Finding Members
Something’s happening in the City. A new generation of suits are breaking down the City stereotype. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of them to pick the best 150 to become Founding Members of Mesh (professionals working in the City who have creative second lives). So, for the past four weeks, every lunch break and evening has been taken up talking to them. I think my record was meeting six people in one day at the lovely Flat White. By the time I left I was buzzing!
Kay and I think it’s really important that we meet our Founding Members, or at least talk to them over the phone, because it shows them we’re taking this concept seriously and deeply care about it. It also gives us an opportunity to select the most committed members.
Throughout my meetings, I was struck by the diversity of the "candidates" both in terms of their professional and creative status: from trainee bankers to senior partners; from musicians who have appeared on Top of The Pops to published playwrights. One common thread that bound them was their feeling that they were alone and odd. Hopefully, they now realise that they are neither because Kay and I know of thousands of City professionals who are actively involved in creative projects of all shapes and sizes. Mesh aims to find a home and community for them. Here are a few I’ve picked at random:
Judy Ramjeet is a partner at a West End law firm. Judy has a fascinating life: she has recently set up a new department within her firm but still manages to find time to present a radio show, write a children's book, produce a short film and try to stage a play in the West End. Phew!
Then there’s Stephen Morris a solicitor who has just published his second book. What’s more fascinating is his recent publication is one of the first books to be published online. It’s called The Golden Generation and will be released online in five sections. The first section is available from 6 August 2007. I can’t wait!
Moving away from law, I met a very busy man who works as an Investment Banker but also finds the time to be involved in an enormous array of creative projects. As we sat drinking coffee in a City restaurant, I wondered whether he actually had time to sleep. He looked healthy enough. He explained to me that he was primarily a writer. In particular, he has written a few short stories and screenplays and is currently working on a novel. But, he is also a DJ and associate for a niche record label and a mentor to a Classical music label. This, I assure you, is merely the tip of the iceberg.
I also spoke to a very enthusiastic vice president of a top investment bank. She has a very interesting creative second life. In particular, she runs graduate fashion parties and band launches and also finds the time to write articles for magazines.
Finally, there is Tina "B" Baker. Tina started her career formally as a member of Rockers Revenge (remember their smash UK hit- a remake of Eddy Grant’s “Walking on Sunshine”?). Tina B has also provided supportive vocals for artists as diverse as Madonna, Al Green, U2 and Bruce Springsteen. After “retiring” from the pop world in the mid-90’s, Tina started her opera studies in New York City with Maestro Vincent La Selva of the New York Grand Opera Company. Since making London her homebase several years ago, Ms. B has had a residency at Bartok, a Mean Fiddler venue in Camden that features an eclectic mix of classical and modern music. And...she's a lawyer!
Mesh is not just interested in attracting members like Judy or Stephen who have active creative second lives. We're also interested in aspirers (members who would like to get involved in creative projects, but up until now didn't think they could) and associators (members who would like to associate with our demographic and may be get involved in projects in the future and who know loads of creative people who they can contact to help Mesh).
So to all the non-believers out there…it can be done! You can work in the City and find time to get involved in creative projects that inspire you. As one Founding Member said, “if you’re really passionate about something, you make the time to do it. Simple. You only live once.” Damn right.
