A Model of Passion
How do you come up with ideas to write about? The answer: – I pay attention and they come to me as small adventures – then discoveries. But you have to take the adventure…
Case in point.
Our story begins years ago when I was attending a school auction. One of the items was a model boat. It was a model of the famous clipper ship “Cutty Sark”. The model was built in 1923 and remodeled in 1993. I bought it in 2003. This is one of those detailed models about two- and one-half feet long, mounted on a wood staging board with a plexiglass cover to protect its very delicate sails and rigging. It sat on a book shelf for ten years in the office of my horse barn. When the property was sold and I had to relocate to San Francisco, a very dear friend volunteered to keep the boat. As things happened it was several years before I returned to Santa Ynez.
As I put the boat into the trunk of my car my friend asked me if I should secure the model. I overconfidently assured her that I was not going to go that fast on my way to dinner. Minutes later when I miss judged the speed of an oncoming car and was forced to accelerate faster than planned --- the sound emanating from the trunk was not a welcoming one.
After dinner I finally examined the bad news that the sound foretold. Three of the four masts had been snapped in half and the boat looked like the aftermath of a ship battle from the movie “Master and Commander.”
Solution:
My friend Dennis, owner of Karl the Fog and all knowledgeable about all things obscure and unique told me to look up a model repair person. They would be able to repair my shattered clipper ship. In case you were wondering there are not many “model repair shops” on an internet search. However, there is one in San Francisco. Gemmiti Model Art.
I called Gemmiti and Lisa answered the phone. She explained that I would have to send her a photo and description and she would let me know if they could help. It wasn’t until I examined a little more closely that I discovered Lisa is not the receptionist, Lisa is the President and Founder of Gemmiti Model Art. She called me back and arranged for me to bring the boat to their shop in San Francisco. Now I am not sure what I was expecting but this is what I found and why this story is worth telling.
Passion
It is amazing to me the number of unique and interesting things people do and create careers out of. Gemmiti is a very unique small business and the owner, Lisa, is amazingly passionate about what they do and what she has created. Passion is what we should strive for in our lives. For all the difficulties running a business can have, when you bring passion to your work, well, it is all worthwhile.
They don’t just repair old model ships they make models of everything--office buildings, houses, street lamps, casinos, oil refineries, space stations, and on and on. If you want a model of whatever you are building so you can understand what you are building in all dimensions this is your place. They have tools, saws, sanders, 3D printers etc. etc. Believe me they have all the tools and can build anything to scale.
It is a quiet place with a few talented passionate people going about the work of making models of big things. Monica flashes her engaging smile while building parts for some secret mission while her colleague sings show songs as she puts the finishes on yet another project.
Lisa gave me a tour of this well-appointed building with all of its projects and equipment. However, what was the most indelible impression for me was the passion and dedication this woman and her employees have for this unique yet amazing business. By sheer happenstance I was introduced to people and a business that I never would have imagined existed if it were not for a ship built 100 years ago with the same passion that Lisa holds for her business. I feel fortunate to have found another story worth telling.
Thank you Lisa…