Part 2/6:
While these opportunities significantly raised his profile, Stephano realizes the true measure of success as a comedian lies in ticket sales, not just industry accolades. Despite having credits that many would envy, he found himself grappling with the duality of external validation from the industry and the tangible connection to audiences.
Taking Control of His Career
A pivotal moment arrived when Stephano resolved to shift his focus from industry approval to fan engagement. He cites influential figures like Joe Rogan as motivators for this mindset, promoting the idea of a ‘for us, by us’ approach among comedians. This new perspective allowed him to reclaim ownership of his career by directly engaging with his fan base rather than relying solely on industry gatekeepers.