Out of Control

In early June, I got a request for 100 ostrich eggshell bracelets for a business man in Rhode Island to give to his employees.

I emailed the order to the manager of the San Bushmen women and within a little over a week, the bracelets were finished. I sent payment. I was told the bracelets were shipped.

I waited. And I waited. And I waited some more.

I contacted the manager but got no response.

Finally, I got a PM on Facebook. The manager's house was broken into while she was at home. Several men beat her and asked her for money. She didn't have much, so they beat her some more and took her phone and TV. She messaged me (using a friend's phone) that she waited until the order was complete before leaving for the capital to seek medical attention.

Several days and 9 hours later, she was told the bleeding in her ears where she was struck would eventually stop and the ringing would go away. As is the Motswana-way, she didn't tell me any of this until the hospital visit provided good news.

The business man ordered the bracelets because he had found out that the beads were made by the oldest human race in existence today. He heard that the ostrich egg is symbolic of good luck and well wishes. He was going to give the bracelets to his team for working long and hard and perservering.

The gift was for an event he was having on July 8th. The bracelets did not come in time. They arrived on July 17th. Instead of the shipment taking the usual 4-5 days, it took several weeks. They missed their deadline, not by any fault of the San women, but by forces outside of their control.

The business man decided this too was part of the story and a lesson his crew would find too often. No matter how hard you work, somethings are just out of our control.

I have to tell you, when the package had not arrived, I wondered if I was once again disappointed by the Bushman group. After working with them for 12 years, there have been some issues. But, I too had to take a deep breath and acknowledge the a job well done and some unfortunate delays that were out of our control.

And in case we missed it, the universe made sure we got the message. Not only was the package delayed in Botswana, it was also delayed in the US. I sent it two day air but as it happened, the store that had ordered it from us for the very patient business man, was closed on Mondays. And so, today, after a flurry of excitement, disappointment, confusion and relief, The Peaceable Kingdom in Providence, RI emailed me to say, "The bracelets have arrived and they're stunning."

I'm hoping to get some feedback from the gracious and generous business man, a story I can also pass onto my team in Botswana. I look forward to hearing how his employees reacted, but of course, I may never hear from him again. Some things are just out of our control.


 http://www.womensworkbw.com/osbb2007.htm (The bracelet he chose was the very one that had spurred me on to start working with the San Bushmen women to begin with. They told me, once they sold this bracelet, they could feed their family for a month. Who wouldn't want to help them sell them?!?)

Shhh...it's a secret...

More info to come on August 6th. Hope you'll attend Vacant to Vibrant - http://api.ning.com/files/j*z2ryZ7D1zjIgS7zeR5JIu9Z45HT7H8R7tl9pXfnBu7A9cJGHVoNu*oLRIhJft8xsjsgpQ78HLDwUWrBhVuh2fk-3kxsMzl/VacantVibrant_EmailInvite.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Womens-WorkShop/382397415301505

Millenial Market

I got an email inviting me to vend at a Pop Up Sale at the Centre for Social Innovation, a launch pad for people changing the world. I had only heard of this center after getting the invitation. As I looked over their website and their Facebook posts, I was floored. Did a place like this really exist? Bravo! What a brave and noble endeavour. I hope they do well.

Thinking they were a start up, I was shocked to find a floor of dedicated YOUNG professionals. The workstations were full. The place was hopping. Greeted by a receptionist, you enter through the kitchen where catered lunch was being served, fridge and other necessities like a coffee bar were readily available. I noticed some sound proof meeting rooms, couched seating area and wall space to hang exhibits.

This is what I wanted to create in the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory, only less. The tranquility and supportive buzz I wanted in Women's WorkShop was replaced with high octane youthful exuberance - a dizzying pace, loud boisterous laughter, deep booming idealism, and those 20-something-sing-song hyper punctuated verbage. I loved it!

And I felt really, really old at the same time.

Unpacking my unsophisticated ostrich eggshell jewelry atop the 5 foot table, I looked around to see the other socially conscious vendors staring at me. I took up an entire table, when some had to share. I instantly felt defensive. I've been at this a long time. I deserve the respect of an elder. I deserve this five foot table.

And as the day wore on, I came to earn the self-inflicted title of 'elder'. The two tables that surrounded me were newly formed businesses and the founders all under 30. As I spoke with  the CEO to the right of me, I found myself being more candid than is my norm. Her self-assuredness made it easy to feel comfortable around her. She questioned me about my business. "So, that's your net?" After saying something, I'm not sure was right, she responded, "Get out! Shut up!" Not being business-minded, I was still trying to figure out what she was asking me when she moved on. She was a hyper-intelligent and critical-but-kind founder of a company that made and sold jewelry and donated a portion for micro loans in Kenya. She had studied for a time in Africa. She was inquisitive, and direct, passionate about her business. She wanted to learn all she could from me and others she had interviewed prior, trying to find the answer to the age-old-question, "How do you sell stuff?" I didn't have the answer.

To my left, the young man was starting to pack up his table. Before he could go, I asked him for his schpeel. He happily launched into it. He was an amazing orator. Difficult as it is for me to speak in public, when you ask me about the Ostrich Eggshell and the San women, I become eloquent as well, but this young man! Wow! He had a gift. The socks he produced in India were the finest quality and made in order to benefit the workers. He told me he wanted to set an example in the fashion industry of meeting Fair Trade standards. In addition, each sock design gives back - books for children, HIV AIDS treatment for women, planted trees, etc...What a great idea. Conscious Step had a brilliant marketing message. But before I got to ask him more about how he chooses the charities, he asked me the single most engaging question I've ever been asked. "So what is one piece of advice you would give start ups?" Without hesitation I said, "Be true to your mission. Don't waiver from your initial idea." As I saw his one product - socks - one type, five designs, I was envious. He had one single message to deliver and he did it well. I elaborated, "People will tell you to diversify. Don't. Just keep doing this." Which is what I think more and more I should have done.

I should have stayed on target and worked with the San with their ostrich eggshell beads. Instead, true to my personality flaw, I wanted to please everyone. I opened a store and bought and bought and bought.

No, I should have had the conviction and the business acumen of these young changemakers. They didn't just want to lead with their hearts. They were surging forward using their heads. Business skills were the gifts these young entrepreneurs had and that's why they will succeed.

As the social innovation jewelry CEO turned to me after making a sale, "It's so awesome here! People actually get it!" I looked at her standing there, jazzed, eager, and so very smart about how she was going about her socially conscious business. I looked at her and I totally agreed.