How Imperfect Action Built My $50k Year Acting Side Hustle

Ever felt like you’re stuck between “should I take a soul-sucking job just to pay rent” and “should I wait for the perfect acting gig that may never come”? Been there.

Here’s what most actors don’t realize: there’s a third option. One that lets you make money and build your career without waiting for someone else to hand you a role. It's not about burning out or selling out. It’s about creating something that actually supports your acting journey—financially, creatively, and emotionally.

In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on the exact method I used to restart my career after a 16-year break. (Spoiler: it had nothing to do with “manifesting” or sending 1,000 headshots into the void.)

This is about taking one imperfect step—and letting that step build momentum.

Let’s talk about how organizing workshops for myself turned into a thriving creative ecosystem… and how it can do the same for you.

When Planning Becomes Procrastination

Most actors are expert planners. We’ll research every studio in town, make spreadsheets of casting directors, and scroll Instagram for “inspiration” while slowly spiraling into decision fatigue. The truth is, we do all of that because taking action—real, tangible action—feels terrifying.

I was no different.

After years away from the industry, my skills were rusty. I didn’t know where to train, and I didn’t have the budget or time to fly off to London, LA, or New York for a weekend intensive. I felt stuck. The kind of stuck that makes you question whether you even deserve to get back in the game.

But instead of quitting, I got scrappy.

I sent an email to a high-level coach I admired and simply asked: “What would it take to bring you to Munich?” That email changed everything.

How I Got World-Class Training Without Leaving Home (or Breaking the Bank)

Once I got a quote from the coach, I did some back-of-the-napkin math. I figured out how many actors I’d need to cover their fee, travel, and expenses—and realized it was actually doable. Not easy, but doable.

I put the word out to a few local actors. That first workshop sold out. Then I booked him for four more.

That one imperfect email turned into five workshops… and an income stream I didn’t even know I needed.

I wasn’t trying to become a coach. I wasn’t trying to build a business. I just wanted to get back in the room and retrain. But because I used the same part of my brain I’d been using in my creative work—resourcefulness, curiosity, connection—I ended up creating something that didn’t just benefit me, but also helped other actors in the exact same boat.

From Survival Mode to Sustainable Growth

That first workshop gave me confidence, community, and free training. It also made me €1,300 in one weekend. That’s not life-changing money, but it was enough to show me that what I was doing had legs. I kept going.

Soon I was running “big” workshops with guest coaches and “little” workshops where we just practiced together and refined what we’d learned. I built a regular actor practice group. It added €600–800/month to my income. And it sharpened my skills in a way that auditions alone never could.

I stopped feeling like I was waiting for permission. I had something of my own.

Financial Stability = Creative Freedom

Within six months, I was making an extra €4–5K per month through workshops. I used that money to fund my acting classes, support my family, and say yes to auditions without stressing about rent.

I didn’t have to ask for time off from a day job. I didn’t have to say no to an opportunity because I couldn’t afford to take a risk. I had a system that worked with the rhythm of my career, not against it.

It gave me the freedom to focus on my craft instead of survival.

The Side Effect I Didn’t Expect: A Community

One of the most beautiful, unexpected results of all this was the community it built. Suddenly I had a whole network of English-speaking actors in Munich. People I could train with, collaborate with, ask for help with self-tapes, and share opportunities with.

We weren’t just acting in a vacuum—we were lifting each other up.

If you’ve ever felt isolated in your creative life, you know how huge that is. The relationships that grew out of those early workshops led to new roles, better tapes, and a deeper connection to the work.

Action First. Clarity Second. Always.

I didn’t have a business plan. I didn’t know what I was doing. I just saw a problem and tried to solve it—for myself first, and then for others.

That one act of imperfect action turned into a five-figure income stream and a career relaunch that eventually led me to booking jobs with Netflix, Hallmark, and A24.

No secret formula. No special access. Just consistent, intentional action—even when I didn’t have all the answers yet.

What if you created something instead of waiting?

If you're tired of chasing castings and ready to start building something that actually supports your creative life, I've got a free 5-day challenge coming up: Escape Route Challenge

Inside, I’ll walk you through the exact steps I used to create an income stream that worked with my career—not against it. You’ll learn how to turn your interests into paid experiences like workshops, retreats, or seminars—without needing to become a coach, guru, or influencer.

And if you're a creative who's ready to build better access and visibility for your craft while getting paid at the same time, then book a free strategy call and let's make that happen. Let’s stop waiting for permission. Let’s build careers that fit us.

Until next time, you stay your bold and beautiful self.
—Anne

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