Shawn’s coaching contains a potent mixture of industry smarts and intuitiveness that has made a huge difference in my career. If you commit yourself and take on what she gives you, there’s no limit to what you can do.

If I had to describe the experience of working with Shawn in one word, it would be transformative.

I graduated from one of the country’s most selective film schools with an MFA in directing, and while the experience was fulfilling creatively, professionally l felt adrift.

After several years – yes, years – of feeling lost, I finally signed up for one of Shawn’s classes. While I was skeptical as to whether it would work for me, the fact was that I simply wasn’t where I wanted to be in my career, and I couldn’t deny that. I thought Shawn’s class might be just the thing to change that, and what an understatement that turned out to be.

The insights and techniques that Shawn introduced during very first weekend were supremely powerful. I came away with insights into myself, my behaviors and my goals, and left armed with an arsenal of tools and skills to turn things around. And the tools introduced by Shawn were not only powerful but persistent: I continue to use them every day, and they have changed not only my approach professionally but how I see myself in this business.

I am a different person today because of her class. I am aware of what I’m doing and where I’m going, and actively working every day to achieve it. And I would not be in this place without the instruction and guidance provided by Shawn. Working with her entitled me to stake out a place in this industry and actually feel in control of my career, and that feeling is priceless.

My only regret is that I didn’t enroll sooner.

When I first encountered Shawn, about 3 years ago, my career was truly in the doldrums. Even though I’ve been in the business for over 60 years and vote for the Oscars, none of it mattered. I was deep into doing what I always did and NOT EVEN getting what I’d always gotten.

Although I was already familiar with many of the principles and strategies Shawn introduced me to, I was extremely inefficient in utilizing them. That changed right away with Shawn. My booking ratio and contact efficiency more than doubled in the next few months. Using her tools, in the past three years I’ve gone from booking one out of ten auditions, to this year booking 11 out of 15!
And what was especially great was that I finally had a plan. I’ve more specific about goals, strategies, etc. and I see it working. It doesn’t mean I have the magic formula for stardom but I have a strategy that gives me peace of mind about knowing what to do. It is no longer vague ideas and aspirations. On the contrary, earlier this year I booked my first pilot in a long time. I used all the tools she teaches to make great relationships while I was on the set. A one week job turned into a three week job. Then I used the great ‘drip campaign’ tools she teaches in THRIVE to nurture those relationships. Just a week ago they brought me back on the show even though they’d killed my character in the pilot! Now it’s a guest star, opening credits, with a great chance at continuing to recur!

We all want to go to the next level in our careers whatever our discipline. Shawn introduced me to what I didn’t know I didn’t know and now I’m on a mission. Age or experience doesn’t matter. A specific plan, specific strategies, the means to chart results and passion are what is required. Shawn made that perfectly clear. My motto rings for me: ‘It’s always now and it’s never too late.’ Working with Shawn is a gift you must give yourself. Even at this late date, my career is jump-started and yours can be, too.

The more success I’ve achieved in my career the more I’ve craved high-level coaching. Shawn Tolleson’s insight, intuition, and strategic understanding of the industry have helped me to soar.