Themes from the Roaring 20s run right through to our Roaring 2020s. Authors Kimberly Layne, Clare Price, Sam Cibrone and I share our thoughts on the importance of the Speakeasy both then and now, highlighting the importance of staying connected, running a business in adverse times, finding joy and happiness, and making memories.
Meet the Authors
Kimberly Layne is author of Connections Change Everything and principal at the Kimberly Connection Company: https://www.kimberly-layne.com Kimberly coaches and consults with Leaders and Organizations who desire to upskill their leadership and organization with the necessary soft skills that drive positive relationships that increase retention, engagement and profitability in our virtual, disconnected, and dynamic world. It is proven, strong connections build better business results! Find Connections Change Everything here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1947480936/ or get your personally signed copy at https://www.kimberly-layne.com/resources
Clare Price is author of Make Remote Work and principal of Octain Growth: www.octaingrowth.com Make Remote Work is for everyone who is looking to reinvent their business for our new remote economy. Find Make Remote Work here: https://www.octaingrowth.com/ebook1/
Sam Cibrone the small business myth-buster debunks these myths about small business startups and growth. His book: Cracking the Startup Code: 5 Myths to Starting or Growing a Small Business focuses on the mindset needed to start or grow a business, the core values needed for growth and he uses real life examples from 5 small businesses he owned in his 23 years of owning small businesses. Free copy of the book on Sam’s website: http://www.samcibronebusinesscoaching.com
Matt Schlegel is author of Teamwork 9.0—Successful Workgroup Problem Solving Using the Enneagram and principal at Schlegel Consulting: www.evolutionaryteams.com Teamwork 9.0 cracks the code for turbo charged team creativity and extraordinary team effectiveness. Find Teamwork 9.0 here: https://www.amazon.com/Teamwork-9-0-Successful-Workgroup-Enneagram/dp/1733478809
Video Transcript
[Kimberly Layne]
I like the sultry secretive nature of the Speakeasy. They defied the law, had unlimited hours, and proliferated anywhere and everywhere… including covert locations such as stank basements, intimate back rooms, and unofficial store locations.
Interestingly enough, people flocked to these hideaways. Why? because as natural human beings we seek pleasure, enjoyment, celebration, and community! (especially during hard times). Most likely the Speakeasy and its alcohol was fortified by a wealthy owner, and its party goers were the poor. For the first time in American history, rich and poor patrons illegally drank together. It did not stop there, in some cases even racial barriers were broken down, and African Americans and whites in unison indulged outside of the law, and celebrated life and community.
I believe when natural ability is to come together in community and in celebration especially in challenging times, is denied, we will find avenues even, if illegal, in order to meet our huma needs for human connection. We will dissolve differences, and absolve judgment of race, and socio and economic status. Why? Because At the end of the day we are all humans craving connection.
As we move forward in our celebration of our roaring 20’s I challenge you to dissolve manufactured barriers of interaction and to establish easy pathways to human connection. WE all are craving connection! It is something we all are craving!.
[Matt Schlegel]
That’s fantastic, Kimberly.
Let me share a story.
It was towards the end of the day, and a co-worker came into my office completely exasperated. She started listing off all the challenges that she was facing on her project. After listening a while, I suggested that we head over to a bar, have beer, and talk things through. She stared at me in amazement before saying, “okay.” We got over there and had a long conversation about all the issues.
That was twenty years ago, and my co-worker, now friend, still brings up this story. For her, it was exactly the thing that she needed at that moment, to disconnect from the problems for a while and reflect on them objectively. For me, it highlights the value of building relationships with co-workers both inside and out of the workplace. A change of scenery broadens our perspectives. And a drink can certainly help us into more open conversations. It does help us to Speak. Easily.
What do you think, Sam?
[Sam Cibrone]
Thank you, Matt.
The Roaring 20s Speakeasys teach us many lessons about business to apply to the Roaring 2020s. The interesting thing is that they demonstrate many characteristics on Entrepreneurship. For example, Speakeasys were places that understood the concept of taking risks. As you know Alcohol was prohibited so selling a was dangerous. As businesses we must take risks to be successful. Secondly, Speakeasys demonstrate the ability to meet a want or need of the consumer. In those days, it provided alcohol and more importantly socialization. Currently, businesses must focus on the constantly changing needs of customers. The Speakeasys teach us many lessons about the culture of the Roaring 20s which correlate to the Roaring 2020s. We learned that taking risks is vital for progress. In addition, we learned that you must solve a want or need of the customer. So, when we reflect back on the Speakeasys, let’s remember those lessons, so that we can have a great Roaring 2021!!!
[Clare Price]
When I see pictures of the Speakeasys of the Roaring 20s, I see joy, exuberance and just plain fun. Ok. Maybe a little bit too much fun. Speakeasies have something to say to business owners today as we start to recover from our pandemic prohibitions. That is, how can you do more for your customers? How can you bring them joy? For one of my manufacturing clients it was literally searching the globe to source materials a vendor needed to make custom packaging for a virtual trade show event. In true Speakeasy fashion, let’s all find ways to bring joy into the lives of our customers and employees.
