canvas Dropcloth

Yesterday I had a conversation with a former colleague, who is also a friend, regarding her world at her company and my world with canvas.

In her world, the newspaper world, the Chairman of their parent company stepped down, effective the end of the year. An announcement that the company is being taken private should be made today, December 20. Several former employees who were part of a circulation scam at that company are supposed to be sentenced for their actions today as well. Ongoing revenue declines and what’s been described to me as leadership voids throughout the management ranks of the company compound all these issues.

Our world at canvas faces the challenges almost every small business faces in their first years. Needing to ramp up revenue faster. Struggles to do a lot with little; making payroll and get vendors paid, the impact of changes in limited personnel. Fortunately our struggle has not included market acceptance. As a matter of fact, we cannot meet demand for the magazine. We run out of copies every month. We’ve had people tell us they collect and save each issue because of the beauty of the covers and value of the content we provide.

Why am I sharing this? Because this person shared a story with me about my world that made me really stop and look—not simply glance—at what we have accomplished.

For lack of space and time, here’s the short version of the story:
Her son, a twenty-something, was at a networking event attended by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and other Nassau politicians, as well as some business people and nonprofit groups. The young man called his mother to tell her how impressed he was that canvas magazine was mentioned a number of times, and the positive regard all these people held us in.

After sharing the story, she said to me “Tom, no matter what else happens with canvas, think about the impact you have had in a year.” She continued, “He [her son] was so proud that he knows you and to hear these people talking about your magazine the way they were.

“Think about what’s going on here [at her and my former company] and think about what you’ve accomplished. I don’t know many people who could have taken a magazine to where you have in one year … to have the impact you’re having, that it’s talked about at a meeting like this…”

After we spoke, this time it hit me. Wow! She was right, look at what we’ve accomplished in a year. While we had ambitious goals and thought we could get there, we’re usually too mired in the daily operation to see the forest through the trees.

So here’s the tale of two cities: The small independent publisher facing business-threatening challenges every day is having the impact of a large company with myriads of resources at their fingertips. I look forward to the day we’re a larger company with ample resources making an even bigger impact.

Onward and Upward for 2008!

Tom Pellicane – Publisher, canvas Magazine

Saturday we hosted a second Artist reception in the Footprint Gallery, aka, canvas offices. The show features about 40 works from the Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island. They have some really talented photographers and some great work.

It was another great event, although I am biased since these are our events. If you didn’t get a chance to join us for this event we have a Greendrinks Event coming up January 10, 2008 at Cirella’s Restaurant and an Open Mic Night Jan. 17 at the Footprint Gallery.

You can check them out here
Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island.

Last weekend I watched Leonardo Dicaprio’s film, Blood Diamonds. My 16-year-old daughter sat with me and began to watch the movie, too. She bailed out after about 30 minutes or so saying the movie was “horrible,” not in a cinematic sense, but in her ability to absorb what was portrayed. I then tried to recruit my wife, Adele, to watch it with me; she bailed out after a couple of scenes for the same reason.

The movie made me think of LOHAS and what it’s all about. LOHAS consumers are supposed to be conscious of the world around them, and awakened to what is going on in today’s society. Although I don’t like labels, I guess I fall into this category. I ate a heritage turkey at Thanksgiving, have gone from a 6 to 4 cylinder car, and from now on will be very conscious of any diamonds I purchase.

As I watched the film it struck me just how ignorant and naïve I am to some of the happenings in the world, and I believe I’m actually more informed them many people I come in contact with. I understand the challenge in Darfur and other issues of today, but the absolute disregard for human life as portrayed in the film stuck with me. How can we, humans have such little regard for one another?

During the movie I thought back to when I was buying a diamond engagement ring for Adele. I recall saying “let’s pick a bigger one,” and Adele said “no, I don’t want an obnoxious ring with a diamond that too big for my hand.” I couldn’t understand her logic then, but I’m happy with her thought processes now.

I’ve learned that Adele was LOHAS long before we were together and probably long before the label existed. I’m sure had she known of blood diamonds at the time she would have declined a diamond of any kind. I guess LOHAS means continuing to learn about things affecting our world and trying to do something to try and change them for the positive. It also means questioning things, not just accepting them at face value—even if we’re desensitized.

As we move toward the New Year, an election year, it’s important we ask more questions, not take things at face value, and make the effort to push for positive change.

Tom Pellicane – Publisher, canvas Magazine

Over the last year I’ve written a number of times about the great people we’ve gotten to connect with through the magazine. I can’t be happier about meeting all of you. One of our goals with canvas is to create a sense of community for people to connect with our content. We’ve tried to accomplish that in a few ways beyond the pages of our magazine.

We’ve hosted a number of Art events in our Huntington office, which doubles as the Footprint Gallery, trying to share some great work of local artists with our readers. We hosted our first “Tasting” event in June pairing food from Whole Foods Market and wines from Peconic Bay Vineyards, with a focus on local and organic as much as possible. Most recently we held our first Open Mic Night bringing poets, musicians and other artists together.

Outside the walls of our office we have helped Greendrinks come to Long Island, holding our fourth event and first Organic Wine Tasting in November; there were approximately 140 attendees it was a great success. We participated in events such as the Organic Turf Show, The Concert for Mother Earth and Global Warming Summit. We’re excited about being part of more events in the future.

These have all contributed to the connection and sense of community we’re trying to create with canvas. Personally I’ve reconnected with some people over the course of the year who I’d known in my former corporate life—many who after their surprise (since I was formerly a “suit”), shared their excitement about what we’re doing.

Some of the most important connections I’ve had a chance to make are with a couple of childhood friends. Life is funny sometimes; we go to school, get a job and live life as it unfolds. This unfolding takes us in many directions, as we all know, sometimes we lose track of people that were important to us. I’m sure where we came from and where we are as people in the moment plays a huge role in that, but nevertheless sometimes great friendships fade that you wish hadn’t.

One of my old friends who reached out to me through canvas has kids about the same age as my son Jake. We’re trying to get together and introduce the kids and I hope reconnect ourselves. Twenty plus years ago I wasn’t sure where I was going to be; certainly it wouldn’t have been working with canvas. But this is how life is funny; I’ve become who I am, my old friends have become who they are and now I hope by reconnecting through canvas we will rekindle our friendship as who we are now.

Tom Pellicane – Publisher, canvas Magazine

Unfortunately I was out of town Thursday and was not able to attend the Organic Wine Tasting done in conjunction with Greendrinks, The Sierra Club and canvas Magazine.

About 140 people attended, well above the goal we had. Everyone enjoyed some great wine, great music and delectable Food provided by Whole Foods Market.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the event a huge success.

Chris and Karen from Whole Foods Market; thank you for making time during the busy holiday season for this event.

We appreciate everyone’s support and look forward to seeing you at the next one!

Tom Pellicane - Publisher, canvas Magazine