Business Done Wrong

Okay, I’m going to give you guys some helpful tips, but keep it 100% real here.

People get tired of seeing my posts on every horror page. It’s not the first time I’ve heard it, but it certainly won’t be the last. When you have a passion, a goal, or genuinely want something so bad it hurts—you dive in head first.

Do you want to know the truth? I’m broke. I filed for my LLC this time last year and I severely underestimated how hard it would be to run a business, let alone work two jobs on the side. I never try to sugarcoat shit, and when I tell you something, i mean it. Jim and I decided last year that we would take this plunge. I filed, earned the name, and am an official business. C.D.C. Works isn’t just a play on words—it’s an actual business.

And it’s really fucking hard.

There’s days when I come home crying because I feel like I’m never going to equate to anything. Jim sometimes has to remind me of how far we’ve come, and that no business becomes a Forbes Fortune 500 contender overnight. Instant gratification is a bitch, and when you’re a woman, you’re hungrier than a bitch wolf for it.

Fast forward to a year, and in terms of my own craft and the business side of things, I guess I have more of a handle on it—but barely. Budgeting isn’t the easiest, and having to concentrate on work on Publix with this on the back of mind PLAGUES me. Publix isn’t what I want at all, and truth be told, my goal is to get the fuck out and do entertainment full-time.

You know what I DID learn, though? Social media is a motherfucker, but it’s an unfortunate, necessary evil in any business’ walk of life.

And I play the game, and I guess you could say, it’s a game of risk.

But, with any game I’d risk, comes a gamble of profit. I pay a SHIT TON in advertising on Instagram, and for anyone to say that “features” are free by hash tagging are bullshitting you. The truth is, 1/10 people on Instagram are featured by a hashtag. I think I’ve hashtagged every fucking word that’s associated with horror and got me DICK. I’m not saying don’t try, but I’m thinking that anything hashtagged garners more attention-who knows.

The sad reality is that you have to pay to play, and let me tell you—that shit adds up. And, what they don’t tell you is: when you DO start becoming noticed, people hate you for it.

And you’ll receive nasty comments.

And people will say they’re tired of you.

But you’re succeeding. While owning a business is a headache, it’s a blessing. What I can say is, all the money I’ve put into advertising I can write off during taxes—so it’s not entirely bad.

Moreover, the point of this long-winded diatribe, is to NEVER let those fuckers bring you down. No matter how many times your pic is posted; no matter how many times people say “I’m tired of this…” go. Keep going so much that big names DO notice…and it will happen. Paid advertising is a good way to get yourself out there if you’re looking to gain an audience rather fast, and the good thing about it, is you can write it off if you are a business. (Though, I wouldn’t suggest it if you’re filing as a sole entity.)

Shit is hard out there, and I’ve definitely seen the hatred for a lot of y’all because you are popular, but they can all suck a fuck. If you can swing it—pay for that promo. Fuck it; go all the damn way until your name is everywhere in lights. The way I see it, we only have one shot at this, and the only person that is going to help you more than anyone is yourself.

Everyone of you on this platform is capable of so much potential, and if you’re reading this doubting—don’t. Write up a game plan, work on that budget, file for that business, and GO GET YOUR DREAM.