by SJ McDaniel
The View from the Bridge is an opinion piece which explores how political, societal, and other changes will impact the future. In these articles, we’ll suggest ways these changes apply to the Graphic-Products industry and small businesses in general.
Please keep in mind that all forecasts/predictions that follow are the opinions of Santa’s-Helper-John, aka Santa-John or simply SJ. Know that SJ gathers input from the news for current events and various other sources for looking ahead. Those other sources involve watching a lot of you-tube.

The World currently is in a struggle between Democracy (We the People) and Autocracy (You do as we say, worship as we say, etc., and/or die for us). The MAGA movement started by 45 is a movement toward autocracy.

An excellent discussion of the issue is available on the MeidasTouch network on uTube and other platforms. The Politics-Girl podcast published 10/29/2022 directly addresses the issue of autocratic regimes banding together to destroy the Democracies of the World.

Please get out and vote. It turns out democracy is a participation sport. If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain about the government you didn’t vote for. Vote and lose; select better candidates next time.

Autocrats try very hard to control the narrative. Free Press in Russia? View from the Bridge recently offered an opinion as to why Mr. P and Mr. T are in a downward spiral, i.e., circling the drain. That article elicited the following threat to some of our advertisers: “My husband and I were looking to buy (your products) but after seeing you sponsoring this kind of content, we won’t be looking at you for our (needs).”

This is a typical strategy for autocratic trolls. Silence the opposition. Hit them in the pocketbook.

This statement is laughable. I don’t know one successful small businessperson that would allow a single article to significantly impact any planned purchases, especially if that article was not about the product they intended to purchase. Complain to advertisers – Yes, if it is offensive – impact a well-researched purchase decision – No.

We recommend research for any equipment investment you make. We suggest you consider need, price, performance, reliability, and service after the sale before making any equipment investment.

FYI, all our sponsors meet those criteria. In fact, when we had our engraving shop, Moments Remembered, we purchased from all these suppliers. Our experience has been 5-Stars with all of them.

Even before the pandemic we heard horror stories regarding equipment maintenance issues dealing with equipment manufactured out of the USA. Current supply-chain issues make it even more difficult to receive replacement parts and service from foreign-based companies.

View from the Bridge is moving.

View from the Bridge will move to online along with many older CorelDRAW instruction videos. Many of those videos show graphic-product creation as well. Look for changes in the New Year. We are expanding content and hope to make it easily searchable.

SJ’s objective is to provide somewhat of an overview of what’s going on while all of us are living through this Chinese Curse time, “May you live in interesting times”. In essence SJ hopes to provide a little calm through the storm as well as suggesting methods of manifesting a successful business or hobby in the graphic-products industry.

What is your interest in the Graphic-Products Industry?

First, realize that everyone on earth is an artist. How you dress, the clothing you wear, is art. A person’s makeup or lack of makeup is artwork. Many people decorate their bodies with tattoos, that’s artwork. How people decorate their vehicles, homes, landscaping, and so on, all works of art. Even the rusting hulk of an old machine is considered art by some.

In today’s world, artwork for most graphic products begins life as computer art. Some artists create and sell computer art for use on the web. Some create and sell physical products using their artwork, think t-shirts, mugs, awards, etc. Others create graphic products as a hobby or to help organizations to which they may belong.

 Answering a couple of questions might help you evaluate your interest.

1. Do I have any interest in creating digital art?
2. Does my interest in digital art include producing products?
3. Is my interest in creating personalized products for Fun or for Profit?
4. What do I do, or does my business do? Are you an Artist or Commercial Artist?
5. If I’m a commercial artist, who are my competitors?

Manifesting – Creating – Your Future Life, Income Stream, and possibly a Business

You Have the POWER to Manifest anything! However, there are a few caveats to consider.

• Transitioning from your current environment to the environment you are manifesting may take some time and effort. Finding a life partner, a suitable job, building a business, a home, etc., etc. will take some effort on your part.
• Does it feel right? Take a little time to evaluate. Consider the advice of others, especially family.
• Try before you buy, if possible. Sometimes this is possible when purchasing an existing business.
• Don’t try to manifest the demise of a competitor. Remember, what goes around comes around.

We will add more next time.

In Short

Thank you for your attention. Keep in mind that we don’t know what we don’t know. So, don’t take our word for it. Meditate and find what is right for you.

For 2022 and beyond, we pray for peace.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, we will know peace.

Thank you, see you next time.