Sharing the Love

Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash

Social media, marketing and promotion companies would have you believe that everyone is your competitor, that you’re in a race to be bigger, better, bolder.  A bit of friendly rivalry can be healthy, but I genuinely believe that we are better together, that we are colleagues and co-conspirators, not enemies to be ‘beaten’.

As a self-employed baker/writer/artist my work is pretty self-contained and can be isolating. I might not interact with anyone from one week to the next. It was one of the reasons I loved attending community markets, where I could meet my customers and other stallholders, share  bit of banter and often buy each other’s produce/products.

I belong to a couple of groups - one for my art and one for my baking - where the ethos is to share and support each other.  I was worried about joining an art society, especially as a novice: would people judge me, would they reject me as ‘not good enough’, would they allow me to submit my work? It was a pretty big deal to sign on the dotted line for paid up membership and an even bigger deal to enter my first exhibition and meet other artists.  My fears were unfounded.  People might have privately judged my work - I have no idea - but whatever their private thoughts, they were welcoming, helpful and supportive. The East Sutherland Art society is brim full of experienced and talented artists, yet they welcomed a newbie with grace and kindness. They promote each other’s work and encourage artists in general, by running courses and workshops as well as the annual art show.  My fears were groundless and more than that, I have found an outlet for my emerging art life which I would have struggled to achieve on my own. There are hundreds of talented artist in this part of the north east Highlamds, yet instead of seeing each other as competition, we see each other as community.  Everyone has their own style, skills and experience and everyone can flourish in an environment where kindness and support are offered ahead of criticism and rivalry.

We have an inordinate number of self-employed people in the Highlands and Islands - one of the highest in the UK. The reason is largely geographical - there are no large industries, blue chip companies or corporations here (salmon farming and oil production aside);  certain ‘brands’ stop in the central belt and supermarkets, apart from the Co-op and a couple of Tesco stores, don’t exist on the Islands. Our head of population per square metre is one of the lowest in Europe.  It has benefits, as a lifestyle choice, yet those same advantages are disadvantageous when it comes to finding work.  Pretty much every one I know is self-employed, working for a small independent business or working remotely.  The chances are, whatever your skill set, there’s someone else out there with the same set of skills, already plying their trade.  This is especially true of baking. Lots of people have a ‘side hustle’ even if it’s not their main income and baking is high on the accessibility stakes.  My competitors are everywhere!  The thing is, I’ve always seen fellow foodies as comrades in arms - pinnies on, bowls and rolling pins at the ready, we fight the good fight to offer a bit of baking magic to the everyday.

Bad Girl Bakery is run by successful entrepreneur Jeni Lanetta and her husband Douglas. They have a multi-faceted baking business, which has grown from market stall to two outlets, a food truck and a workshop business.  Instead of basking in the glory, like the proverbial cat with the cream, Jeni set up the Highland Cake Collaborative- a group for bakers of every stage of their journey to share information and support each other. From coffee mornings to workshops and an online group, this genius idea is sharing the love in action.  We share information about equipment and opportunities, problems and progress. It’s a friendly and supportive environment where we’re each other’s cheerleaders, not detractors.

I’ve been involved with writing/author/book communities here and the same sort of sharing and support is evident. I ran a tiny local book fair for 5 years, in the village where I lived previously. We have a lot of local writing talent here and I wanted to gather people together in a supportive environment to connect and publicise their work. We had big name authors rubbing shoulders with self-published indies and everything in between. People forged friendships and support networks, not rivalries.  I’ve always enjoyed boosting and supporting other writers as much as I’m able and I see it as part of my remit as a Highlander writer. You get to share in people’s triumphs, as well as their tribulations. People are more willing to be real and vulnerable in a supportive environment and that benefits everyone.

As creatives, we all have our own unique voice, our own skill set, strengths and weaknesses. No one can fill the space you occupy except you.  That’s something to celebrate. There are enough people on the planet, with enough eclectic tastes, to support every type of creative endeavour.  So, share the love for your fellow writers, bakers, artists, creatives, food producers.  Find ways to collaborate and support each other.  There’s far more joy and positivity in ‘sharing the love’ than there is in fighting your corner.

Connections:

Find The Highland Cake Collaborative on Facebook book here, if you’re a Highland baker or would-be baker: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1433370763910296/?ref=share

Find the East Sutherland Art Society here, if you’re an artist in the North East Highlands: https://www.eastsutherlandartsociety.co.uk

If you’re a writer  living in the Highlands, find Highland Lit here :

https://www.highlandlit.com

There is also a support group for children’s writers, which runs as an outpost of the Society of Childrens’ Writers and Book Illustrators (SCWBI). Contact children’s author, Barbara Henderson, if you live in the Highlands and would like to be involved. http://www.barbarahenderson.co.uk

If you live elsewhere in the UK or the world, check out out local groups in your area or in the UK, national groups like the Society of Authors and Supporting All Artists.