This morning’s news suggests that we will go into another strict lock down as early as tomorrow and my friends and customers have already been sending in kind messages of supports. All your kind thoughts for independent studios like mine is definitely the highlight of 2020 and I thank you all very much! This year, challenges that I faced as a one-man business band in fact asked important questions on why/how I continue with demure and I can’t be more determined to pursue authentic craft with moral integrity. Meanwhile, on a more personal level, being more aware of political and social issues on an international scale reminded me of my privileges and of things to be grateful for. So, while admitting that I do feel more tired than earlier this year, I still have hopes, strategies and positive attitude. Well, most of the time As I said, going through challenges this year gave me further clarity to what I stand for:
⁃ Local independent businesses literally form unique local culture.
⁃ Local independent businesses’ standalone impact on economy may be small but there are so many of us and our collective should not be neglected.
⁃ Cultural impact of businesses is as important in our lives as economical impact, if not more.
⁃ Local micro economy is based on community feel and trust, which means there is higher degree of integrity than globally built economy. Every transaction involves hearts and goods and services have unique meanings. I make everything myself and served my customers with full knowledge of what I made and took full responsibility and I am truly grateful that my customers treated me in more personal and humane way.
⁃ Money really is not/should not be the sole priority in human lives. What speaks to our emotions has truly high values.
I am humble yet confident that I have run demure with these beliefs and never made compromise. And I could see clearly that you all ‘got it’ and responded and in such gracious manners. My personal beliefs are one thing that I will have no matter what happens, but because I do demure as business, my beliefs have no values unless you understand and value them. So I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you all again. As a local independent business, I feel proud be a small part of grass root economic movement and will continue with my efforts with strong sense if responsibility. Finally, I wish you all good health and truly happy holiday seasons with many exchanges of loving thoughts even if there are less opportunities to do so in person. Thank you!
