Balancing Risk and Resilience. Plus Insights from Screenwriter, Andre

Risk is an inevitable part of life, but resilience is something we cultivate. Whatever path you're forging, understanding the role of both risk and resilience is key to navigating the tough seasons. In today's blog, we cover just that. Plus, in our Entrepreneur Spotlight, we hear from Andre, a Los Angeles-based screenwriter and director whose work includes writing episodes for the US hit TV show Power, all while managing his own trucking business and more. Read on for insights.

Navigating Risk and Embracing the Unknown

Risk is about embracing the unknown. It often involves uncertainty about the future, and has no guaranteed outcome. Whether you're an entrepreneur launching a new product or a creative relocating to a new city, risk is something we all encounter. Depending on various factors (both in and out of one's control), taking risks can result in both positive outcomes and negative consequences.

How Resilience Helps to Manage Risk

Resilience plays a crucial role in managing risk. It's the thing that enables us to bounce back from setbacks, learn from failures, and continue moving forward (despite uncertainty). When facing risk, whether in business, personal life, or other areas, resilience helps you adapt to challenges, and persist through difficult times.

Five Keys for Building Resilience in your next season:

1. Develop a Growth Mindset

Simply put, having a growth mindset looks like using challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. This shift in perspective allows you to stay motivated even when things don’t go as planned.

2. Stay Adaptable and Open to Change

For entrepreneurs, the journey is often unpredictable. Being adaptable and open to new ideas (or pivoting when necessary) can help you navigate risks more effectively. 

3. Build a Support Network

Having a reliable support system is a good way to help you stay grounded and resilient during difficult times. Surrounding yourself with a strong network of mentors, peers, advisors, and friends who can offer advice, encouragement, and feedback is key.

4. Be Solution-Oriented, Not Problem-Focused

Developing a mindset that focuses on finding solutions (instead of the problems) can help build resilience. Solution-oriented thinking looks like asking yourself, "what can I do to fix this?" or "how can I make this work?" when challenges arise.

5. Maintain a Long-Term Vision

While short-term goals are important, resilience thrives when you keep a long-term perspective. Remember, success is a journey, not a destination, and setbacks are often part of the process.

Meet Screenwriter and Entrepreneur, Andre

Andre is a screenwriter, director, and entrepreneur from Los Angeles whose diverse career includes writing episodes for hit TV show Power, and running a trucking company, all while producing his own films. As both a creative and a business owner, Andre is always cultivating new ideas, pitching projects, and taking risks on fresh ventures. In today’s Entrepreneur Spotlight, he shares insights on how to handle setbacks and build resilience along the way.

Adopting a Resourceful Mindset to Overcome the Impact of Risk

You’re really lucky if you find consistent work that stays on air for a long time in this industry, so being resourceful from the get go is important. Between the pandemic and the SAG AFTRA strikes, the last couple years have definitely been uncertain. Staying motivated mentally was one thing, but I realised the importance of being resourceful with my finances. I saved and invested a lot of my cheques. I also started a small trucking company during the pandemic and I think that helped protect against what happened with the writer’s strike for sure. Even to this day there aren’t as many writing jobs available, so being resourceful with each opportunity is key.

Let your Progress Fuel your Passion

You know the risk and resilience is all worth it when you see how far you’ve come. One thing that always gives me a boost is when I go back home (to New York) and visit family, friends and my old block. Visiting the neighbourhood I came from not only grounds me, but it gives me a sense of motivation because it's like… This is where I used to be, versus how far I've come and where I still have yet to go.

The Industry can be Tough, so Develop Thick Skin!

To balance risk and resilience well, you’ve got to have thick skin. I feel like if you’re afraid of your idea being knocked down, this is not the business you want to be in. You could have the greatest idea and still, someone may say “no” (due to them not understanding, or it just not being the right time). Hundreds of executives may tell you “no”. That’s the nature of this [screenwriting] business—especially in Hollywood, so you've got to develop thick skin.

Get Mentors and Heed their Advice… Quickly!

I’ve had plenty of good advice over the years but three pieces stick out to this day. One was from the late David Rodriguez who directed the first episode of Power that I wrote. What he said was simple,  “save your money, stop spending it on sneakers!” rest assured, I listened. 

Another great piece of advice was from my agent, he told me to “write whatever comes to your heart”. It sounds cliche but for me it worked. Not everything will make the cut, but if you’re writing from your heart that’s a real, unique perspective that only you can share. 

The third was from my mentor, Coutrney Kemp who said, “always believe in yourself, trust in yourself and trust in your taste”. 

---

Andre is a screenwriter and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles, USA. Get in touch.

Andre wears Trucker Dad Hat by See.el Jean Company