Tori Green: Who are you? What do you do?
Casey Clare: Hi! I’m Casey Clare and I am a DJ and Artist in LA.
Tori: What was your first business (including running your own business)? How long did this last or are you still involved in the same business?
Casey: My first business I would say was being a Model which I still do but now I’m running a business as a DJ and Artist.
Tori: Biggest challenge? How did you get through it?
Casey: Constantly having outsiders doubt your path and taking the road less traveled, being okay with the possibility of failing in front of people. I always have gotten through people's negativity by using it as fuel. Every time someone has ever doubted me I've gone and done that thing. It’s like when a kid is told not to do something and then they go do it. I’m like that when people say I can’t do something or when they say “oh that's 1 in a million you're wasting your time,” then I turn around and say well I am that one in a million damnit!
Tori: What is something that you wish you could go back and tell yourself before starting this
Journey?
Casey: Start with Music now it's going to be what you want in the long run and makes you the happiest. I always had this whisper in my heart like my destiny knew what was best for me as it should but I didn't listen to it very much until it screamed in my face.
Tori: What did you do before owning your own/running your business?
Casey: Oh it's more like what didn’t I do hahahah I've had so many hustles I don't know where to begin. I’ve always modeled but I had a lot of jobs along the way until I started Djing and making music. I've worked in a salon as an assistant, at a gym, as a waitress/host, in catering, brand ambassador work, customer service phone job, and as a personal assistant. Yeah, I've served a lot of burgers in my days. I’m happy I've found my niche in the world now and can call it my full time job.
Tori: What/who made you take the first leap?
Casey: The first leap was when I was about 11. I had heard an ad on the radio about being an actor and that I could join acting school and be a star! Lol I was pumped and immediately told my mom I wanted to sign up. I really gave acting my all at that age but no one was hiring me at auditions because they said my face looked mature but my body looked like a child/was too skinny (uhhh I was a child) and didn’t know how to cast me. So I learned rejection from a young age and then about 4 years later I got into modeling and it has just been a hell of a journey since then..
Tori: Who was the first to believe in you and give you real support (financial/sweat equity)?
Casey: My mom. She literally told me not to go to college and to chase what was in my heart. I had gone on a fashion college tour because my counselor said I should consider another path and my mom was pissed we were there hahahah i'll never forget that. She was like we are wasting our time, you're going to be a star and go chase what is in your heart. So even when I had an inkling of doubt (which I truly believed in myself even then but felt socially pressured by my classmates/counselors) she pushed that doubt right out of my head. I love my mom so much.
Tori: Was this your dream job? If not, what was?
Casey: The job I have now wasn't at first. When I graduated highschool all I wanted was to be a Victoria's Secret/Sports Illustrated Model. I really was 110% in on that dream and actually made it really close to sports illustrated at 18. Fun Fact i was in top 5 for a snickers sports illustrated job and then top 2 for the magazine.Looking back now though I’m kinda glad it didn't happen then because I don't think I would be the Artist and person I am today if it did. I think God had a bigger plan and that was music, but you best bet I'm still coming for that Sports Illustrated spot ;)
Tori: Why did you get into this field?
Casey: I got into Music because it's the one thing that makes my heart feel alive. It’s something that can live on and change lives and a way for me to connect with the world and tell my story in a creative way hoping it can help someone with their own.
Tori: What is your biggest failure that you turned into a success?
Casey: Being dropped from my modeling agency because I changed my hair color to dark brown after having a mental breakdown at age 19 because I didn't know how to handle being an adult yet or my anxiety yet but turned out to be a success because I moved home for 6 months and regained my mental health before going back to it. If I didn't do that I'm not sure I would still be in the business because it nearly broke me.
Tori: If you could change one thing about your life today for the better, what would it be?
Casey: I would be in another place in the world. One of my goals this year is to travel more. I need to get out of LA. I've been kinda stuck in this LA bubble world but that is changing. I need to see more life and that's another amazing thing about my future in music. I can tour with it!
Tori: How is your life/work balance? Body, mind, and soul weekly routine?
Casey: I would say it’s good. I’m trying to step out more and be social more often this year because I tend to be a hermit in my apartment if I’m not working, but I would say my Body/Mind/Soul routine I've been mastering. Every morning I've been starting my routine with my affirmations from this book called 10,000 affirmations and getting myself into the right mental state/visualizing, then hitting the gym and trying to read at least 10 pages of a book per day. I've been on a reading kick. So it's going well.
Tori: Do you say/write out affirmations?
Casey: Yes all the time! As much as possible. I like to read them out and then take a second to feel the feeling of what I am saying because it’s all about the feeling.
Tori: When was the last time you tried something new/ Stepped out of routine?
Casey: I Dj’d rock music for a client. Not something I usually get asked to DJ very often, but I’m glad I accepted the job and did because now I have all that music and have the knowledge of what that type of crowd likes which makes me even more versatile. :)
Tori: Favorite book that changed your life?
Casey: The Secret.-Rhonda Byrne.
Tori: Do you think your gender gives you an advantage or disadvantage in today’s world?
Casey: Both. I love being a Woman and I think in the music business as a DJ it has really helped me bring something new to the table because most DJ’s are men, and often I get clients excited to book me for that reason alone, but it also can be very frustrating on the business end of things. Having to deal with many alternative intentions and then finding out they had other things in mind and didn't really want to work with me and that has gotten me very frustrated because I hate wasting my time when I'm always coming from a genuine place of just wanting to work and do business. I also deal with being stereotyped. Often I hear “oh you're actually really good.” I think some people assume I’m going to suck at what I do just because I’m a girl and they're not used to it in the DJ world as much and have to prove myself a lot more. Thankfully I have a strong head on my shoulders and can handle it and only makes me grow.
Tori: Have you experienced different treatment from your peers of the opposite sex?
Casey: Yes. Referring to what I said about being a girl DJ. I often deal with the opposite sex alternative intentions in business and its very frustrating in that sense, but I also have met some good men in my lifetime that are nothing but professional and I feel comfortable around and have respect for women.
Tori: Thoughts on the glass ceiling?
Casey: Society I believe makes you think there are these limitations on you for whatever reasons they may come up with and my thoughts on are to prove those fuckers wrong. Whatever you believe is possible for you no matter how insane/unreachable the world may think it is, I think, is possible if you believe with every ion of yourself change can be made/you can do something, especially when you team up with others who also believe and that's a powerful energy.
Tori: What advice would you give your children/ future children about succeeding in a
patriarchal society?
Casey: You hold the power to create whatever life you imagine no matter what gender you are. Depend on your own inner self to create that life and nothing and no one else. You have all the tools you need already within you.
Tori: If you could talk to a young boy/girl from your hometown neighborhood who aspires to
have your career/job/focus what would tell them? Advice.
Casey: I would say listen to yourself ultimately. Everyone is going to have something to say about your path and try to tell you to take a different one, and you can listen but only act on what you believe is right for you. Stick to it, put the work in and never ever stop believing in yourself and enjoy the journey. You got this.
Tori: Fun fact about you?
Casey: I know how to properly take care of fish. LOL. Like create an aquatic ecosystem and everything. It’s a lot more work than people think to have fish hahahah You can't just put them in water and call it a day.
Tori: Number one piece of advice you remember?
Casey: Every no you get is closer to your yes.-My acting teacher at age 11.
Tori: Anything else to add?
Casey: I believe in you.
Tori: Anything coming up for you that you want to talk about?
Casey: More music coming out! I have a lot of music I’m currently working on and it’s been a while since I’ve released and my sound has become stronger. I’m excited to share my progress as an artist. You're about to get a lot from me as well as future live shows.
Tori: Where can we find you online?
Casey: @iamcaseyclare-IG/Twitter/TikTok
Casey Clare-FB/Youtube
Casey Clare- Music on all platforms
caseyclare.com-Website