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My dad is a successful sports broadcaster
for ESPN and I have worked with him on several shows
as his makeup artist.   I have always been amazed how my
dad has gone from being an athlete to broadcasting,
acting, voiceovers, and commercials. I am proud to say
he has picked up several Emmys along the way for his
hard work.  

I have learned a lot sitting in the booth listening to him and his 
colleague broadcasting the games.  During my last visit, I realized
I really want to follow in my dad's footsteps.

September 27, 2007


 

Finish each day and be done with it.
       Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well -  Emerson


Every morning and evening, I see this quote on the
wall facing my bed. I try to live by this as best I
can for a fresh start for the day.  I am Lisa Morgan - a
mentor, makeup artist, and thrill seeker.  

I became a mentor three years ago to a wonderful girl 
named Tiffany Loftin through the Big Brothers Big Sisters 
program.  She left for college last week and it felt like I was
sending away my own child. I don't have any children,
but our bond was instant and she will be my little
sister for life. I am hoping she becomes a mentor to
someone when she graduates from college. 

I have always felt that everyone needs someone to talk 
through the good and bad times, especially when they are
uncomfortable sharing with a family member. I got so
much out of mentoring her than she probably realizes.
What a gift to be able to make a difference in
someone's life. I know how important it was for me to
have a mentor when I was beginning my career as a
makeup artist 20 years ago...I actually had two  of
them, and I am forever grateful for their time,
patience, and belief in me. It hasn't always been
as glamourous as it appears. Many times I worked for
free, but I was happy just to get my toes or feet in
the door. I would work so hard, but always with a
smile on my face. You would have thought I was making
a million dollars!  

I can recall a time I came home from one of my credit
only- no pay jobs and wanted to run over my makeup cases
with my car, but I loved my car.  My mom asked me
what was wrong as I was screaming " I give up trying
to make people happy! "  I was working on a production
for Swan Lake with a bunch of little kids and this
evil stage mother was complaining about the way I did
her daughter's eyes. Finally, the department head
finished the makeup to calm her down. 

My mom told me that I was not quitting and that I shouldn't let
anyone run me away from something I loved to do. It
should always be my own decision.  Well, I quit the
job against my mother's wishes and had a pleasant day
at a baseball game with friends.  This experience has
been my nightmare, because I regret quitting and not
being able to redeem myself.  I did learn from this
regret and haven't quit a job since. I pride myself on
being able to turn a bad situation around with a
simple gesture or a smile. It took me all these years
but, I have adjusted well. 

As a makeup artist for KNBC for the past 10 years, 
I have worked with various personalities and can really 
hold my own. I don't take things personally!  Essentially, 
I become their therapist. My grandfather used to tell me 
"hard work will make a woman out of you", and I would always 
say "how much more woman do I need to be?" He is no
longer with us, but his wisdom remains. I can see why
he was my dad's hero. 

I feel like I am living my dream....What do you do
once you have accomplished your dream?  You set new
ones, so you don't become lazy!  I decided that it was
time to pursue a dream that was always in the back of
my mind as a teen.  I used to perform for my family
with my invisible microphone, singing my heart out. I
thought I was really good and wanted to go on Star
Search ( I am dating myself ). My parents never signed
me up for that..go figure.  

I still perform regularly for my boyfriend, who evidently thought 
I was so talented he bought me my first karaoke machine.   
He was probably tired of me singing with my telephone.
Imagine the surprise for him when I plugged it up into
the television and it echoed throughout the house.  I
become a completely different person with a microphone
and a few dance moves.  Although neither of my parents
are entertainers, I have always been around television
and radio. 

My dad is a successful sports broadcaster for ESPN and I 
have worked with him on several shows as his makeup artist. 
I have always been amazed how my dad has gone from being an 
athlete to broadcasting, acting, voiceovers, and commercials. I am 
proud to say he has picked up several Emmys along the way for his
hard work.  

I have learned a lot sitting in the booth listening to him and his 
colleague broadcasting the games. During my last visit, I realized
I really want to follow in my dad's footsteps.  I already have that
same gift of gab, so why not start in radio like he
has done?  We spoke about my interest in the business
and he said he would make some phone calls.  That
would be great, but I want to become very knowledgeable about 
whatever field I work in and learn from the beginning. I want to be 
taken seriously and don't  want people to think I am riding off my dad's
reputation. I tell him all the time "get me the phone number and I will win 
them over on my own."  Sometimes you only get one big shot and I never want
to blow by not being ready.  

I never have been afraid of making a fool of myself or
being rejected.  Modeling has made me quite accustomed
to being personally attacked and rejected on a regular
basis, but you get used to it. I am an adventurous
person and will try most things when challenged. 
March 12th was my 38th birthday and I decided to
confront my fear of heights by going skydiving. Of
course everyone thought I was insane!  The more people
told me they would never do it, the more I knew I
wouldn't back down.  Flying in the air at 13,000 feet
is the most calm place I have ever been. I felt
free..When my feet touched the ground, I told myself "
I can do anything, I am fearless! "

Lisa Morgan


When you learn,
                 TEACH
When you get
                  GIVE......Maya Angelou

Hi Phillip,

I am giving you an update on my mentorship....LOVE
IT!!! I met with John last Tuesday and got a tour of
the statio, KHTS. I met everyone there and got a feel
of how things run...busy is an understatement. I found
out my father's friend's wife works there and hosts a
show. I haven't met her yet, but I am sure it will
happen. I went back this week, with my first
assignment completed and John set me up, so I could
record commercials and listen back to them. My first
commercial was Nine Lives cat food...I woldn't buy it
based on how I sound. After John coached me, my second
one I believe I could sell their stock! It was very
exciting to hear the end result of my progress and I
can't wait to go back next week! I know my mentorship
is the beginning of something really big...THANK
YOU!!!  I will keep you posted as long as you can
stand to hear my excitement.

Thanks,
Lisa Morgan

Hi Phillip,

I just wanted to give you an update on my progress: I
recorded 2 commercial spots for KHTS today! I was sooo
excited when they asked me to do it. There was someone
who had left the station and they needed to replace
his spots with someon else's voice. The spots are Thai
Original BBQ and Nick and Willy's Pizza. It is very
cool to hear the finished spot with music and the
editing that can be done. I feel so very fortunate to
be able to do these things in such a great environment.
My job at KNBC is much more stressful, so it is nice
to be in a calm setting. I will keep you posted with
my progress and I hope this helps others who are
looking for training feel comfortable with this
program because it is the best way to go! I have the
best mentor ever!

Happy Holidays,
Lisa Morgan

Hi Phillip,


It has been a while since my last update; I have been
extremely busy! 

I have been working really hard with John Summers 
and at KHTS, a couple of days a week.  
    
I write news stories for KHTS' website then I write a
script for the story to record on air. I am getting
the best hands-on training possible. 

I also have done a segment on "Your L.A." for a company 
called Paige Denim. It was my 1st on camera hosting project 
and I loved it! My confidence is through the roof because 
of all my radio training I have received.   

I also found out that I am expecting a baby; some people 
even thought that it would put my training on hold. 
Well, I say to that, no way! No dreams deferred here..
my support system is the best and I am excited to keep 
going with my training throughout my pregnancy. 

Think of all the time I have to practice my reads while 
on maternity leave from my job. The biggest thrill for 
me right now is knowing I began this training and can 
make a better life for my child when I am finished with 
the program.

My boyfriend says he loves to hear the excitement in
my voice when I come home from working with John and
KHTS.  I always have something great to share! He
tells everyone his girlfriend is going to be a
superstar! I look forward to becoming a mentor someday
to someone who is passionate about their career like
myself. Until my next update.....

Thanks, 

Lisa Morgan