You may not know that CultureFeast.com was supposed to be a used bookstore. That was how the name was conceived. I spent a few months in Edmond, Oklahoma, working for a local used bookstore - Archives Books, Inc. It was a great little shop, with winding pathways ever which way that always made finding a book more of an exciting exploratory expedition. You couldn’t get that kind of atmosphere from a Barnes & Noble or Half Price Books.
Wayne ran the show. Two of his sons worked there as well. I was a mix between a data entry clerk and a sales clerk. The majority of my responsibility was to evaluate and enter the condition of used books we were posting for sale. Along with three or four other employees, I entered this data into the computer system so they could update their online stores at Amazon, Alibris, and wherever else they had web presence.
Sadly, efficiency demanded that the narrow winding paths lined with shelves be removed and replaced with boring, efficient shelving for online sales only. The store wasn’t very profitable as a brick and mortar store, but was doing well online.
For the most part, Archives Books was a wonderful experience, and I was a fool for leaving when I did. Of course, data entry paid next to nothing, but most of the people and the work was enjoyable. I should have stayed there for three more months until I moved back to DBU for my senior year.
Living is learning. At that point, I had ambitions of doing it myself and being my own boss and never having to sit behind a desk for eight hours a day. While I had carefully learned what to expect of sales numbers based on inventory and online availability, I failed to consider the time and effort involved in collecting the used books which I would sell. Then there was the time it would take for data entry. Someone has to do it.
Well, more than five years later, CultureFeast is a blog, and not a book store. I am sad, somewhat, because I love the idea of a bookstore. Used bookstores have the ability to provide a unique and precious ambiance that nothing else can match. I would love to be that guy that everyone associates with such culture, mystery, and history.
The idea of a bookstore is all but dead, now. People just don’t read as much as they used to, anyway. Only a select few books are in demand, and the rest are antiquated items which someone will search for “eventually.” I could have ended up with a warehouse full of books that no one wants to read. That would suck.
For the time being, my dream has shifted, and I have spent these past five years honing my craft. I am a writer at heart, which explains my love of books and bookstores (and coffee shops). I love the contemplative life - throw in a dash of pop culture and a pinch of conversation for just the right flavor.
After several years of writing search engine optimized copy, it’s time I refocused and took on more creative writing projects. Whether they be website copy, ads, campaign concepts, or whatever, I need to flex my creative muscles more often.
So, whether you’re promoting cell phones, movies, artists, blogs, websites, or special events, contact me if you’re in need of an excellent conceptual copywriter. I have done the company branding thing before and loved it. Something about envisioning an entire identity, represented by words, sounds, and images. Extremely creative. Extremely fun.
Hit me up at your convenience.
I’ve heard this advice countless times over the past decade. At first, I was the one saying it in a sort of complaining tone, trying to convince myself and all the other cubicled prisoners that there was more to life than repetitive office work. No one around me believed it, and I only hoped that it was true that each of us can and has the right to do what he or she loves.
Then I met a new round of people in the “creative” marketing sector. They were designers and brand conceivers, and their pie in the sky attitude was extremely appealing, though poorly grounded in the real world. I found myself loving the work… problem is I was working for free. As noble and benevolent as that could sound, it was entirely not. I was simply doing an intern-like position in order to switch career paths.
Several web marketing agencies later, I began to realize that not every job posting was meant for me. I used to read through each ad and feel bad about myself for all the ways in which i did not qualify for said opportunity. How demoralizing. Needless to say, I found within myself the ability to give the internal “no” to job ads that I wasn’t meant for. It’s a tough road, turning away from opportunities simply because they don’t fit. The “options” sure do slim down to a healthy and fearsome few once you’ve eliminated the bad fits and the no fits.
Finding a new job suddenly becomes a much more awesome task. One which cannot be made without some measure of divine prompting and positioning. After all, we can only do as much as we can do. We cannot forcefully change people’s minds or impose our will upon an HR specialist. They will choose whom they deem most appropriate. You can do everything the experts tell you to do, but if your approach doesn’t match the interests of the person choosing, you are out of the race.
So doing what you love may seem a bit more complicated at times. So be it. But doing what you love may not mean that you instantly transition from thankless, loathsome job to perfect, fulfilling job. Doing what you love may mean doing what you love for free… at least for a time.
Example: I own several blogs. I write in them regularly (most of the time). I blog because I love to write. I am not a blogger by trade. I am a copywriter (and SEO and PR Consultant), but even with copywriting, I arrived here after doing it first for free. Not everyone has the perfect industry connection. Sometimes you have to demonstrate your skill before anyone will take you seriously.
So here I am. Copywriting, SEO, social marketing, and reputation management aside, blogs/editorial columns are what I do best. I have opinions and I want to share them. So that is what I am doing. Sure, I earn a little from advertising, but I intend to turn this into a very important part of my career.
The time will come, for you and for me. In the meantime, do what you love, and demonstrate your growing capabilities to the world.
It’s August. I just enjoyed my 30th birthday, and I’m taking a week off from work to get some stuff done around the house. I just might relax a bit, as well.
With a baby on the way in early December, we’re rearranging some rooms in the house. As I sit here typing, we have just assembled the office.
Despite how busy I’ve been with the “honey do” list, it feels like a very long time since I last enjoyed a week this much. Here’s hoping you all enjoy a good vacation this year.
