Thomas Ingrassia - Artist Management, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach
Thomas Ingrassia fell in love with Show business back in the '60s. Before he had reached 12 years old, Thomas had made his mind up. Meeting up with Mary Wilson from the Supremes was the turning point. Read on to find out how Thomas went on with his success.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE BEGINS WITH YOU…
SO LIVE INTO YOUR DREAMS!
Music…that’s all I ever wanted. Music and the chance to make a difference in someone’s life. But growing up, they said I wasn’t good enough—that I didn’t have any talent. But I had a dream….
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Do you have dreams?
Do you believe in your dreams?
Do you truly believe that your dreams WILL come true?
I am living, breathing proof that dreams DO come true. It’s not always easy. In fact, it’s never easy. But, if you believe in your dreams—and have the faith and courage to follow your heart, than I guarantee that your dreams will come true. Mine is a story demonstrating the importance of believing in yourself, seizing opportunities when they are presented, and persevering until you attain your goals—no matter the obstacles!
Growing up in the 1960s, I fell in love with show business. I wanted to be part of the glamour and glitter. And then it happened….December 27, 1964. I was 11 years old and watching the Ed Sullivan Show—as we all did in the ‘60s, right? And there they were…right there in my living room. Three dreamgirls, whom I idolized, singing only to me! The Supremes. I turned to my mother and said, “I’m gonna meet them some day.” Something inside my soul moved as I watched that performance, and I realize now that I was fortunate to find my passion so early.
Fast forward to 1972. As a 19 year old college student, I wrote an article about The Supremes, submitting it to magazine after magazine…and getting rejection slip after rejection slip. Until an editor called and said, “we’ll publish your piece if you get an interview with them.” Coincidentally, The Supremes were performing near where I lived. I went to the show, sent a note backstage asking for an interview. Out comes a burly bodyguard, handing me a slip of paper, “Come back after the show, Tom, and I’ll give you that interview,” signed…Mary Wilson! And that article was the first of 25 pop culture articles I have published. I was on my way. It had been less than 8 years since that little boy told his mother, “I’m gonna meet them some day.” And then I spent the next 25 years working as a higher education administrator.
Fast forward again to 2001. Mary Wilson and I stayed in touch and I occasionally worked with her on special projects. In April of that year, Mary asked me to become her executive assistant, managing her merchandising business (Supreme Legacy ™), and occasionally traveling with her. This was my golden opportunity, and I wasn’t about to let it slip from my grasp. I marched in to my university office the next day, resignation in hand.
Today, because I now believe in myself and my dreams, my life has changed dramatically. I manage a roster of 15 eclectic musicians, 6 of whom are based outside the U.S. Along the way, I have had the opportunity to work with 60s legends including Mary Wilson; Arlene Smith of The Chantels; Barbara Alston of The Crystals (ghost wrote her 2007 autobiography); June Monteiro of The Toys; Carl Gardner of The Coasters (edited his 2006 autobiography)—the very people I grew up listening to and idolizing. I have worked on PBS concert specials, and exhibitions at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I travel the country with my own motivational lecture, “Making A Difference Begins With You…So Live Into Your Dreams,” as well as 60s pop culture lecture programs. Me…that little boy with a little boy’s dreams, doing the work I was born to do. I still believe in chasing dreams—and I have never looked back.
It’s just like in the Wizard of Oz—when you know your mind, when you know your heart, when you know your courage—when you know yourself—you can accomplish amazing things!
Van Gogh said, “I dream my painting, then I paint my dream.” My motto is, “learn from the turtle. It only makes progress when it sticks its neck out.” I don’t care if you are 15 or 25, 55 (as I am!) or 95—never give up your dreams! Have the courage to follow your heart. Your heart will never steer you in the wrong direction—because it is through your heart that the Universe speaks to you. And you will find your dream in that place where your mind meets your heart and your soul.
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