Think of the most successful athletes, politicians, and performing artists today. One thing that they all have in common is that they have had an effective coach.

In the entertainment industry, we routinely seek out coaches to “up our game.” We have physical trainers who coach us at the gym, singing teaches who coach our voices, screenwriting consultants who coach our screenplay efforts, and acting teachers who coach us in audition technique or scene study. Wouldn’t it make sense to have a coach for our careers?

Strategy Coaching™ is that coach. Not only have Shawn Tolleson and her associates have worked with thousands of people in all walks of the entertainment industry and other careers, but they have worked in many aspects of the entertainment industry (and a few other industries) themselves. Please see the Bios page to learn more about their backgrounds.

As a filmmaker, actor, or creative entrepreneur, climbing the ladder to success is not a clearly defined endeavor. It is more like Negotiating a Crooked Ladder™. As you hang on one rung, it may be hard to see that next rung. Perhaps you feel that if you could just see it, then you could make it to the next rung.

Strategy Coaching™ provides the tools necessary to get to the next rung. And the next rung. And so on. We provide industry education, relationship-building skills, business plan design, organizational and time management skills, technologies for confronting fear and transforming it into action, and the skills needed to present yourself authentically and powerfully in any setting, no matter how intimidating. These are just a few of the aspects of our work.

In the entertainment industry, some of those other things might include attending casting director workshops, writing groups, networking events, classes in acting, writing, directing, cinematography or design. You might belong to a union, an industry trade organization, an alumni organization, or any number of other groups.

Career Coaching dovetails with all of these organizations and endeavors. It is the glue, if you will, that connects them all. Career Coaching helps you make sense of where to spend your time, energy and money. It is the road map that guides you in choosing your opportunities and prioritizing which is right for you at a given time.

No. These tools are useful no matter what your career. In fact, we’ve worked with painters, musicians, upper management executives, and a former CEO looking to re-invent himself—to name just a few of our non-entertainment clients. The tools of cultivating meaningful and authentic relationships, identifying what you are committed to and sharing it powerfully, strategizing a plan of action and being accountable to it—these are all tools that transcend career or vocation.

• Do you need to get clear on your priorities? Focus on a short-term goal that will propel you into action, giving you the momentum to achieve your long-term goals? Do you already have a clear goal, but you need a plan to successfully execute it? Do you want tools to transform your fears and obstacles into action? Then the one month Jump Start™ is a great program for you.


• Are you craving a regular place to check in and get support-- the “gym” for your career? Are you looking for a community of committed professionals who share your goals and work ethic? Then the monthly, ongoing Strategy for Actors & Filmmakers™ is a terrific workshop for you.


• Have you already accomplished a lot in your career? Are you committed to accomplishing more? Are you looking to cause a breakthrough with your career or project—and to do it with velocity? Then the three month intensive The Advance Team™ is a great program for you to apply to.


• Do you do best when you have a private coach? Do you need one-on-one support with what you are committed to? Then Private Coaching is right for you.


• Do you live outside Los Angeles and want to learn valuable career strategy tools? Are you a past client of Strategy Coaching™ wanting to brush up on your skills? Then visit our Distance Learning page for affordable videos full of useful tools.