VIDEO | Introducing The Bazaar: A Collection of Creatives
Anyone who has ever worked within or around 14 West has probably experienced the benefits of being completely enveloped by ideas and creativity. The people that tend to do well here have the ability to take a step outside of their comfort zone. In fact, they tend to enjoy it quite a lot… even after they log off and go home for the night.
Many of us are technologists, accountants, and lawyers by day, and musicians, photographers, and comedians by night. And by golly, we think we ought to celebrate that.
Such was the beginning of Elizabeth Massing’s brainchild, The Bazaar.
Elizabeth’s business card reads “Director, Personnel & Talent,” but she is also a fashion blogger, philanthropist, and avid art enthusiast. She’s also one very persistent girl. Once the idea came to her, she came running to us in the 14 West Communications office for help making it happen. Despite calendars of back to back meetings and calls, and new needs arising around every corner, she was adamant that The Bazaar be given the same attention any other project might be given… We love direct orders like this one.
So we got to work gathering creatives from all over our organization and telling them about her idea to showcase their talents and celebrate what makes them unique. There wasn’t much persuasion to be done. We quickly filled a four-hour performance schedule. We asked (you guessed it) a Creative Director to help us with some promotional artwork and sent the invitation out into the world.
We couldn’t be sure of what would become of the event, but now it was real.
The night of The Bazaar arrived with pouring down rain – every event planner’s worst nightmare. At 5:00 pm the doors opened. By 5:30 pm, roughly 30 people had walked through the door of Metro Gallery in Station North sopping wet but smiling. We were overjoyed that the evening wouldn’t be a complete bust. Then somewhere around 7:00 pm, we looked around the room and saw people shoulder to shoulder… taking in poetry, music, and improv. People perusing and purchasing the artwork and craft of colleagues they’ve never met or worked with before.
It truly was a beautiful experience.
While the show was great, the response was even better. The people who were given an opportunity to participate were deeply thankful – and we were deeply thankful for them. When Elizabeth came up with the idea, it wasn’t just seen as a fun event. She envisioned it as an opportunity for us to give back to employees. To show appreciation not just for the work they do but for who they are as individuals.
And because we see creativity, grit, and individuality as desirable qualities, the night was an opportunity to attract the right people and get an important message across – that, yes, we are marketers, web developers, and project managers, but we’re also a million other more important things that you may never see on our resumes. Those other qualities shouldn’t be ignored.
Daisy Smith
Assistant Director, Communications
"Don’t take yourself too seriously.”
I found myself at 14 West after 18 months of traveling and teaching in Bali, Thailand, and Australia. And now 5 years later, I’ve learned and grown with my team in extraordinary ways. I think that’s due in large part to the fact that I’ve been encouraged to approach my work and explore my potential in the same ways I’ve explored other parts of the world. I’m constantly asking questions, seeing and doing new things. And learning A LOT. I didn’t expect to find an experience like this in “an office back home.”
I love my position at 14 West because I’m invited to take on a diverse range of responsibilities. From running our Wellness Program to brand development and brand marketing to writing, I have a broad range of interests. And my role allows me to develop my skills through work that truly excites me. I have a hard time saying no to new projects, even when I already have a full plate. But when I take on too much, the leaders here are there with the support I need to get the job done. At the same time, I’m given the creative freedom to feel real ownership over my projects, which only motivates me more.
What is one thing you have to do every day in the office? Gotta have my essential oil diffuser going. Five of us share an office and we’re all hooked on the diffuser now, but it’s my job to create the perfect oil cocktail each morning to set the tone for the day. I’m obsessed.
