Sheepless Co is Scott Ballum’s reaction to what he calls ‘playing the role of Successful Young Designer in New York’. Disillusioned by a continued routine wrapped up in pitches and color ways for big businesses, Scott was fed up of giving ideas away and, whilst rising in success, was bogged down by a lack of satisfaction. He began ‘the crazy experiment of forcing myself to make personal connections to everything I bought’, the first step in cutting out his own role in the consumer food chain. Scott began transferring his design skills into the advocacy arena, communicating on behalf of organizations he held genuine interest for. After prying himself away from the herd, Scott now shouts for ‘communities over commodities’, producing a creative design practice that consults socially responsible businesses and cultural organizations including School of Visual Arts, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Art Directors Club, Signature Theatre Company and Housing Works. He still lives in New York but is now sheepless.

All Day Buffet sat down with Scott Ballum of Sheepless to talk about New York, building a better city and he future of creativity.

Why do you do what you want to do in New York?
New York provides incredible challenges to the efforts of the sustainable living and food communities. I am constantly surprised and inspired by the people and businesses I meet that are forging ahead with everything from organic farming to open-source theatre, here in a city that has a reputation for excess and self-interest. You still get to feel like you’re part of a revolutionary underground every time you utter the words “social responsibility”.

What is it about New York that makes it strong enough to endure massive struggle across the board?
Things change dramatically in New York, and fast. So New Yorkers are used to evolving with their surroundings. Throw an obstacle in their way and they’ll find a way over, under, or around.

What thoughts or reactions have you seen or had to the economic downturn? Any opportunities for you or your business that have been wildly unexpected?
For better or for worse, I launched my business pretty much the same day everything about the downturn became frighteningly clear last fall. Yes, there was panic. But by being small and flexible I’ve been able to recover (or start up?) faster than bigger, more established businesses.

What do you think this recession means for the future of creativity, entrepreneurship and philanthropy?
It’s a major boon for niche markets, in the long run. People are realizing that big business carries its major risks, too, and that starting your own endeavors in foods, the arts and other small enterprises brings with it tremendous personal and communal rewards.

What do you think it will take to build a better New York?
I think we’re doing it, but we have a long way to go. Instead of looking up–to the top of the ladder, the top of the high-rise, seeing how high we can build and how high we can climb–we’re looking down, paying attention to the ground and the parks, connecting with the people around us, and helping to pull others up.

What would you tell those looking for meaning during these times?
Times are bleak for many New Yorkers, and I don’t pretend to have the answers, but I encourage everyone to really look into what options they do have, the possibilities for changing habits, and to examining goals and traditional measures of success. If everyone helps everyone else, it has to help.

www.sheeplessco.com