INTELLECTUALLY & PHYSICALLY
How much is enough ?
How much do we give ?
How do we show what we do, but protect at the same time ?
Always the questions when working to a brief or dare I say soliciting a new client…is solicit too strong…but some times it does fell you really Pimp yourself to get the job.
Its sadly part or the territory in this terrain...but not that sad, it is the mechanics of the business.
Now matter what you do & how you do it, there is always some pimping that needs ot be done. Whether it be to one side or the other…
If you are in the middle like us, where you have a client & then a production base. You are smoothing one or the other…either to fix a solutions or convincing someone of the benefit of doing said work etc.
But at the beginning how much do you give of yourself to get it.
Luckily for us we have had the great privilege of working with some of the best in streetwear…I do hate that term streetwear…but fuck it, I’ll use it here…I digress. Yes we have had the privilege of working with some of the best. Mostly been all good & there is mutual respect of talent & ability based on results & reputation.
But when you play with the new, in different fields…for example mainstream…as we would refer to as High Street over here…there you have a fair amount of objects against you, & you really have to fix upon your ISP.
As a newbie trying to get in, you are up against all the other suppliers who have been working with the company for a while. The Buyer having their team that they have worked with & get what she or he wants. This is a big one, as that’s double trouble. The head of the department also having their wants & team of people. The obstacles pile up…but should that deter you…fuck, hell NO !
Give good, but don’t give 100%, give ‘em 90%. Be confident in your ability & talent. But at the same time be prepared for your ideas to potentially be farmed elsewhere. Also my biggest thing is always be prepared to lose. Maybe that’s a bit harsh terminology, but be prepared to walk away no matter what you have delivered intellectually & physically. Hey if you have delivered what you believe to be your best to brief then walk tall & on to the next one.
If this was easy we would all be doing.
Bottomline believe in your talent & your vision. You will know as time passes if your talent is real or not…bit each time give your best & boom nothing more that you can do…except grow from the failure.
Failure is easy, Success is the mission…& maintaining that success…that’s where you really show your worth.
Be well.