Business and Passion

What is marketing? It is the art/ science of making consumers buy what they do not need. It is profound claptrap; the educated bullshit; the intensive labeling of simplistic theories with verbose technical jargon. This romance of mixing art and science with the intention of influencing consumption behaviour seduced me many years ago, and teaching this discipline has remained my passion.

An ex-colleague of mine completed his doctoral in marketing and as a side business, and almost for interest sake, he and his wife started a business selling tea at the retail front. I visited their shop today at Millennium Walk and I felt like I took a step into marketing wonderland; where sound marketing theories manifest themselves into a sound business design. They have a business that does not sell tea. Instead, they sell an experience which begins from the moment you step into the shop front. Their outlet appears to be more of an artistic impression of a contemporary tea museum rather than a tea retailer. Colour schemes play around with classic matt black to daring yellows. The background plays a constant soothing blend of jazz and service stretches beyond a single transaction.

It is not everyday that someone can say that they are able to mix business with pleasure, or in this case, mix business with passion. Is it even possible to sink oneself into business before developing passion? Sometimes when the grass appears too green on the other side, it overwhelms the prospects at hand.

Finding contentment really is a challenge on its own.