She Bet on Herself—and Won. Tatum Crenshaw’s 5 Truths Every Creative Woman Needs to Hear

Tatum’s Top 5 Lessons for Aspiring Creatives: ‘Your Network Is Your Next Level’ By NWO Sparrow

I first encountered Tatum Crenshaw’s electric presence last April at an intimate screening of her short film I Want Him Dead. The room buzzed with that rare energy, the kind that comes when an artist’s vision is so unapologetically theirs that you can’t look away. There she was, a whirlwind of passion in the Q&A afterward, breaking down how she’d transformed her screenplay into a gripping story about love, betrayal, and survival. What struck me wasn’t just the film’s bold narrative (though that alone would’ve been impressive), but how she commanded the room with the ease of someone who’d been doing this for decades, not someone who’d only recently traded spreadsheets for screenplays.

That night stayed with me. Here was a woman who’d built a 25-year career in finance before daring to bet on her childhood dreams. A Brooklyn-born creative who turned her grandmother’s living room “Oscars” into real-life credits as an actor, writer, and now director. A mother who teaches her sons daily about resilience by living it. Tatum Crenshaw isn’t just multihyphenate, she’s a masterclass in rewriting your own rules.

Tatum Crenshaw knows a thing or two about turning dreams into reality. The Brooklyn-born , actor, writer, director, entrepreneur, and former bookkeeper, has spent the last four years fearlessly pivoting from a 25-year finance career to pursuing her lifelong passion for storytelling. Along the way, she’s learned invaluable lessons about resilience, collaboration, and the power of showing up as your most authentic self.

From self-publishing her first book, Hashtag This, to writing, producing, and starring in her debut short film, I Want Him Dead (now in development as a series), Tatum’s journey is a masterclass in creative hustle. But her success didn’t come without missteps, detours, and hard-won wisdom. In an exclusive interview, she shares the five lessons every aspiring creative needs to hear, straight from her own playbook.

Lesson 1: Don’t Expect Support From Everyone You Know

“Familiarity doesn’t always equal support,” Tatum says with a knowing smile. “Some people aren’t ready for the light you’re stepping into.”

Early in her creative journey, she assumed her inner circle would rally behind her ambitions. Instead, she encountered silence or skepticism from unexpected places.

Her advice? Protect your vision like it’s sacred. Celebrate the ones who show up (shout-out to her husband, kids, and writing partner Elizabeth Goodman), but release the need for universal validation. “Your dream is yours for a reason,” she says. “Not everyone will understand it—and that’s okay.”

Lesson 2: Everyone Can’t Go

Collaboration is key in creative industries, but Tatum learned the hard way that not every ally is built for the long haul. While working on a short film with a group of women, enthusiasm fizzled as teammates gradually dropped off the project. “I felt like I needed them,” she recalls. “But then I realized: I didn’t need them to make it happen. I had the passion to finish it myself.”

The takeaway? Your tribe should match your tenacity. “Everyone can’t go,” she says. “Your vision is yours for a reason. Some people are meant to cheer from the sidelines, while others are meant to roll up their sleeves with you.” Now, she chooses collaborators carefully, like her director for I Want Him Dead, a serendipitous reconnect from middle school (“a full-circle moment!”).

Lesson 3: Trust Your Gut on Projects

In the early days, Tatum said “yes” to every opportunity, fearing scarcity. “I thought, ‘This might be my only shot,’” she says. But over time, she noticed that misaligned projects drained her energy without moving the needle forward.

Her pivot? Treat your creativity with intention. “Now, if something doesn’t resonate, I pass—gracefully,” she explains. “There’s power in knowing your worth. The right opportunities will find you.” Case in point: After turning down roles that didn’t fit, she landed a supporting role as a therapist in the upcoming series Love & Brooklyn, a perfect alignment of her skills and mission.

Lesson 4: Your Network Is Your Next Level

“I’ve gained more from relationships than from auditions,” Tatum reveals. Whether hosting her YouTube series All Things Boss (where she interviewed heavyweights like financial educator Ashley M. Fox) or curating events like Team First’s tournament at Barclays Center, she prioritizes genuine connection over transactional networking.

Her mantra? “Build bridges, not business cards.” “People remember how you made them feel,” she says. “Be curious, listen, and add value without expecting immediate returns.” That organic approach led to mentorship from acting coach Marc John Jefferies and collaborations that amplify her work. “Your network isn’t just who you know, it’s who knows you.”

Lesson 5: Excellence Is Your Brand

In an industry where outcomes are unpredictable, Tatum focuses on what she can control, her effort. “You may not book the role or get the greenlight, but you can always control your preparation,” she says. Whether it’s her “Motivation Monday” social media pep talks for moms or her relentless hustle to develop I Want Him Dead into a series, she shows up, consistently and unapologetically.

“Excellence isn’t perfection,” she clarifies. “It’s commitment. It’s refusing to cut corners with your craft.” That ethos extends to her advice for avoiding burnout: “Listen to your body. Take breaks. But never confuse rest with quitting.”

Tatum’s 5 Rules for Outworking the Odds

Tatum’s journey proves that creativity thrives at the intersection of courage and strategy. For anyone sitting on a big idea, her lessons are a rallying cry: Trust your voice, curate your circle, and remember, your next level is already within reach.

Tatum Crenshaw’s journey is proof that reinvention isn’t just possible, it’s powerful. Her story shatters the myth that dreams have an expiration date, showing us that passion paired with strategy can rewrite your life’s script at any stage. Whether you’re a working mom, a career pivoter, or a creative stifled by doubt, her lessons remind you, your voice matters, your vision is valid, and your tribe is out there, but you have to bet on yourself first.

But this isn’t just about Tatum, it’s about you. Every "no," every detour, every moment you chose to keep going has been preparation for this next chapter. So take her playbook and make it yours. Surround yourself with those who see your light even when you doubt it. Chase excellence, not permission. And remember: the world needs your story told your way. Now what’s stopping you?

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