My Puzzle Pieces

I woke up a little late this morning; well rested, but a little late. Not too worry, I still made it to the gym, to the post office, and back home in time to get the funk off of me before I met with Peet. We had a good meeting, and he gave the thumbs-up on the brochure that I’ve created. He inspired me to (once again) submit to some talent managers, so I sent emails to about 40 or so. I’ll try to send out another round or two before the weekend is over.

I was advised, last year, to write a book. For more reasons than one, it’s a great marketing tool for an artist, especially one that is touring for whatever the reason. I took it to heart, and hoped the story of STEPPING ON A FEW TOES would magically write itself in book form. As you may have guessed, that hasn’t happened, and it may be awhile before I’m able to get it done just the way that I’d like. But over the past few days another book idea has come to me, and I’m gonna pursue it. Actually two product marketing tools have come to mind. The book, and another that I won’t mention until it’s complete (which will =hopefully= be soon). This book should just about write itself, so it’s not the content that I’m too worried about. It’s the business end of publishing that is all new to me. But I’m not afraid. I’m gonna tackle this thing head-on, keep my fingers crossed, and pray that the pieces fall into place just the way they are meant to. I’m pretty excited about the book (not only because it will mean I’m a published author) because if no one else enjoys it, this is gonna be one that I, myself, will probably read over and over again. Oooo!! Wish I could say more – but I can’t, not just yet.

Ok, that’s all for now. Thank you to the 7 people that are reading this blog. You guys rock!!

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

Remembering To Remember

So we had (what I believe to be) a great teem meeting last night. If I can take a second, I want to brag a little on SOFT’s new members. Barbara Joas brings a wealth of knowledge and real-life work experience that will be invaluable. She’s passionate, very intuitive and a go-getter in her own right. She’s a published author that has proved she’s not afraid of hard work. And Peet? Well Peet Montzingo is simply amazing and may be as humble as they come. He has a heart of gold and has larger than life dreams (which I love). He’s made his own documentary from start to finish, writes musical scores, and edits film. Both he and Barbara are incredible singers – and I’m secretly hoping that even a shred of their musical talent rubs off on me somehow. Well…one can dream, right?

We mapped out a game plan, and now it’s just a matter of making certain all the pieces fall into place as I’m hoping (and praying) they will. I’ve had to design a brochure for the show that can be mailed to prospects. Putting it together was actually pretty easy. Once I put pen to paper it just kind of designed itself. Now I’ve got to do some price-checking to find out my most economical options for reproduction. I want to have a healthy supply done by this time next month.

I heard back from my UK lead and was given quite a bit of info. Making that trip happen is definitely going to take a lot of work, but as my contact has pointed out; it will be well worth it. As soon as Barbara and Peet are up and running, I’ll get started on aggressively pursuing them. I’m kind of excited to dig in there. Which reminds me…passport. I’ve GOT to get that taken care of, like yesterday. Seriously.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

He Said “Yes”

Yesterday wasn’t all bad. I was semi-productive. My meeting with Jaimyon went well. We’re (when I say “we” I really mean “he” in this case) looking to have the updated SOFT website up and running within the next 30 days. JasmynneShaye.com will be the next one we tackle, then on to SassyJ.com. Little by little…bit by bit they’ll all get the face-lift they need. I’m excited.

More good news to share: he said “yes!” Peet Montzingo (http://peetmontzingo.com) is now a part of my team! Peet is a special, special guy, and I can’t wait to work with him. Our ‘chance’ meeting seems all too strange, and I knew it was a sign. He’ll come on as Production Assistant, and will attend the welcome meeting I’m having this Sunday. Very, very excited – I can’t even tell you.

I STILL have a lot of administrivia to do before tomorrow’s meeting, and it will get done, I just may have to burn the midnight oil a bit. So that’s my big push for today – getting everything ready and prepared for my new folks. That’s really about it. Not a whole lot to say… I reached out to the UK contact I was given, so I’m waiting to hear back from her. Which reminds me…I need to get my passport like yesterday. Won’t be much of a tour if I can’t even get out of the country.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

Happy, Happy – Joy, Joy

People always make such a big deal about Friday, TGIF and so forth. I’ve never really gotten into it myself, but I am feeling awful grateful this morning. I got a voice message from a dear friend, Justin Key (www.justindkey.com), this morning, and it was just the surge of energy I needed to do what I have to do to finish up this year on the right track. I’m still sitting here incredibly happy for him, and the whole thing reminded me just how important it is to surround yourself with like-minded individuals – whatever that means for you. For me it means I MUST be around other go-getters. Other people that have ridiculously big dreams. Other people that aren’t afraid to stand for something even if that means standing alone. I am most centered and most productive when I’m spending the bulk of my time with those sorts of people. I just had to check myself, that’s all.

Anywho, there is some good news. Barbara Joas will be joining my team as Marketing Coordinator! Yaayy!! I am very excited about this new addition! She was one of the folks that submitted for the PA position, and she possesses a skill set that I just couldn’t pass up. Welcome, Barbara! I am very excited to begin working with you!

Other good news: I’ve been given a contact in the UK to begin conversations on how to get my show there. This is huge. It’s been a dream for me to perform all over the world, and with Barbados and the UK as possibilities for 2012, I may well be on my way. I very excited to how this unfolds.

Back to the administrivia…I have to draft my Employment Contract (I finally settled on one), a Confidentiality Agreement, Time Sheet, Workflow Log, and a Duties and Responsibilities document among other things. I’ve got a meeting scheduled with Barbara this Sunday and there is much work to do between now and then. But it will get done.

Now I’m off to finish those last minute things before my meeting with Jaimyon later today, and I think my weekend is officially off to a great start. Happy, happy – joy, joy!

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

Come Journey With Me

I’ve tried blogging on several occasions, and it’s never really worked out for me. I actually like writing, I just don’t like writing about me. And I hate the pressure (that I’m apparently imposing on myself) of feeling like I’ve got to blog everyday. Geez. I’m not that interesting. Really, I’m not. I can’t think of a soul that would want to hear my daily thoughts, mishaps, and rantings. The people I call friends aren’t even interested in talking to me everyday. So you see my dilemma. Well…I’m at it again. But this time I actually have a purpose. The goal of this blog is to give you an inside look into the world of STEPPING ON A FEW TOES (www.steppingontoes.com). (Just FYI, I often times refer to the show as simply, S.O.F.T.) S.O.F.T. is my autobiographical one-woman show that opened for the first time in Hollywood, CA May 2009. I’ve been performing it ever since (not continuously) and am now gearing up to take the show on the road in 2012. I realize this blog comes about three years late, but what do you want from me? I’m a solo ship, and I can’t think of everything. And even if I had thought of blogging about the show in December 2008, I wouldn’t have had the time to keep it up, that’s for sure! Getting from concept to being nominated for Best One Person Show by the National NAACP Theatre Awards has been no easy task. I have had to work my hind parts off and go without sleep, food, rent money, and sanity (and sometimes all at the same time). But if I had to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. Of course I would. There are some adjustments I would probably make, but I would no doubt be willing to work just as hard with just as much sacrifice. It has definitely not been easy, but it has certainly been worth it. So for the five people that may eventually end up reading this, I hope you enjoy it. I hope you’ve learned something about self-producing, and I hope you stop by again.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.