my business partner jazz returned to the states after 9 months in johannesburg. a couple months ago, I convinced her that we should launch our artist collective in cape town, despite the fact that her creative network was in jozi. but upon her return, i knew she wasn’t truly behind this decision.

cape town just seemed more in line with my mid-west roots, and spoke to my fondness of the European lifestyle. not to mention the ocean, mountains, light traffic, and small-town feel. It’s a photographer’s dream, and we all agreed KAC could thrive in both places. but alli and jazz are city girls to the bone, born and raised in nyc and baltimore respectively, and i knew if didn’t launch there, we’d be funding flights there. besides, it’s where jazz’s heart lies, and i’ve noticed she becomes somewhat useless when her heart isn’t in something.

so, i’ve given in.

i recently read “Let my People Go Surfing” by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Pategonia, and it inspired a new set of business values and philosophies that I found extremely representative of KAC. for example, he strives to reach consensus rather than compromise whenever possible. my comprise for launching in Cape Town was that we would support Jazz’s work in Jozi by making it a big component of our work. but then I asked myself, if she’s spent 9 months in Jozi building a incredible creative network, a network essential to the success of KAC, what then was holding me back?

i found it had to do more with myself than our business. the crime stories I’ve heard seemed to be a good excuse, but I’ve lived in the ghetto of Boston for two years and seen gang wars in my front yard. is Jozi really that dangerous? would the the grittiness and chaos of this African city wear me out? i decided the only way I can answer all of these questions is to eat my own words, and give it a chance. so, we are looking to rent an apartment in melville a safe and happening neighborhood with houses that cost only $600 a month! sometimes, you just gotta step back and decide what’s best for your business, and i decided what’s best is staying open and trusting my partners.