Articles tagged “bootstrap”
Make locally
Saturday, 24 January, 2009 — business bootstrap
I know Obama’s inaugural address wasn’t filled with fireworks. I know some coworkers I have a great deal of respect for didn’t hear anything of substance they felt they could buy into.
But there was something in the speech I found particularly appealing as both a software developer and a photographer:
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those that prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor — who have carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
I take as a charge to move beyond thinking and do. But there’s more than just bootstrapping a business, posting photographs and writing. There’s a community of makers. Other photographers, other software developers. But it’s bigger than that.
My wife, Robin, and I went to see Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins at Durham’s Common Ground Theatre. A wonderful two act, two person play. Set aside the irony of me talking about making with regard to a play for someone who made, uh, interesting music. Instead, consider a local acting company. Actors, production crew. A space for them. They’re making something, in the Triangle. They put on a play for two hours, change into street clothes and go back out into the night and blend in.
When making, it’s easy to fall into the trap of not following through, of putting something off until tomorrow. Creation is exposition and exposure, and it’s as thrilling as it is frightening. But there’s support for your own creation in seeing others create. There’s also a symbiosis of the creators seeing you.
Get out, meet other makers and support their creations. A hack night, a house concert, something. Meet other people who create and remind yourself of the power of your own creative energy. Collaborate. Learn.
Maybe you’re into theatre. If you are, there’s one more performance of Souvenir, and they’d love to have a sell out tonight. Go.