OTA.
Last, I announced that I received the OTA:Trailblazer title. Most everyone has probably seen the articles from the Pipestone County Star or the OTA feature or update; to figure out what it is all about. But, we'll still do a little update.
After being chosen as the OTA: Trailblazer I had to decide where I was going to run with this because there are so many things I care about in this community; historic preservation, story preservation, the future of our youth here, the possibilities for my business, the people I have met full of stories and support, the studio I am a part of and the students I surround myself with, the agricultural community here that supports a lot of the people in it, the way the community will/has to sustain itself...literally, everything!
So I tried to figure out how to encompass all of the things most important to me. Of course, my business is important to me, the second thing is my students at the studio, and third thing is the sustainment of this community. Now, to roll that into a ball I wanted to connect different generations from successful business owners that have found themselves at the bottom and worked their way to the top, to entrepreneurs just starting out, and through that, show younger generations that Pipestone is an option; a place to call home forever. To be able to connect the different businesses on different levels of success realizing they are all here for one common goal; betterment of their community. Still confused, probably, but as I discussed just tonight with another business owner, it is hard to bottle up everything you are so passionate about and explain it in a conversation, or even in writing, without just showing it; so that is what I have been up to!
In all of that, I had my OTA Conversation event in which a lot of people I invited were people I hadn't really met, but people who influenced me, the way I see this community, or people who impact this community and want to see it progress and thrive. Some questioned what was really happening, but with some convincing and encouragement from others attending, they did attend and from the sounds of it, didn't regret it.
Like all great things, there are always those that don't really understand what you are doing or feel a little offended by it if they don't understand. For those who don't understand, lets have coffee and chat about it, I'd love to! For those who are offended, I guess as the saying goes "well-behaved women seldom make history." I am doing just that; I don't care if someone remembers who I am, but that I tried to inspire and break some barriers that we all see, but are afraid to knock on the door of for the betterment of our home.
What else...well, I hosted the Backyard Business BBQ at our home to host Chamber Members and businesses who are potential business members. This was a casual environment where we opened our backyards for people to mingle with businesses that aren't always in the spotlight and to connect with people we wouldn't normally do so with. I think it went great and we plan to host it again next year!
Just this last week I finally got into contact with Pipestone Area School and will be going into talk to sophomores about how Pipestone can be a forever home and the opportunities around them. Being from a small town, I know the feeling of never wanting to go back to the small town, but here I am, in a smaller town and making opportunities for myself where I see fit.
This week we also attend the OTA Retrospective event in Sioux Falls looking back on the past 8 years of the OTA journey. It was great and we got to see and connect with so many different creatives.
Next up? OTA: Black Hills! I will be heading to Rapid City to participate in the OTA Black Hills event and do a one-on-one Q&A with Hugh, the Founder of OTA. I will get to talk about my passions, my journey as an OTA Trailblazer, advocating for my community of Pipestone, and to hang out with lots of great creatives. If you haven't bought tickets, I encourage you to do so here.
Pipestone Life.
With all of this I have been fortunate to attend meetings on Strategic Planning for Pipestone's future. If those don't make your brain hurt! Before these meetings there was a Community Conversation with everyone from the community, we got to go over what the community really wants to see progress and thrive. All of these ideas were sparked from a phone interview, as well as a community wide survey that went out. This was helpful because people got to express their feels without having a face and name behind it. It really helped me with my OTA Trailblazer project, realize that people really do feel this way, it is not just an assumption. I got to see more as a community member, not just the new comer with outside eyes, which has really benefitted me and my relationship with community members as well. Anyway! Being able to attend these meetings really made me see so many things and understand things a lot more to be a contributing citizen to my community. Also, through this I feel I have been a gateway for some community members because I am just the new kid stepping up and not the usual face of Pipestone.; it is so nice to find that trust in so many people. I have had numerous people tell me to become the mayor, but I think I'll leave that for someone else at this point in my life, haha.
LC Design.
Since the last post we have done one show, Unique Junque in Rowena, South Dakota. It was wonderful even though it was hotter than hell and I wasn't feeling well, but we made it and it went wonderfully! We will be sure to be doing a few of Remington's sales again next summer!
LC Design may be finding itself a new look. A new logo is in the works being that we dont exactly have one currently. We have a graphic designer from the Twin Cities area working on a new design for us and hopefully we can unveil it soon, we are pretty excited for it!
We got to donate to C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) organization - Minnesota Chapter with all of our sales of the Thin Blue Line products. We are so absolutely happy we could do this as such a small business, we thank all of you who have purchased one making it possible to donate!
We've laid pretty low just because it is fall and harvest is in full force right now! Currently, our next show will be November 5th in Pipestone at Pipestone Area School for the Annual Holiday Festival as long as harvest is wrapped (or almost wrapped) up.
Minnesota Farm Living.
Last November I was featured on Minnesota Farm Living's 30 Days of Agriculture. I approached Wanda about doing another post this time about the life of a farm wife during harvest/fall. We did it and the response has been amazing! We've have well over 2,000 views, over 100 shares, and over 200 likes. So many can resonate with it and it is nice reminder than we are not all alone. You can read it here.
Well, I guess that is all for now! Right now we are taking orders for Christmas items...it is never to early to let us know what you are thinking so we can get it on the list. Also, if anyone wants to talk OTA project, I am serious, send me a message and let's meet up and get coffee, I'll even pay! Hopefully after OTA: Black Hills we can get a good update in a timely matter ;)
xoxo.
