Comments on: Start Your Own Company On the Side While Acting http://theactingroom.com/2010/08/05/start-your-own-company-on-the-side-while-acting/ The Acting Room is a place by actors for actors. Sun, 20 May 2012 03:22:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Kirsten Tretbar http://theactingroom.com/2010/08/05/start-your-own-company-on-the-side-while-acting/#comment-350 Kirsten Tretbar Tue, 08 Feb 2011 04:43:50 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2010/08/05/start-your-own-company-on-the-side-while-acting/#comment-350 Dear Martha, Sorry it's taken me awhile to reply, but I wanted to do so. Gosh, so many of us have been out of work and totally flat broke. I think I should start a blog just about that -- a whole generation (or two or three) who's had MAJOR struggles just to keep their car payments paid and their hopes up, and keep on looking for work. So many talented and highly trained professional brilliant people like you (and me! ha) out there who try their best, do everything right, pray all the right prayers, help their families and their aging parents, and struggling husbands and kids, and wives, and on and on, and something seems to be holding them up. WHERE ARE THE JOBS? WHERE IS THE WORK? IS THERE ANY BODY OUT THERE? haha! It's like a wall that you just can't get around. We can take anti-depressants, read all the right books, have faith, and STILL, it seems years can go by and nothing changes, and after awhile, we lose our sparkle, we lose our old funny selves, our creativity, we get angry and depressed. It's so justified, it really is. No one told us our lives would be such a struggle. I say all this because I too, yes, this gal who writes this blog, who acts like she has all the answers, doesn't seem to know how to "get it right" either. All I can say is to be gentle with yourself, and have hope. Even when you do try to start a new company yourself, it can be so hard. My company has gotten lots of press, even a great huge article in the KC Star, and we've not had the customers we'd thought we'd get. It's tough to say the least. I think it's the economy. It's so hard isn't it? It's like we're fighting this mythical giant called "the economy." How do you fight something you're not in control of, something you can't see or persuade? I don't know. If I did, I'd be rich. ha! My best advice to you is to look back to what you always loved. This seems to be acting. FOLLOW YOUR BISS as Joseph Campbell said. You sound so talented. And you DID do all that Clown work and training, and that sounds like so much fun. I know it's hard to do something that maybe felt like it had failed in the past, or something that seems now for you, like it's too young or something, or something that you did "way back when" and it's no longer you, but it probably is STILL YOU! I'm in the process of really getting back into acting myself too, along with this new travel venture. And it's terrifying, and thrilling, and inspiring, and I lie awake in bed thinking about producing my own play and starring in it, and I feel like I'm 18 again! - at age 44! So go for it my friend. Start slowly, but have hope. I have restarted doing all the work from my favorite inspirational book, Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way." I can not TELL you how much it's changed my life in only a few short, 6 weeks! Yep! Go out and get that book and start doing it. As someone with lots of faith as I see you are, you will love it. It's all about reconnecting with your higher power, God, and getting into the flow of his power, and rethinking who you once were, and wanted to be, and giving yourself the time to rethink about what you'd still like to be. Again, be gentle with yourself, keep it simple as they say in the 12 Step world, and keep coming back (to you! - and to your faith!) Hang in there, and please stay in touch and tell all of us what you decide to do. I wish all my deepest hope and encouragement. You sound like a totally fascinating and wonderful spirit! You deserve to be so happy. One more thought. Even I have had some bouts in the last few years where I've had to live with relatives when my husband got laid off after we moved to Chicago with everything, only to have no work, and then no new work to be found, no matter how many interviews we both did. I am constantly trying to thank my lucky stars (and my god and angels) that at least I do HAVE family I can live with and count on. There are so many people who are really on the verge of total homelessness. Sometimes, you really have to be so grateful just to have a nice bed, a roof over your head, and family that's still alive. I know though how it feels to be in your middle years and feel that others may think you're a loser. I sometimes feel so embarrassed at getting help from a 75 year old mother, and then I think, but at least she CAN give me help, and at least I AM trying, and at least I DO have my health and lots of love from my friends and family. I am SO FAR from being a loser that I laugh at myself when I'm feeling in my power that I ever thought that. Those people who may judge you as weird or a loser or not having your act together, they have no CLUE what you've gone through, how hard you work to find work, how professional you are, do they? I think those people should no longer be in your life. Real friends GET IT! They get you! I have often totally had to let go of my ego, and my desire to be rich and famous, and think, "I can help others. I can also let others help me." That's a HUGE lesson I sometimes think God is teaching me when I go through hardships like these. Even if those hardships may seem like they are lasting YEARS. Remember. God knows exactly what he's doing at all times. Exactly. We may not know now, but he may be trying to teach us a major lesson. The less we try to control and understand, and the less we try to live in some fantasy future, the better. It's so hard when you've had success in your life (I have, I had money, a house, a big film career, you name it)... so hard for those of us who really want to "be somebody" -- but I also think just "being" is a real lesson, and I think it's something God tries to teach all of us every day. Okay -- enough! I am blabbering on and on. But sometimes it's just great to tell it like it is, and to tell people the truth, and the truth always inspires me, so I hope it can inspire you too. You are not alone. You are one of millions of brothers and sisters, men and women, who are searching and trying, and I guess for all of us, it's just time to let go, and LET GOD. Lots of love to you and I hope the very best for your future. You are a precious person, that much is clear. You deserve joy, happiness, abundance, success, and serenity. Your life will change. I know it. You are strong, and you have faith! God Bless You Too Martha - Kirsten Dear Martha,
Sorry it’s taken me awhile to reply, but I wanted to do so. Gosh, so many of us have been out of work and totally flat broke. I think I should start a blog just about that — a whole generation (or two or three) who’s had MAJOR struggles just to keep their car payments paid and their hopes up, and keep on looking for work. So many talented and highly trained professional brilliant people like you (and me! ha) out there who try their best, do everything right, pray all the right prayers, help their families and their aging parents, and struggling husbands and kids, and wives, and on and on, and something seems to be holding them up. WHERE ARE THE JOBS? WHERE IS THE WORK? IS THERE ANY BODY OUT THERE? haha! It’s like a wall that you just can’t get around. We can take anti-depressants, read all the right books, have faith, and STILL, it seems years can go by and nothing changes, and after awhile, we lose our sparkle, we lose our old funny selves, our creativity, we get angry and depressed. It’s so justified, it really is. No one told us our lives would be such a struggle. I say all this because I too, yes, this gal who writes this blog, who acts like she has all the answers, doesn’t seem to know how to “get it right” either. All I can say is to be gentle with yourself, and have hope. Even when you do try to start a new company yourself, it can be so hard. My company has gotten lots of press, even a great huge article in the KC Star, and we’ve not had the customers we’d thought we’d get. It’s tough to say the least. I think it’s the economy. It’s so hard isn’t it? It’s like we’re fighting this mythical giant called “the economy.” How do you fight something you’re not in control of, something you can’t see or persuade? I don’t know. If I did, I’d be rich. ha! My best advice to you is to look back to what you always loved. This seems to be acting. FOLLOW YOUR BISS as Joseph Campbell said. You sound so talented. And you DID do all that Clown work and training, and that sounds like so much fun. I know it’s hard to do something that maybe felt like it had failed in the past, or something that seems now for you, like it’s too young or something, or something that you did “way back when” and it’s no longer you, but it probably is STILL YOU! I’m in the process of really getting back into acting myself too, along with this new travel venture. And it’s terrifying, and thrilling, and inspiring, and I lie awake in bed thinking about producing my own play and starring in it, and I feel like I’m 18 again! - at age 44! So go for it my friend. Start slowly, but have hope. I have restarted doing all the work from my favorite inspirational book, Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way.” I can not TELL you how much it’s changed my life in only a few short, 6 weeks! Yep! Go out and get that book and start doing it. As someone with lots of faith as I see you are, you will love it. It’s all about reconnecting with your higher power, God, and getting into the flow of his power, and rethinking who you once were, and wanted to be, and giving yourself the time to rethink about what you’d still like to be. Again, be gentle with yourself, keep it simple as they say in the 12 Step world, and keep coming back (to you! - and to your faith!) Hang in there, and please stay in touch and tell all of us what you decide to do. I wish all my deepest hope and encouragement. You sound like a totally fascinating and wonderful spirit! You deserve to be so happy. One more thought. Even I have had some bouts in the last few years where I’ve had to live with relatives when my husband got laid off after we moved to Chicago with everything, only to have no work, and then no new work to be found, no matter how many interviews we both did. I am constantly trying to thank my lucky stars (and my god and angels) that at least I do HAVE family I can live with and count on. There are so many people who are really on the verge of total homelessness. Sometimes, you really have to be so grateful just to have a nice bed, a roof over your head, and family that’s still alive. I know though how it feels to be in your middle years and feel that others may think you’re a loser. I sometimes feel so embarrassed at getting help from a 75 year old mother, and then I think, but at least she CAN give me help, and at least I AM trying, and at least I DO have my health and lots of love from my friends and family. I am SO FAR from being a loser that I laugh at myself when I’m feeling in my power that I ever thought that. Those people who may judge you as weird or a loser or not having your act together, they have no CLUE what you’ve gone through, how hard you work to find work, how professional you are, do they? I think those people should no longer be in your life. Real friends GET IT! They get you! I have often totally had to let go of my ego, and my desire to be rich and famous, and think, “I can help others. I can also let others help me.” That’s a HUGE lesson I sometimes think God is teaching me when I go through hardships like these. Even if those hardships may seem like they are lasting YEARS. Remember. God knows exactly what he’s doing at all times. Exactly. We may not know now, but he may be trying to teach us a major lesson. The less we try to control and understand, and the less we try to live in some fantasy future, the better. It’s so hard when you’ve had success in your life (I have, I had money, a house, a big film career, you name it)… so hard for those of us who really want to “be somebody” — but I also think just “being” is a real lesson, and I think it’s something God tries to teach all of us every day. Okay — enough! I am blabbering on and on. But sometimes it’s just great to tell it like it is, and to tell people the truth, and the truth always inspires me, so I hope it can inspire you too. You are not alone. You are one of millions of brothers and sisters, men and women, who are searching and trying, and I guess for all of us, it’s just time to let go, and LET GOD. Lots of love to you and I hope the very best for your future. You are a precious person, that much is clear. You deserve joy, happiness, abundance, success, and serenity. Your life will change. I know it. You are strong, and you have faith!
God Bless You Too Martha
- Kirsten

]]> By: martha http://theactingroom.com/2010/08/05/start-your-own-company-on-the-side-while-acting/#comment-338 martha Fri, 14 Jan 2011 02:08:44 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2010/08/05/start-your-own-company-on-the-side-while-acting/#comment-338 Thank you for those words of encouragement. I too am out of work and a widow. I find myself 'floundering' around trying to get back something that I feel I have lost. I have a bba and mba and can not seem to find a JOB because of my AGE. And, it is hard living off of friends and family members at this stage of my life. I was happy to get a small part in a commercial yesterday and found that I am so GOOD at what I do... I want MORE of it! So, your information today may just be the thing to help me ... start my own business again. I use to own Clown Town USA in CA and I trained people to be clowns and we did fund raising events for charities throughout the state. I know a lot more about business, people and acting... I may just have to encourage myself to put together a plan... Would be nice to have other christian professionals involved to get it off the ground. Must pray about it some more. God bless you and your wonderful journey with your mom. martha Thank you for those words of encouragement. I too am out of work and a widow. I find myself ‘floundering’ around trying to get back something that I feel I have lost. I have a bba and mba and can not seem to find a JOB because of my AGE. And, it is hard living off of friends and family members at this stage of my life.

I was happy to get a small part in a commercial yesterday and found that I am so GOOD at what I do… I want MORE of it! So, your information today may just be the thing to help me … start my own business again.

I use to own Clown Town USA in CA and I trained people to be clowns and we did fund raising events for charities throughout the state. I know a lot more about business, people and acting… I may just have to encourage myself to put together a plan… Would be nice to have other christian professionals involved to get it off the ground.

Must pray about it some more. God bless you and your wonderful journey with your mom. martha

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