Creating local work/jobs with meaning (Asheville, Alliance: sales, transporting, rent)

[andybuildz]

Am I being too altruistic here ???

Just to be clear, I'm not soliciting any kind of service but rather trying to find other people around the A'ville with a similar mindset.

The plan is to find people like myself to start up a Home Improvements company from scratch with many unique qualities that can help the community.
______________
First a brief bio b/4 I go into my idea:

My wife and I re-listed our home here in NY on LI and we plan to move to a piece of property in the A'ville area as soon as it sells.

My wife's been a RE broker for approx. 25 years+- and I've been in my own Renovations & Restoration business over 30 years here in NY, and I'm really dedicated to my craft (you can see my web site in my profile here. Btw, our house is the old red one, circa:1680 in my web site).

We have two grown children; Niko, who has her own family now in California and started and runs with her friend Whitney a not for profit company to help young girls from poor urban areas around the country.
Girls For A Change
and our younger daughter who is in her second year of college studying photography.

Our plan was that I move down to A’ville alone with all my tools and equipment and rent something small while my wife stays behind until our home sells.

O.K, now here’s my thought. Probably a long shot, yet I think it’s a really good idea for all concerned assuming anyone that gets back to me has similar standards that I do which would be in part:

1-Honesty is #1 !!!!!
2-Skilled yet always willing to learn new techniques, hence…dedicated to the craft of building/renovating and keeping the integrity of the environment around us .
3-Polite, neat, clean and even-tempered.
4-Dedicated to making a company above and beyond through hard work and honesty with vision and insight.
5-Creative, persistent, organized & excited about waking up in the morning to do our work. The work we “love”.
6- Hiring the unskilled with the passion to learn what it is to be a craftsman/woman.

The list could go on and on but I think I’ve made my point. Right now I’m brainstorming.

I’d love to get together with anyone that has similar aspirations in putting together a company that would be beneficial to the people running it as well as to the employees, keeping several things in mind…

To run a company that’s conscious of what makes the “team” up, similar to such companies like Ben & Jerry’s or Whole Foods and other companies like them where the employees have a fair share in the company and as the company works their way up the ladder….in return everyone in the company reaps the rewards. The company books should be open for “all” to see.

My feeling is that “everyone”, from each person in the company, to the customers, right down to the community should reap the benefits.

I’m getting real tired of watching the suits make all the profits while the people are always kept at the low end of the totem pole.
I feel that together we can make things grow and progress where “everyone” can feel the excitement.

Not to get off topic but…I think if the gov’t worked this way we’d all be better off!! It shouldn’t be, them against us splitting the country in half with party lines.

It’s about time we learned to work together.
Within this vision one of the things I’d like to strive for is to see some money put aside so that it could be used by this company to help those in need that are less fortunate and well deserving.

From all I’ve read here in City-Data and else where, I’ve come to the conclusion that A’ville is becoming ripped to threads with what’s happening to that beautiful countryside. It takes people that are really authentic to change that and put their actions where their mouths are in any way they can. No one will stop the influx of new residents but what we can do is have the natives along with like-minded newcomers set examples. Take some lemon, and turn it into lemonade.

For me, my expertise is building/renovation’s & restorations, and what surrounds it, so within that…I’d love to find similar people that share a similar dream.
Architects, painters, carps, sparkies, plumbers, sales people, web designers, community organizers, and so on and so forth.

I’m really tired of all the politics b/c it’s ripping this country apart IMO. There’s too many really good folks getting sucked into that, that sit in front of their computers and try to run the country with nothing more than their opinions rather than their actions.

Take what you know and put it to action in positive ways.

If anyone would like to work on this plan with me please feel free to email me as well as post here with your thoughts.

I know this is a huge shot in the dark…but it starts with a dream.

I know there's not a lot of building going on right now so now may be a good time to plan this and expand the idea to a place it could work with what we do have and expand as the community/country starts getting back on it's feet.

Sorry for the rant : )
Be well
Andy

PS…If you’d like to read a great book where one man puts his idea’s out there and changes a whole lot of less fortunate peoples lives is: “There Cups Of Tea” Three Cups of Tea: Summary and book reviews of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.

[Asheville Native]

Nothing new, you will find, as you probably will anywhere, everything from a guy with a truck and some tools to excellent craftsmen. I think you will also find that there is a lot more remodelers than there is work now, plus many that relied on new construction have added remodeling to their business cards.

[NC_Paddler]

No offense intended, but Ben and Jerry's and Whole Foods are multi-million dollar businesses, and the reason is because there is a demand for their products, which they provide at a cost that folks are willing to pay. This has nothing to do with "altruism".

Markets care whether or not a product or service is desirable, not what the "core values" poster says on the bulletin board in the store. That is mere marketing fluff (although admittedly, it does work on many folks).

And I say this as a customer who frequents stores like Whole Foods, Greenlife, Earth Fare and such, not because I think they are "altruistic", but because they sell products I want, and I can afford to pay the premium on them.

I don't care whether you're a republican, democrat, christian, buddhist, muslim or whatever. I care that you provide quality service and products at a reasonable price.

p.s. I'm not sure Whole Foods CEO John Mackey is all about his "ethics" anyway, considering his shenanigans outlined here: Whole Foods CEO attacked rival online - U.S. business- msnbc.com

[andybuildz]

Originally Posted by NC_Paddler

No offense intended, but Ben and Jerry's and Whole Foods are multi-million dollar businesses, and the reason is because there is a demand for their products, which they provide at a cost that folks are willing to pay. This has nothing to do with "altruism".

Markets care whether or not a product or service is desirable, not what the "core values" poster says on the bulletin board in the store. That is mere marketing fluff (although admittedly, it does work on many folks).

And I say this as a customer who frequents stores like Whole Foods, Greenlife, Earth Fare and such, not because I think they are "altruistic", but because they sell products I want, and I can afford to pay the premium on them.

I believe we can do more together than we can apart.
I don't care whether you're a republican, democrat, christian, buddhist, muslim or whatever. I care that you provide quality service and products at a reasonable price.

p.s. I'm not sure Whole Foods CEO John Mackey is all about his "ethics" anyway, considering his shenanigans outlined here: Whole Foods CEO attacked rival online - U.S. business- msnbc.com

I do know what "became" of Ben and Jerry's and the story with Whole Foods but there are quite a few companies in this country where their original goal became and stayed a reality and thrives today.
I also agree to "some degree" that while it may not be THE reason anyone uses their products it does help. It also helps what they sell become a better product b/c all employees have a part in it... and in return it helps their business' prosper even in hard times. Why do you think Whole foods still exists in this economy...not b/c of their prices..

When employees have a stake in how well the company does they're far more inclined to make the product that that much better being it helps all concerned.

Then there are the companies the refuse to buy anything other than what can be bought locally reducing the cost in transporting what ever it is...in keeping the locals in business and stimulating the community monetarily as well as psychologically. Imagine if everyone worked this way?

I believe we can do more collectively than we can apart

[andybuildz]

I can probably list dozens upon dozens of companies like this one.
..Isthmus Engineering*-*Isthmus Engineering Home


Established as a "worker's cooperative", the success of our employee-owned company is contingent on the performance of the entire team. You have our promise that the product we provide will be the result of the very best efforts of our entire staff.


What is a Cooperative?
Many people are familiar with the concept of cooperatives; organizations designed to pool the resources of individuals or businesses to achieve a common goal.
There are many different types of cooperatives including producer, consumer, and worker.
Isthmus Engineering is an industrial worker cooperative.


What is a Worker Cooperative?
Worker cooperatives are a type of producer cooperative in which the members are the working staff.
Management decisions are made democratically: one member - one vote.
Each member shares in the responsibility of managing the business.


The Seven Cooperative Principles:
Open membership - no gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination
Democratic control - one member, one vote
Equitable economic participation among members and distribution of profits based on patronage
Autonomy and independence - controlled by members
Education and training
Cooperation among cooperatives
Concern for community


Worker's Cooperative Links

National Cooperative Business Association



Learn More About Worker's Cooperatives



National Co-op Bank



U.S. Federation of Workers' Cooperatives



International Co-operative Alliance



International Organization of Industrial, Artisanal and Service Producers' Co-operatives



University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives



Grassroots Economic Organizing



Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives



North Country Cooperative Develompent Fund


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[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by andybuildz

Am I being too altruistic here ???

Just to be clear, I'm not soliciting any kind of service but rather trying to find other people around the A'ville with a similar mindset.

The plan is to find people like myself to start up a Home Improvements company from scratch with many unique qualities that can help the community.
______________
First a brief bio b/4 I go into my idea:

My wife and I re-listed our home here in NY on LI and we plan to move to a piece of property in the A'ville area as soon as it sells.

My wife's been a RE broker for approx. 25 years+- and I've been in my own Renovations & Restoration business over 30 years here in NY, and I'm really dedicated to my craft (you can see my web site in my profile here. Btw, our house is the old red one, circa:1680 in my web site).

We have two grown children; Niko, who has her own family now in California and started and runs with her friend Whitney a not for profit company to help young girls from poor urban areas around the country.
Girls For A Change
and our younger daughter who is in her second year of college studying photography.

Our plan was that I move down to A’ville alone with all my tools and equipment and rent something small while my wife stays behind until our home sells.

O.K, now here’s my thought. Probably a long shot, yet I think it’s a really good idea for all concerned assuming anyone that gets back to me has similar standards that I do which would be in part:

1-Honesty is #1 !!!!!
2-Skilled yet always willing to learn new techniques, hence…dedicated to the craft of building/renovating and keeping the integrity of the environment around us .
3-Polite, neat, clean and even-tempered.
4-Dedicated to making a company above and beyond through hard work and honesty with vision and insight.
5-Creative, persistent, organized & excited about waking up in the morning to do our work. The work we “love”.
6- Hiring the unskilled with the passion to learn what it is to be a craftsman/woman.

The list could go on and on but I think I’ve made my point. Right now I’m brainstorming.

I’d love to get together with anyone that has similar aspirations in putting together a company that would be beneficial to the people running it as well as to the employees, keeping several things in mind…

To run a company that’s conscious of what makes the “team” up, similar to such companies like Ben & Jerry’s or Whole Foods and other companies like them where the employees have a fair share in the company and as the company works their way up the ladder….in return everyone in the company reaps the rewards. The company books should be open for “all” to see.

My feeling is that “everyone”, from each person in the company, to the customers, right down to the community should reap the benefits.

I’m getting real tired of watching the suits make all the profits while the people are always kept at the low end of the totem pole.
I feel that together we can make things grow and progress where “everyone” can feel the excitement.

Not to get off topic but…I think if the gov’t worked this way we’d all be better off!! It shouldn’t be, them against us splitting the country in half with party lines.

It’s about time we learned to work together.
Within this vision one of the things I’d like to strive for is to see some money put aside so that it could be used by this company to help those in need that are less fortunate and well deserving.

From all I’ve read here in City-Data and else where, I’ve come to the conclusion that A’ville is becoming ripped to threads with what’s happening to that beautiful countryside. It takes people that are really authentic to change that and put their actions where their mouths are in any way they can. No one will stop the influx of new residents but what we can do is have the natives along with like-minded newcomers set examples. Take some lemon, and turn it into lemonade.

For me, my expertise is building/renovation’s & restorations, and what surrounds it, so within that…I’d love to find similar people that share a similar dream.
Architects, painters, carps, sparkies, plumbers, sales people, web designers, community organizers, and so on and so forth.

I’m really tired of all the politics b/c it’s ripping this country apart IMO. There’s too many really good folks getting sucked into that, that sit in front of their computers and try to run the country with nothing more than their opinions rather than their actions.

Take what you know and put it to action in positive ways.

If anyone would like to work on this plan with me please feel free to email me as well as post here with your thoughts.

I know this is a huge shot in the dark…but it starts with a dream.

I know there's not a lot of building going on right now so now may be a good time to plan this and expand the idea to a place it could work with what we do have and expand as the community/country starts getting back on it's feet.

Sorry for the rant : )
Be well
Andy

PS…If you’d like to read a great book where one man puts his idea’s out there and changes a whole lot of less fortunate peoples lives is: “There Cups Of Tea” Three Cups of Tea: Summary and book reviews of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.

Andy, what a great idea! Just wanted to say I wish you the best of luck, I know you've wanted to get to NC for quite a while, and I think this idea could work

[NC_Paddler]

Originally Posted by andybuildz

I do know what "became" of Ben and Jerry's and the story with Whole Foods but there are quite a few companies in this country where their original goal became and stayed a reality and thrives today.
I also agree to "some degree" that while it may not be THE reason anyone uses their products it does help. It also helps what they sell become a better product b/c all employees have a part in it... and in return it helps their business' prosper even in hard times. Why do you think Whole foods still exists in this economy...not b/c of their prices..

When employees have a stake in how well the company does they're far more inclined to make the product that that much better being it helps all concerned.

Then there are the companies the refuse to buy anything other than what can be bought locally reducing the cost in transporting what ever it is...in keeping the locals in business and stimulating the community monetarily as well as psychologically. Imagine if everyone worked this way?

I believe we can do more collectively than we can apart

I think it's great that some companies offer certain benefits to their employees and treat them fairly etc. But that's all part of a market-based decision. Companies do it to retain top talent and beat the competition.

Whole Foods is still in business because there is a great enough demand for the products they are offering at the prices they offer them; it's as simple as that, and it is naive to think of them as altruistic. The Whole Foods executive team is ultimately responsible to the board and the shareholders, as well as the employees and customers.

Business is business:

statesman.com

In addition, places like Whole Foods, though they do sell some local products, are competing with local farmers as well.

Finally, the Whole Foods "healthy living" credo is a bit hypocritical, to say the least. Shopping at Whole Foods does not make one "healthy". Have you ever seen their bakery section? It's loaded with artery-clogging, sugary, refined foods. And they have a whole counter dedicated to sugary, sweet coffee drinks, which can't be defined as healthy by even the most liberal standards.

Look through the products on the shelves of Whole Foods and count how many items contain the words "high fructose corn syrup". You might be surprised at how many there are, even if far less than your standard grocery chain.

Coffee drinks, pastries, brownies etc. sell, and they sell well . . . which is why Whole Foods offers them.

Of course, I'm not opposed to Whole Foods at all -- just like with any other store, you have be informed and selective about which foods are actually "healthy". But shopping there guarantees nothing.

On the bright side, I'm all for treating people well, offering fair benefits, and providing polite, courteous service. But that's just good business.

[abcornwell]

So you should come on down to Asheville, get to know people, businesses, existing non-profits, research organizations that help businesses (micro-enterprises) and put this together. You may get some contacts from this forum, but you'll do best from your base, Asheville.

[BucksnortBilly]

Hey Andy, just cause it's not new doesn't mean it's not a good idea. I would join your consortium.

Maybe you could also incorporate some trades training for kids who don't fit the college mold? Looks like there's going to be a shortage of really skilled trades people after folks like me croak<G>

[andybuildz]

Originally Posted by BucksnortBilly

Hey Andy, just cause it's not new doesn't mean it's not a good idea. I would join your consortium.

Maybe you could also incorporate some trades training for kids who don't fit the college mold? Looks like there's going to be a shortage of really skilled trades people after folks like me croak<G>

Bucky and Abcornwell...thanks for the encouragement.
I'm not looking to debate what's going on with Whole Foods. It's not about them. All I'm trying to do is get across a concept that may work for some yet not for others. I'm not looking to turn this into what some political discussions turn into. I'm looking to gather other positive thoughts and ideas that may help this idea work just like many other people make things happen... like Greg Mortensonin who wrote his story in the book Three Cups Of Tea...and many other people I know that did similar things in other areas. While their ideas may not be exactly the same as mine I do know lots of people thought they were kooks to believe what they wanted to do would actually work.

I may not be the brightest bulb in the pack but I've sure come a long way from where I was and that only happened because I believed I could do it.. with nothing but good intent.

Also I never meant to suggest the people that started Whole Foods were altruistic...I was saying I hope "I" don't come off as being tipped off that scale.

I was simply trying to find examples of people that started business' based on true co-operation and equality with a higher consciousness than your typical wall street type.

Some people may find that as living in a fantasy land but to me...if I could reach 1/10 of that goal it'd be well worth it.

I'm just tired of all the talk about how things should be, yet "most" of those people never do a thing about it other than shoot others down like we see on the news day in and day out. It's like one giant ego fest where no one gets anywhere...really fast...over and over and over.

I dunno...all I can say is no matter where I end up this will be something I'm going to give a shot. Hopefully that'll be in the western NC Mtns.