So if you’re headed to LA, or already there, take this as a reminder: the talent may get you somewhere, but the strategy, the relationships, and the business acumen are what will keep you there and make you grow.
I’m here to help you build that foundation, if you’re ready to learn it.
