Hi All,

I am not sure if this is venting, or just a community reminder that as a business we are all in this working environment together.  By together I mean that we should help in any number of ways such as a recommendation to others if warranted, or, supporting a business by way of purchasing a product(s) from them directly rather than going to a Box Store or even Online.  We are fortunate enough to live in a beautiful area such as San Luis Obispo/Los Osos/Morro Bay that does have a sense of community.  With this sense of community we are responsible to contribute whether it is offering a free service from your business such as product/gift certificate, or coaching one of the many children’s sport leagues, we need to bond.

Today I went into Linnaea’s Cafe for the fourth time to ask for some flyer space on one of their boards.  I have never felt that any business should be expected to provide anything for free, that if they so desire they can refuse you service let alone flyer space.  This I get.  Still, I simply went to Linnaea’s Cafe to ask if they would either let me post a flyer or if they would do it for me (there was plenty of open space).  My effort for today was one of a courteous approach behind a smile, and casually dressed for the warm weather.  The manager was initially pleasant, but then told me that she has a file of “these” in a folder after I asked her if she could post the flyer two weeks before the event.  She said she could not make any promises.  I thanked her and went on my way

Now, as I have said, I do not expect any business to provide free advertising space for me or anyone else for that matter.  However my workshop is for Free, and it is for the community.  Something that can possibly enhance other people’s lives, as well as getting together with other like minded individuals.  This is how “community” grows and bonds with one another, the enrichment of “community” is through individual service and effort.  As evidenced by the bulletin board at Linnaea’s Cafe there was plenty of room for my flyer.  If this was awkward for the manager she could have gone one of two ways.  She could either say “Thank you”, or “No thank you.”  It has been said before.

There are always going to be people or businesses that just would rather not be bothered, and after the fourth time I will no longer bother Linnaea’s Cafe.  You might ask me why I continue to ask after such results.  Well, the answer to that is I have met friends, family and clients over tea/coffee or a meal at Linnaea’s Cafe, and I simply refused to think that I could not establish a relationship with them.  After all Linnaea’s had a standard of vegetarian and vegan meals and an ambiance of friendly and progressive thought with open poetry readings and making available a format for musicians and artists that otherwise would not have the forum to creatively express themselves to our “community.”

After all, I have only met this type of resistance one other time, from a business in Morro Bay, a coffee house called “Top Dog Coffee Bar.”  The owner was pleasant enough and simply said “no!”  I moved on to other local businesses and quickly got over this “rejection.”  But there are plenty of businesses that have owners who will say “yes, no problem.”  I have gone to “Coalesce Bookstore” in Morro Bay, a great store with a terrific staff and owner (Linna Thomas); then there is the “Los Osos Book Exchange” that also has a terrific staff, and whose owner Joan has several cats that discreetly sit tucked away in corners and stands; the Halcyon Store is another great place, in fact Debra called me to give me a heads up regarding a flyer.  Then there are places such as New Frontiers, Bali Isle Imports (Wendy Oliver), Tails Pet Store, and Black Horse Cafe and so many others who allow me access to their posting boards.

So, as you can see there are way more people that are willing to help me rather than not help me, and I am thankful to them for it.  Our community deserves as much participation as possible from us all, but what to do about these hang ups?  As James Bond once said, “Once is accident, twice coincidence, thrice conspiracy.”  I wonder what “fourth” is?

Aho

Curtis Williams  MA, A.P. D., CRTM