Meet Tony Vicich

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tony Vicich. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Tony , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I would rather stay home and eat beans than go out and eat dirt. That and the fact that that there is nothing more exhilarating than having a thought, acting upon it, and seeing it come to fruition. In order to do that, you have to have focus and belief. Those two combined give me great resilience.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I teach comedy workshops and produce shows. I do this primarily in person in Phoenix, but I have done it nationwide. The most exciting part of my work is seeing the “light” come on. When I am working with a client, a student who wants to do stand-up comedy, which is primarily what I teach, there is always a period of struggle. Then, often, one day, they begin generating their ideas and turning their stories, experiences, and observations into stand-up comedy. Stand-up comedy is its own form of communication; it is almost its own language. Like any language, it came time to learn and understand it. We struggle and sound stilted, and then all of a sudden, all the work pays off, and we speak it like it is our native tongue. To be allowed to witness that, well, that is something! This is how I make my living. It is a small private business that allows me to support myself, provide for my family, and be involved in a craft I love.
The new exciting thing in our model has been the number of clients we now interface with on Zoom. I’m able to reach and work with people all over the world. It is now an integral part of our business model.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I have always had the ability to see the point of view of others. It is a skill I work to keep sharp by arguing with myself the pros and cons of a myriad of subjects, some that actually affect me and some that don’t! I guess what once was a curse, arguing for the sake of arguing, has been made into a benefit. I love to learn and constantly consume books, magazines, social media, film, and television; always be learning. There is so much to know, and it can enrich your life.
I strongly believe in active listening. It can enrich your mind well behind what the speaker is telling you. The three things, points of view of others, lifelong learning, and active listening, keep me in business at a time when many people have retired.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I had two high school teachers who have since become friends. During a time when adults seemed to be “the enemy” or mere authoritarians, they encouraged my creative and inquisitive side. They treated me like a person, recommended books, and put me in school plays. This was a time when many people had already written me off as a troublemaker or someone headed towards a dead end. They encouraged my possibilities and showed me things I did not see. Their names are Lon Simmons and Peggy Cochran. Still with us today, and we’re still in touch.

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