Thank you guys for sharing this & your experiences.

One thing I'm SO thankful for is when I realized I could apply a lot of my knowledge & experience in my other industry I've been in over half my life to this one as well.
I managed artists & events, which meant I couldn't take crap from anyone because if I did, it would directly affect the artist or event I was working on.
When I first became more professionally involved & meeting "big" people & going places, I kept my mouth shut. When you don't say anything & seem like you don't know anything people will tell you the WORLD, & not realize you know something to the contrary or more than they know.
I also learned not to trust ANYONE I did not know personally or knew they were at least nationally known & respected.
It sux, but it happens EVERYWHERE all the time. Comes with the territory: The higher up you go, the more BS you have to deal with.

I'm sorry that happened to you Va <3