FanNation

A "Golden Ticket." That's the offer I put on the table today. For a student. Or two. Maybe more. Depends on who recognizes it for its potential.

I last saw her in high school. She sat in front of me in math class during my senior year. We were good friends. I played the trusting confidant well, all the while secretly possessing a mad crush. 

"You have a 'firm' now?" I said. "Your own firm? How. How did this happen?" (after 25 years, finally a phone conversation).

After high school, she took her talent in art on the road, showing her portfolio to anyone who'd listen. Won awards, received praise, earned not enough. Then got married. Became a stay at home mom after getting into a wreck on the way to an art exhibit. "Put things in perspective" (liitle did she know what was just around the bend).

Had three children in a short period of time. Divorced soon after. No job, no child support, no college degree.

Next came food stamps and charity. Down and out with no future; brought her to a temporary agency. Took the only job available. One day, a job posting announced a full time job. Needed to type a certain amount of words per minute. No can do. Applied anyway. Got an interview. Was asked, "What are your hopes and dreams?" You're kidding right? I'd like to have my own design company. "No you're kidding," the woman responded. "That's actually the job we're looking to fill but we couldn't advertise it like that."

Time, training, and education later (paid for by the company), she was able to move a little closer. Later came a position with an advertising agency. Moving closer. Freelanced at night (gotta pay the bills, single mother with three kids, you do what you have to do), made some contacts, did some design work for some smaller clients. Build yourself back up. When you been down you find out stuff. 

"A firm, but how? What was the turning point?"

In my car one night, I thought about calling ..........(an NFL team which I promised "her" I would not reveal) and asking them who did their public relations, design, creative work, whatever I could do. Too scared. Not ready to jump yet. A woman in the NFL business?  Do it, make the call. Been down.

"Hello, may I speak to the person in charge of public relations?" Got through with a cold call. You're kidding, right? Introduced myself. Told him I wanted to know who did their creative work. Could I just have 30 minutes of his time to show him my "book?"

He'd seen lots of creative types, but none could ever deliver in the end. Good ideas, no follow through. That 30 minutes became an hour. "Just give me a chance. If you don't like my work, you don't have to pay me a dime."

Team yearbook cover later, the contract was signed. I had a contract with an NFL team to do creative work for them. Kidding, right?

Time to jump. Go off on my own. Been down. More contacts with other teams and more contracts signed. Flew to meet this team and that. I have my own firm. That was ten years ago.

"Because I took a chance, Mike. Because I made that call. That's why."

--Flashback to classroom: 

So to whomever will put in writing to me why you want to be introduced to her and what advice you plan to ask for, will go the Golden Ticket. I will put you in touch with her and who knows where it will lead. I do. 

I have a Golden Ticket folks. And I want to give it away. Who wants to claim it?