Your business choices depend on your personal risk tolerance. Are you a gambler? Will you bet your livelihood on a roll of the dice? Do you prefer more predictability? Whatever path you choose, this column will discuss two ways you can reduce your risk.
You can take precautions to reduce the likelihood of a negative event. Many performers bring extra supplies to a show, in case something fails, or keep spares of key props so if something happens, they are not caught short. Then there are personal precautions. When I drive to a gig, I make sure someone knows where I am going and when I am expected home. I park in a well-lit area. I lock my doors and leave no visible bags or gear. (I do jaywalk, though. A lot.) These precautions don’t eliminate the risk of my car being robbed, or mean nobody will mug me, but being careful reduces the odds of having a problem. I cannot eliminate negative events, though. No matter how careful I am, I face risks, and they don’t have to be my fault. I don’t have to do anything wrong to have an automobile collision. Someone else could be careless, or there could be an accident that’s nobody’s fault (but I’m a lawyer, I can always find somebody to blame). When I set up my show, if I’m using fire, I check for flammables (or inflammables—same thing) in the area and make sure I have plenty of room. Anything sharp is kept out of grabbing distance before use and has a planned place to go afterwards that is wrapped and protected so hopefully nobody (including myself) accidentally grabs something sharp and gets cut. I also try to make sure any electrical wires are tucked away where an audience volunteer is unlikely to trip over them.