Why now?
PLUG’D asked small business owners around the world to share their biggest hopes for 2022.
Kristin Martinez, event manager, Fast Forward Events, San Diego
"That we see more suppliers and producers create more creative ways to partner, whether it's in pricing structures, labor structures, or even with contract terms and clauses. We are all experiencing challenges that impact each other's businesses in significant ways, and having a partner on the other side of the contract means that risk and negative impacts can be mitigated. This requires trust, openness and willingness to change, and copious amounts of grace as we all navigate recovery. I really think that some creative problem-solving and breaking out of the ‘that's how it's always been’ will change the landscape of what is possible and how we do it."
Where it all started.
Mike Kerr Memphis Photography
Throughout life, we face many of the same struggles, lack of resources, limited networks, and learning ourselves. But as we continue to grow and educate ourselves on the world around us inevitably we meet new people. People, who at times, influence the way we perceive and navigate the environment around us. Innately we all have a drive and motivation to make a difference, but like everyone, we have to figure out what we want to do and how to do it.
During, that process I believe we learn ourselves, what we love and who we are meant to be. My personal journey and motivation to help uplift those around me, led me to develop many different skills. Never having access to extensive amounts of capital you learn how to be an innovator, a problem solver, and a doer. Looking back at my work history I’ve done everything from analysis to quality control not because I wanted to in every situation, but because that’s what I had to do.
Ultimately, though I wouldn’t trade those experiences for the world they made me who I am and I wouldn’t be here without the relationships created along the way. And even still I want to do more.
'Never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.'
This is ultimately, why you’re probably reading this now because our team wanted to create something that would enrich your life as much as it would ours. Let’s get there together. Let’s build hand in hand and embrace the fruits of our labor as a community.
- PLUG’D Founder Donnie Gladney