Hometown Living
Today's piece of writing is a bit more reflective in nature than the previous post. In the previous post, I desired to highlight our business' values and give an introduction to why we believe in fair trade, local economies, and bolstering the American economy. It's a complicated process these days with globalization in the picture, and that ever growing reality is not lost on us here at the Branding Iron.
We all have those stomping grounds we grew up on, and while growing up I often heard the refrain, “Man, I can't wait to get out of here.” I said it a few times myself, well into my early twenties. I've come and gone, and I've come back. There's certainly a wistfulness in my heart to travel far and wide at all times, but I'm also pressed to find the beauty in small town living whilst contributing to economy building activities and engaging my native people who often isolate themselves after a long day at the office. It's what I do anywhere I go – I seek out the local pulse in order to contribute to the everyday market (more on those journeys later). Which brings me back to the realization I had about 2 years ago. The realization that I often lamented my life in a conservative small town simply because I needed SOMETHING to complain about. Upon closer consideration, I also realized life has always been cozy and full of opportunities to engage the community, and I have always done that, but sometimes the system just gets ya down. Reasonably so.
In the past two decades, the world market has quite literally exploded. There are multiple avenues to create, produce, and outsource. Globalization is a term often thrown around loosely, and at its most base definition it means a revolution in communications, specifically the Internet browser. At the click of a button, you can order multiple items at minimal cost due to cheaper means of production. Without delving into the geopolitical realm, it boils down to maintaining a sense of national pride. Sure, you could have three of the same item (cheaply made) for the price of one well-made, lasting item. The value of production is key. That value is not only about the quality of the product but the quality of a nation. It's all well and good to promote fair trade among the nations, but when mass production comes into play, so does compromise. We seek to eliminate that compromise.
We know it's not easy to compete in a global market. While we do not discredit the broad reach of such measures, we are tightly held to the lifestyle of keeping it local, keeping it ethical, and bringing it to a small town near you!