BUSINESS PRACTICES

Slavery wasn't cool when it was legal, and it certainly shouldn't make a comeback--definitely not among people of color, in their dealings with one another.

 

At some point, one SHOULD profit from what one does regularly. If one does not, there's a problem. 

The time to find that one has been a volunteer is NOT after one has ASSUMED that one was an employee! 

The time to handle business is BEFORE the work begins. 

If those seeking one's services have a problem with that, one shouldn't panic. One should pass. 

Shady people will always find a patsy to do their bidding. It doesn't have to be you. You will have lost nothing by refusing to work for free. There are many reputable employers who will appreciate what you have to offer in a tangible way.

One should see the fruit of one's labor, and not always feel as if one has unintentionally given away so much of one's time and talent. 

It costs to work. 

One has to get there, right? Gasoline is not free. 

One has to be presentable. Utilities are not free. 

One has to invest in one's tools in order to do a good job. 

One needs food, clothing and shelter. 

Compensation from one's employment should take care of all of that. However, if one never, or rarely gets paid; 

if one has nothing to show after completing one's work except a depleted bank account, one has to conclude that it's one's own fault. 

If one works, one should be compensated fairly and in a timely manner. Smiles, handshakes and compliments don't pay one's bills. 

It IS possible to earn a reasonable living from one's passion, but one must be conscientious, and always remember: 

1. PEOPLE DO WHAT YOU ALLOW. 

2. IF PEOPLE CAN USE YOU, THEY WILL.

3. YOU TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO TREAT YOU.

4. YOUR WORTH MATTERS.

5. AN EMPHATIC "NO" CAN SAVE YOU A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY.

I admire people who figured out sooner, as opposed to later, that their time and effort is worth something. 

I admire those who put mechanisms in place to protect themselves, and handle their finances wisely. 

Not everyone is honest. I admire those those who are never so pressed, or so broke that they keep giving thieves the benefit of the doubt.

Unfortunately, there are many who say a reluctant "Yes", do the work--and do it well--but always come home empty handed...and disappointed...and disillusioned...and mad...at themselves...for trusting thieves...again.

You have to be very deliberate about what you do, and why. 

Know what you're getting into, and with whom you are working. People will exhaust and mishandle others, particularly if they know that there are ready and available replacements. 

Don't be gullible. Watch out for shady behavioral patterns, blatant lies, and lame excuses. 

Never find yourself blindsided by unscrupulous people. 

Don't be lax in business.

I get tickled by people who think I'm independently wealthy. 

It's their ignorance concerning the handling of business in music industry circles. 

No. There's no fat paycheck for a lot of what singers and musicians, and other creatives do--sometimes, even when there SHOULD be. There are a lot of glitzy, glam-filled freebies. 

Somebody is getting paid, but it's not the people on stage holding microphones and instruments. 

Every singer and musician is very acquainted with the IRS Form C.

I think about all of the times I've come home empty handed after having worked, and rationalized why it was okay. 

I did it just to make myself feel less like a dope. 

It never has been okay. 

Knowing that you have been used, cheated, and treated like you are dispensable never goes away. 

Knowing what you invested in a thing, and not being reimbursed, sucks. 

Finding out that you've been paid in food or other stuff that your creditors don't accept as negotiable tender, really sucks. 

Finding out that there was never an intention for you to be compensated is the grand poobah of suckage. 

There's just no excuse for stiffing people. NONE. 

There are a lot of dressed up, puffed up, strutting people with empty pockets and purses--hence their incessant hustling and grinding. 

Call it whatever you want to make yourself feel better, but many cease to enjoy what they do when it is valued, but they--as human beings--aren't. 

What one loves to do can become a chore when bills loom large, and compensation is consistently slow, low, or non-existent.

Music enthusiast and audience member, don't you diss your day job. The Joneses can barely keep up with themselves. 

Don't be fooled. 

Don't deceive yourself, be envious, or poo poo on your day job because of what you THINK the people on stages possess. 

Some people are living large because they have stolen from, and used many. 

Some people only appear to be living large because it's what they want others to think. 

Don't you look at the people on stages and think they have it better than you do. 

At least you can pay your bills in full and on time, and have some money in savings and a good credit rating. 

Go happily and gratefully to the place where you have a binding contract, and where someone makes sure that funds are directly deposited into your account on EVERY scheduled payday. 

Your job might not be fun or glamorous, but at least you know when, where, how, and how much you'll be paid, and no one will be looking at you cross-eyed as if you don't have a right to expect your money. 

No one will try to make you feel as if being a slave is a thing for which you should be grateful. 

Go to your job where no one will be ducking you at the end of your assignment, or giving you a check that bounces better than a new super ball. 

Don't you EVER apologize for being paid to work, EVER. 

Thank the Lord for wisdom, and a sense of responsibility. 

Don't get it twisted. Enjoy the show, but don't get caught up in the glitter. 

You're doing much better financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually than a lot of the people for whom you applaud--and it's past time for many of them to wake up, know their worth, and handle their business.