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Hey, it’s Jerrica.

I’m building a career that is Hollywood-optional.
And if you’re here, I think you want that too.

July 4th brings up a lot for people; freedom, legacy, independence. For me, it’s stirring up big feelings about dreams. The ones I had as a kid. The ones I’m chasing now. The ones that refuse to let me rest.

This week, we welcomed over 150 new subscribers (hi, y’all!). So I want to introduce a concept I’ve been quietly shaping and testing:
Hollywood Optional.

Here’s what’s inside this issue:

• What Hollywood Optional Is

• 3 creators who are building Hollywood-Optional careers right now

• A behind-the-scenes look at what I’m building next

• A Greenlight Yourself challenge

THE MAIN ATTRACTION

Why Being Hollywood Optional is the New Creative Flex

I used to think the only way to be legit was to get picked. To wait for Hollywood to give me the greenlight. But now I’m building my own studio, telling my own stories, and growing my own audience.

Hollywood Optional doesn’t mean you’ll never work with the industry. It means you don’t need them to say yes before you start. You build something so undeniable they come to you and when they do, it’s on your terms.

Where did this come from?

This idea hit me during a late-night studio brainstorm. I was thinking about what I actually wanted: to act, write, produce, and tell stories that mean something. And I realized I don’t need anyone’s permission.

I need a plan.
I need people.
And I need the courage to greenlight myself again and again.

That’s what I’m doing here. And that’s what Greenlight Yourself is all about.

So What Does Hollywood Optional Mean?

It means:

• You’re not waiting for anyone to approve your vision

• You’re building audience, income, and IP on your terms

• If and when Hollywood calls, you’re ready but you don’t need them to win

This is a mindset shift.
Hollywood Optional isn’t anti-industry. It’s pro-agency. It’s about building leverage so you can choose your collaborators, not chase gatekeepers.

3 Creators Building Hollywood Optional Careers

@KinigraDeon (YouTube, Facebook, TikTok)
Kinigra Deon is building a scripted content empire with series like The Bad Babysitter and The Royal Family. She writes, produces, and stars in episodes that feel like sitcoms but are made entirely for social.

@KingVader (YouTube, Instagram)
King Vader creates cinematic parodies and original short films rooted in anime and pop culture. His Hood Naruto series made him a digital star, and even with Netflix deals, he still runs his own production universe online.

Dharr Mann Studios (YouTube, Facebook)
Dharr Mann started by filming simple, short stories with minimal production and a small team. Over time, he scaled into a full-fledged studio producing high-quality scripted content with millions of subscribers and billions of views, proving that consistency, audience connection, and reinvestment can turn social storytelling into an empire.

Behind the Scenes: What I’m Building Next

This summer is all about building my studio from the ground up and launching my bootcamp! You’ll see me experiment with:

• A new animated YouTube series

• A daily short-form content series

• Launching my first cohort for the Greenlight Yourself Bootcamp (sign up here for the waitlist)

I’m documenting the whole process of building my studio. The wins, the flops, and everything in between. I want you to see exactly how to greenlight yourself step by step, even if you're starting solo.

A Greenlight Yourself Challenge

This week’s challenge:
Write a Greenlight Manifesto. A one-paragraph declaration of what you’re building, why, and who it’s for.

Need a prompt? Try this:

Send it to yourself, pin it to your wall, or better yet, share it and tag me (@jerricasays_) so I can cheer you on.

THAT’S A WRAP

With 12+ years in entertainment, I’ve co-written for TV, developed with Hello Sunshine, and led audience growth at Netflix. I help creatives turn big visions—like getting their own comedy special on Netflix or their own TV show about their life—into brand strategies, content plans, and monetization blueprints.

WHEN YOU’RE READY HERE IS HOW I CAN HELP

Looking to grow an audience for your personal brand and your scripted content?

Audience growth starts with strategy. The Greenlight Yourself Bootcamp is where we build that strategy together. The waitlist closes soon, and if you’re on it, you’ll get first dibs before enrollment opens to the public.

Don’t miss your chance—join now. Click here. (It’ll be offered only once this year!)

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