Meet Jennifer Sims | Voice Actor & Voice Over Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Sims and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk taking is always going to be part of a creative career, I see it as an essential part of the journey – especially in acting/voice acting. For me, taking a risk has meant stepping into the unknown, and saying yes to that little “inside” voice that knew what I really wanted to do and how I wanted to express my creativity. I’m not a believer in jumping and trusting the net will appear, but I’ve learned that sometimes saying yes before I feel completely ready leads to incredible opportunities.

One of the biggest risks I took was leaving my job as the Director of Broadcast for one of the best known agencies in Los Angeles. I loved working in the ad business, but the company I was working for was pretty toxic and it was taking a huge toll on my mental health and well being. I decided that I had to quit, even though I did not have another job lined up. I started asking myself, “If I’m going to take a risk and leave this job with no ‘plan B,’ shouldn’t it be for something that I truly love?”

I’d always wanted to be an actor. I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts straight out of high school with every intention of making acting my career. My passion for creating characters, telling stories, collaborating with fellow artists was still very much alive. Voice over felt like the perfect fit. When the opportunity to go into on-camera work came up, I took another risk and said “yes!” to that , too.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart is my unique perspective, shaped by my background in advertising and acting. With experience on both sides of the glass, I understand not only the creative aspects of voice over but also the business side. This dual perspective allows me to bring deeper creative insight to my voice over clients and adds value when to my coaching students, helping them navigate both the art and business behind a successful career.

I’m proud of building my career on my own terms. Jumping into voice over wasn’t easy—it took persistence and a willingness to put myself out there. I was a bit “older” than many when I decided to make voice acting my profession, and it was challenging to get people to see me as an actor rather than just the ad agency producer. It was a process of reinvention.

One key lesson I’ve learned is that success isn’t about waiting for opportunities; it’s about creating them. Networking, honing my craft, and staying adaptable have been crucial to my journey. In the beginning I was worried about doing everything “right.” And now I like to “zag” if eveyone else “zigs.” I say, ask for forgiveness rather than permission.

My story is all about taking risks, trusting my creative instincts, and building a career that genuinely excites me. If there’s one thing I want people to take away from it, it’s that it’s never too late to go after what you love.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
WowWowWOW! A week in Los Angeles? There’s sooo much!

In no particular order:

The views! and a quintessential LA beach:
Griffith Park Observatory: This iconic landmark has been seen in so many movies (LaLa Land; Rebel Without A Cause, Jurassic Park, to name a few). Outstanding views of the entire LA skyline and the Hollywood sign.
The Getty Villa in Malibu: Incredible architecture and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
Venice Beach: Beach bohemia! This eclectic boardwalk has everything- funky shops; fun places to eat; people watching including bodybuilders working out on the sand.

Eats:
Mama Shelter, Hollywood: A funky rooftop bar with great views, very LA decor, and the vibes are vibin’
Original Farmer’s Market (Fairfax): One of my favorite places to spend an afternoon exploring dozens of diverse food vendors and tchotchke shops selling Los Angeles souvenirs. Iconic!
Clifton’s Rebublic – This used to be an old-timey cafeteria and is now a multi-level bar with hidden lounges and plenty of kitschy charm.

Drinks:
The Frolic Room: Historic Hollywood dive bar right next door to the Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. A great place to grab a drinkie before/after a show.
The Idle Hour: Gotta love a cozy little bar that is literally in the shape of a barrel.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to shout out Voice Trax West, a full-service voice-over recording service in LA that’s been a key part of my journey from the start.

I’ve taken classes there, recorded demos, had coaching, and even been cast in projects through them. One of the most memorable moments was when they sent me a video game script they thought I’d be perfect for. I was thinking, “I don’t know…this isn’t my usual wheelhouse…”

I gave it a shot and sent them my audition, and a few days later, I woke up to an email saying, “YOU BOOKED IT!” I’m so grateful to Voice Trax West for their unwavering support, their belief in me, and for being a champion of the VO community. I count them as a vital part of my VO squad and am especially thankful to Andrew Feliciano, Evan Marquardt, Susan Palyo, Paul Luke, Lucas Kuzma, and Noelle Romano for their continued mentorship and friendship.

Website: https://www.thejennsims.com/2023/8/17/kr5aqud0ubx74dob1w5majdvrfl1vg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejennsims/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejennsims/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jennifersimsvo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejennsims

Image Credits
Joanna Degeneres
Dana Patrick
Noelle Romano
Becca Murray
Greg Bell