Exploring Life & Business with Bennie Taylor of Jon Tomus Talent and Jon Tomus productions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bennie Taylor. 

Hi Bennie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started out Jon Tomus Talent LLC as an idea. With an old laptop, Couch, and a BIG imagination. Officially registering the business in 2014 and establishing my first office in that same year it was a struggle. I wanted to be something Michigan has never seen before a talent manager with the knowledge of an agent the experience of an actor/singer/model/producer and humility of a normal joe. I wanted to be more than just someone who works within the boundaries of Michigan. Since then, I have learned and done so much that most never see in their career. I’ve worked alongside some of the biggest studios in the world from WB, Sony, Paramount, Universal, Disney, Nickelodeon, and the list goes on. I was the guy nobody knew about the man behind the scenes that didn’t want the glory only results. I represented awesome up-and-coming actors And even celebrities. Jon Tomus Talent LLC was the company that people underestimated. But every negative comment every negative thought made us stronger as a team. There’s so much I can tell you about with my experience with Jon Tomus Talent LLC, But I fear there’s not enough space L O L 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a TALENT manager in a state with no incentives was absolutely hard to begin with. Starting out as an absolute nobody was a major struggle. Because nobody wanted to take the chance on you and there were the big boys that I had to compete with. Unfortunately, in this state people are not too kind to each other when you’re starting out a business, I had to learn that the hard way. I had some people saying that I did not know what I was doing I’ve had some of my so-called friends laughed at me because they thought my dream was outlandish even some of my family members. In the beginning, I’ve also had some clients leave and tell me I wasn’t equipped or they can do better on their own. Those things hurt along the way but my parents did not raise a quitter. And that was just here in the state of Michigan after that I had to earn the respect of other states even overseas. I had a full-time job working midnights from 2 AM until 10 AM and as soon as I left that job I went straight to my office and sometimes worked all the way until I had to go right back to work. They were many sleepless nights it even put a struggle on my relationship. But I was driven I was not going to give up I was not going to lose I believe what I had was special. 

We’ve been impressed with Jon Tomus Talent LLC and Jon Tomus productions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Jon Tomus Talent LLC is a talent management company. A Talent manager sits almost alongside with what a talent agent is but our responsibilities are a little different. I take what a normal talent manager would do and I amplify it by 10. Not only do I help my clients get on commercials TV and film. I also help guide their career down the right path to work with great agents, studios, networks, Director’s producers and the list goes on. And the secret to my success is being myself no lies just being straight up and honest those are the things that’s hard to find in this business. 

Jon Tomus Productions is a service of Jon Tomus Talent. It’s a self-tape studio for actors to do their auditions in a professional environment. We also do voiceover recordings as well as demo reel edits for both voiceover and on-screen. And soon to come Jon Tomus Productions will provide video audition classes. To help actors establish their technique and confidence in front of the camera while doing an audition. 

The things that I’m most proud of is whenever I turn on the television, no matter what state I’m in I see one of my clients or maybe more whatever movie I go sit down in the theater to see there’s my clients again! Or sometimes when I look in the end credits of a movie and I see my name or my companies name that makes me proud. But the biggest time is when my father and mother looked at me and told me that they are proud of what I’m doing and what I’ve done to help change people lives. 

What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was kind of a loner. I was never the one playing Sports with my other family members or friends. I used to sit around and catch bugs and small animals and keep them as pets. Growing up I was a big-time nerd. In school after completing my assignments, I’d sit in the corner and draw superheroes with my other nerd buddies. Yes, I’ve gotten picked on a lot bullied all that good stuff lol. But the one thing my mom said that was different about me… was every time a camera was turned on me, she saw something glow in my eyes and my personality change. She told me it was almost like you were meant to be in this business. Coming out of high school I had a very successful career as a model thanks to Sheryl Stokes and Tiffany Nance that got me started. I Traveled the world met so many different people had a great time and right after that I landed in the music business with a few different singing groups. 

I’m still a huge animal lover. And I always seem to make some time to have the most strangest pet you can think of lol. And don’t get me started on my comic book movies! To this day I’m still that shy guy that’s always quiet in the corner unless… I’m my alter ego Jon Tomus!  

Contact Info:

• Website: www.JonTomus.com, www.stage32.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jon.tomustalentllc/?hl=en
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/JonTomusTalentLLC
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tomusjon
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/VGCvFG7D0Qs
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennie-taylor-b61308b2

Image Credits
Davidefoto