Meet Mykee Selkin | Actor/Entrepreneur

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

Hi Mykee, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I’ve been an actor and model for over 20 years, I’m also an active dad, a real estate investor (and sometimes day trader), plus this year I’m launching a new passion project called The Dope Dad Club. I can say without a doubt: work-life balance can be hard to find! There’s always something I could be doing to move my business and my career forward. For instance, it could be an audition that needs to be taped ASAP but my son is having a raucous playdate in the next room.

I can go from having zero jobs for weeks to booking a movie and having to be away from home for a month. It’s a balancing act. 

Designing a life that truly works for me has been key. I’ll plan hikes with friends so we can catch up and exercise at the same time. Or, when I have a meeting for The Dope Dad Club I’ll make sure it’s after dropping off my son at school. Sometimes I’ll run lines with other actors while our kids are on a playdate. You get the idea.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being an artist is not a job, it’s a lifestyle. There’s no regular 9-5 hours, no downtime. I’m always in a creative process, and I’m constantly drawing inspiration from my environment, people and things, that I pour right back into my craft.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a successful career as a model and actor. I signed with Ford Models when I was in college and that opened the door to traveling the world. When I moved back to New York I studied the Meisner technique at William Esper Studios which launched my acting career. It wasn’t always easy but I stuck with it. There’ve been plenty of peaks and valleys. The way I got through it? Prioritizing my savings to have enough for those lean times, believing in myself (even when everything else said to quit), and taking calculated risks with the projects I commit to.

When I became a father, I knew I wanted to do it differently than my dad, who wasn’t around much when I was growing up. I wanted to be present and fully active with my son. After talking to other dads who felt the same way, it sparked the idea to start The Dope Dad Club. I love that the brand I’m building focuses on building a strong community of fully involved dads.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh man, LA is such an amazing city with so much to do and such natural beauty.

If I had a friend in town I would first take them to Venice Beach and stroll along the boardwalk to take in the Pacific Ocean.
Then I’d grab breakfast at Breakfast by Salt’s Cure in Santa Monica: they have the most amazing pancakes ever!
We would do some light shopping at 3rd St promenade. Maybe hit up Abbot Kinney before heading to dinner at Belles Beach House – it’s got a great vibe, with good food.

No trip to LA is complete without a visit to the Hollywood sign. I like hiking up the Hollywood park side. Then we’d head to Hollyhock House. It’s a Frank Llyod Wright house with a beautiful view of the city. We can picnic in the park there. We wouldn’t be far from Silver lake — I love walking around there — so we’d definitely hit up some fun stores and restaurants. Gotta have dessert at Donut Friend. I love their vegan donuts and dairy free ice cream.

I love live music so if there’s a performance at the Hollywood Bowl I’d take them there too. Wednesday and Sunday nights at The Culver Hotel is also great for live music.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I read it over a decade ago but the book is still an inspiration to this day. The story helped me to envision a life beyond what I thought was possible at the time.

So much credit to my mom for believing in me and supporting me throughout my career: from the day I moved to NYC to pursue modeling to my life now in LA. 

Thank you to Dené Logan for being an amazing co-parent and friend.

Thank you to Joy Asibey-Gabriel for loving me and pushing me to get The Dope Dad Club off the ground.

Website: https://dopedadclub.printful.me/mens-clothing

Instagram: @mykeeselkin

Other: http://www.imdb.me/mykeeselkin