Extraordinary Profiles It is an understatement to say that Barbara Niven is a busy lady. Not only is she an actress and mother, she is a media trainer, motivational speaker, video marketing expert, and the author of several books, among many other things. She is currently starring in Hallmark’s Murder, She Baked and recently shot a pilot for Chesapeake Shores. Niven has also served on the National Board of Directors for the One of Niven’s favorite quotes is from Chuck Yeager in Screen Actors Guild and has appeared in over 100 which he says, “The cockpit gets the shakiest just before television and film roles, as well as over 2,500 radio and you break the sound barrier.” television commercials. She says if you’re going through something difficult, just She has appeared on NCIS, Cold Case, Charmed, The know your breakthrough is going to be right there, and Bold and The Beautiful, and One Life to Live, but her most that’s the point where you can’t give up, just five minutes memorable role was playing Marilyn Monroe in The Rat before the miracle, because it will happen. Pack. Niven has always loved watching Monroe in the movies, appreciating her vulnerability, but she always The busy actress and entrepreneur graciously took time wished she could have met her, and perhaps helped her a from her busy schedule to have a candid interview with little, too. Monica Davis, the Founder of Exceptional People Magazine. One of her most impactful speaking topics is Eating Disorders and Pressures to Be Perfect, where she shares Monica: You’ve had some excellent acting opportunities. her battle with bulimia. With a shiny white toilet on stage, How have the roles you’ve played helped you transform she shares her story to help others beat eating disorders. your life, and your perspective on life? She is also profiled in the book, Feeding the Fame: Celebrities with Eating Disorders. Barbara: What’s interesting is that in my business after you reach the age of 40, if you’re an actress, you usually Niven also has a video production studio in Los Angeles don’t get much work. Somehow I’m out-creating that. that provides one-on-one coaching, custom video Thank goodness for Hallmark, because I just got my third production services and video boot camps. A media trainer series with them, plus I just shot a Christmas movie. Age and video marketing expert, she created the home study is helping me rather than hurting, because I can now play course, Unleash Your Star Power, to help people enhance so many different characters and not just the leading lady. their professional images. Her clients include CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors and speakers. I say Hallmark is like the old Hollywood studio system. They use actors over and over. I love being aligned with Niven is the author of 111 Star Power Tips: Insider them, because they put out programming with good, Secrets From a Hollywood Pro, Get Your Woman On, and positive energy. It’s a perfect fit for me. You see real How Did You Do That. She is also a celebrity speaker on family values, which is something you don’t see as much many business and motivational topics, including Be a on TV any more. I am tired of seeing zombies, people Video Marketing Superstar, and ACT As If It’s Already being violent, and blood and gore. It shocks my system Happening Until It Is. and doesn’t draw me in to the characters. She created the Dreamers Network on Facebook, with Hallmark is different. I shot three seasons on Cedar Cove over 14,000 followers, a positive place where people share with Andie McDowell and Bruce Boxleitner and a group inspiration, dreams and goals. Niven calls it, “paying of wonderful actors who felt like family. I also play Alison kindness forward.” Sweeney’s meddling mother “Delores” in the “Murder She Baked” series on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. Ali and I found we have amazing comedy chemistry, and it’s one of my fave roles ever. I also just filmed a pilot called November-December 2015 | Exceptional People Magazine | 5 Extraordinary Profiles It’s really important. I call this time of my life – I’m 62 now – my legacy time. This is because with everything I do; I want to leave a footprint and a message behind. So it’s important for me to inspire other people, and not only to get their message out, but to out-create whatever circumstances they are living in, so they too, can live their dreams. If I can make this crazy acting dream happen, and “Chesapeake Shores” for Hallmark Channel, starring out-create all the conditions that were against me, then opposite Treat Williams, Diane Ladd and Jesse Metcalfe. truly everything is possible for anybody else. We don’t know if it’s picked up yet, but we are crossing our fingers. Monica: Speaking of some of those conditions that were against you, would you say some of them were specifically Monica: Is there a method you use to select from the roles directed towards you or women in general when it comes you get offered? What do you look for? to acting? Barbara: I look for great characters, because I love to act Barbara: I can only go with my own story, because most so much. Sometimes, especially for women, you get people start acting at an early age. I didn’t have a wake-up scripts where you’re just the addendum on some guy’s call until late. I was 28, and my 10-year high school arm. But with Lifetime movies, and I’ve also found it to reunion was coming up. They sent out this application to be true with Hallmark, it’s more about women’s stories. fill in the information for everybody at the reunion, with So, if Hallmark offers me something, I always say yes. questions like “who did you marry, how many kids do you Hallmark is a great platform to reach more people with a have and where do you live?” positive message. 6 | Exceptional People Magazine | November-December 2015 Extraordinary Profiles The last question on mine was a little different, because it said, “Have you achieved all you thought you would in your life by now?” That hit me like a ton of bricks. What a wakeup call. I had all these things I planned to do someday. But someday hadn’t happened yet and ten years had already passed by! See, I knew I was going to be an actress from the time I was five years old. I still get goosebumps thinking about that first song I sang it. But they could start exploring their local community in front of an audience in kindergarten. I remember it theater or get into an acting class and be around others clearly, even to what I was wearing and the teddy bear I with the same passion. When they learn the craft, who was holding. How weird is that? I still get goosebumps knows where it could lead? It has to begin with loving the today thinking about it. Clearly, acting was my calling! craft enough to pour one’s heart and soul into it for the long haul. If you’re lucky enough to make money at it, it’s gravy. “Image is everything, and the internet Monica: How do you use your craft as an actress to make a difference in the lives of others, and to get people is the great equalizer.” thinking about how they can live better lives? Barbara: The answer is two-fold. One, I am a Motivational Speaker and try to pass on lessons from my But at that point, approaching my 10-year reunion, I was life that hopefully can make a difference to others. living everybody else’s dream but my own. I was married. I had a child. I was doing a business with my husband. Secondly, I started a media training business called Life was okay. But I hadn’t leaped into my acting dream Unleash Your Star Power. I’m now considered yet. That wake-up call made me kick it into gear. I Hollywood’s Top Media Trainer and Video Coach, and I declared to myself that, yes, I am going to be an actor, and have a studio in Los Angeles. My father inspired me to do I started putting my dream into action. it before he passed away. He always used to tell me, “Barb, I love your career. I have all your movies, but what Monica: So, you took charge at some point. are you going to do to fall back on, and why are you really here?” Thanks Dad for that wakeup call. Barbara: I took charge, and that’s what other people need to do too. The saddest thing I can imagine is to get to the It dawned on me that all the things I was learning as an end of one’s life and wonder “what if”. actress on how to handles nerves, get my message out and connect to an audience were all the things people in If there’s something you’re going to regret not doing business need to do too. These skills are not only meant for someday, you’d better start now. Just take one action public speaking, but also for use in video marketing and every day toward your goal and see what happens. As you branding. do, your dream may change along the way.