Community...A Business Plan? Part 2

So they tell me we have to put an actual business plan (no matter what it includes) down on paper and not just in my head. They being my partners in Thimbleberry Press. You're probably thinking, "You've published two books, formed an LLC and don't have a business plan"?! Hey, stuff happens, and at Thimbleberry Press, LLC it literally did. We had the idea and the opportunity, through the generous auspices of the Chinese government, to create our first book so we took it. The official business plan would just have to wait.

Before you become too critical of our business acumen (that's the job of the several voices rattling around inside my head after all) to our credit we did understand the importance of a formal plan and we had a mission statement as well as the beginnings of a vision statement. But when opportunity knocks you don't waste time deciding whether or not you're ready to open the door, and you certainly don't take the time to replace the hinges and add a few deadbolts while you're at it. A book needed to be made and we had the chance to make it.

And there you have the kernel of our plan...books need to be made and we can make them. That sounds both simplistic and egotistical at the same time (and given the present state of the publishing industry it also sounds down right silly), but isn't that optimistic egotism at the heart of every artist or entrepreneur? Since I find the process of creating books exciting and the process of creating a business plan something akin to being dropped into a high school trigonometry class, I've decided to blog about our process and post bits and pieces of the plan as we finalize them. Maybe it will help me get through it, and also help some other none-business-oriented people out there find their own way through the maze that is A Formal Business Plan.

In the spirit of artistic freedom we started with Section 3 and are working our way backwards and forwards as inspiration strikes. So:
Section 3.
A. Mission Statement:
Bring thoughtful, beautiful and affordable books and web-based materials on culture, history, art and language to the broadest possible public.

Tada. I feel better already. Even I can see how having such a large mission will require some careful and detailed planning. So on to Section 1 or 5 or whatever gets finished next. I'll keep you posted.

Welcome to Paradise

I want to say up front that I don't truly believe in paradise. At least, I don't believe in it as a realistic destination in my lifetime. But Richard Dana of Kearsarge Glass Works and Museum in Calumet Township (shown here working a mass of recycled glass into a stunning vase right before our eyes) welcomed us to it, so I guess we have arrived without even trying. If this is paradise, it's the kind that might make me a believer--it works you hard and let's you take nothing for granted.

Twenty years ago Richard taught himself the craft of glass blowing and has been honing his skills every summer since. He works with the most difficult medium a glass blower could choose--and the cheapest--bottle glass that he recycles. The workshop and small, perfect museum (like stepping back to the turn of the 20th century) he made himself.

And roughly twenty years ago I began learning the art and craft of making books. With only temporary (and usually misguided) interruptions to earn a living in more "rational" ways, I've been honing my skills ever since. Lucky people have the time and money to let them fulfill their dreams in any chosen direction. But maybe the luckiest people find the work that fulfills them and the will to pursue it...all the way to paradise.

Summer Flurries

Winter in the Keweenaw may be all about snow, but summer is all about getting out and seeing people, doing everything you can (while there is no snow), and (also) getting ready for snow. If all you want to do is sit by a beach bonfire and watch the Lake Superior waves roll in at sunset you can certainly do that, but first you will have to resist the temptation to attend a veritable flurry of local festivals celebrating everything from strawberries, to bridges, to pasties, to mining history. Then, of course, there are the arts and crafts fairs, musical performances, bike races, Parks Service programs and guided hikes, art galleries, agate hunting, book stores, wild berries to pick and lighthouses to tour. Thankfully, the sun doesn't set until after 10:00 pm so there is almost time for everything, including making wood—that's the Yooper term for getting in firewood—in preparation for (what else?) snow.

Our First Fourth

Thimbleberry Press enjoyed its first July 4th celebration in Copper City. The parade consisted of kids on decorated bikes and other wheeled vehicles, one flag bearer, and two dogs. Next year maybe we can sponsor a band or a float but this year was just fine by me. The town unveiled the finished park sign, had a barbecue and bake sale and lots of traditional games in the park for the kids--water balloon tosses were the favorite by far.

Now its back to work on our next projects including, appropriately enough, a poetry anthology about work. Yes, work in all and any form. We'll keep you updated on our progress and the pub date.