Dean to Supreme Dream

A Career ReInvention Story

Tom Ingrassia

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Your former work?

Higher education administration. Most recently I was assistant dean for academic affairs at the business school of a major New England university.

Your new work?

I operate my own entertainment management agency, Ingrassia Artist Management. I'm also a motivational lecturer and life coach, focusing on the achievement of one's dreams. I've packaged my '60s music memorabilia into a traveling museum exhibit, and I lecture on "Motown and the Civil Rights Movement."

What or who inspired you to make the change?

As an 11 year old "white bread boy," totally caught up in the Beatlemania craze sweeping the country in 1964, I heard the most exquisite sound coming out of my ever-present transistor radio …The Supremes! I was in love, and my life changed forever. Later that same year, when I saw The Supremes on the "Ed Sullivan Show" for the first time, I remember turning to my mother and saying, "I'm going to meet them someday."

And that's exactly what happened! 8 years later, I interviewed Mary Wilson of The Supremes for a magazine article. We formed a close friendship that's lasted more than 30 years. In 2001, Mary asked me to work for her full time, managing her merchandise business and serving as her executive assistant. I submitted my resignation to the university the very next day! And I've never looked back.

My other influence has been my wife, Barbara. Were it not for her unwavering support—especially when I gave up a high paying job with great benefits to work for myself!—I couldn't do what I am doing today. And, as Barbara is quick to point out, she provides the health insurance for our family!

What was the biggest hurdle to making the change?

Fear! "Normal" people don't give up the security of a "normal" job to go into show business. What if I failed? What if people laughed at me (and some did!)? What if things didn't work out as I'd planned? Others believed in me more than I believed in myself.

Can you map out what steps you took in this transition?

How did you start?
Growing up in the '60s, I thought this was just a silly little pipe dream. But I started keeping scrapbooks, collecting memorabilia, and learning as much as I could about the history of popular music. By the early '70s, I had started to write articles for music publications.
Did you consult someone?
I knew this was the work I wanted to do. It always had been! So I really didn't consult anyone other than my wife and a few close friends—all of whom told me I'd be a fool not to grab the opportunity.
Did you read books?
Of course, I had been studying pop music for many years. But I also started to read books about the business side of the entertainment industry. Most of this has been on-the-job learning, though!
Did you take any self assessment tests?
No.
How did you define what was right for you?
It was a gut feeling. The fact that I didn't hesitate to quit my "day job" immediately was a sure sign for me that this was the right thing to do.

What skills from your old job are useful in your new?

I use virtually the same skill set today as I did in academia: verbal and written communication, time management, organization, project management, negotiation, and yes, even advising and counseling!

Anything you miss about the old career?

Since I work from home, I do sometimes miss having office mates and colleagues close at hand. On the other hand, now I can multi-task: throw a load of laundry in while I check email, take a break to work in the garden, etc.

How do you feel now that you've taken the leap?

There is nothing in the world like knowing that you are living your dream! In many ways, inside, I am still that little 11-year-old boy, caught up in the glamour and glitter I saw on television, and I never want to lose that "golly gosh" feeling.

Now when you go to a party, how do you introduce yourself?

Even though I work around celebrities and travel the globe, I am still just plain old Tom Ingrassia. But in social settings, I always make a point of telling people that I am living, breathing proof that dreams can come true … if you believe they do!

Photo: Tom and Barbara Ingrassia flank Mary Wilson, courtesy Tom Ingrassia Productions