April 6, 2020 It had been over a month since I’d been on a stage, as I sat in my office staring at a blank white board that had been filled with events scheduled for an epic 2020 just weeks prior, now canceled or postponed. To me, all was lost. No prospects, no opportunities, no interest in what I had to offer in a virtual setting. How would I provide for my family? Suddenly a ping on my phone. A TEXT from a friend of a friend – yes we’d met before, but only in passing. “Can you bring some joy to our employees in a 30 minute virtual performance?  We just laid off 40 employees and are reeling during this situation.  I can’t really offer you any money but happy to provide something of trade if you tell me what you need.” The feeling of worthlessness began to subside. Years of performing at a very high level, for fees that would make most people shocked to know were even an option, having stuck to that fee as a matter of principle for a decade…I was now willing to do this request for just about anything. I replied with a