SUCCESS STORIES

"I can't even put into words how influential the 'Crafting a Meaningful Career' class with Tony was for me. I had just left my career as a photojournalist with only a vague idea of what I was going to do next or even what my options were. I have to admit I felt a little irresponsible for leaving a perfectly viable career: It was so wonderful to be with a group of people who also 'wanted more', who not just understood, but supported the decision. Tony's constant talk of following what you love is not only a great mantra for a career, but for everything in life. Every class was energizing and inspiring. Through the class, I decided to enroll in the full Art Center photo day program. I am halfway through the program, and to say I love it would be an understatement. In Tony I found a friend and mentor. You will all love the class and gain so much, so congrats for signing up and enjoy!"  “Hi tony- …Here is a write-up… It’s about the (Microsoft) campaign in the context of ‘my journey’, as they say:

This was a really nice campaign for Microsoft's Back to School that I shot in Los Angeles. It’s been over a decade since I graduated from Art Center, and I feel like I’m in a really great place in my career: I’ve photographed enough big campaigns to be practiced, and that translates to a confidence and calm on set that is passed on to the crew and client. Shoot days are creative, cooperative, and fun for all involved, which I am happy about being a part of in an industry that can feel rushed and sometimes stressful. -Diana Mulvihill, Photographer

(Note: Diana wrote more than a decade later…)

“Hi tony- …Here is a write-up… It’s about the (Microsoft) campaign in the context of ‘my journey’, as they say:This was a really nice campaign for Microsoft's Back to School that I shot in Los Angeles. It’s been over a decade since I graduated from Art Center, and I feel like I’m in a really great place in my career: I’ve photographed enough big campaigns to be practiced, and that translates to a confidence and calm on set that is passed on to the crew and client. Shoot days are creative, cooperative, and fun for all involved, which I am happy about being a part of in an industry that can feel rushed and sometimes stressful. -Diana Mulvihill, Photographer

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Hey Tony, Great to hear from you, thank you for keeping me in the loop with these emails.

Here's a quick update I posted today - it's been an exciting 2022 with both Young & Co. (my creative branding agency) as well as a new venture I started this year - DENTR, a high-proficiency brand strategy firm that has me traveling for work :)

To think when I took your class 10 years ago, I wasn't sure I'd ever have the confidence, direction or energy to build a creative career. How wrong I was (thankfully). If you're ever in need of a guest speaker or looking for a session lead, I'd be happy to help! Give me a shout.

Cheers,

Robyn

Robyn Young, YOUNG & COMPANY

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"Dear Tony, Thank you for all your invaluable help you have provided me with! Always helpful, kind, funny, and a thousand more kind and positive attributes I could name. I really appreciate all your help, dedication, and time you have set aside to meet with me. - Sal Ochoa, Photographer

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“Hi Tony, …Pleasure hearing from you, Please feel free to tell my story. I have since moved to WY and been here for the last 3 years. It was my largest dream to execute, a decision I made in in the summer of 1993, freshly our of high school when my brother and I went on a 41 day road trip to see 14 states. I bought an 80 acre ranch, with a 2,500 sf house built in 2011. I own some sheep and goats, chickens, and I built a 2,700sf barn for breeding falcons.

What can I say, life is beautiful… Please keep in touch”

(Editor’s note: In a follow-up email…)

“Let me also say that in 2010 I started Falcon Force Inc. as a one man show, and as of this date we have 23 falconers working with us and we are spread between 8 states. The goals are set high and dreams are murdered on daily bases. ‘Ambition is when you lean your ladder against the clouds and climb like it's no ones business.’

We are currently turning down work due to being selective and only taking on higher prestige clients, and the lack of professional help (falconers).

A few of our appearances; National Geographic (Documentary Film); “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” (Mike Rowe, Full segment); Storage Wars (Appraiser Guest); Los Angeles Times (Sunday Times Cover); Seattle Times (Sunday Times Cover); New York Times; ABC 7, Los Angeles, CA; Obscura Society LA, Los Angeles, CA; Seventeen Magazine; Speak Up magazine; Pacific Radio Network;

Thank you Tony for shining light on my passion.

Regards,

Vahe´Alaverdian

http://www.FalconForce.com

Falcon Force - Professional Bird Abatement Services

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"Hey Tony: GREAT class! Thank you so much for being such an inspirational person in my life. Your classes have really given me the ability to remember what's important in business and in life. What a blessing it is to have you to bounce ideas off of and to help me think out-of-the-box. Without your direction and wisdom I would not be where I am today in my business. Thank you very much!" -Laura Elliott, Author, Travel Writer, Documentarian

(Editor's note: And now, several years later, here is another email from Laura and what she has accomplished...)

-  “Dear Tony, I’m writing to you about a dream come true. There’s really no words to say how happy I am in my new career and I know I would never be here without you. As you know I was pretty deep in despair when I came to Art Center to help me find a way out. What would I do now? How would I support myself in my uncertain future?

Well, I’ll never forget the chart we did juxtaposing our professional careers and personal lives in order to see our patterns. At the end of class we determined that my path would marry my passions for writing, travel and missionary work. It was all really great information but I had no idea how to apply this information to real life and how I would support myself.

I guess my message to people who are where I was is to just take the first step and follow your passions and pray for the Lord’s guidance.

The obvious things like travel writer or screenwriter not only seemed like long shots but as almost everyone, even a professional coach I hired to help me progress, would point out they all paid poorly. But I didn’t listen.

I charged ahead taking aim at the dream and the unseen, trusting in the Lord to show me the way. I had lost everything. I had no money. I had no idea how I would make my life work. At one point while I was taking your class I had to pay for my rent by pawning my jewelry, so pie-in-the-sky ideas shouldn’t have really even been on my radar. But I chose to put my walk with the Lord first above anything I understood. And I listened to where he called me to go.

After selling everything I had and journeying around the world twice, to 24 countries on 6 continents I now have a dream career and have made my dream of doing missionary work, living on the beach and owning a yacht come true too! It’s a crazy story but a wonderful story. I am a ghost. And since I also write about spirituality I guess you could call me a holy ghost. I smirked when I realized this because I remembered your challenge to us to figure out a great title so at a cocktail party people will ask you questions. …My business card lists my business address in Singapore :)

Today I am a contributing writer at World Travel Magazine and have gone on media trips that are fully paid for, my next one is to South Africa to survey Cape Leopards for three weeks this October. I write luxury travel articles and interview profiles that focus on life-changing, planet-healing travel featuring self-discovery, pilgrimages, eco-travel and journeys of the heart."

(From a recent email posted in the 6-30-2019 Tony Luna Creative- Update blog Laura wrote:)

“I was featured in a success series and mentioned you in the article. I wanted to share it with you, because you were such a huge part of helping me get on track professionally and because I hope that you will enjoy the story. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I had my first 5-figure month in May and I know the sky is the limit :)  (I also just got engaged too!)

(A note from Laura in May, 2024…)

“Dear Tony,  “…YES! There is much to share, Tony:) All great stuff. I was hired to adapt a book called Beyond The Rivers of Babylon into a screenplay. It's the true story of a Jewish boy coming of age during WWII. when The Farhud, a violent progrom of violence against the Jews, forces him to smuggle aboard a riverboat with other kids who risk their lives sailing to freedom in Iran. 

It took us two years to write the screenplay and we had no idea how timely the story would be when we entered the festival season last year for 2024. Most people have never heard of the Holocaust in Iraq.  

This year, the screenplay has won 6 awards so far and a table read short movie has been created from the first 14 pages of the screenplay. I'm so honored to be a part of sharing Joseph's amazing story and hope that this recognition will help land it into the hands of a great production house. I've attached the one sheet for the screenplay and a graphic with the awards listed. If you would like to learn more, you can check out https://astounding-producer-6585.ck.page/fff5350942 where you can watch the 14-minute movie, hear about how Joseph and I collaborated on a podcast interview we did after winning the International Drama Film Festival, and also read an interview I did with the Prague International Film Festival where the screenplay placed as a Finalist…

…Lots of other projects in the hopper too!

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“Here is the link to the story: Laura Elliott’s Success Story…-Virtually Untangled, https://virtuallyuntangled.com/laura-elliotts-success-story/:)  Laura" - Laura Elliot, Author, Travel Writer, Ghostwriter

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Pablo Serrano, Photographer/Photo Editor- “During the Fall of 2019 I took a class and through serendipity found the Crafting a Meaningful Career trilogy. Crafting a Meaningful Career looks at the whole person, including the personal and the professional to define a meaningful path. The assignments have helped me re-frame my passion for photography into an entrepreneurial concept and business plan. 

A well crafted holistic business plan creates confidence and motivation for the entrepreneur and serves as the guiding star. When I talk to Photographers and creatives, I often hear frustration with the complexity of digital photo editing. I am grateful and excited to be planning a startup to make photo editing playful and efficient for photographers.”

Pablo

Pablo Serrano
Photographer | Photo Editor

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"Your two classes taught me so much about what I wanted and needed out of a career. In part two you had a section that asked to describe your perfect day now and in five years, ten years and on. Working with my mom as a realtor enables me to have the flexibility to still be there for my kids. She was always there for me growing up and I now know that I will continue to be there for my kids even though I am working. Tony, thank you for everything!!!" and then, "...You really got me through a turning point in my life!!!" - Suzanne Weinstock, Graphic Designer and Real Estate Consultant

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"Tony! We just released a new short film at Spiritclips. Last month we had our best month ever!! We got Hallmark on our site and are getting more inspirational content. I NEVER would be doing this if I hadn't taken your amazing classes. Now I'm not commuting 4 hrs a day... Please let everyone know one of your students is working for a BIG Hollywood producer :) ha ha, which knowing me, is really hilarious...I want everyone to know how great you are...I never thought I would work in Hollywood but opportunities can come from unexpected places and it's good to be prepared. The only reason I'm working at Spiritclips is because we do inspirational content. That was my main objective in your class, remember? To do something meaningful. I like that my work is now tied to inspiration in general and is not specific... one subject. Also, most of my team is young adults. So that fits great w/ what you said about me teaching. I don't want to teach in (a) school but I love working with these younger folks and learning so much from them too. My next project is building (an) iPad (TM) app for our site. I'm having so much fun. Many times a week I think about things I learned in your class and it really helps me. I learned from you how to explain myself to others and understand them better as well. This was from the chart you use showing the skills and talents in 4 quadrants. Smiles, keep smiling,” :) Ellen- Ellen Perry- Graphic Artist and Producer of inspirational content at Spiritclips.com

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"Tony, Thanks so much for passing along the Kickstarter link on your blog. I think about you every day.  Because you inspired me, way back at that first Photo Expo seminar I took with you, I find myself pursuing my dreams and they are becoming realities. Best, Gail" - Photographer, Film Documentarian, and Humanitarian, Gail Mooney, Director of "Opening Our Eyes" an extraordinary documentary film about individuals around the world who make a difference.

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"Just wanted to let you know that one of your fledglings is about to fly the nest and begin 'living the dream!' On April 20th I am beginning a new position at the University of Oxford, as the communications and marketing manager for their department of continuing education. I'm terrifically excited at the opportunity to broaden beyond web communications, and to utilize not only my graphic design skills but also do some writing and strategizing. It's a brand new position, and I will be the first holder of it. It makes me remember all the wonderful work we all did in your 'Crafting a Meaningful Career' class. That was a few years ago now, but it was definitely the starting point for the discussions, dreams and actions that led to the desired outcome! So hats off to you for being one heck of an inspiring friend and teacher." - Gail Anderson, Communications and Marketing Manager, Oxford University, Department of Continuing Education

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"...I am wondering if everyone understands the value of taking this amazing class (Crafting a Meaningful Career-Part 2-formerly Living the Dream). Those who have taken Crafting a Meaningful Career and even those of us who have taken Living the Dream once but are still working on the dream and could use it to be in a collective that is the 'dream' class. I think of the class more like a creative health club where instead of going to achieve a specific goal (weight loss, muscle gain, etc.) and go away, or you join up to work consistently and have that extra support, opportunity to gain knowledge about how to do something now that you're at a new level. All with the goal toward making your dream or getting more traction...on having the life on a day in and day out basis that you want. If you need anyone to come speak to your current 'craft' for a few minutes as to the benefit I received by 'dream' I'd be happy to.  ...(It's) an ongoing workshop/collaborative of fabulous peers like Bloomsbury group/Algonquin round table and a rock star at the helm." - Alena St. James, Creative Director

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"Thanks to Tony Luna's class I came to the realization that the only thing between me and my aspirations was my lack of taking initiative. Tony's class opened my eyes to what might be possible and what was once a dream has now become a reality“ – Maureen Thurston-Chartraw, Founder/Principal, Access International; Second Road Pty, Ltd., Sydney, Australia, Design Leverage Consultant

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“Seems the class ('Living the Dream') itself is living, breathing testimony to your 'Living the Dream.' You’re like the pitch man for the Hair Club for Men –‘I’m not only its president, I’m a client too.’ (Editor's note: Part of Randall's objective was to move to a more creatively conducive place.) We bought a place last week...downriver of Portland. Our place is 5444 square feet–lots of room for me to work!” – Randall Jhanson, Screenwriter

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“Tony, I have another update for the year. First I set my website as my first goal and reached that in January. Then I set a goal to have a showing of my work. I have been involved in two small shows a already this year. The next goal was to be accepted into a juried show. Saturday I submitted three pieces to be considered… All three of my pieces have been accepted. Just thought you would like to know what you encouraged.”

"Tony is a great mentor. Through his guidance I was able to realize where my gifts were the strongest. Opportunities opened up, and as long as I stay focused on my passion, I create successfully. Tony helped me take the first step and I will be forever grateful." – Robin Neudorfer, Artist

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Conrad Curtis, Assistant Director- “It’s official! After years of good old fashion dedication and a lot of hours with a lot of really good people I am on the DGA commercial qualification list as an Assistant Director. I am overwhelmed processing it all, but I can’t wait to make the move up. If you have ever worked with me on set, talked to me about what I’m doing or been involved with filmmaking in Los Angeles, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I couldn’t have done this without you .
Now it’s time to celebrate”
Thank you Tony! Your inspiration and guidance in creative professionalism Was so influential!

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Garrisson Pena, Photographer and recently enrolled in the masters of cinematography program- “Hi Tony!! How are you? A very good and beautiful day to you!! First off, wishing you a Happy Birthday!!! 🎉🎂 And for that, I wanted to touch back with you as always with some news that is my gift to you. As of today, it is now official. I just completed my days of orientation and I am now a student of New York Film Academy, a candidate for a Master's in Cinematography. I have met a lot of wonderful people and new peers from all across the world and the nation in just a matter of a few hours, and I am very excited to be joining a new school and finally pursuing the dream and entering the film industry. Of course, I have some photos to share with you on what I experienced:”

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