The Most Powerful Lessons from Our First Four Years
On the occasion of our fourth anniversary and after a month away from the studio we’re feeling a bit reflective and, with recent world events, we’re feeling more than slightly fired up by the work we do and what lies ahead.
So, we’re putting fingers to keyboard and, in the coming weeks and months, we plan to share some of our thoughts about the work we do, how we do it and why it’s important.
By way of brief introduction, DOT DOT DASH is an independent creative and production studio that is focused on authoring positive change for clients who stand for something. For four years, DOT DOT DASH has committed itself to Giving Agency to Good by combining strategy, design, filmmaking and photography to raise awareness, drive engagement and motivate action on issues that matter.
To kick things off we thought we’d share some of the most important lessons from our first four years because, let’s face it — as an independent, woman-led entrepreneurial business — we’ve beat the stats and survived this long. So, what did it take, what did we learn and what can we share with you, dear reader?
1. One foot in front of the other, everyday.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and the same is true of any business, and especially of a business that is working at the intersection of business and purpose. Some days are easier, some days are harder. Some days the inspiration comes slowly, some days you’re on fire. Some days are overwhelming, some problems can seem impossible but, if you put one foot in front of the next with consistent effort, the work gets done.The bottom line is that to survive and thrive you have to dress up every day, show up and make something happen…no matter what. Even if it doesn’t appear clear why you’re taking the steps you’re taking in any given day, momentum matters. Keep on trucking. The entrepreneurial road is long (and sometimes lonely) but if you continue to put one foot in front of the next, you’re bound to make progress.
2. Stay flexible
If you’ve ever read Steve Jobs’ famous Stanford commencement speech you’ll know what we mean when we say ‘you can’t connect the dots looking forward’. His whole point is that he never set out to do what he did. It was organic and it happened as a result of the individual choices he made along the way. The path was only clear looking back. So, as much as you might create a plan or have a vision of how things should go, they probably won’t, so being able to flow and adapt is a key. Shit happens. Plans change. You’ve got to stay loose.
3. Love the work.
When we started out, we wanted to embrace meaning in our work. This meant working with brands and organizations committed to building greater positive net value in the world. It meant working with clients who were willing to take an honest look at their supply chain and employ vendors who lived and breathed shared values. Lofty and earnest, yes, but for us totally motivating. It is this simple guiding principle that drives us to show up, turn on the lights and enjoy the people we work with and the problems we get to solve. Whether it’s a campaign about conservation or social justice or storytelling about progressive education or healthcare, we feel authentically connected to the outcomes that we are working against and it makes all the difference. We believe in the inherent value of the work we do.
4. Make it great.
Doing the work is one thing, but making it great is another. A commitment to making things ‘great’ sounds trite but if you’re going to spend the time to do the work AND you actually love the work, there’s no point doing it unless it is excellent. Plus, we live in noisy times. Often our work needs to compete for mindshare with brands and organizations who can outspend us. If we’re going to live up to our clients’ expectations and if we’re truly committed to delivering results for them, we have to make work that is so good and so smart that it stands out. Sometimes this means starting over, sometimes it means being wrong, sometimes it means fighting for what we think is right but no matter the road we have to take to get there, greatness is really the only option.
5. Let them howl.
Canadian feminist and activist, Nellie McClung once said, “Never retract, never explain, never apologize — get the thing done and let them howl.”. In the purpose-driven space, especially when we’re up against considerable odds, creating work that incites conversation is critical. Sometimes this means being edgy, sometimes this means pushing boundaries and sometimes it means sticking to our guns. From time to time you’ve got to put on the blinders, pop in the earphones and block out the naysayers. We’ve learned that you don’t gain much by tip toeing through the tulips because, let’s face it, change doesn’t always come easy.
Thanks for reading along and if you like what you’ve read, give us a like or follow us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.
