The Encouragement Manifesto
When we ran a small business, there were values at its heart
It was owner-run; just the two of us. So the way we worked, who we were, was never written down as such. It was in our hearts. We are pretty sure it was clear to our customers who we were and what was important to us. We worked hard to be consistent, to celebrate others and to stay positive and optimistic. Our business was built on the successes and strengths of others; kindness and generosity were keystones. We only talked about value, not price; slowly, gently, we built a community. We gathered up and shared inspiring stories and we sought to be a pebble in the pond, creating ripples.
These values are now at the heart of The Encouragement Manifesto
We asked some folk we trust, who live and work in the way we do, to interpret the values in their own words
57 Books: The List
So, a reading challenge, 57 books for Mr Fables’ 57th year. This is ‘The List’, a journey through a reading year. Titles will be added as the story unfolds. One to Fifty Seven
57 Books
Setting a goal - and talking about it - becomes a public encouragement to take on and complete the challenge. In this case, it is an undertaking to read more, and in doing so, to write more. So, 57 books for Mr Fables’ 57th year. A reading challenge
The Encouragement Sessions
The Encouragement Sessions have been our opportunity to offer energy, positivity, and ideas to folk who needed a boost to their business, their side-project or their day to day life. So, what are they all about?
The Ripple Effect
The trouble with quietly creating something and gently allowing it to slide into view could be that some of the folk you hope to encourage don’t spot what you are up to. We’ve been pondering how to talk about The Encouragement Manifesto a little more, without losing the humbleness of its intention
Where is your Happy Dance?
When did we lose the unbridled curiosity and joy of childhood? Sue Heatherington encourages us all to rediscover that freedom of thought and action
What Kind of Pebble?
Stefan Powell explores the feeling of community at the heart of his small business to make sense of how being the pebble in a pond can make the right sort of ripples
Ripples Across My Pond
Two huge stones in the ‘pond’ of Simon Cookson’s life forced him to re-think his safety first, cautious approach, leading to a richer life experience
How Small Can We Be?
Tim LeRoy takes the notion of thinking big to make big change and turns it on its head. Think small, make seismic change.