Altruistic Capitalism

Today is May Day.  Today is the day, many people take to the streets to protest the rights of workers and immigrants, the current economic crisis, and a myriad of other specific causes.  NPR has a good summary of what is happening via many different news sources.  You can check it out here.

At Bon Lemon, we believe in altruistic capitalism.  If you google "altruistic capitalism" there are all sorts of opinions and political ideologies defining what this concept means to them, but we would like to define what it means for us, because it is at the core of our mission as a business.

First, a little history might be helpful.  For those of you who already know the story, skip this part.  I started Bon Lemon after I was laid off from my job.  Well, two jobs actually.  (Yes.  That really sucked at the time.)  I was in the real estate law industry and the real estate industry tanked.  I found myself overqualified and unemployable.  I applied for tons of jobs and was casually rejected by each.  I couldn't even get a job at a local bakery.  Yikes!  When I could not stand unemployment any longer, fast food seemed like the only place left to look, and there was nothing left to lose, I started Bon Lemon with nothing more than a passion for being an entrepreneur and a credit card.

People say I was brave for starting Bon Lemon, but in all honesty, I would not have started Bon Lemon had someone hired me for a cushy, uninspiring job.  I would have taken the job so I could have health insurance and not feel like the pile of crap "unemployed friend/daughter/sister/girlfriend/insert-my-relationship-to-you-here."  I would have taken the job, watched the minute hand on the clock everyday, and I wouldn't have created anything.

But out of necessity (one can only live with their parents for so long after age 30) I started Bon Lemon, which was my true dream.  As I have said before, necessity is an ardent motivator.  I am so glad I was given the opportunity to fail and spend some time dealing with that failure, so I could create something great.  If you don't ever need for anything, it is easy to become entitled and apathetic.  Instead, I got the opportunity to create a business committed to changing the world through altruistic capitalism.

So, what does that mean?  It means, we want to make money, so we can do amazing stuff with it.  We want to employ people so they are happier, healthier and nicer to their families and neighbors.  We want to spend money at cool stores with owners who work their butts off to keep the flavor and feel of our towns alive. We want to give money to charities that are working hard to help make our world safer and more fun.  We want to make money so we can make the world a better place.  That's altruistic capitalism to us.

We don't have it all figured out.  We are still figuring out how to get people to buy our sparkle.  We are doing some great stuff, but we want to do more.  There are moments when I wish I had a cushy job with insurance and the ability to buy a new car.  (Heck, even just not feeling guilty about buying new shoes would be nice...)  But living a life you love is worth the sacrifice.  And I know that Bon Lemon is changing the world; my world, our employee's world, our customer's world, our community's world.  Yep, pretty much the whole world.  I know I wouldn't be saying that had a gotten some of the jobs I applied for.

So, I just want to tell you all how lucky I feel.  Even on the days I think the load is too much to carry, I look at the alternative and am so thankful for the opportunity to be where I am at.  Thank you for supporting Bon Lemon and our mission of altruistic capitalism.  I look forward to donating money to your charity, employing you (if you would like), and spending money in your small, medium, or large business that has a commitment to impacting the world.

This is not a political piece.  It is my personal story.  And I think it matters.  What's your story?  How are you inspiring the world?

I Am Inspiration

I have always been a seeker. And I have always considered myself a leader. And I have always hoped to lead by example. As a child, I always asked why. (Sorry mom.) As a young adult, I was the president of different student groups, traveled the world, and attended all sorts of different classes and experiences to expand the scope of my life. Today, I love tasting new foods, traveling to exotic places, creating businesses, understanding and enjoying people for who they are, and wearing lots of sparkly things (duh).

I have always believed I could create anything in my life, but I always got hung up on the path from point A to point B. After participating in The Landmark Forum I found that path or lack-there-of to be much more clear. (For those of you who are curious or those of you who think Landmark is a bunch of crazy kool-aid drinkers, an unbiased, succinct summary of the course can be found here.)

I now believe in who I am and what that means. Big stuff! This has allowed me to look at Bon Lemon in a whole new way. Previously, I was stuck trying to do the right thing. I wanted to take Bon Lemon from point A to point B, and I wanted to do it right. Whatever that means... I completely ignored the wonderful things we were already doing and living and only focused on those things we had not yet achieved. It was paralyzing us.

Bon Lemon has done so many great things in the past year and a half. We have added sparkle to many people's lives through beautiful baubles, charitable donations, shoulders to cry on, champagne drinking, sharing delicious eats, having heated political discussions, exchanging wardrobe advice, swapping babysitting services, sending sweet notes in the mail, having pride in our pretty packaging, happy talks, sad moments, and all of the experiences that have made up the last 621 ish days.

Bon Lemon is me, the Proprietress, Jill, the gal who laid the groundwork for it all, Peta, Kathy, Annie, John, Tyler, Chelsea, every person we have met, every person we will meet, our right moves, our missteps, inspiration, disappointment, the best baubles, and the one's that are best left for Grannies in Palm Beach (and you know we love Grannies in Palm Beach). Bon Lemon is everything we are and everything we will be. And Bon Lemon is you, our beloved Lemon Lovers.

I recently discovered what I want to be in life. I want to be inspiration. Some of you have blessed my life by sharing with me how Bon Lemon has inspired your life in the whirlwind since we opened our doors: Bon Lemon inspired you to follow your passion, to be an entrepreneur, to spend more "fun" time with friends, to get involved in the fashion industry, to develop self confidence, to give up a "safe" career you hate, to put on another accessory, and to give back. Bon Lemon has made you think, maybe, YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL.

Bon Lemon isn't going to change the world because we have a Black Friday sale and sell three more pairs of earrings. We are going to change the world because we inspire people. And as I said in a previous post, I believe to inspire people you have to live with guts. You have to put yourself out there. So, I would like to share with you the possibility I am creating for myself and Bon Lemon. It's a little scary, because it is BIG. Kind of like telling people you want to be Mother Teresa or Brett Favre. Or that you like bad music. Or hot dogs. People might laugh at you. Or think you are dumb. Or arrogant. But I hope sharing my possibility might inspire you to create a possibility for yourself. (Please share if you do, otherwise I am out on this limb all by myself!) Here goes... This is my possibility:

I will be a sparkly leader who inspires others to create productive, fulfilling, exciting, engaging, balanced workplaces, communities, families, and lives.

To me, living this possibility is clear. Bon Lemon is creating a large organization to employ many people in fulfilling, inspiring positions. We believe fulfilling employment is a powerful mechanism for empowerment and social change. Bon Lemon is creating a large organization that believes in altruistic capitalism and giving back. Bon Lemon will foster personal and professional growth, based on the belief that both are crucial to productivity and happiness. Bon Lemon will inspire living with joie de vivre. With the help of Bon Lemon, I will be a good friend, curious traveler, loving daughter, helpful sister, inspiring employer, spring board of a partner, fun dog owner, charismatic leader, concerned citizen, open minded volunteer, fair restaurant critic, daring fashion plate, and so many more things I haven't even discovered yet.

That is the possibility I have created. Thank you for being part of it. Now tell me what is possible for you?