23. A Bit Of A Drama Queen
Street scenes | Kyoto, Japan.
Hi friends,
Happy Sunday from Walter the Sicilian Labrador.
Here are some things you might find lovely and/or meaningful.
1. A book
I’ve been making my way through all of the DO Books (inspirational pocket guides) and I really recommend this small + powerful one on listening.
“Why is it that we seem astonished, even grateful, when someone really hears us?
When they lean in and give us their time and attention. How has this basic act become such a rare commodity? Has the one-way street of social media ‘broadcasting’ really marked the end of conversation and listening?
Yes, listening can take time. And it can be uncomfortable. Yet it is a skill that can be cultivated and mastered. It can also be a strategy. And sometimes, it will be the most important thing you ever do.”
So far I’ve loved DO Pause; DO Breathe; DO Open; DO Disrupt and the latest to the collection — DO Photo.
2. On inspiration
Since I’m super close to launching a small side project I’ve been working on during lockdown, I’ve been consciously seeking out advice from my inspirational friends who have been brave enough to launch their own businesses.
Please meet my dear friend Jennie.
I met Jennie at an event in London and we bonded over our shared obsession with Italian gelato. She was about to leave her career as a corporate lawyer and launch what is now, her hugely successful business, Lois Avery.
I asked her to kindly share her five things she wishes she’d known before launching her business and here they are:
1. There are no short cuts. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned since Lois Avery launched in 2016 is to stop looking for short cuts and instead invest that time and money into simply doing the work. When you are feeling vulnerable and stressed, it’s only natural to wish for guarantees and quick fixes. But here’s the thing: there is nothing that is more important to your business than serving your customers, working on being an expert in your field, and just figuring out what works by trial and error. This will take time, but in my view it’s the only way.
2. On that note, you will make mistakes. Accept that, because you will make lots of these and they will hurt — both personally and financially. All I can say is show humility and apologise when you get it wrong, learn, and pivot. Remember that everyone makes mistakes and quickly move on to the next challenge.
3. Hang onto your cash. The more frugal you are the better. There are all sorts of shiny things that your business could spend money on, but ask yourself whether that spending will serve your customers. Are you being influenced to buy something that will make you feel like a ‘successful’ business owner? There is an entire industry built around selling to small businesses and you need to be intentional when parting with your cash.
4. Have clear business values, and remind yourself what they are every day. The number of decisions you will have to make on a daily basis will make your head spin at times, but if you know and believe in your values, and use them to make decisions, you will always take the right path.
5. It’s not about you. It’s about your customers. If there is one thing that I wish I had really understood when I began, it is this. It’s particularly helpful in the context of social media, and deciding what to post and how to market on those platforms. If it doesn’t serve your customers then bin it. The beautiful thing is that serving people who love your work is one of life’s great joys.
Here’s my two favourites from the Lois Avery collection that I wear on rotation all winter, here and here.
3. A poem
We Are Fragile Together - Nic Askew
We are fragile. You and me.
Though we act strong,
our lives are
held together with
thoughts of where
we might be tomorrow.
And of disappointed
yesterdays.
4. The next generation of winemakers
Barbaresco | Piedmont, Italy.
Five generations after Giovanni Gaja founded his eponymous winery in the Piedmont town of Barbaresco, the family continues to produce some of Italy’s best vintages. Their uncompromising commitment to quality is helping to maintain one of the world’s finest vintners.
Monocle interviewed winemakers GAJA and produced this lovely short video.
5. Tapestry Penthouse
Kings Cross, London renovation project by British Designer : Faye Toogood.
You had me at bonsai.
See you next Sunday.