Brendan Glanville started his career as an educator and a primary teacher. He then discovered the performing arts. Have battled with crippling anxiety all. In his life, he saw how the creative industry was so much more than just acting. He studied a BA in Directing for stage and screen and began acting in film, tv, and theatre. While in his final year at university he created the Australian Acting Academy.
He also began studying personal development, NLP, and life coaching through this he created the philosophy that underpins everything the AAA does- the Safety Net Philosophy- which stands for totally supporting each other to create safe spaces to take creative risks. Over 60000 people have done a workshop class or camp with the AAA, and it stands today as a beacon of safety and support for creative kids teens, and adults.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here we sit down with Brendan, to know a bit more about his journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Brendan: At first it was a happy coincidence. I had been a teacher and was then a Creative artist. While many of my peers were waiters I could see a need for a place that would support creative kids and teens. A place that broke the mild of treating kids as less than with a dumbed-down curriculum. So I started one of the first places in Qld that offered acting for the camera, yet also was a strong feeling of personal development. I guess in the end I knew I could make a difference, heal my own childhood while offering alternative journeys for kids and teens.
Q. How did you get started?
Brendan: I was working for an agent. I had been writing acting curriculums for a dance school previously, then a talent agency. The talent agency was closing so I filled the void and created the Australian acting academy.
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Brendan: I was a victim of my success. We grew way too fast. I was a coach and an artist NOT a businessman. My learning curve e was steep.
I overcame it by getting coaches. Many coaches. And doing short courses.
Probably my greatest coach was experienced.
Launch and fix after we launched was the old model. Now after 30 years. We have a thought-out plan. So the overall answer is to surround yourself with good people.
Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?
Brendan: Nothing will beat 2020. We had just signed a least on-premises in Paddington. 2 months later Covid hit.
We had also just hired my agent Sean Hasemann as a business/programs manager. He used to be a student at the AAA then a coach then at 21 he was in management. He left to be a talent agent for 12 years and had just seen us return after a. Break.
When covid hit we had just grown and invested so much capital. We pivoted immediately and in one weekend was online with a new website that had drip-fed content
Despite that, during term 2 we lost about 79% of our regular students yet only 2 students were in our extension program. Out of about 90 students
The loyalty our community had for us in our extension students have our capital and strength to bounce on and offline and while many businesses closed we grew
We grew in numbers but we grew in the community, by allowing students who had lost Henri’s income to train for free. We grew in integrity because we were given a chance to show we walked our talk, we also grew in our vision. Which sees our extension stream with nearly double that of 2020. We see ourselves as creative Revolutionists. We live it breathe and talk it. Our students live us for it.
Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?
Brendan: The alchemist – has so many lessons.
Cult status is another great one for community
Q. What are your top 3 favourite online apps, tools, or resources and what do you love about them?
Brendan: Canva – best ever, Asana great for teams, and Zappier as an integration tool.
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Brendan: That every creative human, especially kids, and teens not only sees that they have value, but that their creativity is a superpower.
Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Brendan: Are you determined? If you are, no excuse is big enough to stop you. If you aren’t determined any excuse will stop you.
To keep up to date with Brendan and his journey, connect with him on Facebook and Instagram.
