I made it. Chicago 2024 — Benzinga, the biggest investment conference in the world for cannabis. Energy everywhere, people buzzing, and then… Belushi.
I’d been waiting for him all day. Dreaming of that moment, rehearsing in my head what I’d say — about FreezAbowl, about ice cream, about how I just knew we could make something incredible together. I had my 30-second elevator pitch locked and ready.
Then, the moment came. His talk ended. I even asked him about his ice cream during his presentation — opening the door! This was it, the chance I’d been waiting for.
As soon as he stepped off stage, I sprinted straight to the green room. There he was, changing for his next gig, larger than life, still radiating that Belushi energy.
I handed my card to his manager, said, “You know me,” The manager gave me that unmistakable “Oh great, it’s her again” expression — part surprise, part mild panic. I quickly turned to Belushi....
And instead of delivering my perfect 30-second pitch, I froze. No pun intended.
All that practice, all that confidence — gone.
What came out of my mouth instead?
“My father met you in Napa, California. He worked for PG&E.”
Yep. I started talking about my dad — how he’d met Belushi years ago, how proud I was, how he met him fixing a gas leak. I vomited daddy, all over him.
I poured it all out — the nostalgia, the pride, the emotion — everything except what I’d planned to say.
And Belushi, being gracious but clearly confused, just looked at me and said something like, “What does that mean to me? I’m transitioning, I don’t really understand what that means.”
And just like that, my 30 seconds were gone.
But maybe it wasn’t really blowing it. Maybe it was love taking the wheel. Because when you admire someone and finally stand in front of them, sometimes your heart speaks before your business brain can catch up.
So yeah, I gave my 30 seconds to my father.
Still, Belushi — if you ever read this — I’d love to try again. Let’s make that ice cream. I’ve got the bowl; you’ve got the dream.
Come dream with me!
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