Shiner Profiles: AC Management

By: leora | Published: January 8, 2010 | Filed under: Shiner profiles, Sunshine Suites

Company name: AC Management
Founder: Anthony Calamita
# Employees: 1
Resident of Sunshine Suites since: January 2008

A little about AC Management:
AC Management is a full service, Talent Management Company. We represent actors in all areas of TV, Film & Theater – as well as writers. As simplistically as I can state it – we are in a service industry. My job is to serve our clients and focus on moving their careers forward. It’s been a staple of what I’ve done for the last 9 years. I was on the agency side of the business for 6 years, knowing that one day I would ultimately transition to my own company in a managerial capacity. In November of ’07 I started up AC Mgmt. amidst a strike in the industry. While most thought I was crazy, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to set up the foundation of a company, and that by the time the strike (which lasted months) subsided, I’d be a perfect position to be off and running.

What is the most useful thing you have learned that has helped you
with your business?
Ultimately it’s about being focused. Working for an employer allows your brain to be scattershot during periods. Since venturing out and working as an owner, it’s been more about coming in with a game plan on a daily basis. Focus is something that has tremendously allowed me to grow over the last two years.

What challenges have you faced and continue to face and how are you
addressing them?
It’s tough being out here as an individual. Working at a company, there is a lot of structure. Hours of operation. Meeting times. Lunch Breaks, etc. It takes a lot of discipline to work as an individual. There’s no one to answer to. No one watching over your shoulder. It can be very easy to fall into a cycle of complacency and set it on cruise control. There are always days in the business that you just feel run down, and there isn’t a co-worker there to just chat with. It’s about picking up the phone and speaking with someone – which can feel hollow at times, but you just find ways to make due with that. It can get lonely fast.
The best ways that I can combat this is to be proactive. Get out there. Take meetings. go to events. See shows. There are plenty of ways to to be busy in this industry, and it’s about finding out what to be at, and make it a point to get to it. I can only become successful if I put in the hard work and effort. A lot of people out there don’t realize the determination it takes to go out on your own, and the risk that’s involved with it. I know that the time and effort will be rewarded down the road.

Fortunately – I’ve been able to stay open these two years – and continue an upward trend with my company because I have the passion, motivation & desire to want to be better. I wouldn’t have taken the risk if I didn’t feel that I could succeed at it.

How has Sunshine helped you and your business?

Sunshine has provided me with a great opportunity to have a place to go. Being a sole proprietor at the moment – it could have been very easy to have worked out of my apartment. It’s something a lot of people in my business do when they start out. Personally, I believed that wouldn’t have been a wise business decision. Coming here to Sunshine allows me to get away from the distractions that the home provides. Be it tv, games…the dog… It goes back to what I said before about being focused. I know that when I come here to Sunshine – it’s about my business and that’s it. Fortunately I share space with another friend in the business – and it’s a great way to communicate information. Having that camaraderie on a daily basis is motivating. Wanting the best for each other and watching each other succeed is inspirational.

Where do you hope to be in 6 months and 1 year in terms of growth or position?
In terms of growth over the next year – I’d like to see another employee within my space. It’s not about being large quickly – rather, quality over quantity.

For more information contact Anthony: 212-624-5866