Last month we had the opportunity to attend a networking session held by the Neigbourhood Arts Network.  (One of the many organizations we met at a previous workshop.  See how this whole networking thing works?)  Aside from the whole “getting our name out”, we were also able to learn about a lot of different ideas that people were starting.  The theme for the networking was “SOCIAL ENTERPRISE” or how to get Neighbourhood Art organizations to become less reliant on government funding through the development of alternative revenue streams.  One of the interesting ideas that was presented was from an organization in Scarborough.  They basically grew their own herbs and made herb oil from scratch that was bottled and sold through the organization. All the marketing, product development and sales was done by themselves!

An idea that’s not only delicious but WORKS?!  Win-win!

Anyway, it was a great opportunity to meet new people, place faces to E-mail correspondences and learn about new opportunities.  The only real downside is that we’re super busy meeting people and discussing possibilites for the future…  Who would have thought self-employment would be hard work?!

Cheers,

Hitoshi & Vince