start the future - be the future

working

Future Emergent, year 3

the only way through is through

a row of coffee pots and cups line a wooden counter

start the future

let’s build a cooperative, step 6: create a business plan

if you stay ready, you don't have to get ready

start the future

tuning my message, pt. 2

dropping the new brand

the western flyer in the middle of rebuilding

start the future

let’s build a cooperative, step 5: conduct a feasibility study

how many meetings does it take to be an owner?

a large sign that reads "CANADA" in Victoria, BC

start the future

tuning my message

A few weeks ago I shared some of my goals for my third year in business. One of those goals is to define myself for people who don’t know me yet. What do I do as a consultant? What makes me special? In what areas am I great at

start the future

let’s build a cooperative, step 4: design your decision-making process

how to decide when you're deciding

close-up photo of the sculpture Eagle by Alexander Calder

working

Future Emergent: year two

I’m a week late (thanks, covid!) but I’m so excited to mark the end of my second year in business. If you only know me through this blog, I started Future Emergent, my own consulting business, back in April 2022. Last year, I wrote about my first year

close-up of an orange and red dahlia flower with a brown stone flooring and green leaves behind it

start the future

let’s build a cooperative, step 3: consolidate a clear vision

do you see what i see?

a chain link fence along the waterfront overlooking the puget sound. on a handrail someone has written "you're doing a good j

start the future

let’s build a cooperative, step 2: discuss needs and vision; coordinate organizing and business research

try before you buy in

working

Future Emergent: year one

I’ve been running Future Emergent for a year now! When I announced my new business last March, I wrote: “I am here to encourage you to dream bigger. I am here to tell you that we can do this. I am here to tell you that this can’t

the shiny and giant bean-shaped 'cloud gate'

start the future

let's build a cooperative, step 1: collect information, clarify needs, and assemble your founding members

starting the future, literally

a bush with dropped leaves and vivid purple berries

start the future

start the future: building a cooperative

No matter where you work, employers hold an incredible amount of power over the people who work there. It often goes without saying, even in our era of resignations, “quiet quitting” (not a thing!), and r/antiwork. It doesn’t have to be this way. Workers in a cooperative share