New: From the Editor

I am excited and humbled by the extent to which Sheepless.org continues to grow, thanks to a wonderful team of contributors. I'm inspired to double my own efforts in 2010, and invite all of our readers to join in the conversation and collaborate in as many ways as you would like. I'm looking forward to spending more time on the West Coast this year, and am looking forward to bringing in new writers from California and Denver soon, and contributors from all over.

As we move into Sheepless 2.010, I'm pushing for the site to be tighter, leaner, meaner, harder, better, stronger, faster... you get the idea. Here are my own resolutions for the site in the coming year:

GAIN FOCUS
Now that we're finding our niche, it's time for us to really focus in on our core subject matters and begin differentiate ourselves from outher lifestyle websites. We'll be focusing in on content like these articles:

Social and Community-Driven Entrepreneurs
Greenlight Bookstore
Madecasse ChocolateFilm SproutElectric Literature

Environmental Entrepreneurs
Brooklyn Mammal
Titania Inglis
H20-ME

Artist Entrepreneurs
Resist Today
Global Oneness Project

Ethical Consumption and Innovative Economics
Holiday Shopping Guide
Outpost
Local Currencies

Event Coverage/Reviews
ADC's Designism 4
The Bigger Picture

Issues Entrepreneurs Face
A Case for Leather

Work/Life Balance
Notes on Productivity

EXPOSE THE NITTY-GRITTY
I've had a lot of discussions with entrepreneurs and folks who work for small companies, and a common observation is that everyone seems to think that everyone else is having it easier, better, and more prosperous go of it than they are. The general rule seems to be that businesses need to put a positive spin on all public communications because they don't want clients or customers to see them as weak. But the reality is that it's hard for everyone. I want to build a space that's welcoming and supportive of 'the real story' -- not that we're going to dwell on the negative, but by showing the true work and guts involved, we can learn from each other, feel connected ourselves, and in turn help others who are in the same boat. In this light, I recently wrote an editorial for Huffington Post, and it's been the most popular piece (Tweeting-wise) that I've written. Seems people are hungry to see they're not the only ones working their butts off. Here's the piece: Don't Start a Social Enterprise -- Unless You Have To.

SEEK PARTNERSHIPS/CREATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS
I'd love to begin expanding how we tell these stories. I've reached out to the folks at envisionGood.tv, and inviting a film maker I know to work on bringing in video content. We're lucky to have some amazing photographers and illustrators on the team, and would love to see some image-driven features. I'm also in talks with the Brooklyn Food Coalition to co-sponsor a panel on Sustainable Food/Sustainable Businesses. Are there other places we can look to connect with entrepreneurs in unique, innovative ways?

CREATE A RESOURCE DESTINATION
We're going to make more specific Resource categories this year, and add many many more organizations, programs, books, etc. Please contribute here as well! Send in great sites or organizations that you're a part of or that have helped you grow your business.

INCREASE SKILLSHARE ACTIVITY
A major point of brainstorming for this spring. Open to feedback on how to make this work! 

LOTS MORE EXCITING NEWS
Details in 2010!

A million thanks. Happiest of holidays to all of you, and a safe, healthy, prosperous New Year.

photo: New Year's Day hike to Laguna Park, San Diego.