Yep, it's definitely hat in hand time. It's also when I realize that my list of folks who actually have deep pockets is pretty short.

ND, I've had to do this for myself, as a one person shop...frankly, more than once.

Most recently, during the government shutdown, I lost 80% of my client base. EIGHTY. About half of whom won't be coming back for fear of it happening again.

I reached out to one deep-pocketed person who sent me a check for six months of fees. That is only one hour per week, but it sure as hell helped. Some of those hours have been gifted to others because the gifter is that generous. People want to help when they can.

It sucks so hard, but you have assets and history and everything that makes it clear that you are 'good for it.' Everybody who does business of any kind has had these moments. Even big companies.

I am hoping one of your contacts comes through quickly and robustly.

I'm about to ask for money from my parents due to the weather and my mental health that meant I only clocked 30 hrs in Feb. I owe my helper money, but thankfully he got a fair amount from another gig and I think he's okay until I can catch up.

The hard thing on this end is I'm realizing how few people I know when deep pockets. I have had some very good people commit to helping, but I'm not quite halfway to what I think might help get me through this.

Banks used to have real lines of credit that could be used for timing issues. No more. Now if you don't have liquid assets and stellar credit all they will give you is a high interest credit card. It is incredibly frustrating.

I've got a LoC with the bank, unfortunately I used it for expansion last year and then had one of our major projects not turn in as much of a profit as it normally does for a variety of reasons. That's a big part of what has led to Q1 2019 backing me into a corner.

I truly wish this were one of my fat times rather than one of the lean times. My LOC with the bank is good for buying equipment, but not so much for cash.

Believe me Laura, I completely understand. I also know that Q1 is rough for so many business segments. I have had some personal friends help and I'm about half way to my goal. I'm actually considering a Go Fund Me campaign. I need to figure out a way to frame it so that it doesn't look like the company is completely insolvent but mainly looking to make the leap to the next level.

To say I'm stressed out right now is an understatement. If I'm looking forward in 2019 things look good. We have our regular Halloween project coming up. We have an installation happening this month in Los Vegas, next month in Cardiff, and then as long as we are awarded them we have Chile and Tokyo also in 2019. From another client we are on deck for a project in VA, and then another one in London. We are in talks with a new escape room company here in Southern California as well.

However, I haven't been able to pay myself a salary for a month now, and I'm having to do all sorts of backflips to get the bills covered in some way, and just trying to keep things held together. I think 2019 is on track to be one of our best years if I can someone keep things together through the spring.

Thanks for listening. I need to get this out somewhere and I don't have too many avenues where I can even say something about the level of stress this is creating.

Oh, wow, ND. Complicated feels about all that. Best wishes for you to come through it all well!