TheLovieDiaries - Natasha Stone

Today we are speaking with Natasha Stone, a current student on the BA Acting Collaborative and Devised Theatre (CDT) course about her business creating journals specifically for actors and theatre enthusiasts, TheLovieDiaries.

Tell us how TheLovieDiaries get started?

I started TheLovieDiaries during my first term at Central. I was 26 when I started at Central and after having a career working in technology, leaving my job and starting at school was a huge struggle. I was working two jobs but I couldn’t afford to pay my mortgage and commute on the money I was earning, so I needed to find a way to increase my income in order to keep my place at school.

I tried looking for a journal to manage my acting life and day-to-day life in order to get my finances on track and quickly realised that such a thing didn’t exist. You had standard journals which worked for people that live a 9-5 structured life, but this didn’t work for actors and creatives. I quickly started designing every page of the now-infamous ‘Actor Life’ journal and the rest is history! I went from selling a couple of journals out of my Central locker to selling thousands of journals every month across the world.

Did being at Central have an impact on your project?

Starting this business whilst at Central was a huge benefit. We had access to countless actors and creatives that we could test our journals out with, as well as insight we received from the teachers and industry professionals that helped us to shape our business further.

What made you want to create TheLovieDiaries?

It was a pure need to make money at first! I never thought the business would become what it has, I thought we’d sell a few journals a week to help pay the bills - but the business has become so much more than just selling journals.

We now use our platform to help provide information, encouragement and guidance to young creatives navigating the arts; especially those looking to audition for drama school. I often felt like drama schools were inaccessible for working class actors and since starting this business, we make it our mission to help even more people from working class backgrounds get into professional training.

What are you currently working on?

Since starting TheLovieDiaries we have had huge support from the theatre community; but we have been completely bowled over by the support received from Dame Judi Dench. Judi was one of the main reasons I wanted to train at Central and she has been my biggest inspiration for the longest time.

When I first started the business, I created a custom ‘Actor Life’ journal especially for Judi, and sent it (along with an incredibly embarrassing fan-girl note ), never in a million years did I expect a reply, let alone what we did end up receiving. Judi was the most incredible support, sending us a beautiful message and continuing to support us throughout this journey. We are now incredibly proud to say that after a year of the hardest work, we are at the final stages of getting our journals stocked in some of the highstreets best book stores, and we are so grateful to our community that has helped us get to this point!

How is this project related to your coursework?

Working on TheLovieDiaries has helped me to understand what it takes to create your own business and how to market myself - which, in turn has helped me to have a stronger understanding of business and marketing when it comes to creating my own shows and work within the course.

In addition, the journals have helped us to establish strong connections with people within the arts and theatre organisations which I’m hoping will help us when it comes to leaving Central!!

What has surprised you most about your experience?

I was surprised by how our business took off; I never expected it to become the wonder that it has. On the flip side, it has been the hugest effort to keep the business running whilst also working two other jobs and studying full-time. The last year has been one of the most challenging things I’ve faced to date; but it has also taught me a new level of resilience when it comes to chasing what you want.

I’ve also been surprised by the reaction we’ve received from the arts community; we have had so much support from actors, creatives, teachers and leaders in the industry throughout this process that it has helped us to keep pushing through even on the tough days!

How did you find out about Central and decide to study with us?

Central had always been one of ‘The top drama schools’ that everyone had on their list, but over the years I felt my accent and my working class background went against me at other drama schools…Central was the first place where I felt like I could truly be myself as an actor and artist. When I looked at other schools, I always felt like the courses were missing something; I wanted to create my own work and after seeing the CDT Acting course, I finally found an acting course that offered everything I was looking for.

What are you planning to do after graduation?

Well my plans have changed slightly. I came to Central wanting to be an Actor and find myself leaving wanting to be the next Sophia Amoruso! But I think when you come from a working class background; you can never be just one thing. You always have to be working and hustling in the background to make your goals a reality; so the business will continue to support us financially and enable us to help even more young actors succeed in the arts whilst channelling our own ambitions as actors.

Learn more about Natasha’s business and check out the journals by visiting, theloviediaries.co.uk and following on Instagram @theloviediaries.