Now that I have it, I'm not so sure I want it

M

MikeJanis

Banned
Now that I have it, I'm not so sure I want it.

Anybody else ever have this problem ?


Basically, I have been working on the ATS and BRRMA system for many years. Now that I have everything in place; Events, Money, Sponsorship, etc..... I am looking around at what has become of the sport side of our industry with NO Regulations, NO Real Rules, Everybody trying to get a piece of an already shrinking pie, NO loyalty and most everything in the billiard world going in a real bad direction and I wonder if I really want to continue to do what I am doing.

So, did you ever have this problem ?

Any thoughts on what to do ?

This thread could possibly go in the NPR but it is pool related but also very personal. You decide or let Mr Wilson decide but either way, a little advice, encouragement (either way) or convincing why I should or should not continue these additional programs ATS/BRRMA would be nice.

Are there any other business owners out there that have reached this cross-road with your own business that can offer advice ?

Honestly, with the shrinking home values, high gas prices, inflation and shrinking stock and billiard market doesn't it seem like starting something new right now is a bad move ?

Mj
 
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Mike!, you sound a little burnt and need some time AWAY from the billiards world. Go on a cheap florida weekend or a quicky to Vegas!

I own a plumbing biz, and the last 2 years since we moved back up to PA from Florida my wife and I started from scratch AGAIN! :) It has been scary, tiring, exiting, stressful and best of all still going strong and getting better each month! now I have a full time helper...employees! a little freaky, but its good that I'm that busy.

Some days I get pissy and say why don't I just go back to work for someone, then I look at all the time I can take off if I want.....and the fact I could never make this kind of money working for someone else.....was it my life long dream?, no....but its a damn good living.!

go get away, look at things from the outside, get a helper, or apprentice, get drunk, throw a party......or maybe go meditate?:)

anyway, good luck man, your doing a good thing for pool!
 
thats what i tell people about making $$$-its not as great as you think.

my outlook on the future is bleek for along time. I really dont have any plans, I have a few business i'm starting, because i'm good at whatI do and I will make more $$$-with little effort. back to pool I wouldnt touch that biz period-its a dianosaur. Rooms will keep dropping all over,then less players so events wont have the crowns because there are less players. From C players up and thats what the biz is based on.


i'd find a new gig,
 
Just because you have it in place, don't mean you have to do anything until you fell the time is correct.

Those are good reason to sit back, "shrinking home values, high gas prices, inflation and shrinking stock and billiard market ", and wait for a better time.
 
You could try and sell out to the people who are trying to use your ideas and retire to the Bahamas for some drinks with little umbrellas. Quit worring and whining and get some tournaments Bwizzle can play in started,oh yea and forget the specator fees in Georgia so I can afford the gas. Your friend--Leonard

PS call me about running a Charlotte qualifier for the pro tourney, I'll pm my cell number.
 
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What you need is an assistant that you can trust so that you can take some time away...I mean if you just let this thing go then that means you have wasted all of your hardwork. Now do you really wanna quit and then wonder what if??
Hang in there mike...you'll be glad ya did...
 
This may sound a little philosophical but give it a try anyway.

If you could do anything in the world what would you do? That is what you should be doing now.

When I was younger people would tell me I was a workaholic and I disagreed. They played golf for fun, I played my occupation. They worked 40 hours and then went to have fun. I had fun 80 hours a week.

If you love what you are doing and do it all the time you will be better than others at what you do. People who are better at what they do make more money and have better lives. It is as simple as that.

So it is not about the sport, money, the fans, the atta boys. It is about doing what you love to do. If you don't love it --- don't do it.

I like to tell the young pepole that I never in my life took a job where I got a raise. I always took a cut in pay to take the work I liked. In the end I have made far more money than most people.
 
Snap out of it!!!

You just announced the first ATS event in Atlanta as being $20,000 added and now you wonder if you really want it??? I would be somewhat bummed too based on the small and sleepy responses on AZ to the ATS and your 1st $20,000 added event. But you have to realize that the concept is still somewhat vague to most as to how it will work.

Many pool players also do not have internet access, let alone know how to operate a computer. At this point I don't think that the word is really out about ATS. Even those that attend your Viking events rarely even pay that much attention to announcements at tour events until other players spread the word around. For example, how many players realize at your events what the race is, the fact that it is lag for break format, or whether the tourneys are rack your own or not.

Just the fact that you say 1st will pay $10,000 should appeal to many once they see how the system works. Many will be going...."duhhh...you mean I have to qualify to play in the pro event". You are dealing with typical pool players and some things take time to set in.

I also know that the pending Mark Griffin project, the IPT Pro Am qualifiers, and ventures by Allen Hopkins all pose to create a billiard world that may always be divided with no universal goal towards building ONE solid professional tour. It's hard for all promoters to come together in agreement towards a common goal when pools history and past has been based on independent events and the "what's best for me" mentality of players and promoters.

I think it all comes down to this....

Are you willing to fight for the ideas that you believe in and try to build something for the good of pool? You often preach about how so many do nothing good for pool and our sport. Here is your chance to show us what you have to offer and let the players, retailers, and sponsors decide if you have the product that pool needs to thrive.

The other option is you can be just another guy with an idea that chose to stay the present course and run regional tour events. Hell, you can always go back to that if it doesn't work. LOL.

I'm sure you will get over the billiard blues and make the right choice.

Good luck in whatever you do!!

Eddie
 
Starting something new is a great idea! Especially in this great sport that we all love. The sport deserves it the players deserve it, and most of all you deserve it! After all it's your idea. Gas prices home prices are all just excuses if players want to play they will find a way!
 
Fatboy said:
thats what i tell people about making $$$-its not as great as you think.
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Fatboy,
As i've gotten a little older (not much since i'm only 27), i've come to realize this can be absolutely true. But, on the other hand, having the money and the problems that comes with it is much more desirable than not having the it. Atleast when you have money you can afford the absolute necessities of life, unlike alot of people out there now. I'd take the problems of wealth over the fear of being able to provide for my family with dinner tomorrow in a heart beat.
 
I agree with beave and gerry both. I don't hurt anything to take a breather for a weekend. What about just taking a weekend back around your old home area......play some of the evening bar tournys, see some old friends, have a beer or two. Just try to get back to the basics and what caused you to fall in love with the game.
 
beav99_4life said:
Fatboy,
As i've gotten a little older (not much since i'm only 27), i've come to realize this can be absolutely true. But, on the other hand, having the money and the problems that comes with it is much more desirable than not having the it. Atleast when you have money you can afford the absolute necessities of life, unlike alot of people out there now. I'd take the problems of wealth over the fear of being able to provide for my family with dinner tomorrow in a heart beat.
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First Beav, you would need a job. Then comes money and problems associated with it. Just my .02
 
Mike, cmon. This could end up being the thing that puts pool back on the map, and you into early retirement, you never know. I think in theory it is a good idea, let me know if I can help in the implementation. I would be happy to help with the logistics in any way I can. The sport needs this, and to be frank, you have too much invested in this to not see it to fruition(and I don't just mean financially). Matt
 
MikeJanis said:
So, did you ever have this problem ?
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Welcome to the owner operated world of business.

When you first get started, you have all kinds of support, but once you get going you have to fight over the dumbest things when you least expect it.

Are you pussing out right now? :D
 
You are to close to stop now...

Mike,

I don't know you, but I have followed you and the Viking tour for about five years now. You have done an admirable job of pulling all the strings together and running a damn good tour. There are others out there that are using your format to run their own events. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It is after all, what you seek in the pool arena. You now have people using your rules to run tournments. That makes it easier to run your own. You are taking the next logical step in continuing pool on the ground level.
This is the best possible time to start a new venture. Why would you wait til everything was flush? The time is now, when no one else is doing it. Say you throw it in and give up, now someone picks up the ball and runs with it and it hits, BIGTIME, what will you think then? Someone said that it is about C players. We all were and are C players, playing the same game that has invaded our minds and taken control of our bodies. Everyone one of us wants to shoot like a pro, at least I do. Tonight for instance, I am a 5 in APA and went to play my match. I didn't have much warmup and the other guy wanted to play right away. We lagged and I won and broke, won the first one in 2 innings. The second game I won in 1 inning. I broke and ran in the third. He won the forth in 2. I won the fifth in 3. That was five matches in 8 innings. Four years ago I was a 3. Did I think I was a pro? Hell no. What I found was that it felt good to play like that... for ME. I have worked hard for myself to become better at the damn game. You stay the course and make this happen. It is in you. I know you have other TD's that can fill in for you. Take your wife and go to upstate NY and see a little town named Victor.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Victor&state=NY

Go for three or four days and get away and think about what you deem important to you and your family. You need this time for your self to recharge. If you give all of yourself to something, you have nothing left for you.

Respectfully,

Dwight
 
Mike, take a few minutes and reflect on your very first tournament you ever ran, reflect on exactly why you did it and the rewards, no matter how small it was. There you will find your answer.

Kev
 
chris_williams said:
First Beav, you would need a job. Then comes money and problems associated with it. Just my .02
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Damn Chris, I thought you knew. I'm just waiting on you to start raking in the money so I can get a job from you. Guess I'm screwed. LOL.
 
I understand completely Mike. With people out there that would do things like start a tournament on the exact days as another tour out of spite and pettyness... I don't blame you for having seconds thoughts. Oh wait! I nearly forgot you are part of the problem and not the solution.

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