This may seem heavy for a Friday, but I feel light as a feather....
My local newspaper, The Philadelphia Inquirer, has been run as of late by Brian Tierney. The paper, deeply in debt, was sold yesterday. Tierney valiantly, with a group of investors tried to keep ownership local, but it was not to be. After a 29 hour marathon session the creditors, led by a New York based hedge fund won out.
When it was obvious Tierney lost, he walked around the room, shook hands with every single creditor and negotiator and promised to make the transition a smooth one. He has passion for the paper, love for the work and a grace and dignity not often seen in trying financial times.
This small gesture brought clarity to two things I've been struggling with.
1. My map jewelry, so simple in design has always brought me delight. It's because, as I have said many times, of the connection of celebration it brings in weddings, anniversaries, birthplaces and adoptions.
It also became the source of consternation when it was not just copied, but that those that sought my advice started calling the design their own. So, instead of lamenting about it, it has pushed my creative effort. Now I have a shop full of different work, a mind brimming with new ideas. So, thank you.
2. I've also said that I had been reading a lot of blogs and websites to help grow my business. A few months ago I started writing to some of the authors. I've tweeted, I've emailed, I've asked questions in their comment section. And guess what? Except for the insightful Fred Wilson, I have not gotten a reply. My guess is that Mr. Wilson is busier, smarter and more polite than all the rest of the bloggers put together. He's also the most successful.
For folks that talk about good customer service and the sharing of ideas, they certainly don't practice what they preach. I've learned during this experiment that I'm just as smart as they are. Oh, I may have a longer learning curve, fall on my face a few times, but I'm ACTUALLY running a business and not telling other people how to do it. So, thank you. My inbox is a lot less full now and I have a new found confidence.
Disclaimer: I have never written to Seth Godin because I pretty much soak up whatever he says like a sponge. In the back of my mind, I also think he would answer.
So on that happy note, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Kiss the ones you love,
xoSherry
