Listening is one of the most important aspects of improv, and like anything in improv, I try and use that in real life. Just over a year ago, we moved locations. Not because we were doing so well that we could afford a bigger place, but because our old place was weeks away from getting shut down. I didn't think we'd get the enthusiasm from our fans and students with that though, so I focused on the positives. I subtly let everyone know that our new opening was going to be rough, but I should have been very clear about it. I've spent the last year listening to everyone's advice on what to do. When you're spending money, advice is certainly plenty, but when your business seems to be struggling, advice is given by anyone with a mouth. I heard a number of ideas that simply weren't possible, like ideas that cost too much money or would cost too much time. I realize now that no one has any idea how many hours I put into the place outside of shows. I think most people assume I just make a stupid facebook page and show up next week. Besides classes and shows, I make the website, organize shows, clean the theatre, promote it, renovate it, etc. Anyways, we raised 5k through Kickstarter which just blew by with almost $2k towards a liquor license $1k on chairs, $1k on buying old supplies from our last location we were borrowing, and paint, a ladder ($300,) sound panels, and that money was gone. We raised $1k in shows, and that went just towards our deposit. We also needed to make an additional $3-400 more a month to pay the bills, which I was clearly naive in assuming we'd make instantly. Hell, we had to open after two weeks just so we could make money off shows again. The place wasn't ready, and wasn't good for performances. Those who believed little in me gave up quickly, and it's hard to blame them. After 4 long months, we were days away from losing everything before we even had our liquor license. We were about to be inspected for it, and couldn't even pay for the necessary repairs still. I asked for help from 3 great students, which helped primarily with funds or time. Between an additional $3k and 6 more hands, we were able to get it ready for our liquor license. Even if it meant only owning one quarter of my dream, I was just excited that this was still a possibility for Omaha. Selling beer made our weekly sales jump from $50 a week, to about $300 almost instantly. This made us able to start paying off bills we were behind and start doing more renovations. However, with 4X the help, people expected even more to get done, but those who helped me had themselves realized how much time went into running the place. I then was given back 50%. This made everyone who doubted me, doubt Backline all over again. With all profits going toward renovations, none of us had made a single dime outside classes, which were all too low of turnouts for. This made it even tougher knowing I had to once again quit my job and completely devote myself to Backline. After 1 year, we are finally getting the place everyone expected after 2 weeks. It took me a year to realize it was my fault for not being honest and open, let alone naive. Just because I only like to be idealistic and see potential, doesn't mean I can't see reality in the present, and I know now I should have labeled exactly what I saw. When you shoot for the moon, don't be discouraged if the bullet lands at your feet. Just make sure they saw you aim upwards, otherwise they'll just assume you tried to shoot yourself in the foot.
