Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Francine.
Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For over 15 years, I’ve worked where government, technology, and education meet, designing technical training that helps people understand complex things. Along the way, I built a corporate career AND an entrepreneurial one.
I’m a geek and an educator. My first degree is in Computer Science, and I later earned my Master’s in Online Education. That mix of analytical and creative thinking shows up in everything I make.
Then a seed was planted. One of my instructors encouraged me to explore my public speaking abilities in the world of voice-over and voice acting. While working full-time for well-known software companies, I leaned into the industry in my free time. I took acting classes. I attended voice-over conferences. I signed with a talent agency. Today, I train with a commercial voice-over coach and run my own digital media company, Michelle Francine Productions, LLC (MFP).
MFP helps marketers, creative directors, business owners, filmmakers, educators, and producers bring projects and events to life when clear communication, messaging, or enablement is needed. My services include:
– Voiceover Production
– Voiceover Business Consultation
– Technical Training & Public Speaking
– Instructional Design
I’m also the producer and host of Seen. Heard. Imagined., a faith-based podcast where a new community of spiritually curious people come together and share their stories.
If you’re an aspiring voice talent who needs coaching to get started, I’m here for that too. MFP is the culmination of my strengths over the years, all in service of the people who need help bringing their digital media projects to life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been easy. I had to learn how important it is to be obedient to what THIS season of life requires of me. That meant prioritizing what matters in the here and now, even when it meant putting my creativity on hold.
Aside from the struggles of being shy about putting myself out there and staying consistent with voice-over auditions, the biggest challenge was family. In 2019, my mother had a stroke. She had been independent: walking, driving, living on her own. Almost overnight, our world turned upside down when life in a wheelchair became her reality. Her need for nursing home care brought us from California to Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee.
Now that we’re settled, we live much closer to family. I can afford her ongoing care, and I can focus on building my business again. Life took a turn, but I picked up where I left off with my creative pursuits.
Here’s the truth: I wouldn’t have succeeded if I had tried to juggle my mother’s needs AND my ideas for the business at the same time. Obedience in that season is what made room for this one.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Michelle Francine Productions?
I can safely say that I’ve created a great reputation with my previous employers. A majority of my managers have consistently stated that I’m detail oriented, have always met my deadlines, present high-quality work, and communicate well. People remember those who have solid work ethics and can trust that you will get the job done. Many colleagues and friends support my business or send opportunities my way.
I’m intentional about networking and marketing my business. Whether I reach out to new people at a trade show or on LinkedIn, I challenge myself to be brave enough to simply engage. Social media, content creation, and advertising are all very time-consuming activities necessary for building a reputation, so I create a schedule for when I post, record, or initiate a paid ad. I make sure that all of this is realistic to my personal time constraints. It’s okay if I only do one of these things once a week, so long as I’m making steady progress.
How do you think about luck?
Well, the “bad luck” was real! My mother’s stroke in 2019 turned our world upside down and pulled me away from my creative work for a season. But that same hardship moved us to Memphis, closer to family, and taught me to be obedient to what each season requires. That lesson is the foundation under both MFP and Seen. Heard. Imagined.
The “good luck” is just as real. One instructor saw something in me and planted a seed that grew into a voice-over career. Colleagues and former managers remembered my work ethic and sent opportunities my way. I didn’t plan any of that. I showed up, and it found me.
I’ve learned that luck opens a door, but it won’t walk you through it. The auditions, the consistency, the schedule, and the follow-through are all on me. I’m grateful for the doors and I do the work to walk through them!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellefrancine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellefrancinepro
- LinkedIn: https://www.Linkedin.com/company/michellefrancine/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michellefrancineproductions
- Other: https://seenheardimagined.substack.com/
