
Actress and Producer Jill Wagner: The Business of Being a Creative Entrepreneur
From THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast by Paychex, Inc.
March 17, 2026 · 36 min · Season 6 · Episode 14
About this episode
Jill Wagner discusses her journey as a creative entrepreneur and shares insights on managing a successful career in Hollywood.
What happens when a Hallmark star meets a business podcast? Actress and Lioness executive producer Jill Wagner joins Gene Marks to reveal the business savvy behind her 20-year career. From cold-calling Taylor Sheridan to building a real estate portfolio, Jill treats her career like a CEO treats a company. She opens up about handling rejection, knowing your worth, managing money, and finding structure in the chaos of Hollywood. Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or just hustling toward your next big break, Jill’s candid advice will leave you ready to pick up the phone. Simplify your business operations: Visit paychex.com/MeetPaychex to learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts. Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include:00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction02:03 – Why acting is a business04:46 – How Jill’s “business” is structured06:12 – Creating your own opportunities11:00 – The perspective of experience13:05 – How to handle rejection16:01 – Taking work that isn’t perfectly aligned18:45 – Reframing competition and success22:29 – The reality of balancing career and motherhood25:57 – Jill’s…
People in this episode
Host: Gene Marks
Guest: Jill Wagner
Topics covered
- creative entrepreneurship
- business strategies
- money management
- handling rejection
- work-life balance
- career development
Keywords
- entrepreneurship
- business advice
- Hollywood
- career
- freelancing
- money management
- rejection
- time management
Sponsors
Paychex
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Hallmark, Lioness
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