Well we have been on the road for quite some time. As we write this we are 30,000 feet in the air, flying from New Jersey (via Boston) back to Long Beach, where we then have a long drive ahead of us for another court hearing. Such is the life of the busy litigator, I suppose. Thank heavens for technology that allow us to be somewhat productive on many cases. We also saw the limits of technology and it has been a real lesson in seeing that part of the investment in the future is even better mobile tech and more human resources.
Because so much of our travels lately involve pending cases, we will not go into any great detail here. I can say that I am very proud of one client who handled herself very well in a new situation.
So what have we missed in the law, pop culture and wrestling? well, not too much but there was an experience at a local independent wresting show (in a location that will remain unnamed) that bears some mentioning. It was a program that had a good product inside the ring. When you have performers like Biff Busick, Colt Cabana, Chris Hero, Kenny Dyskstra, Mike Mondo, Bob Evans, The HeadBangers, Alexiss Nevaeh (sp), Tessa Blanchard, Brandon Locke, and Kevin Sullivan you are bound to get something right. But, that was not where trouble happened.
Like many industries, pro wrestling is a unique animal. But, its unique nature does not mean it is hard to figure out. It is still a business. And part of any business owner is knowing when you need to reach out for help. Independent wrestling has far too many people in the business promoting shows who have no business doing it. Not because they are stupid, but because people forget it is a BUSINESS. And sometime, in having fun in your business you can not forget that business is the priority. It means you, as a promoter or business owner have to get accustomed to contracts. You need to know or hire people who can lock you and vendors into the best possible contracts for your business ventures.
Too many business owners get screwed, or more accurately screw themselves, by not having a mind meld of sorts. Of not using advisors who have done what they are trying to do. People who have contacts and experience can help business owners not make the avoidable mistakes.
I should not have to remind you that you have to pay your people, but it happens. Listen carefully: The price of starting the business or sustaining the business, or promoting a show is the minimum you are willing to gamble. You can not hope for a future earning to meet your costs so you can pay your vendors and workers You need to have that money ready to go so that you can at least be known as a good pay-off person. Otherwise, you won’t be in business for long and you won’t keep your friends for long.
The other rule is to keep your family happy. Because businesses may come and go, but a great family can get you through almost any crisis.
On a personal note, we want to send our prayers and sympathies to one of my law classmates, Shelagh Newton Michaud, who lost her mother this week. For those of us of a certain age, we are watching our parents get vulnerable and pass on and there is no easy way to deal with it. All we can do is hope that they know that we know they loved us and gave it their best efforts in raising us. We can thank them and remember them by passing the lessons they gave us on. Especially the lessons about family.
Until next time