A Different way of doing Business
We opened Global Tribe in 1999. It was a really good year. I
met my wonderful wife and began the adventure that has become Global Tribe. We
both wanted to create a business that cares about quality, service and creating
community. There is a different way to do business. A world apart from the
Corporate models. We believe in respecting our clients, suppliers and the
environment. We wanted to be part of creating the future that we want to see. A
brave new world begins one step at a time.
We opened our doors tentatively, offering kindness, love, an
attentive ear and some fabulous products. Everyone is made welcome and treated
as if they were in their own homes. As a result, our clients have responded in
a similar way. There is a lot of love within the doors, something we both
cultivate and cherish. We are very lucky that our clients are such wonderful
people. It is completely natural that if we treat people well, they will return
the kindness. That pretty much articulates the idea behind Global Tribe.
The old ways of business are about competition and aggressive
promotions. We are all about cultivating friendships, trust, community and
steady growth. There are no hard sells within our doors. When our customers are
ready to buy something, they know where we are. This approach has led to a
softer and kinder way to do business. We grow each year, due mostly to word of
mouth.
A friend posted this picture on Facebook recently.
It reminded me of a book I read in 1992, that changed my
perspective on life. The book was the Celestine Prophecy by James Readfield.
The ideas in the book are very simple but they expand into a much more amazing
philosophy in life. This is why we wanted to create a vision of the future, to
be part of the change. We want to focus on bringing people together, sharing
space and time, exploring our consciousness, being gentle and kind, looking for
new ways to create a better world. This change can only begin in our own lives
and then be exported.
There are a lot of people in Leeds, West Yorkshire and the rest
of the World, who are already part of this quiet revolution. This community is
easy to find online. There are some fantastic movements that we can connect
with. There are also places being lit up
all over the planet that have a more altruistic attitude. We are one of those.
We have wanted to open a cafe since we first opened the
shop. It has taken us more than 12 years to finally open our little Cafe. It’s
not big or fancy, but it is honest and homely. We have met some fabulous people
and groups since we first opened the cafe. There is a really fresh vibe around
people who are considerate about what they eat. We had a wonderful event with
Susan Laing, who brought some fine people together to discuss the benefits of
Wheatgrass and living food. Graham, who had come from Sunderland turned out to
be full of amazing dietary advice. In fact he completely blew me away. Peter
Caiser, from Ecuador gave a presentation on raw food that inspired and
informed. There was a guy there who had lost 16 stones through changing his
diet. Just normal people making a difference in their own lives, who can
inspire others just by being themselves.
Next month there will be course on meditation and in
December there will be a seminar on how to make Raw Chocolate. The cafe is a
place for likeminded people to meet and share food, information and kindness.
We are very happy to have lit up a place of the future. A place where
happiness, joy and kindness are celebrated.
There are also a few other places in Yorkshire, also doing wonderful
work. I can heartily recommend The Happiness Centre in Ilkey,
Physis Health and Well Being in Adel,
The Veggie cafe in Ilkley,
Mystic Moon in the Central Arcade,
Leeds, the Otley Apothecary,
Crystal Space in Silsden,
Roots and Fruits in the Grand Arcade, Leeds
and The Cheerful Chilli in Otley.
Oh yeah, The Ilkley Complimentary Medicine Festival and
Health and Healing Fairs in Leeds and York are also little gems that come and
go.
The future is looking bright. We are very happy to be
embracing the positive and allowing that acceptance and love to be reflected
back into our lives.
Thanks again for reading.
