ON THE BREADLINE: TERRY RANDOLPH

Randolph ran his own marketing-communications agency in Minneapolis for 25 years, doing P.R. and marketing work for everyone from Saks Fifth Avenue to the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to Yanni, the bountifully tressed Greek-born (and University of Minnesota-educated) pianist-heartthrob. In January, with business at a standstill, Randolph closed up shop. His wife, too, lost her job recently. Randolph is 61 years old.

How do you cope with getting up every morning? What motivates you?

My first job every day is to not fall into despair. After this, I try to find opportunities or at least a bit of hope to get me through the day. Strangely, I remain optimistic, thinking each day our luck will change. (This could just be a foolish stubbornness. I might have to concede this at some point, but then what do I have to fall back on?)

Likewise, how do you cope with getting to sleep at night–or getting any sleep, period?

Not easy. Sometimes Ambien is available. Waking up in the middle of the night can be a traumatic experience.

Give an example of the sort of changes or cutbacks you’ve had to make in the way you live your life.

No more: Health-care insurance, steaks, eating out, buying bottled water, Starbucks, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, new clothes, going to the cleaners, entertaining, giving your kid a few bucks to hang out with, visits out of town to the grandkids, dental checkups, sporting events, golf, and, soon, cable TV.

Share with us some of your recession gallows humor.

I like to say I’ve been out of business for two years but was too dumb to know it until I closed the doors in January of this year.