Podcast

Advice No One Will Give You: Make Money Rich Artist or Poor Artist

Time to make money & become a rich artist not a poor artist. Performing artists do not need to be broke.

To listen to Advice No One Will Give You: Make Money Rich Artist or Poor Artist, head to these links:

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It’s time to make money and become a rich artist, not a poor artist. Performing artists do not need to be broke. Actor Viola Davis said actors have a 95% unemployment rate! Davis shared that:

“95% of actors do not work and less than 1% make $50,000 or more a year.”

Viola Davis

I’m not too fond of the word side hustle when it comes to performers. However, I like the word parallel career because that is what is going on for most performing artists. Many of the most successful celebrities and artists diversify their wealth creation with income streams outside of acting alone.

Are you a Rich Artist or a Poor Artist?

Real talk is needed. Actors, dancers, singers, voice artists, and musicians learn much about their industry and technique. However, knowledge about financially supporting themselves is scarce. One actor I know made $25K from her bookings in one year. That is more than most freelance performers make statistically, but making $25K annually in the USA is considered a lower-class income and poor.

Shanda Sumpter who is an 8-figure entrepreneur

If you want to know how to create wealth, your performers and artists circle is usually not the best place for advice. I asked Shanda Sumpter, an 8-figure entrepreneur who helps thousands of men and women unlock financial freedom without sacrificing their relationships or health. She helps people break through their blind spots. I think most performers and other career artists have a few blind spots in the financial area.

“The single most powerful asset we all have is our mind. If it is trained well, it can create enormous wealth.”

Robert T. Kiyosaki – Author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

We may not have learned the financial skills we need to thrive as performers and artists. I called this blog and episode, Make Money Rich Artist or Poor Artist.

Performers need a freedom lifestyle.

Shanda is the founder and queen visionary of HeartCore Business, a passionate business coach, and the creator of a series of online marketing courses specifically for her clients.

Her Core Calling is building a business that gives you a freedom lifestyle in two years or less. Shanda shared, “A freedom lifestyle is both monetary and allows you to be a great mother and have great relationships.” Sumpter continued, “If I have to choose to give up something I love, that’s not a freedom lifestyle. I’m not saying there aren’t hard choices.” For performers and other career artists, it’s a lifestyle that allows your artistic expression. It also allows the other dreams and goals you have for your life. Spend time thinking about what it is for you. In other words, performing artists can also have a freedom lifestyle. Shanda continued;

“You could show people how to play any role they want and be a life coach or performance coach. You could show people how to get on media and learn how to be fantastic for the audience. You could show people how to get up on a stage. You could teach speakers and evoke emotion. For example, you could share with them that your talk isn’t going well because you don’t know how to put yourself as a character in it.”

Shanda Sumpter HeartCore

“There are truly so many things you people can do that truly contribute to the world but you must give up this idea that your career is all about you fulfilling your passion. That’s why you’re broke.”

Shanda Sumpter

Performers and other career Artists are not alone.

Do you think the challenges you’re facing, your vulnerabilities, are unique only to you?  Shanda says, “I don’t think so because there are people around you who have faced exactly what you’re facing. Hearing other people’s stories of how they succeeded in their challenge, you realize that courage connects you to success.”

Listening to people like Shanda, who have created wealth at a level most performers only dream of, is a wise step toward courage. At any rate, it takes courage to look at your life and make the changes that allow a freedom lifestyle. Furthermore, we need to do this not only as artists but also as holistic human beings. Lastly, have courage on the journey of making money: rich artist or poor artist, the choice is yours.

Shanda shared a lot of eye-opening information for performers and artists. Use the links at the top of this article to listen to the interview.

MORE FROM Shanda Sumpter

Shanda is a dynamic speaker, trainer, and business coach, as well as a bestselling author. She owns a multi-million-dollar business and is a wife and mother. Shanda also has plenty of time for family, self-development, hobbies, and rest. As a dynamic teacher, she has transformed the financial lives of thousands of people through her products and group programs. Get connected to Shanda here.

Shanda Sumpter on creating wealth for performers

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I’m Lara—ICF professionally certified life coach, arts educator, performer, and author of Audacious Artistry (coming February 2026).

For over 25 years, I’ve worked with artists at every stage—helping them stay true to their craft while navigating real-life demands and parallel careers (those side hustles that keep you afloat).

My approach blends lived experience in the arts with proven coaching strategies so you can create work you’re proud of, build a sustainable career, and keep your artistic fire alive.

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