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The No Project – An Anonymous Finale
As many of you will know, for the month of September whilst chasing stockists for Bento’s first season, I ran a small personal initiative called The No Project. The premise was simple, every time a potential stockist turned me down, I put aside $3. Each Friday, I took the total sum and gave it to a homeless person.
The idea was to turn a really crushing negative for me into a positive for someone else. Someone who hears ‘no’ a lot more often. By using this approach, I hoped to get over the hurt that goes with hearing ‘no’.
I’m happy to report that it worked. I’m not scared of no. I’m disappointed by the willingness the industry seems to have to lie and make excuses for their nos, but I’m not scared.
Since the end of September, I’ve been carrying around my last hoard of No Project funds ($20), waiting to be approached by someone homeless who needed it. I thought this would be a nice variation to me seeking someone.
Yesterday, it happened. Unlike my other No Project moments, I didn’t ask his name or his story. I didn’t take a photo. He asked me for change… I said I didn’t have any. I doubled back a second later and gave him the $20, saying “but I do have a note”.
He gave me a toothy grin and said “god bless!”… And then promptly ran into the army surplus store he was standing outside to tell them, and show off his $20.
Ultimately, this is what the No Project was about. No questions, no judgement, no interrogation or justification. Just the simple act of making someone’s day.
I’ve been asked if I’ll do the No Project again in the future. It’s hard to say. The nature of it is very much a reflection of who I am and the values at the core of Bento.
That said, I also really struggle with celebrating my own successes. In many ways, the No Project amplified this, causing me to chase nos and fail to dwell on the triumphs.
A version of the No Project is definitely on the cards, but I’d like to see it share wins, rather than failures.
I love your NO project,
I’m working on a project at present too.
To help all the young designers, get some YESes in their lives.
will keep you posted.
Sam I love your not project- but you’re right, it is important to celebrate your successes and take time out to mark those too.
Jenny- I’ve been following your comments on the blog (and have been a big fan of you) your project sounds exciting, but I expect nothing less!
I love your NO project – creative and innovative a.k.a really good.
This No Project makes me really uncomfortable. I’m glad you’ve admitted its entirely about making you feel better, and has nothing to do with homelessness or poverty or helping other people. I won’t even go into what you mean by “homeless”, since the definition of this word is extremely complex and wide, but I’m guessing you just mean “some person with missing teeth who will be grateful to receive a fraction of my coffee budget for the week”. I can’t believe you actually INTERVIEW the “homeless” people to make sure they are “homeless” enough to be worthy of your $20. What’s worse is you’re actually BOASTING about your appalling arrogance. Aaaaawwww, such a compassionate banker hell-bent on making squillions. (Squillions for herself that is. But she’ll give $20 to homeless people. If they make the grade. After their interview.)
And if I can read between the lines of your blog, I’m guessing you’re a Liberal voter. So while you’ll give a homeless guy twenty bucks, you’ll give your vote to those who will keep him exactly where he is.
Hi Sophie,
Thanks for taking the time to write such a lengthy comment.
This blog is all about transparency, so I’ll post any comments that aren’t spam. I also try to respond to every comment with consideration.
That said, I can’t bring myself to dignify your appalling, inaccurate generalisations and lack of comprehension with a response that addresses the content of your comment.
Thanks again for the comment however, it’s nice to know that people care so much about my journey that they take the time to write.
Sam
Wow.
I’ll say what Sam is too nice to say herself, and risk the troll. Sam is doing her best to ensure that all of her garments are ethically made and make a positive difference. That’s REALLY HARD in fashion and takes money and guts. At least she is trying to make a difference, rather than bitching about other people’s perceived imperfections. As for the suggestion that she is ‘ignorant’ about homelessness, you’ve pretty much lost that argument by making ignorant, unfounded assumptions about her politics.
Piss off and go do something constructive with your time. You know, like Sam is.