There is NO Loyalty: Family First

Last week I graduated from the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) Academy where I took part in a 6-week crash course in entertainment. Each week we covered a different under-pinning of the entertainment industry and had industry professionals as our teachers. Though each lesson was different and each speaker had different backgrounds, nearly all of them said the same thing, that in the entertainment industry there is no loyalty to you!! No matter how nice people may seem, no matter how secure you think you job is you should always be on your toes and look  for YOURSELF. . .ok with that said, I had a "teachable moment" today.

Before I continue, let me just say this. . . I am not upset at anyone, I am not venting (did that already) etc. I am simply sharing a learning  experience with my peeps. I am not placing blame on anyone. . .just stating facts.

Okay! So, this weekend I was able to spend it with my mommy! yay! She came all the way from Florida to see me graduate and spend some quality time since its been a few months since we have seen each other.  On Saturday I had a busy day so I had my mom basically "shadow" me for the day. She came with me to a BBQ/Volunteer recruitment event for my job and then to another BBQ in the Bronx for the studio where I do my show. We were suppose to head to another event but we were pooped so we headed home and made plans for the next day (today).

Fast forward to today, after church and brunch mommy and I wanted to check out the city some more, BUT I had a previous obligation (career related) that i committed to, so I couldn't spend the time needed with my mom. Long story short, after canceling on my mom and sending her on her way to NJ to a friend, I got LEFT! Yes. . .left! Everyone else was looking our for self and just DIPPED. . . Still remaining calm I told myself "it is what it is" and made my way to the venue... after about 20 mins of unanswered calls/texts my "partner" came out to "get me"... but the catch was that  I had to stand there and hope to be let in. . . fast forward 1 hour later, Buddy #1 that I contacted sent his assistant to tell me to go home. . . what a waste...

A waste of time. . . time that could be spend with my MOTHER. . .

So, this is what I took away from this experience:

1. People are always going to look out for themselves

2. Even if you THINK people have clout... never believe that...

3. If you don't give a security play, 2 years later he'll remember and NOT let you in to an event you want to be a part of.

4. ALWAYS BE ON TIME

5. Local hood events are stricter that the BET Awards/VMAs lol

Disclaimer - No one left me like "ef her" I mean someone did come out and try to talk to the people to get me in and I was told that people were inside trying to get me in. . .

Ok, so now I feel like crap for bailing on my mom to try and show loyalty to a group. . . but now I know, family will always come first!

Success With Or Without Them

 "I woke up today only to really realize that I can't make anyone want my dream for me. . . even though I may know ppl who can get me a step closer to where I need to be, they really don't have to and I need to learn how to NOT to take it personal. . . What's for ME will BE. . . with or without their help! ;-D"

That was my facebook status this morning. 

I really wanted to continue on with it, but there wasn't enough room. (darn those 240 character limits. . .)

But all jokes aside, this is something that i've struggled with. Knowing that I have people in either my close circle, network or past that have the connections/abilities to get me to where I need to be. . . yet they don't. I use to think that because they didn't go out of their way to give me a shoe in, or mention me to the right people, that they didn't support or believe in me, but I know better now. . . that's all in my head and even if its true, it doesn't matter. God is with me, so I don't need them. . . . or do I ?

Sometimes life in NYC gets hard. I am away from many of my friends and family and I constantly questions if the move here was worth it. I know without a doubt that if i remained in Florida, I'd be living out a portion of my dream. I'd be hosting a radio show, doing live remotes, building up my air check and working on my next steps. But, instead, I am working at a 9-5 that I always vowed I'd never do. I am networking in the meantime, but I am at the point where I am like, does it even matter? What's the point of networking/be friending young executives, PR people, artists, videographer/photographers, promoters, djs etc who aren't doing for me?  They say its not what you do, but who you know. . . what happens when you know the right people. . . but there is no support?

That's a question that I can continue to ask, but i'll never get the answer that i want . . .

Until then, its just me and my dreams. . .

NYC. . . If i can make it here, I can make it anywhere. . .

The Journey Begins. . .

Welcome to my memoirs. . . this blog will be a bit different from the other one. . . this one is the more personal side of me. This blog will take you on a journey into my life. . . the ups, the downs and the crazy times in between. I'll be venting on this blog. . . i'll be sharing ideas. . .i'll be sharing stories. . .I'll be starting debates. . . I hope that you can take something away from this blog.
Stay tuned. . .
The journey has just begun!