Over the course of 2024, I spent a significant amount of time trying to figure out what good I could bring to the world and the ripples of change I might create. At the start, I thought big. Nothing short of some epic, world-changing movement, non-profit, or personality felt like it would suffice.
I was scared by the enormity of challenges we face as a society. That fear spurred a belief that I needed to counter those challenges with radical action—meeting the bad with an equal amount of good.
This desire, I’ve come to realise, was ego-driven and honestly, unrealistic. Yes, some people do manage to enact a massive amount of change that ripples across the world, but these individuals are unicorns. Their achievements often come with a double-edged sword: the necessity of compromising values or facing overwhelming criticism and hostility.
I neither have the skillset nor the desire to step into this level of change.
Back to the Drawing Board
It was only after taking some time off around Christmas of ’24 that something clicked.
Change starts in the community
There I was, consumed with figuring out how to make change, looking everywhere except my doorstep. I’m not exactly sure when the switch flicked, but I do know something shifted during the Christmas break.
Alright, I blame the new Netflix film That Christmas. If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil it for you. It’s a story about community—a group of people so wrapped up in their individual lives that they forget to cherish what’s right in front of them.
The message of this film hit home. I realised that my work will always have the greatest impact in my local community rather than further afield.
Why my community?
I live in a small ex-mining town in Nottinghamshire. Like many towns here, it’s steeped in mining heritage. Mining was big business in the area, but decades after the coal mines closed, the economic aftermath remains.
Businesses in my community, in my opinion, are poorly served by local web design and marketing companies. I firmly believe that well-branded and well-marketed businesses have every opportunity to grow and thrive. When you apply that mentality to a local community like Mansfield, the effects can be profound: growing businesses create new jobs, attract investment, and spur economic development.
But where does Regeneration fit into this?
I’m still aiming to build a regenerative business. But let me set the record straight: I’m not there yet. I don’t believe any business truly is—it’s a continuous journey, and I’m early in mine.
By working with local businesses, I can introduce regenerative ideas as part of my services. I can help them explore ways to embed regenerative practices into their operations. This can touch businesses that might otherwise have never considered sustainability—or, at best, been sceptical of it.
Being able to offer this within my community feels exciting. It’s an opportunity to create meaningful, local change and to foster a ripple effect that could extend far beyond Mansfield.
Building Local Relationships
Looking ahead, I plan to focus on fostering genuine relationships with the people and businesses in my community. This means actively attending local events, offering workshops for small businesses, and providing accessible consultations to help them understand the potential of effective branding and marketing.
I want to be a resource that businesses in Mansfield can rely on. Whether it’s helping to clarify their vision, designing a standout website, or introducing them to regenerative business ideas, my goal is to empower them with the tools and strategies they need to succeed.
By prioritising collaboration and showing up consistently, I aim to create a network of thriving local businesses that support each other and contribute to Mansfield’s growth.
Building Local Relationships
In a world obsessed with big gestures and viral movements, I’ve found peace in embracing the power of small, meaningful actions. By focusing on my community, I’ve discovered a way to align my values with tangible outcomes.
Change doesn’t have to start with a megaphone or a spotlight. It can start with a conversation, a project, or a helping hand offered to someone just down the road. And while the ripples may start small, they have the potential to spread further than we ever imagined.
For now, my focus is here, in Mansfield and surrounding areas. One business, one project, one connection at a time.