Meet Marian Mills | Professional Voiceover Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marian Mills and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marian, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, because I was tired of working sunrise to sunset with no control over my schedule or my personal life. I have a degree in social work and worked in Child Protective Services (CPS), that has always been a passion of mine.  As a CPS specialist, I listened to my clients (parents/kids) and educated them on how to communicate better which improved their relationship. I found that abuse and/or neglect were only a symptom of the majority of my CPS cases.  I found misunderstandings, miscommunication and a difference in perspectives were at the core of the case.   So, I was trying to start a business as a life coach to focus on improving relationships/communication between parents and their children.  I had to be careful on how I built my clientele because I couldn’t take them from my previous CPS cases due to confidentiality and ethics, so I put that on pause.  Back in 2018, I recorded a voice over demo and had been getting private voiceover lessons.  I thought to myself, “I have invested quite a bit into this voiceover career (Coaching, equipment, acting and improve classes), so let me see what happens if I focus on it fulltime.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Auditioning, protecting my voice and marketing, marketing, marketing.  Naturally, I talk…a lot (LOL, so it’s fitting that I have a successful career in voiceover).  I have to take breaks from talking so much to protect my voice especially when I have a big session coming up.  I have to be mindful of not screaming so loud football games.  There are days that auditions are pouring in like the flood gates are opened and then some days there may only be a handful of auditions.  This is where and why marketing is so important. I have to be creative when marketing and think outside of the box because marketing is way more than just sending out emails or telling potential clients about what you offer.  Marketing is about building relationships.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve never been good at planning when it comes to hanging out. I normally just play it by ear.  I love museums and festivals so we can visit the Virginia Fine Arts Museum (VFAM), the Science Museum of Virginia (SMV) or the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. During the summer, there are always music festivals like Friday Cheers on Brown Island, Summer Concert Series in Short Pump, or in the fall,we can enjoy The Folks Festival where we can experience live music and different culturals and food at every turn.  For the music and sports enthusiast attend the Dominion Riverrock festival for a weekend in May for live music, and to see pros compete in boulder bash, speed competitions, trail runs, kayaking, paddling and so we can visit the Virginia Fine Arts Museum (VFAM), the Science Museum of Virginia (SMV) or the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. During the summer, there are always music festivals like Friday Cheers on Brown Island, Summer Concert Series in Short Pump, or in the fall enjoy The Folks Festival where we can experience live music and different cultures and food at every turn.  For the music and sports enthusiast attend the Dominion Riverrock festival for a weekend in May for live music, and to see pros compete in boulder bash, speed competitions, trail runs, kayaking, paddling and stand-up-paddling (SUP)  just to name a few.  Oh, and we can test our skills at climbing, SUP and slackline!  There are plenty of food choices at the festivals, Shortpump or visit downtown Petersburg for a variety of restaurants.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

First and foremost, I thank God for blessing me with the skills and placing me in the right place at the right time, with great people for growth opportunities. I have to thank my Aunt Anita. She used to check out “books on tape” from the library, which is now audiobooks. She always told me that I had a great voice for audiobooks. She explained that my voice is calming, reassuring and commanding which make it easy to listen to. She also told me that I have a great story telling quality. I’m a talker naturally and my aunt used to ask me to “talk” her to sleep. LOL.

Since starting my career in VO, Carlin Tools, Damon Alums, Yolanda Spearman, Saundi Harrison-Cooksey, Kenita Hill, Michelle Francine Turner, Kiki Campbell, Tracy Clark, Cassandra Brown, La Rose Forte, Dominica Ivey and a host of others have always been willing to listen, offer tips, share auditions, resources and opportunities with me and never wanted anything in return other than to share knowledge. This was a new phenomenon for me because in the corporate world, people are not so willing to share their journey. As if they are afraid someone may “take their spot”. I’m a firm believer that what God has for me, it is for me; you can’t take what God has for me. Plus, what didn’t work for me may flourish for you! I try to do the same for those I meet along the way.

Website: marianmillsvoice.com

Instagram: marianmills804

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/marian-mills-65b851251/

Twitter: @vo_mmills

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086691001100

Youtube: @MarianMillsVoiceArtistry-go2wy

Image Credits
Michelle Francine