We Speak Business

Hollywood’s “Transformational Success Coach” gives last masterclass in London

Published

3 years ago

August 29, 2023

Actors and artists who want to achieve greater success in their career need to move fast to book the last spots on Bernard Hiller’s London Transformational Masterclass. Held from 4-7 September 2023, this is the internationally renowned acting and life coach’s last masterclass for a while, before he flies back to LA to coach Lindsay Lohan on her next Netflix movie. He’s worked with her on her last two projects.

Bernard is also gearing up to film and produce his script ‘Brundibar’, with Andy Serkis (‘Venom’, ‘Black Panther’, ‘Lord of the Rings’) directing. Bernard has worked with and coached actors including Cameron Diaz, Jeff Goldblum, LL Cool J and Evan Peters, as well as helping entrepreneurs, CEOs and business people find their unique path to greater communication and success.

Previous attendees at his masterclasses have described it as a life-changing experience with lasting results. Known by some as a ‘transformational wizard’, Bernard has been holding masterclasses in London for the past 18 years with the aim of helping actors, artists and business people discover their true potential. His revolutionary methods and techniques get them to the next level in their careers, and he also brings actors to the attention of Hollywood and the London film industry. Bernard said: “In the London Masterclass I always find amazing British actors that I bring to meet the Hollywood industry. Several of them are now working here, and some are even living in LA.

Bernard began his showbusiness career 35 years ago in Broadway musicals, before moving to LA and training some of the finest actors in film and television. This summer he appeared at the Ischia Global Fest film festival in Italy and also led a massive event at Mindvalley in Tallinn, Estonia, where he was considered the best transformational speaker. Quotes from participants included:

“Absolutely amazing and life-changing.”

“So charismatic and impactful.”

“Truly a profound experience. I felt this seminar more than any other allowed me to go deep, create a shift in my energy, my patterns and my life.”

“Hands down, the best talk I ever heard.”

Bernard’s masterclasses include emotional exercises, dance, scene study, character development, business skills and more. He also often invites industry guests to speak – past guests include Baz Luhrmann, Bryan Cranston and Al Pacino.

Bernard said: “We cover everything that is stopping you from living 100% of your potential. From blocks and fears to creating a path for your success.”

“No one has ever come out of these classes the same that they came in. It’s pure transformation.”

He continued: “People are like an orchestra. They must find different parts of themselves, so they play in harmony. I teach my actors to lean into their vulnerability, be led by their heart, and act from their instincts. This profession requires us to run towards who we really are, not run away from it. I prepare them to be the actors of the future.”

Last year, Bernard published his book, ‘The Revolutionary Guide To Acting’, which shot to number 1 on Amazon and is now available in Spanish. It provides the success secrets that movie stars and top CEOs know and, most importantly, helps the reader overcome doubts and negativity that have prevented them from living the life and career they’ve always desired. This book will transform your thinking.

Participants can book their place on the September masterclass at: https://bernardhiller.com/acting-classes/london/. Space is limited and there is an interview process.

Featured photo by Karen Harms

We Speak Business

Funl Raises $2.5 Million at a $10 Million Post-Money Valuation to Transform How Creators Bring Events to Life

Published

2 weeks ago

October 2, 2026

Olivia Long

Creator-Built Funl Secures Nearly 20 Investors and $150,000 Grant to Accelerate Demand-Driven Event Platform Development

Funl, a demand-driven event platform that helps Creators understand what their fans want and are willing to pay for before committing to an event, has raised $2.5 million at a $10 million post-money valuation.

The funding round includes nearly 20 private investors and will support the continued development and expansion of Funl’s technology. The company has also received a $150,000 Nebraska Innovation Fund Prototype Grant through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to further support platform development.

Funl was founded by longtime touring musicians Bryan Olesen and John Wooten, whose experiences with the band VOTA inspired the platform.

While touring, Olesen and Wooten frequently found themselves with open dates between larger shows while fans in nearby markets were asking for opportunities to see them perform. Booking additional traditional concerts required financial commitments without knowing whether enough fans would attend.

That experience led them to experiment with house concerts and smaller events between tour dates. The idea eventually became Funl: a platform that allows Creators to test demand and pricing before an event is produced.

“Funl really came from us trying to solve our own problem as Creators,” says Bryan Olesen, co-founder and CEO of Funl. “We experienced the uncertainty of committing to events without knowing if the demand was really there. At the same time, we had fans who wanted more unique and personal opportunities to experience the band. We started experimenting with house concerts and smaller events, and realized there was something much bigger in that idea.”

Turning Fan Demand Into Real Events

Funl allows Creators to propose unique experiences and gives fans the opportunity to back the events they want to see happen.

Fans submit private bids for experiences, helping Creators understand both demand and potential pricing before committing to an event. Fans are only charged if they become winning bidders and the Creator’s hidden reserve is met. If the reserve is not reached, the event does not take place and bidders are not charged.

The model can be used for a wide range of experiences, including concerts, rooftop performances, private training sessions, meet-and-greets, athlete experiences, professional workshops and other events that may not fit traditional ticketing models.

“Some of the most interesting experiences are the ones that might never be created under the traditional model because nobody knows whether the demand is there,” Olesen says. “Funl lets a Creator put an idea in front of their audience and ask, ‘Would you want this, and what would it be worth to you?’ The fans help provide the answer before the Creator takes the risk.”

Building a Demand Layer for the Creator Economy

The new investment and Nebraska Innovation Fund grant will help Funl continue developing its platform and make demand-driven events more accessible to Creators and their audiences.

With nearly 20 investors supporting the company and a $10 million post-money valuation, Funl is entering its next phase focused on technology development, Creator adoption and expanding the types of experiences that can be brought to life through fan-backed demand.

The company’s vision goes beyond traditional event ticketing. Funl aims to help Creators discover opportunities that may otherwise never happen because there is no reliable way to measure demand in advance.

“We think there are millions of potential experiences sitting between Creators and their audiences that never happen because neither side has had an effective way to discover the demand,” Olesen says. “Our goal with Funl is to create that connection.”

For fans, Funl provides a way to help bring unique experiences to life. For Creators, it offers a new way to test demand, explore market-driven pricing and make more informed decisions before taking on the financial risk of producing an event.