Transform Your Career: How I Help Entertainment Professionals Successfully Pivot and Find Fulfillment

Meet Alexis Walker, a passionate makeup artist and career coach who started The Hollywood Second Act Podcast. She helps Hollywood professionals find new paths using their skills.

Alexis’s career took a turn during the pandemic. She began to rethink her future in the entertainment industry and decided it was time for a change. She now lives in Los Angeles and shares her insights through her podcast where she chats with industry veterans about their career pivots.

Alexis studied psychology in college, aiming to be a counselor. However, a family tragedy before graduation opened her eyes to the fragility of life. This experience pushed her to seek a more creative and fulfilling career. That’s when she decided to pursue makeup artistry.

About 25 years ago, she moved to Los Angeles and enrolled in an intensive makeup artistry program. She learned everything from aging makeup techniques to facial hair applications. Excited and eager, her first job paid just $25 a day, but it felt like a big win!

Alexis also worked at a makeup counter to support herself while building her resume. The job was far from just art; it required understanding the emotions of the clients in her chair. Success in this field depends heavily on emotional intelligence.

After years of hard work, she aimed to join the makeup artist union, which provides better job opportunities. It was a long journey, taking six years to achieve this goal. And when she finally got her first union job on a mainstream movie, it felt like a dream come true.

Working with icons like Norman Lear and Adam Sandler was a highlight of her career. She enjoyed the thrill of being on set and taking part in exciting projects, often working long hours that sometimes stretched to 19-hour days.

As time passed, Alexis began to question her path. Was this all there was to her career? She wanted more experiences and expression. Before the pandemic, she started exploring new career options, applying to grad school and volunteering in her community.

The pandemic and the subsequent strikes in 2023 made many in the industry reconsider their careers. Alexis realized the lack of control many professionals had over their lives and income. Changing careers in middle age can be daunting, especially when it encompasses such a significant part of life.

Feeling lost in her own transition, Alexis wished she had a mentor to guide her. This inspired her to start her podcast, The Hollywood Second Act Club. She interviews people from the entertainment industry who have successfully shifted to new careers or side hustles, becoming the mentor she once longed for.

The podcast features fascinating stories, like a hairstylist who became a toddler sleep expert and a camera assistant who turned into an underwater photographer. Alexis aims to help listeners recognize and harness their unique skills while navigating their career changes.

In addition to the podcast, Alexis completed a coaching program to help others change careers. While her focus remains on those in the entertainment industry, she works with people from various backgrounds. Her goal is to assist others in applying their existing skills to new ventures.

Even though Alexis still works in the industry occasionally, her passion lies in coaching. She finds joy in helping others navigate their fears and uncertainties about the future. Alexis believes in the power of community and support during pivots and transitions.

Though her own journey has had its challenges, Alexis has never been happier. She wakes up inspired and ready to help others find their passion. Her life feels fulfilling, and she embraces the creativity that each day brings.

For more on Alexis and her story, check out the full article on Business Insider.