Today we’d like to introduce you to Samira Murphy.
Samira, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Where to begin…for me this was never a new dream or a sudden altered path. I knew around the age of six this was where I belong, where I would find my way. Literally, I have this pastel portrait with construction paper from my childhood of me on a school bus coming to Hollywood…well Holewood. My spelling hadn’t peaked yet. So as far as how I got here, I think my path was always here. It was just a very tedious journey that took a lot of trials and tribulations to find my way to where I am now. I was born in Chicago, grew up in Vegas, studied in the UK and Georgia. I have a BA in Communication Arts but I’ve also completed studies at the Strasberg Institute. I’ve played all of the roles of an aspiring creative type (I came here to pursue acting like 90% of LA).
From my part-time job at a luxury candy shop where I balanced two unpaid internships to hostessing at a Hollywood hotspot, where my lips are forever sealed on the stories I can’t tell, to now as a working creative content creator whose writing has taken center stage. I got to where I am (which is really just the beginning) because I don’t believe in barriers. I firmly feel that there is no limit to what you can accomplish other than the limits you set around yourself. I want to be an inspiration for my generation. So I am working hard to get there, to be an entrepreneur for the greater good and reach a place where the words I write and the work I do is impactful. I got started on this journey because I am committed to my childhood dream, knowing fully that it’s my destiny.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road by any means. There are parts of my story that I am happy to share and others for which now is not the time but through everything I have faced I have never let it set me back. There have been a lot of roadblocks and course corrections. I’m lucky that I came out here with family but even that went through its own challenges. When my mom came out here to help me pursue my dream, transferring her work and life, not too long after she lost her job and I found myself turning down an offer for a dream career starter at a top agency to taking a job working 8 hours a day as a full-time hostess on my feet because it paid more and we needed the income. All the while still doing freelance work in media marketing. It wasn’t perfect or ideal as new college grad or aspiring creative but it was what I had to do because odd jobs as an extra we’re not going to put food on the table. But I wouldn’t trade my time in hospitality for the world.
Even looking back now, I don’t have many regrets because I know it shaped me to be a better person. It taught me invaluable life skills, provided me lifelong friendships and irreplaceable connections. It gave me a second family and memories that I cherish as well as some stories that would make headlines but I’ll save them to tell my future kids. This is not an easy town, some have an easy time but I think when you’re pursuing your passion, there will be bumps in the road, it’ll be hard, it’ll make you question if it’s right for you and if it is you’ll come out on top. These challenges I have had, as my friends always tell me will make for a really great story one day and right now they’re what’s pushed me forward and never stopped me from continuing to strive for success.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a creative content creator (not in the Youtuber sense). My business is myself but I’ve worked very hard to have a strong education and understanding of the media marketing field. I do a lot of freelance work in entertainment for fellow creatives and serve as a specialist in social media and brand marketing. Aside from working with companies and individuals on market strategy, I specialize in creative writing. Most people (friends and family included) come to me for my writing. I specialize in a few areas from creative copy for blogs and captions to press pitches and releases as well as consultations on literary reports. I am most proud of the work I get to do that truly represents me. I believe storytelling serves a greater social purpose, depending on the stories you tell of course. With my creative team, Hustle Hard Productions and our upcoming web series, ‘S.M.A.G’, I serve as one of the lead writers.
With that we are tackling social issues that impact our generation. We’ll begin production this fall. I also have a book in the works focusing on its own set of millennial dilemmas with a pilot in development it is based off of. I think what sets me apart from others whether it’s social media marketing or creative writing is that I understand the two serve a common purpose of connecting through communication. Everything I do I put my heart and commitment into because I see the value of communication, of the stories we tell and the ways in which we can inspire others and spark creativity. I strive for all of the work I do to be impactful, to be a conversation starter. So I would say that’s who I am and what I’m in the business of- starting conversations.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Well, you already know from my childhood artwork that I am a longtime fan of the city. What I love about L.A is that there is no shortage of fun things to do. This is a city rich with history, full of beauty, art and culture. I love playing tourist and going to places that represent that. Places like the Huntington Library or Malibu where I’m able to enjoy not just what’s in the city but the beauty that also surrounds it. I do photography as a hobby so I love getting to explore and capture so many moments here that are so unique to this town. I love the vividness of L.A., so much so I can never really get bored of it because it continues to be this unwavering place of wonder. I would say the only thing I don’t like about the city is our homeless epidemic because it’s heartbreaking.
Seeing so many people of different ages and backgrounds struggling to survive with nowhere to go, it’s beyond words. I hope one day I can be part of the remedy to end LA’s homeless crisis. To perhaps be able to open a shelter of my own and give these people somewhere to go. Right now I do a lot of work with Big Sunday where they do a great deal to help provide things like food, books, clothes and school supplies for low-income families and the homeless population. These people struggling to survive on the streets deserve all the help we can give them and I think LA can do better at making that happen.
Pricing:
- Free Consultation
Contact Info:
- Website: Samiramurphy.squarespace.com
- Email: s.menasche27@gmail.com
- Instagram: mirainlalaland
- Twitter: mirainlalaland
- Other: onlineandunavailable.com
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