Just a reminder this is a bi-weekly newsletter documenting my journey into monetizing my creativity. I've treated my art as a hobby instead of a business for too long.

Möther’s Creme Diaries LIVE

The live show run has been successful. Not due to the audience turnout or profit margins, but because I managed to bring the script to life in a cohesive and entertaining way. Most importantly, I now have a flexible prototype to use going forward.

After two live shows, I know I have something special, but I also know it still needs tweaking.

I’m not sold on either of the venues I used so far. Both have pros and cons.

LYRIC HYPERION

PROS:

• comfortable theater seating

• permission to use a fog machine

• permission to project adult content

CONS:

• I needed to provide my own tech person

• rehearsal in the space cost 35 hr (I used two hours)

• there was no promotion on the theater's part (that's on me for not pushing)

• split the door/ticket sales after paying an upfront cost of $150.00 to the house

PRECINCT DTLA

PROS:

• lots of promotion for the show online as well as posters throughout the venue

• free rehearsal time when the bar was closed

• amazing tech guy who came with the venue

• state-of-the-art live show technology

• split cost for talent

• very spacious

• CONS:

• no fog machine allowed

• early showtime (according to gay bar standards)

• graphic content needed to be approved (could be a problem with future shows)

From a business perspective, Precinct DTLA ticks most boxes, but I need to put business aside for a second and focus on putting up a great show.

I'm currently adapting the next show titled, "DEBBIE DOES DISCOUNT". It's a twisted version of the 1987 film "Mannequin". The new show is proving to be more difficult than I thought, but I’m up for the challenge.

I like setting dates to keep myself accountable for making it happen.

The next show will be sometime in December. It will be easy to weave some holiday cheer into the script since it's set in a high-end clothing boutique. "Debbie’s Boutique Le Chic," to be exact.

I'm also thinking about partnering with a DJ to make it a full-blown Christmas party. This could assist with locating a venue and attracting a different crowd. With Thanksgiving around the corner I need to start cracking.

^INTUITION

Since saying goodbye to my dog, Marcillio in May, the apartment has obviously been quiet. My morning routine has changed from a 45-minute dog walk to 45 minutes of reading.

Lots of thinking and quiet time has nudged me to listen to my instincts a bit more. One recurring thought is travel.

I’m a very anxious person when I travel. It's a horrible scarcity mindset that I have. The fear that you'll spend all your cash on vacation and have nothing left to pay bills with when you return.

Well my gut is telling me to take a trip to London this January for DragCon.

DragCon is a two-day convention where queens from all the RuPaul's Drag Race franchises meet. Fans can take pictures, buy merch and watch performances.

I will not be attending as a fan, but rather as an observer. Again, I’m listening to my intuition and it’s blatantly saying I need to be in London that weekend.

Having this instinct to go doesn't mean I should just leave everything to chance. I’ve started DMing a few gay-owned venues giving them a heads up I’ll be in town and asking if they have anything in particular I should check out. I am a producer from Hollywood. hint, hint.

NEW BOOK

Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

Well, it's an audiobook I'm listening to on YouTube. The concept explores the business model of pursuing heavy competition, resulting in "bloody oceans", as opposed to creating "blue oceans"--untapped new market spaces waiting for growth.

I found the book recommendation on the Tim Ferriss podcast featuring Guy Laliberté.

Guy is the cofounder and CEO of Cirque Du Soleil. Cirque Du Soleil is a business that has successfully used the "blue ocean strategy".

From a declining traditional circus industry, Guy created a new market space. This appealed to an entirely new customer base: adults and corporate clients willing to pay much higher than that of traditional circuses.

Hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving. Looking forward to updating you on the next show. xx

Derek Viveiros

P.S. If you have any questions or suggestions for the newsletter, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected].