I just pitched my first deal...

and I get to create an estimate for this co-operative/business. A store I deeply believe in and want to share their story the best way I know how. We talked through feedback of the pitch itself, we talked through ideas for what was possible between us and I left with a new realization of what new business could look like.

I've worked in and with retail, the food industry (much love, Rib Crib & Coldstone), higher education, the city, entrepreneurs, real estate agents, landscaping & tree care, at a grocery store and hundreds of other pockets of "work." Each entity holding a different combination of buckets determining where money goes and how is it recycled back into the city, state and country. In college, in my investigative journalism class, my final project was a story on where our tuition dollars go. What if I can apply my experiences, knowledge and intuition into this pitch of my business?

My pitch was thoughtfully designed similar to an intake form. Where are the pain points? What do you hope to feel when you walk away from this deal? Where do you see me being helpful to your organization? Each question met with a beautiful-collaborative answer about how things are, where there is friction, and a strategy to do this consensually with love and respect. Be the change, right?

My favorite part of my pitch was money wasn't the main character in conversation. How many views/ROI/ % were briefly acknowledged, but never as a unit of value. Just how I like 'em. We are entering a Renaissance of how we communicate to each other and in how we gather. The future is in person because it's always been about togetherness. I wonder what a dream-neighborhood economy could look like. I'm on a quest to find out.

We talked compensation for about five collective minutes and the rest of the air was filled with problem solving and a belief in each other of our roles in a shared mission. I felt like I took a leap betting on myself to see if surviving capitalism is possible this way and the best result has already happened. My body felt like this was a good deal.

P.S.,

I fell in love with these two last week. Do you know who they are?