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My boss, a successful touring female musician, started her own record label shortly before the release of her January 2010 album release. The move was made to have more creative and financial control over her own work, and during these economic times not only are record labels hurting, but musicians too. By cutting out the middleman, my employer has a lot more control and input over every area of her work, where it goes, and who she chooses to work with. The stress and workload are huge, but at the end of the day, the freedom is worth it. She's learned more about the business side of the industry, a huge asset towards any future decisions she chooses to make.

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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I was on Think Out Loud last year, speaking of my experience of being fired for the first time, and dealing with unemployment and the ensuing depression over my financial difficulties and my inability to find employment. Shortly after that program I found two part time jobs in the music industry, a field I had always pursued. I still deal with the financial shortcomings, and found an additional part-time job doing front desk work, a field I told myself I would never return to. Funny how desperate times can make us return to jobs we swore we would never return to. In the end financial survival overrides any notions of "moving on." Now, music is the work I identify as my work and my life, but in the end, I've learned that a multitude of other things make up who I am, my friends, my additional hobbies, etc. I am not ashamed of the other sources of employment I need in order to get by. But without the work that is my passion, the world has a little less color. 

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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My coworker and myself were both fired last week, the only retail employees at a nw boutique. It was unexpected, and a slap in the face when I found out we were replaced either before our firing or directly afterwards. Employee value did not seem at all applicable here, regardless of our dedication and hard work. I worked part-time and will not qualify for unemployment until June. For the first time I have food stamps. I have no idea how I will survive, except from my small savings, cheap rent, and the offered financial support from my parents. I work hard, and this is not a situation I expected to find myself in. Thankfully I only have to worry about supporting myself. My coworker has a child, and expenses greater then my own. Our company gave us no thank you, our time and countless hours of work and contribution seemingly meaningless. Security, even when employed, does not seem reliable anymore.

posted 4 years, 1 month ago
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