Thursday, July 18, 2013

Small Businesses Donate More...

I saw this photo on the Independent We Stand Fan Page and could not agree more with the statement.

Local small businesses really do donate more! I am a living example.

My name is Brandy Boswell, and I am the Artist and Owner of Elegantly Haunted. This is my blog about my business, my involvement in the community, and my place with you in society.

I often laugh when I see big signs at chain stores claiming that they give X-amount back to the community. In my head I ask, “Well, which community? Because, I don’t see any of your big money going back into this community.”

Yes! I talk to myself a lot. It’s how I get through the day.

I see more small business owners donating far more resources than I have ever witnessed from a large chain. Small businesses like me do more than just throw money at a cause; we also donate our time, and our energy. We ever go further than that. When we are passionate about a cause our employees join in as well.

As small local & independent business owners we are able to clearly see what causes need our attention. After all, this is our community. We see what cracks need to be filled, and where resources lack. We are not dictated by a distant board of directors whose only concern is looking good in the media. We get to decide who, what, where, when, and why. When we are passionate about a cause, that passion is something we are freely able to support. Our passions become our focus, thus making our decisions to donate more fulfilling and effective in the community.

I love our freedom to donate. As small business owners we are able to determine exactly how we will donate. Being independent means we choose if we will donate monetarily, personally, or both. Of course, any factors play into these choices. These factors are as diverse as the individual business owners themselves.

Think of all the small businesses in your community, and think of how different they all are. Even if you compare two boutiques selling similar items, they will feel and look very different in every way. It’s like comparing two multi-faceted stones. Each will have a unique sparkle, hue, and look. If you can’t think of any small businesses in your area, I think you are in the right place. It’s time for you to start shopping local and independent.

I digress, what I was trying to say is that the different personality of each business will help determine which organizations get that businesses attention. This diversity is wonderful because it spreads the available resources around creating a balance that is much needed everywhere.

I just spent 8 days over the last two weeks donating my time, energy, and money to a cause I’m passionate about. When I saw the photo above on Facebook I was instantly inspired to write something about I, a small business owner, donates.

If you have been following me lately, you know I am passionate about Teen battle Chef. I have essentially taken two weeks off from my creative business to help lead and run the Teen Battle Chef Summer program at Spoutwood Farm. Since I call the shots I was able to do what I like and give as much as possible to a deserving cause.

I have to say this; it was very hot these past two weeks. The last three days being the hottest of the year. No one worked as hard as Liz Leiwand, and the kids participating in the program. Not one Chef complained about the heat. They all took our instructions with ease and did a phenomenal job presenting for their teams. This is a quote from Liz at the end of our program this year, I think she says it all, “…what an awesome end to our Teen Battle Chef program. The kids transformed into CHEFS right before our eyes.”

Salad Niçoise

created by Teen Battle Chef participants 2013

Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits, Day 2 of the TCB Summer Program

Mussels Provecal, Day 6

It is because of the transformations we see in these kids, and the message we teach through this program, that I am passionate about donating to TCB and the CHEFS. I volunteer my time and donate financially to this cause without hesitation or regret. Above and beyond my efforts, are those of Rob and Lucy Wood, owners of Spoutwood Farm. Spoutwood is anchored in our community, giving so much support to all who participate with the farm.

Community is important to me. I value the lessons we learn together, the diversity we share, and the relationships we forge. It is only fitting that my values are reflected in my business practices. Community is essential to our strength. When we support one another, we create a community and economy that will weather any storm.

When small business is involved with the community, and vice versa, there a personal impact made. Personal investment is what makes our community richer.

So get out there and support your community!

http://www.independentwestand.org/

http://spoutwood.org/

http://spoutwood.org/education/teen-battle-chef

http://www.elegantlyhaunted.com/

http://buylocalcoalition.com/

Monday, July 8, 2013

Teen Battle Chef and Spoutwood Farm CHEFS in action!

Nobody can do everything,

but everyone can do something.

~Author Unknown

You may know by now, (and if you don’t, read my blog!) I am a HUGE advocate for “BUY LOCAL” and keep it local. For me it’s about community! I believe community is essential.

Think about it, where would we be without many of the community run programs that enrich our lives? We would not have parks where our kids play, we would not have hiking trails, or in some cases fire companies. Think of your own benefits a strong community brings to you… I am sure you will come up with more than a few.

Community is not only important for the benefit of recreation, safety, and personal enrichment, but it is also crucial for our economic health. Recent studies prove that during economic downturns, the communities who strongly and closely support their local businesses are the strongest over all. These communities take less of a hit when the economy is low, (i.e. lose few jobs) and bounce back faster than communities who mainly support big box stores/nationally owned/operated franchises.

Supporting locally owned and operated business = a community with economic health.

However, I think the equation goes much deeper. I feel that as a small business owner it is my responsibility to, in turn, support my local community programs and groups. Small locally owned business is about building relationships. Relationships are built when you show up to serve. As a small business owner I firmly believe that I should spend some of my time in the community helping it grow and thrive, in any way I can. So, maybe the equation should look more like this…

Consumers support small locally owned and operated businesses + Local small business owners actively investing in their surrounding community (i.e. spending time & energy volunteering and/or financially supporting community groups and events) = A strong community over all!

I am a local small business owner. I am member of the Buy Local Coalition, and I am leader for the Spoutwood Farm TBC and CHEFS programs. I personally volunteer a lot of my time toward the benefit of our community. I see the benefits first hand! So I know this works!

The next question I know went through your head, (If you are not familiar). WHAT THE HECK IS Teen Battle Chef and CHEFS??

Here is a very good description! As brief as I can make it…

The Teen Battle Chef Program is a beginner’s education and training program where kids learn to select, prepare, and enjoy whole-fresh foods from local farms, farm markets, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

The CHEFS (Culinary Health Educators from Spoutwood) is a continuation of the Teen Battle Chef program, where our graduates take on the role of leader and teacher. Their efforts further educate our community on the importance of eating and cooking whole, healthy, local, and fresh foods.

WHOA! What a mouthful, and trust me when I say, that was only the tip of the ice burg.

These kids are amazing! They work long hours in the heat and get around to all parts of the county and Maryland. They have taught inner city high school seniors how to chop and prepare whole foods. They demonstrate their cooking skills to the public at health fairs, the Fairie Festival, and Mother Earth Harvest Fair. Some of our graduates even move on to join culinary careers!

I hold this program in high regard as it teaches them more than how to cook. It teaches them to speak in public, to work with a team toward a common goal, follow directions, clean up after themselves, and much more! (I know some of you moms out there have your ears perked… “What they cook and clean?! Yes! Indeed!)

Over the next two weeks, I will be volunteering my time with the Spoutwood Farm CHEFS teaching a new group of Teen Battle Chefs knife skills, cooking skills, and life skills.

I plan to share my experience with you as I help teach our future generation the importance of eating your colors, and preparing whole foods from locally grown sources.

See there it is… Keeping it local!!! I want you to see the value this program has in our community. I also want you to get to know me as a business owner and mom who wants to make a difference in our community.

Today was day 1 of our two week program. On Day One the kids get familiar with one another, the knives, Spoutwood Farm, and the flow of the program. Our emphasis today was knife skills. We take a lot of time teaching the kids the proper way to handle and use a chef knife. A sharp chef knife!

In addition, Spoutwood Farm is a Zero Waste community. The kids learn a lot about what is considered trash, compost, and recyclable. Spoutwood is also a full blown Community Supported Agricultural Farm. So many of the ingredients we use for our dishes come directly from the farm. This is a perfect demonstration of “Farm to Table”. There is so much going on within this program sometimes I have trouble keeping up. I will try to share with you as much as I can.

Today our dish was a Caribbean Salsa. The reason we chose this recipe is because of the number of ingredients, chopping requirements, and the amount of measuring. This recipe allows the kids to each take an ingredient and everyone has a job.

Some of our kids minced, some chopped, and some sliced & diced. They all had a great time! They all worked really well with one another, and I can tell they had a good time!

Here are some photos of the kids in action throughout the day.