blackberries and books

I’ve been reading a lot of business-y types of books lately. To be honest though, I usually can’t get through them too well.. Jasper starts crying or there’s something/one I need to attend to- and with those kinds of books I think you need a good chunk of time to be able to absorb them. The one that I’m reading right now is called ‘Business and the Buddha- Doing Well by Doing Good’ by Lloyd Field. Not since ‘Craft Inc.’ have I flown through a book this fast! It’s so cool to read something that reinforces your ideals and ethics. I’ve tried to do business straight from my heart, always thinking how what I do can benefit others- weather it be employing mama’s to do some piece work for me or giving away a doll to a little one that is in love with her. My goal has always been to have bamboletta help out as many people as possible, locally and sustainably. Financially, if this means that John can stay home and we work together and I can afford to send my kids to the Waldorf school – I’m happy. I don’t need much. Profit has never been my goal.

Here’s an excerpt from the book;

No longer can any business-big or small- afford to focus solely on profit. Real assessment of a business’s worth must take into account its consideration of human values and the realities of our shared planet.’

Here, here!

On to something totally different. John, myself and the kids have been ‘scrumping’ blackberries these past few days. John has had a few days off and we’ve been driving around country roads finding blackberry bushes and just going to town on them. We’ve been able to fill a few freezer bags so far- a tasty treat for when the snow sets in. Ohh, there are few things I love more then blackberry and apple crumble! With custard of course.

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What John has done on his days off. Ack! I’m making him Apple Blackberry Crumble tonight!

** I am so sad that I missed the Radiohead concert last night, like really, really sad. I’ve been watching this over and over again..sniff**

**I think Olympic speedwalking has surpassed Tour de France as sport of choice, have any of you seen this competetion, I mean is this for real? I LOVE it! I would imagine Prince doing really well at it! I’m sure the latest race will be on YouTube tomorrow. **


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6 responses to “blackberries and books”

  1. Meike Avatar

    Yes! Business from the heart Christina, instead of purely from the head – I couldn’t agree more. It’s not just about profit – although to be fair, it certainly helps if the bills get paid. ๐Ÿ˜‰ But more and more, the way big businesses operate these days has been sickening me. Why does it always have to be bigger, better and more plastic? When I walk into a regular toy store, I want to run away screaming. So much mass produced junk! Whatever happened to imagination? It’s the same throughout our society. So… here’s to people like you and John, who know what it takes to make other people happy AND use their heart while doing it! Okay, that maybe didn’t come out quite right, but you know what I mean… ๐Ÿ™‚

    Awwww, I’ve totally missed the speedwalking! Pieter (my husband) mentioned it yesterday, and I forgot… LOL, it must have been good fun! *grins* You Tube, here I come…

    P.S. Now stop showing off all those heads! First Berry, now you… What is it with you people – I’m going insane here!! ๐Ÿ˜‰ ๐Ÿ˜‰ ๐Ÿ˜‰

  2. Christine Avatar

    Business from the heart, wonderful concept. I know my father would say it won’t make money, but hopefully times have changed and more and more companies will go that route!
    What a lot of heads John has made! Very impressive.

    Christine

  3. Berrie Avatar

    Oh Christina you light a fire under my feet. I just ordered the book from the library. I’ll have it in a few days. I have so much to learn about business. I really just want to sew and have someone else to the business part.
    The pile of heads is as twitterpating as the dyed yarn hanging up to dry. Oh the possibilities! I love John. I know. I’ve never met him (you either really), but I love him. When I make a pile of heads, they aren’t even for me. I am going to have to do myself a favor and get to it ๐Ÿ™‚

    xoxoBerrie

  4. admin Avatar
    admin

    Meike- I totally agree with what you’ve said. I mean- I’m a really small business- I have 2 moms that do a bit of sewing for me, but it’s mostly just me in the basement- but the change that needs to happen has to happen somewhere right? I’ve also read ‘Tipping Point’ which I find quite interesting, although not as much as a ‘breakthrough’ as I though it would be, I mean didn’t lots of us know that stuff already? Anyway, I’m off on a tangent- ‘Tipping Point’ was interesting in discussing what starts social trends and it always starts off small. I take great pleasure in knowing that if I’m doing it (business) this way, then there are others doing it this way as well. I firmly believe in a collective subconscious.
    Oh, yes – but the bills do need to be paid, and I would like a nice bag once in a while ๐Ÿ˜‰ That’s me just being fickle.
    Christine- Thanks! I told John the compliment- he just nodded in agreement!
    Berrie- I think another one is ‘The Boss of Me’ but I haven’t read it yet. It’s next on my list. John (and I !) love you too!

  5. Trisha Avatar

    A book I found inspiring was Values-Driven Business: How to Change the World, Make Money, and Have Fun by Ben Cohen (one of the founders of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream). They really drive home the fact that you can grow and expand and still keep your values and core ideas in check. Just thought you might want to check it out. It always amazes me that you write about the exact topic I am reading, thinking, or pondering at the that exact point in time. Kinda freaky and comforting at same time.

    By the way I am loving the new smaller dolls and will have to stock up for future birthdays.

    Trish

  6. pascaline Legros Avatar
    pascaline Legros

    I really love your blog and your way of thinking… i am a reflexologist back in france, and some women who really need a treatment can t afford it , So i made a deal with them I still do it but in exchange of something they made… ( cake , soupe, drawing for some) like that they don t feel they own me something… but on the other side , i am still not yet living of my work… thanks good , my hubbies can help us with that…

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