Craig Hogan is an Irish dancer, actor, and choreographer from Cork, Ireland, whose career spans live performance, film, and international entertainment. Recognized for his work in dance and his growing presence in the industry, Hogan was named Emerging Dance Artist of the Year at Dance Awards Ireland in 2025 and received the Best Dancer award at the World Entertainment Awards in Los Angeles in 2026. Alongside his performance career, he has worked as a choreographer and educator, continuing to pursue creative opportunities while encouraging other aspiring entertainers. In this interview, Hogan discusses the importance of networking, personal growth, creativity, and staying committed to your goals.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I believe it’s important to focus on my physical and mental health when I’m not working on projects. That includes things like going to the gym and meeting up with friends.
I find that doing those things is what helps me stay productive, rather than constantly working or being active on a project. Taking time for myself and focusing on my well-being makes a difference in how productive I am.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I think my ideas come to life through music. Music is one of the main things that inspires me.
When I’m out on a walk listening to some of my favorite songs, I find that all my ideas start coming to life, and it helps me actually do something with them.
I find music to be a really calm and safe space. I’m very much a pop and R&B person, but I also love a good bit of rap.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I think one of the most exciting things is seeing more international talent making their mark in entertainment.
This year alone, I’ve noticed so many international Emmy winners, Grammy winners, and Oscar winners.
I think it shows that it’s possible to achieve that big American dream if you work hard enough, and that anything is possible.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I find journaling helps me be more productive, especially when it comes to writing down my tasks.
Before I go to bed, I write down everything I want to do the next day in my Notes app. I find that having everything written out helps me stay on track and makes it easier to focus on what I need to accomplish.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would say not to rush things. It’s okay to feel behind because everyone is on a different journey, and I think comparing yourself to other people doesn’t always help.
Focusing on yourself and working your hardest is the most important thing. I think it’s okay to compare yourself to others if you’re using that comparison to help yourself improve. But if you’re constantly thinking that someone else is doing better than you, it’s not good for your mental health.
I think having a goal in mind and working toward that goal is ultimately the best way to approach things.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I completely disagree with the idea that talent always beats connections.
You could be the most talented person in the world, but if you don’t have the opportunity to pursue your career, it’s going to be very difficult to make it happen. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it’s definitely a lot harder.
I have lots of friends pursuing the same careers, goals, and aspirations as me, and some of them just don’t have the connections to make it work.
The best advice I would give anyone is to speak with everyone and be kind to everyone. I’ve met so many amazing connections simply through being friends with people, and it’s helped me so much along the way.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I would say not giving up, because you’re going to fail hundreds of times. Nobody starts something and succeeds straight away.
I think if you love what you do, there should be no reason to stop doing it. Just keep at it because repetition will only make you better.
Finding your passion in what you do is so important. If you love what you do, I believe success will always follow.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I actually find listening to music helps a lot with that.
Sometimes listening to podcasts can help as well, just having something to distract your mind for a little while.
Even going to the gym really helps me. I find that those things help me clear my mind and get back on track.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I change my strategy all the time because I think you always need to be trying new methods.
I’ve found that social media is actually one of the most powerful ways to advance your career. I think in almost any career, social media is extremely powerful.
I underestimated it in the past, but now I see how many opportunities can come from it. I’ve had people reach out to me saying they saw a video I posted or saw me at an event through social media. Those interactions have actually translated into more opportunities because you’re creating an audience for yourself.
Someone once told me that when you’re making videos for TikTok or Instagram, you’re technically your own producer, editor, and writer all at the same time.
You’re not just making a video. You’re producing it, writing it, and editing it. It’s similar to what producers do for a two-hour film, just on a much smaller scale.
I find that social media has been one of the biggest ways I’ve elevated my career to the next level.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I would definitely say trusting too many people.
There are a lot of people out there who you think have your best interests at heart, and they really don’t. I think you need to be very cautious about who you let manage your career.
Personally, I’ve found that the best way to overcome that is by going all in on yourself.
Doing a lot more of my work in-house and not relying as much on external management has really helped me. I’ve found that being as independent as possible has helped take my career to the next level.
I personally think having control over your own work is one of the most powerful things you can have.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
For anyone pursuing a career, I think you need to have a talk with yourself and really decide what you want.
I think if you really want something, you’ll do it. That’s the number one takeaway for me.
I was actually speaking with someone yesterday and told them that I knew from the age of 12 that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I knew I was going to go all in, and that this was the career I wanted.
When it comes to expanding your career and making it bigger, I would say widening your network is one of the most important things you can do.
Having a strong network of people in the same industry really helps. If someone in your network is getting good opportunities, it becomes easier for you to connect with those opportunities as well.
The number of jobs I’ve gotten just from knowing people is absolutely incredible.
I would say expand your network, get to know people, and most importantly, believe in yourself. That’s the number one thing you have to do.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I would definitely say AI.
I know it’s a controversial one, but I find that AI can do almost anything these days. You can put so many different things into it, and it can be incredibly helpful.
I find it’s great for journaling and coming up with ideas. For social media, it’s incredible for developing concepts and even figuring out the best edits to use.
It can also help when you’re feeling unproductive and want to find ways to make your day more productive.
I genuinely think AI is one of the best technologies to ever exist, and it’s being used everywhere now.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I would probably say self-care.
I think self-care is one of the most important things you can do, whether that’s getting a massage, a facial, or anything along those lines.
I find that treating yourself to a calm, relaxing environment is incredible.
Another thing I would say is food. I find food can give you a sense of comfort, and it makes me happy.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I would say Rich Dad Poor Dad.
I think it really teaches you about the business side of your industry. It’s not directly linked to entertainment, but I feel like a lot of what it teaches can apply to entertainment.
At the end of the day, you want to make money doing what you do. I think that’s everyone’s goal. You don’t want to be a struggling artist.
So I definitely find that Rich Dad Poor Dad is one of my ultimate books to read.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Recently, I’ve actually been rewatching the series Unbelievable. I think it’s really relatable in 2026.
I’ve also been rewatching Adolescence. I know that was more of a last-year series, but it’s still very popular, and it’s one I’ve been watching again.
Key learnings
- Networking can be just as important as talent. Craig Hogan emphasizes that building genuine relationships, treating people with kindness, and expanding your professional network can create opportunities that talent alone may not provide.
- Consistency and perseverance are essential to success. Failure is an inevitable part of pursuing ambitious goals. Craig believes that continuing to practice, improve, and stay committed to something you genuinely love is what ultimately drives progress.
- Personal well-being directly influences productivity. Rather than constantly working, Craig prioritizes physical and mental health through exercise, time with friends, and self-care. He also uses nightly journaling to organize his priorities and approach each day with greater focus.
- Social media allows individuals to create their own opportunities. Craig credits platforms like Instagram and TikTok with helping advance his career, explaining how creating content enables aspiring professionals to develop their personal brands, demonstrate their abilities, and connect with new audiences.
- Taking ownership of your career creates greater independence. After learning the importance of being selective about whom to trust professionally, Craig has embraced managing more of his work independently. He believes maintaining creative control and trusting your own judgment are valuable parts of building a sustainable career.