Change of Plans - Help Miranda Keep Moving Forward

Greetings friends, family, and Facebook... 

If you don't already know me, my name is Miranda Riddle. I am a makeup artist, part time teacher, sometimes movie reviewer, occasional filmmaker, and gig -to-gigger. Despite working to the fullest of my abilities at all of these trades, most months I just barely make ends meet. On the cusp of my thirties, and with the desire to have a family, and a more stable income, I've decided that gig work must come to a close - at least as my bread and butter. While I will never completely quit makeup (or teaching), or any of my creative heart-endeavors permanently, I cannot survive and thrive the way I am presently hustling. 

I am also choosing to take my physical needs into consideration. As anyone in the industry will tell you, our bodies are our currency. Film production is a brutal, physically punishing and deeply exhausting business. If you work in production, you are literally selling your body for your paycheck. I am a brain tumor survivor and grapple with several chronic pain conditions and illnesses. Hollywood is rough on anybody - it chews you up and spits you out - particularly someone like me, who has a fierce but fragile body. I also need to be able to mostly work from home, with my phone and laptop, and take meetings at a desk. I need reliable hours (and a reliable sleep schedule). I need stability, and I need a challenge, not for my body but for my brain. I want to do something that will allow me to have a family - or even just take a vacation once in a while. 

After exhaustive research and soul-searching, running the gamut of possibilities from Real Estate to Retail, I've chosen to set my sights on an underserved but crucial business, that keeps my hands in the industry I love most. 

It is my intention to receive licensure in property and casualty insurance and personal lines - so that I may become an insurance agent for film, crews, actors, and production needs. 

I am well aware of what I'm getting myself into - the competition, the hustle, and the culture of insurance sales is daunting but exciting. I have always held safety in a very high regard in my work, and it only makes sense for me to flip my attention to a business that is undersaturated, vital and so incredibly important.

I have already selected a highly regarded institution and priced out each series of classes I will need to take. I have researched licensure procedures in California as well as costs for testing and state requirements. My GoFundMe goal includes this tuition, study materials, testing, licensure, and important state filings that will allow me to work. The number is small - but at this point I cannot afford even a fraction of it on my own. The initial financial investment of this move is low, but will have a huge return on my life, security, and freedom. This is where I turn to you - I'm not asking for a helping hand, I am asking for a leg up. Once I am licensed, I will be able to sign with a reputable brokerage. This is a portable career, one that I can take with me if I choose to live outside of Los Angeles. This is a move forward, onward sand upwards. Will you help me? Because without you, I cannot achieve this humble but heartfelt dream. Thank you.

One of my favorite quotes is attributed to Karl Wallenda: "To be on the wire is life. The rest is waiting". Well, I am not blindly jumping and waiting for my net to appear. I am building my net strand by strand. Will you help me?