The official Dancing Deer Baking Company Blog

Unemployment, stock market plummets, foreclosures, and uncertainty.  We are familiar with these economic stories.  But, what about the economy bringing people together?  This is one story I’ve uncovered by simply living it.
 

Last June, I was a graduate student working toward my master degree in advertising, rejoining the academic world after four years of working in advertising and public relations.  Last June, I was also a bridesmaid.  A good bridesmaid helps the bride with everything she needs, from picking colors to tightening the obligatory corset.  It also means working with strangers for about a year prior to the event, otherwise known as the fellow bridesmaids.  This is where I met Kate.  Last June, Kate was an account development manager for a well-known market research firm.  We exchanged wedding-related emails for about a year and saw each other at the shower, rehearsal, and wedding.  We (and our “plus ones”) were assigned to the same table at the wedding, and we all chatted over wine and appetizers.  In leaving, we said we would do dinner sometime.

This past March, I invited Kate to my birthday gathering, where our mutual friend was also joining.  She and I hadn’t seen each other since the wedding and caught up.  The gist?  In present day, I have two degrees and no job, faced with a bruised advertising industry trying to get its bearings.  Kate was recently laid off, and considering the exciting (yet daunting) prospect of entering an entirely new field.  We are both Type A personalities, and needed something to stay busy.  I told her about a volunteer opportunity I was considering.  In my yoga class, a woman who I regularly chatted with said her sister-in-law needed help with a project at Dancing Deer (follow that connection map without having to read it twice).  Kate and I loved the cookies and the cause, so we volunteered.

Now, Kate and I come into the office about twice a week, helping Beth coordinate the Sweet Home Mother’s Day Ride.  We even drive in together.  In this experience, we have been able to work with some amazing people and help an important cause.  Sitting around a table yesterday, a big group of us started to piece together the connection map and our stories, and it’s amazing we all found our way here.

In this economy, I may have lost my 401K and ability to wake up before 9 a.m., but I’ve gained perspective, a purpose in something important, a great network of intelligent and fascinating people, and a friend.  Oh, and there is one more sweet perk – the brownies are amazing.