what’s on your mind?
Posted on 17. Aug, 2010 by Carrie in culture
“What’s on your mind?” Facebook asks. Well, I have a lot on my mind this morning. Yesterday, I was sent an invitation to a party at a local drinking establishment. I must say I was rather surprised at the blatant smear that took place promoting this party. I have a question to ask you all. Why do some people feel it is necessary to take personal (and I do mean personal) jabs at others in their field for their own monetary gain? Some may see my question as a bit naive. Perhaps it is.
As a business owner, I do my very best to push local businesses. I brag to others about what a wonderful community of small business owners we have and how we all network to help build one another up. But recently, there seems to be a rash of stone throwing going around. And for what purpose? If this person is so terrible, why have a party in his honor? This establishment obviously feels his name will pull in a crowd. And apparently, they are not confident enough in their own product to put it out there, naked, without the need for mud slinging. That’s for dirty politicians, not small business owners. I don’t know about you all, but for me, a flag of insecurity is being waved proudly above this establishment. And for the record, a smear such as this has lawsuit written all over it. We aren’t talking business to business slams people…this is a business to an individual. Regardless of what happened, we all have a duty as small business owners to keep things professional.
Owning a business in Wichita is a privilege. As business owners, we should be thankful every day that we live in the best country in the world and that we are able to start our own businesses and grow them with our entrepreneurial spirit. We are so fortunate to have a caring community surrounding us. Things are blossoming in Wichita. Let’s build each other up, not tear each other down. Don’t let competition breed hatred. Let it drive us each to create a better business and product for our community.
We have all been on the receiving end of a slam like this, but unless laws were broken, or someone has been raped, tortured or has died, no matter what the circumstances, no one deserves to have their name personally smeared. You never know what is going on in the life of someone on a personal level. I’m asking you to consider this as you continue on with your day. Do the right thing. Make ethical decisions. Do what’s right for your fellow Wichitan. Everything you do and say every day has an effect on others.
I’m looking for a response folks…please tell me I’m not alone on my views of this community. You know…Jared Brickman and I parted ways a while back, but I still tell people RokICT.com has the best calendar of events in town. Looking for the best resource for hip hop? Check out ICTHipHop.com. Are you looking to check out some new, up and coming music? Get out on First Friday…Adam Hartke is doing and incredible job promoting local music. Looking to book a band…we’ve got so many talented folks booking in town…what genre would you like? There’s someone for you. Rise above it folks. Support each other and stop the BS already. There’s room in this sandbox for everyone.
7 Responses to “what’s on your mind?”
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Candice
17. Aug, 2010
Right on Carrie! Way to stand up as a pillar of professionalism in the community. We have all made mistakes in our lives whether they be personal or professional, but at no time does anyone deserve this kind of attack… Lashing out against a person who has wronged you is one thing, but doing so publicly and to promote your business is downright ludicrous and immature. What is this high school? Hippie is my friend and even though we have disagreements from time to time, I know that he is a good and friendly person who certainly doesn’t deserve this. I for one am choosing to BOYCOTT KELLEY’S and will be encouraging ALL of my friends to do so as well. That’s right Kev ALL OF MY FRIENDS….
ToThePoint
17. Aug, 2010
To clarify what this note is referring to; Kelly’s Irish Pub is hosting an event to (apparently) celebrate the ousting of a show promoter they were doing business with. Here’s the event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=148771498482068&ref=ts
I’m not too sure why ICTHipHop.com, Adam Hartke or Jared/rokict are brought up, since they don’t have anything to do with it.
Carrie
17. Aug, 2010
The reason that Jared, Adam, and ICTHipHop were brought up is because they are good examples of how to conduct yourself professionally when working in a community. We don’t always all agree, but we all support one another regardless. It is essential to the success of small businesses in Wichita. These folks are making a positive difference in our community. This is the reason for the mention.
RoxanneCStuart
18. Aug, 2010
Airing one’s “dirty laundry” in such a fashion is really something I abhor, and I feel it definately shows a lack of discernment, and in my opinion, discernment and maturity go hand in hand. We are all in business because we have something to share, and when I read about this kind of behaviour, I have to wonder how insecure someone must be to allow such a display of mean spirited behaviour in connection with their business. No matter how tough or nasty a parting of ways is, the better trip is always the one taken via the high road. As a consumer, I would find it hard to frequent an establishment knowing this sort of thing has occurred…how community oriented can someone be when they’re busy bashing a member of that same community? Is this really where Wichita is as a business community?
I don’t think so, and the best way to dispel the negative impression is to continue to perpetuate an open, friendly and mature climate amongst ourselves.
Don Bean
18. Aug, 2010
Bravo Carrie! I want people to know that after I (Bad Bean Productions) left Rock Island Live for The Boulevard, we sat down and discussed things as adults and she wished me well and said, “You’ll be back!” Jen Ray and I are still great friends and from time to time we discuss things about whats going on in the local music scene. Another example of cooperation is with Josh Jackson (Abode Venue). Earlier this week Josh and Kyle met Tom Rodriguez and myself for lunch to brainstorm and assit each other in our seperate but similair endeavors. After lunch we were even more committed to assist and promote each others venues. As my grandpa once told me , “A man is only as tall by how low he’s willing to stoop to pick another up”. Truer words have never been spoken!
Pointless
23. Aug, 2010
The party was not to slander any ones name, it was done to poke fun at him, what ever happened to freedom of speech?? Sure it may not have been the best idea in the world, but nothing bad was said or done at the party. This was done to poke fun at someone who had cost a lot of people a lot of time, money, and effort that went down the drain, not to mention someone who says just about anything to get what he or she wants done no matter what. I’m sure it helps that he or she has written articles for Naked City…
Carrie
03. Sep, 2010
Regardless the person, NakedCity would have come to their defense. This party was in incredibly poor taste and highly unprofessional. Someone from your camp posted a pretty incredibly accusation on our site, which we promptly removed because it was untrue according to the background checks we perform on all of our writers/photographers/contributors. You can thank us for saving you from slander later. Be careful the words you choose. Attorneys have been notified and are watching. Anyone involved in the local music scene knows who we are speaking about…it’s no secret and the intent was evident. Airing dirty laundry should be done behind closed doors. We’re not looking for a pissing match, just a community of people in the music scene that work together to build each other up. Your establishment’s music scene improved greatly after this person began helping you to book bands. You have a fantastic location and are pretty well established live music venue. Why not build on those qualities? Did a person really need to have their name drug through the mud in order to promote what you have going on? Come on.