The Social Business, #62
A story about a future with fewer things, but better things. Abundance and joy, not hairshirts and misery.
Cultivate a serious, business-like image online, they said. It’ll help you find more work, they said.
I love that duffle coat.
The photo shows me trying it for size in the Oxfam shop on Bold Street in Liverpool.
It was a cold December day. It happened to be my birthday, and we’d headed into town after seeing my Grandad. My birthday card contained two crisp £20 notes. I was keen to spend.
Wandering around Oxfam, I spotted the duffle coat on the rack. And I thought I’d try it for size.
It was partly a bit of a family joke. It was the week before Christmas, and we’d watched all three Paddington films earlier in the week.
I’d always loved Paddington. And as a result I’d always had a bit of a soft spot for duffle coats.
In one of those charity shop Cinderella moments, it fitted perfectly. And it immediately felt so lovely to wear. Not heavy, but really, really warm and cosy. Perfect for a cold December afternoon.
As I stood opposite the mirror, my son appeared and placed the red hat on my head, to help me go full-Paddington.
If he’s inherited anything from the Scouse side of the family, it’s to never to pass up an opportunity to take the mickey.
I spent the £40 my grandad had given me a couple of hours previously on the coat. I chose not to purchase the hat.
That coat brings me joy
Why? Because it’s a beautifully made piece of vintage clothing - near-100% wool, made in the UK by Montgomery - who’ve been making duffle coats, including for the British Admiralty, since the 1890s. On a cold winter’s day it’s like wrapping yourself in a cosy warm blanket.
It comes with a story too. I’ll remember the day I bought it, where I bought it - and who gave me the money for it. Add in its backstory - a vintage item, well-looked after by its previous owner, and still in excellent condition, thanks to the quality of material and the skill of the people who pieced it together in Leicester.
It came to mind this morning as I listened to a Green Alliance podcast - with Patrick Grant, of Community Clothing and Sewing Bee fame.
Patrick was talking about his excellent book, Less, which I’ve written about before.
I find what Patrick has to say on all of this compelling. Have a listen yourself to see what you think - but one thing that struck me in the interview was how he approached the issue of helping people to imagine a future with fewer things, but better things. And a future economy that works for the benefit of all of us, not a small handful of billionaires.
This matters because people understandably feel uncomfortable when they’re presented with a transition to a climate-friendly future which often appears to be all about “less”. Eat less meat. Take fewer flights. Use less energy at home. Stop buying so much stuff.
Yet part of what Patrick is saying is that less can mean more. Fewer things, but better things. Like well-made clothes, which, as with that duffle coat, might bring some joy into your life, rather than filling it with yet more crap.
And, from an economic perspective, an economy built on fewer things, but better-made, longer lasting things, might actually be an economy that works better for all of us.
Better quality clothes, made by people making a decent living, (like at Community Clothing) last longer and hold more of their value for longer. So they can be resold, helping money to keep flowing round the local economy, rather than seeing more clothing ending up in the bin.
As an example, I’d probably get most of my money back if I ever sold that duffle coat on Vinted.
As if that’s ever going to happen.
I’m currently #opentowork
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, as my part-time enterprise coach role came to an end last month, so I’m currently looking for more freelance work - and I’m also applying for jobs.
I’ve spent pretty much all my working life in the world of social business - so that’s where my expertise lies - mentoring social entrepreneurs, research, idea generation, business planning, that kind of thing. There’s more about what I can offer on my website.
And I’ve got a particular interest in how we come up with creative, collaborative ways to respond to the climate crisis. I run workshops to help people to understand the climate crisis - and work out what we can do about it - like these free workshops that I’m running for sports clubs in West Yorkshire over the next couple of months.
Please get in touch if you’d be interested in me working with you - or if you spot a job that you think might be good for me to have a look at.
And as always, I appreciate your support in encouraging more people to sign up to my newsletter - thanks for reading.
Duffel coat wearers of the world unite! Hope it helps with the work search too Rob.
I thought of you when I bought it Ronnie - particularly given where I bought it! Thank you - maybe I'll wear it at my next interview for good luck 🤣 Hope things are good with you.