In the world of tech startups and venture capital, the pursuit of success – particularly with a website – often relies on external funding. But even with co-op friendly funders and grantmakers, the pursuit and maintenance of those investors takes precious attention away from our core goals of helping artisans.
What if we could chart a different path—one that empowers us to shape our own destiny and build a sustainable foundation by rallying together?
In our previously-shared Funding Plan, we anticipated needing to raise $250k for our year one operating expenses. In that plan, we assumed that the vast majority of this large dollar amount would come from investors or loans as a necessity, and once we began creating revenue we would begin to pay off those loans and investments.
But today, armed with a new financial model produced by the talents of our in-house artisans and already at 75% (as of this writing) of our two-month capital campaign goal of $25,000, we believe there could be another – better – way.
Achieving our $50,000 goal will cover our minimum anticipated expenses until we start earning revenue. Without a large lump sum investment, we will do more of our marketing as creative grassroots campaigns and delay hiring until we can organically afford to pay living wages.
We’ll be relying on our passionate team of organizers and members, who are all incentivized by our points & tiers system. And that team can stay laser-focused on building a successful website for revenue, not for investor whims and bank justifications. Revenue means sales for artisans and the co-op, and aligns our values.
By relying wholly on membership funds, we can prioritize our members’ needs and goals first, maintain our independence, retain full control over our vision, and stay true to our mission.
Although a self-funded co-op website may seem brave and ambitious, it is actually the old-fashioned way. Until recently and for over a hundred years, this is how all co-ops were started: entirely from their own members pooling their funds and talents. With artisans and their followers, family, friends, and fans, we have a vast pool to activate, and our success to date shows that we’re on the right path.
That’s why we’re raising the stakes and aiming for $50,000 by July 31st. We want to transcend modern investment models and firmly root Artisans Cooperative’s funding plan in the values of the broader cooperative movement: solidarity, cooperation, and sustainable growth through collective action and collaboration.
To make this ambitious endeavor a reality, we have two requests:
- Become a founding member today if you haven’t already.
- Join our 31-day challenge — it will be fun and there will be prizes!
Read the rest at Artisans Cooperative
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