Tuesday, June 9, 2009
BEE 23 at the New Downtown Artisan & Farmers Market
Come visit BEE 23 and Emerald Bay Gems at the New Downtown Artisan & Farmers Market Saturday, June 13th, 10am to 3pm at 507 East Vicotra Ave. We would be happy to answer any product questions and purchasing requests in the fresh and fun atmosphere of this downtown market. See you there!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Doing the Bee Dance
I am thinking about retail numbers, marketing avenues, the investors “go south” presentation versus the deterioration of our northern communities, bee populations disappearing at alarming rates, the old farmer in Saskatchewan who lost his canola fields and sixty years of work to the big GMO Company and so on. These are all the thoughts travelling through my mind as I am sitting in my lawyer’s office watching my two year old do circles with a black plastic toy train engine waiting for my appointment.
This is when the legal assistant at the front desk says, “Michelle is this yours?” and she holds up a small tin with my logo stamped on it.
I look and say, “Well, I could have forgotten it…”
“No,” she says, “I bought this and I just realized that this is your product.”
“Oh really, which one did you buy?” I ask.
“The Blossom, I just love it and I can wear it in the office,” she answers.
“It really helps to move away from all the synthetics. Thanks so much, I am so happy to hear you are enjoying it,” I say.
My heart feels warm as I think about all the stress that I am clouding my mind with and how I know things are progressing positively. Then a gentleman gently grabs my elbow and says, “I think your son might have had an accident.”
I look at my son's blue rubber boots with little streams running across the shark fins down to a wet mark on the carpet and I am quickly grounded in my reality.
Often a small glimpse of our day, like that of a cross-section of a specimen on a microscope slide, can catch the very complex workings of our global reality. As I write this, the raspy mature voice of my very important essential oil mentor telling me to keep my life out of my ideas on business sits heavily on my shoulder. This is when I realize all that I see even in these small cross-sectional views can find resolution in – balance.
The rapid decline of global sustainability and that of our disappearing bees can be directly associated to the current lack of balance plaguing our world. The debate as to whether it is cell phones, GMOs, pollution, pesticides, astronomically high human populations, the lack of certain fruits, vegetables or green space as singularly being the cause to the disappearance of our bee populations is secondary to the very fact that we lack balance in our daily individual lives all the way up to the corporations with global clout. Our world is becoming much like the only over filled night club with no waiting line, in a one horse town, where toes are getting stomped on and it is becoming progressively more difficult to find or hear the beat.
In this particular era of human habitation on planet earth we are very much out of balance. I cannot say that I know how to implement the cure to our present predicament but I can say the symptoms are clear. Some of which I have already sited in my opening statement. The beehive has been historically used throughout society to often depict a community flourishing in perfect order. This is a community thriving in balance that is based on a very intriguing, innate and sophisticated dance of movement, purpose and timing. My use of the beehive is not an argument for one type of community or governmental structure being more superior to another but as an observation of the necessary balance of elements in our organizations as a whole.
Our global communities are not entirely all structured alike nor should they, as each culture and being will create a community structure that works with their understanding of the world. This world view is often influenced by environmental climate, location and resources required for survival. As these individual groups grow in population and become closer to one another, their structure of organization will be forced to reassess current traditions and policies that construct the way their communities are built. The mere bumping of one community against another will create development and change. This is community on all levels – animal, people, civil, religious, municipal, corporate, government, etc. This cultural and organizational dance creates changes of which some may be progressive and positive, while others are incredibly challenging. Movement in the structural make-up will require the community to find a new balance.
In a world with natural and expected diversity, respect and balance is the key to living as individuals, yet as a unified organism in what would seem to be a closed unit system, aka earth. This dance is not as easily fixed by drastically lowering the population, living in bubbles or by shipping ourselves to outer space to colonize the next green planet. This is not suggesting that any of these options are "easy," but it would seem by our actions, or lack there of, we are considering them viable. At a certain level we have all become very much dependent and intertwined with one another. It would seem that we will require the individual ability to find a balance in our daily lives in order to create a sustainable equilibrium in the world. That is before equilibrium is thrust upon us. It is natural for an organization out of balance to seek harmonization within itself by means known or that come as a complete surprise.
At the very basis of understanding, it is well observed that diversity creates a greater ability to survive. In order to live as a diverse entity which will ensure our continued existence, it requires a lot of work and constant re-harmonizing. This is not a simple task but necessary for the best potential outcome for our global community.
Bees work very hard to keep the colony thriving, every type of bee and job is necessary and deserving of respect for the overall function of the hive. There is much effort taken to execute a carefully laid out dance by which they generate their produce. It is arguable that the beehive is, for as much as our human knowledge can know, observably free of self-conscious will and not a good example of a community living in cooperation. A human society that has not been forced into efficient organization, of which has continually been observed as failing throughout history, would require each individual to be very in tune with what their purpose in life and the community is, with the utmost support and freedom to follow this call. However, it still would seem appropriate to suggest that our human organization coming into contact with that of the bee organization has caused a severe disruption in the bee organization. The lack of balance in our human global affairs is causing even the most ancient, habitual, unquestioning and well-functioning community to come to a point of crisis. The beehive and the occupents of said structure have had the strength to adapt to changing environmental elements for over 80 million years. At this point in our human history it is not a great leap of faith to see the similarities between the collapse of our global well-being and that of our disappearing bee populations.
The intertwined webbings of our day - happenings, feelings, interactions and thoughts, seem to give us an appreciation of that which we can understand and that which is part of something much greater. This is the essence of the beehive – an organization inside and along side fellow organizations, simply seeking existence in order to feed the ability to create life.
How I got that out of my son urinating on his rubber boots in my lawyer’s office, perhaps is not as clear as it being the moment that spurred on this particular blog entry. In one aspect it would seem to have to do with the necessary balance in our daily lives. In another, it is important for me to acknowledge those things that are greater then myself and to be mindful of how they contribute or move both my higher and basic daily decisions and actions. I believe it is necessary for me as a responsible citizen of not only Thunder Bay, ON but this global community, to act upon what I see in the world and find solutions that are within my ability to create positive change in others’ lives. That is even if I can’t fight the disruption of plant proteins and the affect that they have of our farmers’ livelihoods, my son's human development and that of the bees. However, this is all encompassed in the understanding that life sometimes just does happen and when you least expect it, you are taken quickly out of that which is not tangible and put back in a place where things are just about the very basics of why we are anywhere at all. In trying to remember what it is that I work for and in seeking balance in my own day will hopefully ensure I walk forward with integrity and respect for others.
This is when the legal assistant at the front desk says, “Michelle is this yours?” and she holds up a small tin with my logo stamped on it.
I look and say, “Well, I could have forgotten it…”
“No,” she says, “I bought this and I just realized that this is your product.”
“Oh really, which one did you buy?” I ask.
“The Blossom, I just love it and I can wear it in the office,” she answers.
“It really helps to move away from all the synthetics. Thanks so much, I am so happy to hear you are enjoying it,” I say.
My heart feels warm as I think about all the stress that I am clouding my mind with and how I know things are progressing positively. Then a gentleman gently grabs my elbow and says, “I think your son might have had an accident.”
I look at my son's blue rubber boots with little streams running across the shark fins down to a wet mark on the carpet and I am quickly grounded in my reality.
Often a small glimpse of our day, like that of a cross-section of a specimen on a microscope slide, can catch the very complex workings of our global reality. As I write this, the raspy mature voice of my very important essential oil mentor telling me to keep my life out of my ideas on business sits heavily on my shoulder. This is when I realize all that I see even in these small cross-sectional views can find resolution in – balance.
The rapid decline of global sustainability and that of our disappearing bees can be directly associated to the current lack of balance plaguing our world. The debate as to whether it is cell phones, GMOs, pollution, pesticides, astronomically high human populations, the lack of certain fruits, vegetables or green space as singularly being the cause to the disappearance of our bee populations is secondary to the very fact that we lack balance in our daily individual lives all the way up to the corporations with global clout. Our world is becoming much like the only over filled night club with no waiting line, in a one horse town, where toes are getting stomped on and it is becoming progressively more difficult to find or hear the beat.
In this particular era of human habitation on planet earth we are very much out of balance. I cannot say that I know how to implement the cure to our present predicament but I can say the symptoms are clear. Some of which I have already sited in my opening statement. The beehive has been historically used throughout society to often depict a community flourishing in perfect order. This is a community thriving in balance that is based on a very intriguing, innate and sophisticated dance of movement, purpose and timing. My use of the beehive is not an argument for one type of community or governmental structure being more superior to another but as an observation of the necessary balance of elements in our organizations as a whole.
Our global communities are not entirely all structured alike nor should they, as each culture and being will create a community structure that works with their understanding of the world. This world view is often influenced by environmental climate, location and resources required for survival. As these individual groups grow in population and become closer to one another, their structure of organization will be forced to reassess current traditions and policies that construct the way their communities are built. The mere bumping of one community against another will create development and change. This is community on all levels – animal, people, civil, religious, municipal, corporate, government, etc. This cultural and organizational dance creates changes of which some may be progressive and positive, while others are incredibly challenging. Movement in the structural make-up will require the community to find a new balance.
In a world with natural and expected diversity, respect and balance is the key to living as individuals, yet as a unified organism in what would seem to be a closed unit system, aka earth. This dance is not as easily fixed by drastically lowering the population, living in bubbles or by shipping ourselves to outer space to colonize the next green planet. This is not suggesting that any of these options are "easy," but it would seem by our actions, or lack there of, we are considering them viable. At a certain level we have all become very much dependent and intertwined with one another. It would seem that we will require the individual ability to find a balance in our daily lives in order to create a sustainable equilibrium in the world. That is before equilibrium is thrust upon us. It is natural for an organization out of balance to seek harmonization within itself by means known or that come as a complete surprise.
At the very basis of understanding, it is well observed that diversity creates a greater ability to survive. In order to live as a diverse entity which will ensure our continued existence, it requires a lot of work and constant re-harmonizing. This is not a simple task but necessary for the best potential outcome for our global community.
Bees work very hard to keep the colony thriving, every type of bee and job is necessary and deserving of respect for the overall function of the hive. There is much effort taken to execute a carefully laid out dance by which they generate their produce. It is arguable that the beehive is, for as much as our human knowledge can know, observably free of self-conscious will and not a good example of a community living in cooperation. A human society that has not been forced into efficient organization, of which has continually been observed as failing throughout history, would require each individual to be very in tune with what their purpose in life and the community is, with the utmost support and freedom to follow this call. However, it still would seem appropriate to suggest that our human organization coming into contact with that of the bee organization has caused a severe disruption in the bee organization. The lack of balance in our human global affairs is causing even the most ancient, habitual, unquestioning and well-functioning community to come to a point of crisis. The beehive and the occupents of said structure have had the strength to adapt to changing environmental elements for over 80 million years. At this point in our human history it is not a great leap of faith to see the similarities between the collapse of our global well-being and that of our disappearing bee populations.
The intertwined webbings of our day - happenings, feelings, interactions and thoughts, seem to give us an appreciation of that which we can understand and that which is part of something much greater. This is the essence of the beehive – an organization inside and along side fellow organizations, simply seeking existence in order to feed the ability to create life.
How I got that out of my son urinating on his rubber boots in my lawyer’s office, perhaps is not as clear as it being the moment that spurred on this particular blog entry. In one aspect it would seem to have to do with the necessary balance in our daily lives. In another, it is important for me to acknowledge those things that are greater then myself and to be mindful of how they contribute or move both my higher and basic daily decisions and actions. I believe it is necessary for me as a responsible citizen of not only Thunder Bay, ON but this global community, to act upon what I see in the world and find solutions that are within my ability to create positive change in others’ lives. That is even if I can’t fight the disruption of plant proteins and the affect that they have of our farmers’ livelihoods, my son's human development and that of the bees. However, this is all encompassed in the understanding that life sometimes just does happen and when you least expect it, you are taken quickly out of that which is not tangible and put back in a place where things are just about the very basics of why we are anywhere at all. In trying to remember what it is that I work for and in seeking balance in my own day will hopefully ensure I walk forward with integrity and respect for others.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Slow Death by Rubber Duck in The Lake Superior News
THUNDER BAY, ON ----- May 10, 2009 ------- Experimental test results to be released Monday, in the new book "Slow Death by Rubber Duck: How the Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects our Health" show dramatic and immediate increases in blood and urine levels of harmful toxins in response to everyday activities and common consumer products. Tests conducted focused on common chemicals that are associated with a variety of health effects, including cancer, reproductive and developmental harm and learning disabilities. Surprising results outlined in the book include:
· levels of phthalates increased by as much as 22 times after those tested used common, brand name personal care products. Phthalates are plasticizing chemicals that have been linked to abnormal reproductive development.
· levels of mercury increased by 2.5 times after test subjects ate tuna. Mercury is a known neurotoxin and is harmful to children's development.
· levels of bisphenol A increased 7.5 times after eating canned foods out of a microwavable, polycarbonate plastic container. Bisphenol A is a known hormone-disrupting chemical linked to breast and prostate cancer.
· levels of triclosan increased an astounding 2,900 times through the use of anti-bacterial soaps and other personal care products. Triclosan is the active ingredient in many anti-bacterial products linked to the increase of bacterial resistance.
"These results demonstrate that through making careful choices as consumers Canadians can achieve dramatic and rapid reductions in the levels of pollution in their own bodies, and those of their children, almost immediately," said Dr. Rick Smith, co-author of the book and Executive Director of Environmental Defence. "The results also reveal, however, that the only really complete solution to this problem is government leadership. Though it’s possible to reduce their levels, these toxins are too widespread to be completely eliminated from the body." Dr. Smith, and co-author Bruce Lourie, will be discussing the test results this month during a book tour, with stops in Toronto (May 11), Montreal (May 12), Ottawa (May 13), Vancouver (May 19) and Calgary (May 20).
More information about Slow Death by Rubber Duck is available online at http://www.slowdeathbyrubberduck.com/.
About Environmental Defence (http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/): Environmental Defence protects the environment and human health. We research solutions. We educate. We go to court when we have to. All in order to ensure clean air, clean water and thriving ecosystems nationwide, and to bring a halt to Canada's contribution to climate change.
· levels of phthalates increased by as much as 22 times after those tested used common, brand name personal care products. Phthalates are plasticizing chemicals that have been linked to abnormal reproductive development.
· levels of mercury increased by 2.5 times after test subjects ate tuna. Mercury is a known neurotoxin and is harmful to children's development.
· levels of bisphenol A increased 7.5 times after eating canned foods out of a microwavable, polycarbonate plastic container. Bisphenol A is a known hormone-disrupting chemical linked to breast and prostate cancer.
· levels of triclosan increased an astounding 2,900 times through the use of anti-bacterial soaps and other personal care products. Triclosan is the active ingredient in many anti-bacterial products linked to the increase of bacterial resistance.
"These results demonstrate that through making careful choices as consumers Canadians can achieve dramatic and rapid reductions in the levels of pollution in their own bodies, and those of their children, almost immediately," said Dr. Rick Smith, co-author of the book and Executive Director of Environmental Defence. "The results also reveal, however, that the only really complete solution to this problem is government leadership. Though it’s possible to reduce their levels, these toxins are too widespread to be completely eliminated from the body." Dr. Smith, and co-author Bruce Lourie, will be discussing the test results this month during a book tour, with stops in Toronto (May 11), Montreal (May 12), Ottawa (May 13), Vancouver (May 19) and Calgary (May 20).
More information about Slow Death by Rubber Duck is available online at http://www.slowdeathbyrubberduck.com/.
About Environmental Defence (http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/): Environmental Defence protects the environment and human health. We research solutions. We educate. We go to court when we have to. All in order to ensure clean air, clean water and thriving ecosystems nationwide, and to bring a halt to Canada's contribution to climate change.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Paying Your Plow Guy or Gal is Good Business
We are all aware that we should refrain from not only rushing but cell phone business while we are in the business of orientating our vehicles. However, this was reiterated to me once again on my way to town in a moment of humiliation. I was so busy attempting to make it to the post office to get my orders out on time, I was driving much too fast down my driveway. When my cell phone rang the story would seem to be self-explanatory. With all the extremely cold conditions and large amounts of snow, when I hit the shoulder of my driveway my very capable four wheel drive vehicle simply decided to gracefully and slowly slip into the very soft and deep snow on the side of the drive. It was entirely hung up so that all the tires just spun.
This is when I knew I had to call Fred the Plow Guy. Calling Fred is usually not a bad thing. However, when you have to call Fred just after he plowed your driveway in order to say you are stuck in your driveway, it isn't all that great of a feeling. Fred usually has some type of new greeting every time you call. There has been Fred's Pizzeria, Taxidermy Services...You dice 'em we Slice 'em and so on. So I call Fred, another very original greeting and then I say, "Fred I know this sounds ridiculous but I'm stuck in my driveway."
"Are you driving your truck?" he asks.
"Yes, I'm driving my truck," I say.
"Well how is that you get your truck stuck in a plowed driveway?" he pleasantly says.
"Well that's the funny thing, the truck is all kind of hung up and I can't seem to use the four wheel drive at all," I say.
"Looks like I gave you too much room to move, I could leave it more like a trail if that keeps you on the road better," he says.
"I suppose that may be so," I say.
"I'll get over there in a bit," he says.
"Roger that," I say.
So I call Vannie from Wojo Originals and say, "Vannie ETA for our vendor meeting is probably going to be off by a bit, that is if I make it to town at all. I'm stuck in my driveway."
Vannie says, "I thought your driveway was all plowed."
I say, "It is."
She says, "Roger that."
I shovel around the truck to make it look like I wasn't entirely helpless.
After picking up one of the neighbours, Fred arrives and pulls my truck out in one effortless tug of his Ford plow truck. I obviously, at this point, also get the backlash of how my particular helpless brand of vehicle is required to follow the Ford by nature. After profusely thanking Fred and our neighbour for pulling me out, Fred says, "Well I guess you better get going and get those orders to town, while I try to break up these sides a bit."
I say once again, "Thank you so very much."
Fred says, "And stop rushing!"
I say, "Roger that."
The moral of the story is...always make sure you pay your plow guy.
And of course, the very important rules of rushing and doing too many things at once. The fact is that I still made it to town to ship my orders and to meet with Vannie, even after I had to chill in the snow bank for awhile.
This is when I knew I had to call Fred the Plow Guy. Calling Fred is usually not a bad thing. However, when you have to call Fred just after he plowed your driveway in order to say you are stuck in your driveway, it isn't all that great of a feeling. Fred usually has some type of new greeting every time you call. There has been Fred's Pizzeria, Taxidermy Services...You dice 'em we Slice 'em and so on. So I call Fred, another very original greeting and then I say, "Fred I know this sounds ridiculous but I'm stuck in my driveway."
"Are you driving your truck?" he asks.
"Yes, I'm driving my truck," I say.
"Well how is that you get your truck stuck in a plowed driveway?" he pleasantly says.
"Well that's the funny thing, the truck is all kind of hung up and I can't seem to use the four wheel drive at all," I say.
"Looks like I gave you too much room to move, I could leave it more like a trail if that keeps you on the road better," he says.
"I suppose that may be so," I say.
"I'll get over there in a bit," he says.
"Roger that," I say.
So I call Vannie from Wojo Originals and say, "Vannie ETA for our vendor meeting is probably going to be off by a bit, that is if I make it to town at all. I'm stuck in my driveway."
Vannie says, "I thought your driveway was all plowed."
I say, "It is."
She says, "Roger that."
I shovel around the truck to make it look like I wasn't entirely helpless.
After picking up one of the neighbours, Fred arrives and pulls my truck out in one effortless tug of his Ford plow truck. I obviously, at this point, also get the backlash of how my particular helpless brand of vehicle is required to follow the Ford by nature. After profusely thanking Fred and our neighbour for pulling me out, Fred says, "Well I guess you better get going and get those orders to town, while I try to break up these sides a bit."
I say once again, "Thank you so very much."
Fred says, "And stop rushing!"
I say, "Roger that."
The moral of the story is...always make sure you pay your plow guy.
And of course, the very important rules of rushing and doing too many things at once. The fact is that I still made it to town to ship my orders and to meet with Vannie, even after I had to chill in the snow bank for awhile.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Life as Business
Happy New Year to all! So it has been quite a while since I have had a blog update. BEE 23 has had much adventure, success and fun since I have last signed on. All of which would have been very enriching on this site. However, in August my satellite Internet went north to Pickle Lake. Alas, life goes on and here I have finally hooked up to the grid with Explornet and Fibertel through a grant with Innovation North and a program for providing Internet access to remote businesses...woohoo!
It's -41C outside and I opted to cancel my appointments and stay home to keep the hut warm. I felt somewhat anxious about this because I had a date in my head that things were to be up and running full force after the holidays. Not to mention that I promised my accountant I would get her bolt cutters back by today. My mail box lock froze so bad during this last cold snap that there was no salvaging it. This has actually been somewhat of a conundrum for this life versus business relationship thing. As I was sipping my coffee and reading with my youngest son at my side, I realized that this is why I have this type of business. I keep reiterating it but the idea is slowly really beginning to take hold. Actually it was half way through a chapter from Scar Tissue that it dawned on me once again, besides the mass chaos and havoc the boys from the Red Hot Chili Peppers put their bodies through they really fulfill their potential in life through acting on what they feel inspired to do, when they want to do it and they do truly honour who they are without editing what they are. It may not be as idealistic as all that or maybe it is but for the most part this is what resonated for me. I don't have much time to read the way I would like but I usually try to have something on the go. The last book I read was Women Who Run With Wolves, which was amazing and I would highly recommend it to any Little Red Riding Hoods who feel they have lost their way! Nonetheless, I just picked up Scar Tissue before the holidays. I don't read many books about bands, it's not really my thing but I have always had an affinity for the energy that the Chili Peppers put out in their music and besides it is a really good read. Personally, it sparked some necessary ideals that I had left somewhere in my wake.
BEE 23 worked really hard last year. It was successful and a great foundation year. I feel very positive about all the great people that were met, the amazing feed back, the lessons learnt and the money made. I really did get to do so many things I love to do through my business. However, I am still a mother of four, living in a sustainable hut and have a great responsibility on my shoulders. The pressure to provide is something that can hang heavily over my head when I leave the door to an event or conference. How is it that we balance the life we live and the business we do? As the holidays approached I realized that I indeed needed a rest. I required some serious R and R that included Wojo Original Slippers and something warm to sip by the fire with some extra-curricular reading material. I actually felt guilty for picking up a book that I wanted to read because I wasn't sure what time that would take away from what I needed to get done, such as getting my blog back up and running.
What happened during these holidays was my inability to look at my email at all. I was very concerned about this, it constantly nagged at me. What should I be getting done, what could I be accomplishing right now. Here I had hooked up this great satellite Internet and I hadn't even turned it on. How is that we get so caught up in what we think we should be doing instead of going with the natural flow of how we feel and what is going on around us? At this point I decided to go snowboarding. Well, I was called from Loch Lomond, one of Thunder Bay's ski hills, and told how awesome the snow was and how it was tooo bad that I wasn't out there. Something clicked in my head that I had turned off awhile ago. The next time everyone went out I was there with my twelve year old rutted out twin disco dotted Burton - thank you to Ryan and the Trevors! Now the interesting thing is that the idea for my business came out of being stranded in my laundry room two years ago with a new little one draped on my side and my inability to get out and go boarding during a huge snow dump. Not that I didn't feel blessed for my little one but I do remember watching the snow flakes fall from the basement window feeling a hallow forming somewhere in my soul.
When I board I can put all that immense energy I have into something physical and feel accomplished and solid. It is the type of energy that isn't necessarily used in the service of others, such as our children and our families. It is that energy that may be for some part self-serving and a memory of when we lived fully for our own spirit. Maintaining a sense of that freedom brings back energy to all those tasks, obligations and people that we care for. When I didn't have anywhere to put that regular flow of energy I came up with this business idea as a positive place to funnel it. At this year end what I experienced was the point where you come to a particular peak and it is time to sit, look at the tracks you made and reflect on where you have just been. This is the important moment before you gear up and head down the other side or rest before going onto the next peak. It is not something to feel bad about but appreciate and rejoice in. I almost missed this very important step. I also nearly forgot to go back to the things I loved that created all that wonderful life energy that I initially brought to the business.
This is also a moment that as a woman I look to our male counterparts and honour what they do well. Men and boys seem to just do this naturally. They take time to have fun and they do a lot of business while they are scheduling in their fun. How many globally important decisions have been made while hitting little white balls around to a specified hole in the ground. Then there are the boys who spend hours figuring out what will happen when they put pressure on this foot or move the board this way or jump off this pipe and then score a deal that is worth more than town they live in. Not that this has escaped the female species but it would seem to have been more prevalent initially with our boys because of this natural ability to forget about everything and have fun. I believe being a driven multi-tasker is hard wired into much of the female gender...If I schedule this meeting for noon, then I could run to the laundry mat, throw in the clothes and then get back in time to put them in the dryer and head to the 2:00 p.m. appointment with the accountant and still have time to pick the kids up from school and get groceries. This is an awe inspiring skill that I don't know has really been honoured throughout the many ages but it is also one that I believe, as women in business, can take us away from some very important aspects of the life we are actually living.
As it turned out, I opted to not do business for awhile. Not until I felt inspired to do so. So I went boarding. I didn't instantly feel like working on my business the next day but what did happen was I introduced my product more than a few times and went through my whole spiel without even thinking about it. When I saw people out, the conversation always came around to what am I doing now. So that's when I say, well I'm making this stuff not wanting to talk about my business at all. However, then they say, "well what kind of stuff?"
It's -41C outside and I opted to cancel my appointments and stay home to keep the hut warm. I felt somewhat anxious about this because I had a date in my head that things were to be up and running full force after the holidays. Not to mention that I promised my accountant I would get her bolt cutters back by today. My mail box lock froze so bad during this last cold snap that there was no salvaging it. This has actually been somewhat of a conundrum for this life versus business relationship thing. As I was sipping my coffee and reading with my youngest son at my side, I realized that this is why I have this type of business. I keep reiterating it but the idea is slowly really beginning to take hold. Actually it was half way through a chapter from Scar Tissue that it dawned on me once again, besides the mass chaos and havoc the boys from the Red Hot Chili Peppers put their bodies through they really fulfill their potential in life through acting on what they feel inspired to do, when they want to do it and they do truly honour who they are without editing what they are. It may not be as idealistic as all that or maybe it is but for the most part this is what resonated for me. I don't have much time to read the way I would like but I usually try to have something on the go. The last book I read was Women Who Run With Wolves, which was amazing and I would highly recommend it to any Little Red Riding Hoods who feel they have lost their way! Nonetheless, I just picked up Scar Tissue before the holidays. I don't read many books about bands, it's not really my thing but I have always had an affinity for the energy that the Chili Peppers put out in their music and besides it is a really good read. Personally, it sparked some necessary ideals that I had left somewhere in my wake.
BEE 23 worked really hard last year. It was successful and a great foundation year. I feel very positive about all the great people that were met, the amazing feed back, the lessons learnt and the money made. I really did get to do so many things I love to do through my business. However, I am still a mother of four, living in a sustainable hut and have a great responsibility on my shoulders. The pressure to provide is something that can hang heavily over my head when I leave the door to an event or conference. How is it that we balance the life we live and the business we do? As the holidays approached I realized that I indeed needed a rest. I required some serious R and R that included Wojo Original Slippers and something warm to sip by the fire with some extra-curricular reading material. I actually felt guilty for picking up a book that I wanted to read because I wasn't sure what time that would take away from what I needed to get done, such as getting my blog back up and running.
What happened during these holidays was my inability to look at my email at all. I was very concerned about this, it constantly nagged at me. What should I be getting done, what could I be accomplishing right now. Here I had hooked up this great satellite Internet and I hadn't even turned it on. How is that we get so caught up in what we think we should be doing instead of going with the natural flow of how we feel and what is going on around us? At this point I decided to go snowboarding. Well, I was called from Loch Lomond, one of Thunder Bay's ski hills, and told how awesome the snow was and how it was tooo bad that I wasn't out there. Something clicked in my head that I had turned off awhile ago. The next time everyone went out I was there with my twelve year old rutted out twin disco dotted Burton - thank you to Ryan and the Trevors! Now the interesting thing is that the idea for my business came out of being stranded in my laundry room two years ago with a new little one draped on my side and my inability to get out and go boarding during a huge snow dump. Not that I didn't feel blessed for my little one but I do remember watching the snow flakes fall from the basement window feeling a hallow forming somewhere in my soul.
When I board I can put all that immense energy I have into something physical and feel accomplished and solid. It is the type of energy that isn't necessarily used in the service of others, such as our children and our families. It is that energy that may be for some part self-serving and a memory of when we lived fully for our own spirit. Maintaining a sense of that freedom brings back energy to all those tasks, obligations and people that we care for. When I didn't have anywhere to put that regular flow of energy I came up with this business idea as a positive place to funnel it. At this year end what I experienced was the point where you come to a particular peak and it is time to sit, look at the tracks you made and reflect on where you have just been. This is the important moment before you gear up and head down the other side or rest before going onto the next peak. It is not something to feel bad about but appreciate and rejoice in. I almost missed this very important step. I also nearly forgot to go back to the things I loved that created all that wonderful life energy that I initially brought to the business.
This is also a moment that as a woman I look to our male counterparts and honour what they do well. Men and boys seem to just do this naturally. They take time to have fun and they do a lot of business while they are scheduling in their fun. How many globally important decisions have been made while hitting little white balls around to a specified hole in the ground. Then there are the boys who spend hours figuring out what will happen when they put pressure on this foot or move the board this way or jump off this pipe and then score a deal that is worth more than town they live in. Not that this has escaped the female species but it would seem to have been more prevalent initially with our boys because of this natural ability to forget about everything and have fun. I believe being a driven multi-tasker is hard wired into much of the female gender...If I schedule this meeting for noon, then I could run to the laundry mat, throw in the clothes and then get back in time to put them in the dryer and head to the 2:00 p.m. appointment with the accountant and still have time to pick the kids up from school and get groceries. This is an awe inspiring skill that I don't know has really been honoured throughout the many ages but it is also one that I believe, as women in business, can take us away from some very important aspects of the life we are actually living.
As it turned out, I opted to not do business for awhile. Not until I felt inspired to do so. So I went boarding. I didn't instantly feel like working on my business the next day but what did happen was I introduced my product more than a few times and went through my whole spiel without even thinking about it. When I saw people out, the conversation always came around to what am I doing now. So that's when I say, well I'm making this stuff not wanting to talk about my business at all. However, then they say, "well what kind of stuff?"
Then they what to see and know, so I dig in my pocket and they want to put it on and then they like it and want to know where to get it. The whole time I've just been boarding and not thinking about business. My business is my life and when I'm out doing what I like to do, I realized it just comes naturally and it doesn't always need to feel like work to be justifiable. The life energy from having fun doing something you love, begins to rejuvenate the emotional and physical self and ultimately you do feel like getting the jobs you wanted and needed done. Often, as women it would seem we have naturally worked so hard to keep the threads of society together that we feel that fun needs to be justified when it is really a universal right to have joy in the life you lead.
The other interesting thing is that I was very concerned that I had not maintained my blog and that I had missed the date that I was going to get back to it. However, now that I opted to not do a "work day" in town, I ended up doing "work" without at all realizing it because I felt inspired and gave myself the space to do what I wanted. I am also beginning to honour the environment around me. IT IS -41C OUTSIDE. That is a blanket, warm beverage and good reading material kind of day. This is no doubt encapsulated within the pressure to provide but I think having the faith that your joy will lead you to your prosperity is one that I want to know. So besides going to get some wood for the fire, my slippers are staying on! I'm happy to be back on the grid and looking forward to the fun and adventure this year has to offer. I am going into this business year thinking about enjoying more and editing less. I really hope it involves a work related trip somewhere warm!! I also think as soon as this cold spell breaks it's time to travel to our friends at Ouimet Canyon Retreat and Campground for some serious cribbage...'till we meet back on the grid...
The other interesting thing is that I was very concerned that I had not maintained my blog and that I had missed the date that I was going to get back to it. However, now that I opted to not do a "work day" in town, I ended up doing "work" without at all realizing it because I felt inspired and gave myself the space to do what I wanted. I am also beginning to honour the environment around me. IT IS -41C OUTSIDE. That is a blanket, warm beverage and good reading material kind of day. This is no doubt encapsulated within the pressure to provide but I think having the faith that your joy will lead you to your prosperity is one that I want to know. So besides going to get some wood for the fire, my slippers are staying on! I'm happy to be back on the grid and looking forward to the fun and adventure this year has to offer. I am going into this business year thinking about enjoying more and editing less. I really hope it involves a work related trip somewhere warm!! I also think as soon as this cold spell breaks it's time to travel to our friends at Ouimet Canyon Retreat and Campground for some serious cribbage...'till we meet back on the grid...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Article written for the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce October 2008 online newsletter
Town Shoes, Work Boots and Manufacturing in Thunder Bay
By Michelle Rutledge Queen Bee of BEE 23
When asked to submit an article based on my ideologies in regards to manufacturing in the Northwestern Ontario Region, I immediately began to go over the latest statistics in the hope to propose a sound well-founded argument.
I quickly realized that although it would perhaps be interesting and accessible to a portion of the audience, it simply was not going to get the job done. If I didn’t personally write it, then I probably wouldn’t take the time to read it either. I began to think in terms of, if this were the one chance that I had to voice my opinion in regards to stewardship in the north and the route to thriving as a community, then how would I get that across.
What is it that truly brings a smile to my face when I think about Thunder Bay when I am in other destination points in the world? What that is, believe it or not, is shoes. They say you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes on their feet.
We can all relate to shoes, we all know what they are and if you don’t have them you still know what they are and truly want them. That is of course unless you are living in a tropical beach hut with a fully stocked corner market in walking distance.
When I have been in the company of others in various places in the world, I have often thought to myself that this very conversation could take place in Thunder Bay with all parties in the same steel toed work boots that they have worn for the last fifteen years.
Although they could easily buy new boots, they simply have not bothered because the pair they currently have are perfectly fine and comfortable. I like the fact that I know that these person’s “portfolios,” are probably much bigger than the particular individual standing in front of me wearing something out of Milan.
This is not to say that I have any problem with shoes from Milan. However, if I can go to my first Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Christmas event no less in my Sketchers because I forgot my “town shoes,” and still make a sale to a great client in that evening, then that is a great thing.
When I am delivering my spiel for my own business I talk a lot about sustainability. So what is sustainability really and how is it possible for Thunder Bay with all of what makes it Thunder Bay be sustainable. The fact that I have known so many individuals over the years who keep the same pair of boots, or vehicle, even when they could replace it, just because it still runs and it does the job, is sustainability in action.
At this point in time gas consumption on a 1980’s Ford or Dodge is arguable but the principle is the same. We do not need to continually consume because we are told that something else is bigger or better and we still can be prosperous and successful. What we need to do is shift the way we look at things just a little bit.
What has happened here in Thunder Bay, is like those great pair of boots that you have had for the last fifteen years. No matter how comfy they are and how nice they fit around the ankles, when they get holes and cannot be sewn once more, they are not going to keep the rain out in the spring or the snow out in the winter.This is when it is time to use those learnt and earned resources to go get yourself the most innovative, top of the line, cool, arch comfortable, ankle hugging new pair of boots with a life time warranty that may last you another fifteen years. Of course, in all the experience over the years of wearing the old boots, the new pair will incorporate all the things that are inherently important to you but add a unique flare that fits this new mature and confident self. I am not suggesting that it isn’t hard to change your boots but if you are going to keep your feet dry that is what needs to happen.
Thunder Bay needs to change it’s boots.
Thunder Bay is a very reasonable place to manufacture goods and deliver services. As a up and coming natural cosmetics company I can see the potential for manufacturing in this region. What is required, is a change in perspective of what is manufactured here and how we do it.
In the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission paper for the Contact Center Location in August 2008 it states that not only out of the five cities including St. Paul, Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee is Thunder Bay the lowest cost site for labor and fringe costs, building costs, taxes, freight, electricity and quality of life and/or housing, that we are also a generally well-educated community. Out of those educated, the greater field of study being architecture, engineering and technology to be followed by business, management and public relations and in third health, parks, recreation and fitness. The later two, business and health being predominantly studied by women (I thought I would throw that in). It would seem that if Thunder Bay were truly using the resources it already was creating here to it’s advantage, we would have more flying in to see how things are run around here and not the other way around.
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but I would beg to differ.
It wasn’t a dog but it was an old mare. After years of begging and berating my parents, they found me a pretty eleven year old gray Arabian halter horse who needed a new lease on life. I was immediately told by many that it would be impossible to retrain something that old and she would never work under saddle for me. However, she had such a big heart and she was so forgiving that she was able to relearn and carry me to the next step.
I believe that Thunder Bay has a big enough heart and the endurance to really look at what makes us blessed to be here and use it in a way that works with the economic shift that is imminently occurring. If the Northwestern Ontario Region is to not just survive but thrive, in a swiftly changing commerce, then it will be about appreciating who we are at the heart, acknowledging our unique qualities and having the courage to take the risks necessary to be a leader. It is so often that I have friends come to visit and as soon as they get in my door I hear, “thank goodness I’m back for awhile I can’t wait to take off my shoes, do you have an old pair of boots I could borrow.” The character, charm and comfort of those old pair boots should not be lost because it is what makes us who we are but it is time for them to be put in the closet so that a new pair can be enjoyed.
Combining the spirit of the youth with the hard learned wisdom of those who have played the game will be the key to the future of this city.
There may be several jumps and misses but that is what it is all about. Sustainability is much like a functional and strong family network. There is an unconditional love and acknowledgement for those around you, an equitable sharing of resources, the investment in each person for who they are and the perseverance to see one another through each other’s mistakes and accomplishments. Not to mention that when you have a healthy sense of boundaries no one will get the benefit of your resources before you are able to establish your own needs.
It might take a few visits to different stores and sales people with some various styles but it is time to get some new digs. It would be even better if we were manufacturing what we were wearing and making our resources work for us first. It may take a little while to wear them in but at least we will be wearing something instead of looking for something to wear.
By Michelle Rutledge Queen Bee of BEE 23
When asked to submit an article based on my ideologies in regards to manufacturing in the Northwestern Ontario Region, I immediately began to go over the latest statistics in the hope to propose a sound well-founded argument.
I quickly realized that although it would perhaps be interesting and accessible to a portion of the audience, it simply was not going to get the job done. If I didn’t personally write it, then I probably wouldn’t take the time to read it either. I began to think in terms of, if this were the one chance that I had to voice my opinion in regards to stewardship in the north and the route to thriving as a community, then how would I get that across.
What is it that truly brings a smile to my face when I think about Thunder Bay when I am in other destination points in the world? What that is, believe it or not, is shoes. They say you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes on their feet.
We can all relate to shoes, we all know what they are and if you don’t have them you still know what they are and truly want them. That is of course unless you are living in a tropical beach hut with a fully stocked corner market in walking distance.
When I have been in the company of others in various places in the world, I have often thought to myself that this very conversation could take place in Thunder Bay with all parties in the same steel toed work boots that they have worn for the last fifteen years.
Although they could easily buy new boots, they simply have not bothered because the pair they currently have are perfectly fine and comfortable. I like the fact that I know that these person’s “portfolios,” are probably much bigger than the particular individual standing in front of me wearing something out of Milan.
This is not to say that I have any problem with shoes from Milan. However, if I can go to my first Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Christmas event no less in my Sketchers because I forgot my “town shoes,” and still make a sale to a great client in that evening, then that is a great thing.
When I am delivering my spiel for my own business I talk a lot about sustainability. So what is sustainability really and how is it possible for Thunder Bay with all of what makes it Thunder Bay be sustainable. The fact that I have known so many individuals over the years who keep the same pair of boots, or vehicle, even when they could replace it, just because it still runs and it does the job, is sustainability in action.
At this point in time gas consumption on a 1980’s Ford or Dodge is arguable but the principle is the same. We do not need to continually consume because we are told that something else is bigger or better and we still can be prosperous and successful. What we need to do is shift the way we look at things just a little bit.
What has happened here in Thunder Bay, is like those great pair of boots that you have had for the last fifteen years. No matter how comfy they are and how nice they fit around the ankles, when they get holes and cannot be sewn once more, they are not going to keep the rain out in the spring or the snow out in the winter.This is when it is time to use those learnt and earned resources to go get yourself the most innovative, top of the line, cool, arch comfortable, ankle hugging new pair of boots with a life time warranty that may last you another fifteen years. Of course, in all the experience over the years of wearing the old boots, the new pair will incorporate all the things that are inherently important to you but add a unique flare that fits this new mature and confident self. I am not suggesting that it isn’t hard to change your boots but if you are going to keep your feet dry that is what needs to happen.
Thunder Bay needs to change it’s boots.
Thunder Bay is a very reasonable place to manufacture goods and deliver services. As a up and coming natural cosmetics company I can see the potential for manufacturing in this region. What is required, is a change in perspective of what is manufactured here and how we do it.
In the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission paper for the Contact Center Location in August 2008 it states that not only out of the five cities including St. Paul, Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee is Thunder Bay the lowest cost site for labor and fringe costs, building costs, taxes, freight, electricity and quality of life and/or housing, that we are also a generally well-educated community. Out of those educated, the greater field of study being architecture, engineering and technology to be followed by business, management and public relations and in third health, parks, recreation and fitness. The later two, business and health being predominantly studied by women (I thought I would throw that in). It would seem that if Thunder Bay were truly using the resources it already was creating here to it’s advantage, we would have more flying in to see how things are run around here and not the other way around.
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but I would beg to differ.
It wasn’t a dog but it was an old mare. After years of begging and berating my parents, they found me a pretty eleven year old gray Arabian halter horse who needed a new lease on life. I was immediately told by many that it would be impossible to retrain something that old and she would never work under saddle for me. However, she had such a big heart and she was so forgiving that she was able to relearn and carry me to the next step.
I believe that Thunder Bay has a big enough heart and the endurance to really look at what makes us blessed to be here and use it in a way that works with the economic shift that is imminently occurring. If the Northwestern Ontario Region is to not just survive but thrive, in a swiftly changing commerce, then it will be about appreciating who we are at the heart, acknowledging our unique qualities and having the courage to take the risks necessary to be a leader. It is so often that I have friends come to visit and as soon as they get in my door I hear, “thank goodness I’m back for awhile I can’t wait to take off my shoes, do you have an old pair of boots I could borrow.” The character, charm and comfort of those old pair boots should not be lost because it is what makes us who we are but it is time for them to be put in the closet so that a new pair can be enjoyed.
Combining the spirit of the youth with the hard learned wisdom of those who have played the game will be the key to the future of this city.
There may be several jumps and misses but that is what it is all about. Sustainability is much like a functional and strong family network. There is an unconditional love and acknowledgement for those around you, an equitable sharing of resources, the investment in each person for who they are and the perseverance to see one another through each other’s mistakes and accomplishments. Not to mention that when you have a healthy sense of boundaries no one will get the benefit of your resources before you are able to establish your own needs.
It might take a few visits to different stores and sales people with some various styles but it is time to get some new digs. It would be even better if we were manufacturing what we were wearing and making our resources work for us first. It may take a little while to wear them in but at least we will be wearing something instead of looking for something to wear.
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