Indie Business Climate on Vashon

I see the same disconnect, and have also been concerned that "it was just me." I have decided it's a small community thing (clubbiness, tradition, negativity towards healthy competition, etc.), and in a small place like Vashon it's more pronounced. Small town + island with no bridge = exclusivity and insular attitudes? Like any other small community (family, office, school, etc.), if we don't go outside the community for some fresh air and ideas we get insular and negative.

How can we turn around the establishment business institutions? By challenging the set ways they work and infiltrating groups with positive attitudes and energy. Will it work? Who knows!

And a vigorous second to your positive attitude Emily! One thing I've tried to do, and hope is catching, is to recommend fellow small business owners, particularly fellow designers, when I'm approached for jobs that just don't seem to fit what I do. This not only fosters positive relations with colleagues, but hopefully transforms the image of competition to one of cooperation/coexistence.

Yes, Annie! Indeed, encouraging our potential customers to seek others if it's not a great fit for us promotes us as professionals who truly want what's best for the client - a good fit. The maturity and perspective to suggest someone go elsewhere often sells us for future projects when we are a good fit. We're in business for ourselves because we love what we do (hopefully!), so we may as well choose the projects where we can shine.

Daniel, I like the use of the word "infiltrate!"