Today we’d like to introduce you to Chiquita Melvin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I think my journey is very unique. I am an artist through and through. I am a storyteller. I am a trained actress with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from the University of Virginia. I am originally from the Southeast Coast-Atlanta GA to be exact – however, I’ve lived in six different states and 1 territory (Puerto Rico)! As a woman of faith, I believe the Holy Spirit has directed my life journey to California (for the 2nd time!)
Acting is my passion and I have studied and worked on stage, in film, television, web series and voiceovers! I moved to L.A. to pursue my passion also knowing that in addition to acting I wanted to pursue real estate as well. With the pandemic, it took several months just to be able to sign up for an exam. Finally, I was able to get an exam slot but it was in San Diego!
I studied hard, took the exam, and passed on my first try. Now with my new journey into real estate, I am finding ways to combine my love for acting and storytelling into growing a real estate business in the City of Angels!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. It’s tough moving to a new place and working to establish yourself in the midst of a pandemic. I couldn’t meet anyone because everyone was indoors, I am far from home and most of my close friends and family so I’ve had to definitely fend for myself in many ways.
Just as I was getting my footing with real estate, the market shifted. Interest rates increased and so I’m continuing to learn and adapt in a changing market. In acting, there were very few productions shooting. That is definitely changing now, which is encouraging, and as a result, I’ve seen an increase in auditions which is also very encouraging!
Acting and real estate are also two very challenging and competitive fields to break into but it has definitely brought out a new layer of drive, resilience, and creativity that I somewhere along the way forgot that I had. By all means, I have a long way to go but I am most certainly moving in the right direction.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actress who loves to tell other people’s stories. In addition, I have stories inside of me that I wish to tell. I am writing a couple of short films at the moment. I love the stage so I am working on creating some theatrical work as well!
In addition to being an actor, I also work for a medical school training and directing actors for medical simulations. It’s very rewarding because I am honing my skills in directing and producing (because I oversee the events as well) in addition to being an integral part of the medical education of the future physicians of the world. It’s a very rewarding experience and a position I am blessed to have. I don’t take it lightly.
I am also bilingual in English and Spanish. I am part of the National Language Service Corps which is an organization of individuals who would assist govt organizations in language interpretation during situations of natural disasters and other major events if needed.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am a risk taker. Starting a real estate business and the time, money, and effort it takes is a risk; Moving to Puerto Rico as an exchange student at 19 was a risk. Moving across country to Los Angeles 2x now was a risk. Making sacrifices to pursue acting, including dropping everything to become a full-time Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) student studying acting, was a risk. Traveling overseas on two separate occasions to two different countries solo was a risk!
But all in all, it’s been fun. It’s been exhilarating, and I have learned so much. You grow as a person when you have a cacophony of life experiences, and I’ve had just that. I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished thus far and I look forward to many more adventures to come!
Contact Info:
- Website: TranscendentSpaces.kw.com
- Instagram: Ms._Melvin and transcendent_spaces_realestate
Image Credits
Chiquita Melvin
