Rocking the Small Corners

I’ve been listening to the soundtrack from ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ for a solid week. On repeat. Sweeping, epic music has a way of getting me dialed into my work. I’ll write for a bit and then inevitably get caught up in thinking about Frodo’s quest… not so much about the perils along the ominous path to Mordor, but about the power of one person. I think about the Hobbits back in The Shire, going about the business of growing their potatoes and drinking their ale, never knowing that a quiet journey of legendary proportions was underfoot to save their world.

I relate to Frodo. He was simple. Unfussy. Entrusted with a difficult task.

Frodo didn’t have a pitch. He didn’t “soft launch” his journey or crowdfund his way through Middle Earth. He didn’t stop every few minutes to take the “most awesome selfie” or send a “quick tweet.”

He simply set out to be of service.

Someone asked me this week, “What’s your elevator pitch?” To which I responded, “I don’t have one. I prefer conversations over pitches.” Rote memorization that sums up who I am? Clever wordplay that leaves people scratching their heads? No thanks. Usually when someone asks that uninspired question, “So, what do you do?” I’ll reply back with, “I’m all about rocking small corners.” It opens up the door to telling them more about my desire to serve.

Small corners.

What does that mean?

Every business owner, at one time, will need to decide whether they want to be big… or small. Do you want everyone to know your name? An email list of 300? 3000? 300,000? Do you want a large army or a small community?

I choose to stay deliberately small. Deliberately intentional. Boutique-y. I don’t work with just anyone. I simply serve the small number of people on this earth that need my voice.

The hustle doesn’t interest me.

I’m good with my small corner. A corner where I work tirelessly to write good stuff for a very specific audience. A corner where I help adventurous businesses tell better stories. A corner where black and white turns to color… like going from Kansas to Oz.

Not everyone likes Oz. And that’s okay. I don’t like Kansas all that much, either. My corner may not be your corner.

Here’s the thing… I’m not polished. I swear a little too much. Sometimes I eat candy for lunch. My use of ellipses (…) has hit an all-time high. And I care way too much about my hair.

I’m also a spanking-good merging of grace and badassery. It’s an interesting blend, like chocolate-covered bacon. I will respect the shit out of your opinions. Your goals and dreams matter… and I’ll do whatever I can to make them happen. I’ll also kick your ass if I deem it necessary. And I’ll call you out on your crap over and over. Because I know you, I adore you. I’m not afraid to do what it takes to make your business better.

Small corners are like that.

I’m a benevolent disrupter. Good stuff happens in that space where the status quo is stomped on.

I’m the quiet storm, that wind that blows through and ruffles the papers on your desk. And maybe your feathers from time to time.

I prefer small not because I am afraid of big, but because staying small is the place where I can make the most difference. Impact isn’t about the size of your audience. It’s about creating purpose and spreading a message. For one person. For one business. And having that ripple travel through a much larger pond.

I’m not chucking a boulder. I’m flicking a pebble.

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future,” voiced Galadriel to Frodo when he told her he was afraid, that he couldn’t possibly make a difference, that he was only one person.

Small can be mighty. It’s time to own that.

•   •   •

How do you want to show up in the world? I’d really like to hear about it in the comments.

You might be interested in the first blog post I wrote about small corners. You can find it here.

12 comments leave a reply
  • November 6, 2014 at 3:31 pm
    Alexander Ernst

    I signed up for your list after reading this. You have a wonderful voice and writing style.

    The idea of being deliberately small is something I hadn’t really considered, but I’m sort of grooving on the idea now. I feel like I’m more into serving a smaller and more interactive community than I am broadcasting to an army of followers. I to help lead a team of collaborators that push the boundaries for what has been perceived to be possible.

    Looking forward to reading more from you.

    Reply

    • November 7, 2014 at 12:34 pm
      Maisie

      Aw… thanks, Alexander! See you in the trenches. 🙂

      Reply

  • November 6, 2014 at 5:06 pm
    Chris

    I focus on one client, one tax return at a time. Everyone deserves to have their taxes done right.

    Loved the post!

    Reply

    • November 7, 2014 at 12:35 pm
      Maisie

      Thanks, Chris! That personal touch… really KNOWING your clients… is what business should be about.

      Reply

  • November 6, 2014 at 7:06 pm
    Emily

    Oh, Maisie, per usual I ADORE what you have to say! I definitely resonate with wanting to make a big impact in a very intimate way and you know how I feel about the need for and value of community. I’m not interested in ruling the world, just maybe shifting it a degree or two, and that is so very freeing.

    p.s. Did you know the new Hobbit trailer came out today? So your Frodo shout-out is so on trend!

    Reply

    • November 7, 2014 at 12:37 pm
      Maisie

      Oooooh… I’ve never been on trend before! Now I’m going to get a majorly-inflated head over it… errrrr… probably not. But thanks, my friend, for letting me know about The Hobbit trailer. Very cool.

      I love it when I am able to connect with other like-minded peeps. We are tiny but mighty!

      Reply

  • November 6, 2014 at 7:39 pm
    Yoneco

    Well, you had me from the first mention of the Fellowship soundtrack, but “small can be mighty” was just the best. Sincerest of thanks because I needed to hear this today.

    Reply

    • November 7, 2014 at 12:38 pm
      Maisie

      Woot! Glad to hear it, Yoneco! Don’t be afraid to rock your small corner, girl. I’m pretty sure small corners are where all the fun is, anyways!

      Reply

  • November 6, 2014 at 7:49 pm
    Beth

    Love this! Paragraph 3 made me laugh (although I’d love to read his tweets!). This is something I’ve been ruminating on as well … (and please note my use of ellipses).

    Reply

  • November 7, 2014 at 12:42 pm
    Maisie

    Ellipses… YES x 1000! All the cool kids are doing it. 🙂

    Getting clear about how you want to show up in the world with your business is always a good idea, especially in the beginning. Of course, that can morph over time, but I’ve always been a fan of small, weirdo tribes.

    Reply

  • November 9, 2014 at 9:41 am
    Elisa

    “Here’s the thing… I’m not polished. I swear a little too much. Sometimes I eat candy for lunch. My use of ellipses (…) has hit an all-time high. And I care way too much about my hair.”

    You are my Spirit Animal. For real. I think? Can people be spirit animals?

    I love that you know who you are and you own it. Honestly, I connect with each and every one of these.

    Also, this is my “Writing” playlist on Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/user/opheliaswebb/playlist/4jpGGwYQLAPmPtvXZIemfx

    Reply

  • September 25, 2015 at 5:00 am
    I Forgot and Got Lost - Coffee, Bacon & Books

    […] with a bigger and more successful “platform” and what they where doing and saying, instead of rocking the small corner I already have—not giving a shit about my “platform.” I started obsessing about what this […]

    Reply

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