The Story of Busy Bee

Written April 2016

Hello world,

Allow me to introduce myself as Katie! Leigh isn't the type to be typing on this lonesome blog as he's more of a hands on guy. And by hands on guy, he's the essential part one of two of something special we've been working on.

Busy Bee didn't begin with ukuleles. For me it already had a life of it's own. Rewind back to July 2014 where I woke from a vivid dream. It seemed even in my semi unconscious state I knew I had to shake myself, wake up and jump to my notebook... As to me, this idea seemed simple but special.

To those who know me well, you may have heard of Busy Bee - a communal concept which was received very nicely by the folk around me and online. At the time, Busy Bee was my attempt to personify not just my own efforts as a hard working independent musician, but to cherish and connect other independent creative talent. At a time where music is dominated by a very formulaic and coveted industry, I wanted others to pride themselves on being self-sufficient bee-ings and developing themselves organically. And with that, I wanted to help these folk make a buzz. I mean, who needs constrictive contracts if you've for contacts?*

This went down very well. But of course I was running the show myself, and despite others offering much enthusiasm and help, eventually it filled me with a degree of uncertainty... though others wanted to join the buzz and help run the community, in the back of my mind I just couldn't work out how Busy Bee could stay afloat by people who weren't being paid (yet), and if not now - in the long run? I'd thought long and hard and came up with many routes in which to take it but something didn't quite sit with me still. Often people say I'm a dreamer, and yes I am, but I like to think I'll always have a least one toe touching the ground...

Anyway, at the time I was working my 9-6, doing overtime and building the foundations of this master plan... all while also trying to be an artist myself - making an album. I had always loved the idea of helping other folk (and bees) get where they want to be and pursue their passions - for this concept was to promote and support people in the same boat (no queen B's!).

BUT my energy and time was depleting. The album campaign was a success, where I'd tried to reinforce Busy Bee by the fact I was independently creating a buzz - but I dropped like a fly. I'd again overstretched my efforts.. and somehow my motivation began to weaken as it dawned on me that I can't keep up this energy and do music full-time unless I quit my job in London. Now where would I be if I did that? It's not so easy when you've had a taste of security.

As folk where asking 'where's more!!' 'Next video please!' I felt the wind seep from my sails. I was tired. I had then at the time, delivered my music to the wrong people and met some washed up A&R folk looking for another hit single. 'Your face is nice, you could be the next Taylor Swift' (yawn) 'but your lyrics... they're your weakness'.

I have to say - that knocked me! Writing was what meant the most to me.

I tried to take it on the chin and responded with 'yes! I agree', selling myself short. I sloped away, being told to write him lots of hit singles then come back (yeah right - take my un-copyrighted material why don't you!).

I think the worse thing I did was shut down. In my attempt to be unemotional and detached, it struck a nerve deeper down that put me off everything I'd aspired to achieve - all of my focus and motivation for my future suddenly disintegrated. I sat back and thought I may as well just keep designing and keep myself afloat with my job. And there we go, that will be life.

I remained in a stagnant place for some time. My dreams for once, seemed too far fetched and I starting talking myself out of every thing I'd ever done. This was a period of my life that's best not discussed as it's completely boring.

Fast forward a chapter, I meet Leigh - a luthier who makes electric guitars. Even something about his name on email stood out, as a friend had by chance mentioned that we should meet. At the time I was reaching for more attainable goals and looking for a luthier so I could perhaps customise and doodle on some wood.

Fast forward again, almost a year passed by and for the first time I've been happy almost every day of that. Before was never quite the case - it was all or nothing. During these quieter months, to the outer world it must have seemed I'd slipped off the radar, but from where I stood I was settled.

In my quieter time, Busy Bee was still never something I'd given up on. It never left the back of mind I just knew it was waiting for something. Meanwhile I had things to learn first. Even the most simplest things in life... About balance. See before, any of my projects often crashed because I did. I'd over exert myself, wouldn't sleep, wouldn't eat, I would rush. I didn't have any tabs on moderation. However I can delightfully say that Leigh knew how to pull me up and dust off the soil when I'd been digging too deep in the garden. When he thought I was staring at the same design for too long and getting infuriated, he'd close the lid and say - tomorrow? This - he - had an effect to put some balance in my life that I'd never been able to grasp and probably was the doing of my past mishaps.

Anyway - I'll get too it. Again, like one of those fatefully special moments, Leigh came out with it. Busy Bee... Ukulele. I'll never forget the day we rushed home with our papers, our ideas and notes. It was every idea I had with Busy Bee, but wrapped sweetly around a beautiful product, and a common ground between the two of us. A product that could generate donations to the bees, a product that fulfilled not only creative pursuits but musical too, and similarly could help people create a buzz - in a literal sense too.

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December 2018

Fast forward two years on, and I'm here writing this from a very different stance. It's so strange to read something you wrote so long ago, to watch the path you've been on - which makes much more sense now, all while making little sense at all. Sadly, Busy Bee didn't release when it should have. Despite leaving our jobs, moving home and setting up a workshop... eventually this dream disintegrated too and didn't work out as planned. However after some time, Leigh and me agreed to put this out anyway to showcase all the heart and soul that went into this project that we truly believed in, and will continue to produce these unique ukuleles for anyone who would want one. I won't let another dip in my efforts and passions put me off my stride, even after this. Life does in seem very much like a rollercoaster, and you'll never know how the rug can be pulled from beneath you. But one thing I've learnt, is despite our losses which are often painful, there is always the opportunity to brush off the dust and get back up and carry on. Here's to another chapter. Work hard, stay bumble.

Katie x