Let’s get one thing straight: deciding to return to corporate life after pursuing a full-time voice acting career is not a failure…it’s a strategic pivot.
The voice over industry is rewarding, but it’s also one of the most competitive and unpredictable creative fields out there. For every overnight success story, there are thousands of voice actors grinding day and night, auditioning relentlessly, networking constantly, investing in training, demos, gear, and marketing…all with no guaranteed timeline for return.
If you went all-in on your dream, gave it everything, but found yourself needing to re-enter the 9-to-5 world to support yourself or your family, you didn’t fail. You did the bravest thing: you tried. You stepped out of the comfort zone and took a real shot at your passion. That takes guts, not everyone can do that.
Voice Acting Is a Long Game
Growth in voiceover is often slower than expected. Building a client base, booking consistent work, getting agency representation, or landing recurring gigs…it all takes time, patience, and persistence. Many successful full-time voice actors today had side jobs for years before they could rely solely on VO income. Some dipped in and out of other careers multiple times.
Returning to a corporate role doesn’t mean you’ve given up. It means you’re smart enough to prioritize stability while still nurturing your creative path. You’re not shutting the door on voice acting…you’re giving yourself a better foundation to pursue it sustainably.
You’re Still a Voice Actor
Whether you’re doing voiceover part-time, nights and weekends, or carving out time between meetings…you’re still a voice actor. The label doesn’t go away just because you’ve shifted your schedule. Every audition, every coaching session, every email to a potential client is still progress.
There’s no shame in making responsible decisions for your life. In fact, there’s strength in it. Putting food on the table, paying bills, and keeping your mental and emotional health intact…these are wins, not failures.
Keep the Dream Alive…On Your Terms
Just because you’re back in a cubicle today doesn’t mean you won’t be back in your booth full-time tomorrow. You’re simply adjusting the timeline. Your VO journey isn’t over…it’s evolving. And when you’re ready to try again full-time, you’ll do so with more resilience, experience, and maybe even more resources than before.
Your path is uniquely yours. Don’t let comparison or outside noise define your success. As long as you’re still showing up for your dream in any capacity…you’re still in the game.
Voice acting is tough. It’s a grind. But returning to corporate life doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re human, you’re practical, and you’re still moving forward. And guess what? The mic will still be there when you’re ready.
Stay inspired. Stay resilient. Your voiceover story isn’t over…it’s just getting started.
10 Responses
You are sharing my experience here! I must find a part-time job as I am not booking much of anything at all right now. I am building up my marketing and hire sites now for AD Writing and VO audio work this week!
I will keep my dream alive by focusing on one area at a time. I want to serve and make the compensation that I need to maintain my household in that order. Never give up! Never surrender! 🙂❤️💯🙏🏾.
Thanks so much for all the information, support and motivation that you share. I appreciate everything! 💯🙂❤️
Keep fighting the good fight, Renee! I know you’ve got this! In the meantime, we must all do what we must to make sure we keep things together. The struggle can be real, but one day, you’ll conquer those, and look back on these times that made you stronger!
What an amazing write-up buddy!
I must have said “Amen” seven times throughout the article. You’re 1,000% accurate on everything you said. Thank you for the reminder my friend, I’m sure that this article will inspire many to never give up on their dreams and aspirations.
Doug, my friend…the only time we can truly ever fail is if we give up. QUIT…is not in me. Not a part of what I do, and it darn sure isn’t a word that describes you at all! We overcome, and we perservere…and YOU, Sir, are an inspiration to me!
Hi Jerry:
This article has brought me to tears. I have pretty much sold the barn after I believed that all the sowing of the seeds I planted would bring me some kind of harvest. I have joined so many websites of other VO Artists and invested cash in equipment, lessons, webinars, seminars and got scammed.
The important thing here is that I use what I have. I’ve got enough History on the Pros and Cons about the VO Business, and still believe what’s there for me has been designated for me.
I’m so sorry to hear about the negative experiences you’ve had, Adrienne! The silver lining behind this cloud, however, is that every one of these setbacks…even the scam…are situations that you push through and learn from…and they will make you stronger in the end. This journey is not defined for any of us. How long things take, what obstacles we may face, or when we may face them…but just know that so long as you continue to push forward, there is a light at the end of this tunnel!
Where do I try out? I’ve done voices just joking around for kids and friends for years.
Hey Chris! Thanks for stopping in!
The short answer to you question is, there is no ‘try out’, per se. The folks who are in this business, some of them for many years, don’t have an easy path. There is a lot of time to invest in coaching/training, money to invest in equipment and accoustic treatment of a recording space, and a whole lot of time to spend learning the business, the etiquette, who the contacts are (and how to approach them), etc. I wish it were short and simple answer. I started online with Youtube videos, picked up as much as I could, made a plan, and followed it step-by-step, checking one thing off my list at a time. At the end of the day, this is a business, and it must be set up and run as one to have even the slightest chance of succeeding. Before you go looking for tryouts, I’d suggest reading my blog post here: https://thedulcetonevo.com/considering-voiceover-as-a-career/ and then really everything else I’ve posted on here since day one. This blog is my journey, and may hold a lot of great information that you’ll find useful.
If you have any questions after that, I’m happy to answer them. Thanks!
Thanks for this blog post! This resonates today, especially as I was literally reflecting and writing about my starts and stops in the VO business and how I plan to move forward. I am full time today after two starts/stops over the last 6 years, so I needed to hear this! Thanks!
Tracy, that is exactly why I felt compelled to write this piece. I know so many people either are, or have been, in the same boat…and they need to see things like this to know that they’re not alone. Once they realize that this is more the norm than the exception, they may be able to re-ignite hope once they see that nothing is wrong with them, and that there are bumps in the road for even some of the most successful voice actors out there!