Q&A with Alicia Godmasch

Alicia Godmasch is a multilingual Magna cum laude graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University. She’s passionate about the Entertainment Industry and works as a Location Manager and Producer for various film projects including LIFETIME NETWORK’S Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer starring Toni Garrn and Andreas Webb.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

Sure! I’m a New Jersey native. I grew up in Rockaway Township which is in Morris County. My father was a well-respected police officer and my mother is a registered nurse. I grew up being fascinated by people, different cultures, and their stories so beginning in my Sophomore year of college I started traveling internationally. Eventually, I became an International Financial Consultant for a multinational company and had the chance to travel extensively throughout Europe. I suppose this desire to hear the stories of others led to my eventual connection to the Entertainment Industry.

What inspired you to start your business?

Actually, right after high school, I attended a Tony Robbins seminar. Even though my attendance there was years ago, I still remember his words like it was yesterday. “If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will never have any.” And more importantly “You will NEVER be successful unless you do something that you’re passionate about.” It took me a little while to find my way, but I knew eventually I would need to work for myself.

Where is your business based?

My business is home based although eventually, I do believe I will be renting out a WEWORK space shortly. I love the energy of those facilities. It is amazing.

 How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

The first step was really a leap of faith. I had to leave my job and take a risk. I started looking for any opportunities that I could to be in set. I did some background talent work and networking until finally, I landed my first gig. From that point forward and even up until this day, I am always trying to read about my craft and pick the brains of the experts in it.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Networking. I love to network anyway so I believe that you have to figure out a game plan that works for your specific industry. Word of mouth works great for mine. I always look for opportunities to market myself to whomever I meet.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Well, naturally when starting any business you have to weigh your risk vs reward. I knew the business that I would open would be a service-oriented one because it would require less working capital as an initial investment. I may lose on probable income side because had I stayed at my original post, I would likely be making the same amount of money but as far as having to increase that risk with additional investments of FFE, etc., I didn’t want that. So to answer the question, the biggest challenge was to ensure that whatever avenue I took, the risk was reasonable. The second challenge was to get me in front of the right people and sell them on my potential. This takes finesse and preparation. One of the best guides on how to do this properly is Fredrik Eklund’s book “The Sell”. If you read the book and ever have the opportunity to work with me on a project, you will see that I follow his steps to a “T”. You have to do your research in order to sell yourself when you finally get your opportunity.

How do you stay focused?

I read Franklin Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. He suggests that we begin with the end in mind. Every day when I wake up, I thank God that I am alive and then I visualize where I will be next month, next year, in the next 10 years and I think about my funeral. I ask myself who I want to see there and right now, right next to my family, I see Diddy, Oprah, Fredrik Eklund and Tom Cruise among other people. If I want them to be there, they need to know my name, right? So I get up and get after it.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I stay in preparation mode so when I know that I have a meeting I do my research. Plus, I make sure to cultivate skills that make me stand out.

9). What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Definitely word of mouth. Let your work speak and do the marketing for you.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Don’t give up because most people will. Be a lion. Don’t be satisfied to just be a part of an industry. Try and take it over! Give it your best. What do you have to lose? You will get there. However, as you rise in your industry, do not burn your bridges. Stay humble and help others.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is Instagram. I love it because you can learn a lot from one little picture and a smidgen of dialogue. IG is entertaining but it is also a great way to advertise yourself, your skills and what matters most to you.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

The Internet. I Google everything and everyone. I read Wikipedia pages on different subjects each and every day. The Internet is amazing for gaining quick insight on a subject or for deep study. I honestly do not know how I got on without it.

Who is your business role model? Why?

That is going to be Diddy for sure. Sean Combs effectively rebranded himself at least four different ways:  Puff Daddy, Puffy, Sean Combs and Diddy. That may sound easy but it isn’t. Imagine if Apple changed its name 4 times. Would we still be interested? It’s food for thought. In the meantime, he is a record producer, rapper, singer, and entrepreneur and let’s not forget his fashion label. Yet he does it all. If you watched his reality show when it was out, he does not sleep. He’s the ultimate hustler and an incredible businessman.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

I plan on working my butt off on as many film projects as I can. I am going to expand my network and learning as much about my industry as possible.

How can our readers connect with you?
Follow me on the Gram. @Aogmeetings and LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/aliciagodmasch