Why 2011 is going to kick some serious ASS!

From 2008 to 2010 I’ve been rat-f*cked out of millions of dollars.  Bankrupt Distributors, Laws passed that caused businesses to stiff me, decline in the special interest DVD/Indy film market...you name it, I took it on the nose.

All this, coming off the heels of a stellar run since the inception of my company Big Vision Entertainment in 2003.  In fact, my entire career since going independent has been a steady uphill sprint!

It's not rocket science to make money in this town. I’m a dude from Southern Illinois who moved to LA after high school in 89 to become a rock star, found a passion for crazy forms of entertainment and became a self-made millionaire by the time I was 30.  But damn...holding on to it and being consistent is another story.  So...back to the title of this blog.  Why is 2011 going to kick some serious ass?

I believe in the power of 3.  I've had 3 of the absolute worst financial years of my professional life.  Add the loss of my father and a few other personal disasters and it becomes a 3-year nightmare that just never seemed to end.  But through it all, I was planning, plotting, scheming, producing, developing and growing the assets of my business.  While the money stopped coming in...I found ways to keep it going out.  That's right...I was spending like a mad man!  On what?  On the future of my company and the fact that nothing bad lasts forever, just like nothing good can last forever.  My goal has always been to break 100 Million and by the end of 2007 I was on my way.   Well...I had some setbacks.  But who doesn't?

Through it all...through 3 years of sheer financial hell, I kept pushing and holding on to what I believed in. And now...here we are in 2011.  I have a feature film in the can, a major animated series ready for North American Distribution, a 3rd party Production Shingle for DRTV, half a dozen killer sizzle reels and formats ready to sell and a major studio output deal in negotiations for the 1000 hour plus content library I've amassed since starting my company.  ... and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Sure, I’ve learned a lot of lessons over the past three years.  I was one of those guys who had it all and never thought I could lose it.  And man..did I spend some loot.  The 3 million dollar house, the 200 thousand dollar cars, the watches....you name it, I had it.  And why the hell not?  When you’ve got 250k a month rolling in like clockwork, a million hear a million there from different deals, exec producer fees, royalties...what are you supposed to do, save it all for a rainy day?  Well, I put it ALL in 3 places.  (Again...the power of 3)...Either back into my company, into my personal collection of STUFF or number 3...blown out into our beautiful economy on everything from high priced dinners, charity events, Vegas trips, loved ones, friends and relatives who may not be as fortunate, etc.  The only place I forgot to store the dough was in a savings account that couldn't be touched!  Now don't get me wrong...its hard to cry for a guy who STILL lives in that same 3 million dollar house (which is now worth 2 million)...and yes, I’m still driving a Mercedes...its just not quite as fast as the last two I owned!

A very successful Wall Street guy once told me, invest in yourself and you'll be fine.  Well...At least I can say that I took those words to heart.  Like Matt Damon said in the movie Rounders..."You can't lose what you don't put in the middle...but then again, you can't win much either."  Well, I put it ALL in the middle.  And now, after 3 years of what seemed like the world coming to an end, 2011 promises to rake in a HUGE pot!  Question is...what will I do with all the money this time? ( I figure the power of 3 is all UP SIDE until 2013! ...that is, unless the rumors about the end of the world in 2012 come true.

The way I see it, I’ve got another 3 years to figure that out! What about you?  I look forward to discussing business, life, Hollywood and much more as this bog continues.  Hopefully make some new friends, gain some insight, share some insight and if anything, use this space as a form of therapy in coping with the daily bullshit that comes with trying to conquer the bizarre business of Hollywood. I would also like to thank all of the people in my life who have been there for me during these past 3 years.  You know who you are!  Be it, business partners, or family...its great to have someone other than yourself to lean on when your world turns to shit!  Happy New Year everyone.  2011 is going to kick some serious ASS!

Make sure to stay tuned for some of my upcoming blogs that will include: Where's my private jet? Losing a Million Overnight; High Stakes Hollywood Poker, and How To Make A million Dollars in 60 Seconds - Guaranteed! and many more!