Alessandra S.’s Post

A cooperative is so much more than a shared ownership structure. According to Dr. Keith Taylor from UC Davis Cooperative Extension, a CO-OP is a potentially powerful economic development tool for neighborhoods and communities… and yet it is rarely utilized as such. New Helvetia Brewing Co. is embarking on a bold conversion into a community & worker-owned CO-OP, and you can be part of this groundbreaking transformation. https://lnkd.in/gjZJ9nsY

#oldfindsnewstories Sometimes the road ahead feels long, very long, when we're developing a new venture. Fair enough, that's more of an Eeyore than a Tigger way of looking at things, and these moments pass... Yesterday marked three more positive steps along the way: >two of my local-business partners have agreed to join forces on cross-marketing of events again >a local theatre company, met by chance while schlepping recent finds to our shipping container, might want us to source props in the future I'm counting that as three steps, not least as the props sourcing/hire is a longer-term development plan, which I've now made a start on. Good news! A valid enough reason, too, for a photo of three cute kittens looking at an unseen object off to the right: mice in the hice? As for the land hunt -- looking to rent half an acre or so on a farm not too far from Dover -- I've asked Produced in Kent* if they might be able to help, also got in touch with Hobbs Parker Property Consultants LLP in response to a 5 May blog by Matthew Sawdon. (*Heard about thanks to Kent Food Hubs CIC, hosts of The Market Dover. Next edition: Saturday 25 May.) If anyone developing a new venture says they never need to remind themselves of the progress they're making... and that patience sure is a virtue... well, I suspect they might just be fibbing :) (Image credit Dyadya_Lyosha on Pixabay) #businessdevelopment #progress #patience #mindset #land #Dover #Kent

Sometimes, the best way to ramp up in #2025 is to figure out what you missed in 2024. Here was our last action alert of the year: https://lnkd.in/ge-wc7Bb. Our members always want to find projects to support, yet once in a blue moon, we see one so bad we have to speak out. We'd like to ask you to too! Summary: Chick-fil-A is proposing a car-centric, single-story fast food restaurant at the intersection of W. San Carlos and Race Street that will tear down a building currently occupied by two small, local businesses. The City of San Jose’s General Plan calls for the area of West San Carlos Street in Midtown San Jose to transform into one of the city’s “urban villages,” which means a walkable, transit-accessible, neighborhood of buildings 3-7 stories with active ground floors and housing above. Chick-fil-A should only be allowed here as part of a multi-story housing project or it should be located elsewhere.

Great magazine Pet Insight It’s not you, it’s me. I hate that it doesn’t surprise me after only 3 years of the US tradeshow (#superzoo and #globalpetexpo) circuit that the profiles in this mag are 100% not like me. I’m challenging everyone to step outside of their boxes this year and find new faces, find new brands, and support them. Revenue matters, scaling stage matters, short term metric adjustments matter In an age where people openly object to DEI and woke, this industry has some leaning in to do. Small brands and startups don’t stand a chance when they have to meet the same metrics as multimillion and billion dollar machines. If the retail machine is populated with company cultures biased against seeing gaps in their own practices then there really is little to no hope for diverse brands trying to grow in the pet space, no matter how much love founders have for pets or making positive and impactful strides to show others that look like them it’s possible. We’ll keep pushing and doing our part and will always appreciate those of you doing the work, seeing people, lending positive hands. It really means the world when the less visible parts are being aged by the grindstone 🤌🏾

Next phase of business park to take off

Crows are the greatest problem-solvers. If there is something they need, they immediately go into "where is a tool to help me with this"approach rather than our usual "why do we have to do this and do I have to do it" approach. When adapting to a new environment, they try new food sources until they find the one that works best for them, rather than forming a committee that will "look into it" and then determine they shouldn't have migrated to a new environment in the first place and fly back to their original destination which they left for a reason. Crows get to it. To them, there is no change plan. Just adaptation and innovation. We need to be more like the crow.

🌟 Everybody Loves New York – and So Do We! 🌟 We just wrapped up an incredible experience at The New York Produce Show, and we’re still buzzing with energy! 🗽💚 There’s something truly magical about this city – the love for New York and the love from New York creates a synergy that’s unmatched. This year, we celebrated the power of our Born Movement – a movement that’s all about owning your source, cherishing where it all begins, and ensuring we take care of it together. 🌱 Our customers get it. They own their source – they feel that deep connection, a sense of belonging that inspires care, passion, and responsibility. The Born Movement isn’t just about us; it’s about all of us, united by a shared purpose to transform the entire produce business. 🍃💼 We’re so proud of the alliances we’ve built and so energized by the excitement of our customers. Together, we’re driving change that goes far beyond business – it’s a movement reshaping how we think, grow, and care for what sustains us. Here’s to New York, to the passion, the synergy, and a future where we all thrive together. The momentum is just getting started! 🚀 👉 Born Movement: Own Your Source 👈 #BornMovement #OwnYourSource #NewYorkLove #ProduceWithPurpose #Sustainability #Unispice #AlwaysGrowing

Five years ago today, IG Greenblatt gave a speech at a Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency event about rental cars and ketchup packets. He asked what type of organization do you want to be? The kind where the team members ignore a packet of ketchup on the floor, one where the team stomps on the packet to see what might happen, or a team that will stop and pick it up? This question has guided our team's workplace culture ever since, and the answer is clear: we are an organization that picks up the ketchup packets. Over the past five years, we've taken on ownership of a number of important oversight issues, all in keeping with our mission to promote accountability, integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within the DOI. And we've got tons of more exciting work coming down the line. We look forward to sharing our 2025 oversight plan with you in the coming weeks. And in the meantime, give the rental cars and ketchup packets speech a watch at this link: https://lnkd.in/ektXJhMt

🍂 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗤𝟰 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 Klocke Estate Distillery Michael and I had the pleasure of visiting the stunning Klocke Estate in Hudson, NY, which recently opened its doors this August. We were fortunate enough to meet the owners, tour their beautifully crafted distillery, and learn about their vision for creating various types of brandy. One moment that truly stood out was hearing them say, "𝙄𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣?" — an inspiring reminder that dreams are worth chasing. The view of the vineyards, where they are just beginning to grow their own grapes, was a metaphor for their journey and growth. During our tour, they were receiving a plum delivery for their next venture in brandy making—another dream in the making. As we discussed their inspiring path, it made me reflect on my own achievements and the dreams I continue to work towards. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀' 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴. 💡 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗤𝟰: • Cash is King: Ensure your financials are in order as you pivot into the new quarter. • Efficiency Matters: Explore new tools that can support your business as we wrap up the year. • Plan Ahead: Use this moment of reflection to strategize and ensure success into 2024. As we enjoy these final moments of summer, now is the time to set the groundwork for a strong finish. 💬 What dreams are you working towards? Care to share? #KlockeEstate #Q4Planning #LeadershipInBusiness #StrategicSuccess #CashIsKing

🌟 Step Inside ProWash Missouri 🌟 🌱 Green Cleaning Initiatives: We take our environmental responsibility seriously. That's why we've embraced eco-friendly cleaning practices. Our green initiatives not only preserve the planet but also provide a safe and healthy environment for our clients. 📑 Customized Solutions: No two spaces are alike, and neither are our cleaning plans. We work closely with our clients to understand their unique needs and preferences, crafting tailored solutions that exceed expectations every time. 🤝 Client-Centric Approach: At ProWash Missouri, clients aren't just numbers; they're part of our family. We prioritize open communication, ensuring every query is addressed promptly and every concern is resolved with care. 💼 Continuous Improvement: We believe in the power of evolution. That's why we're constantly refining our techniques, exploring new technologies, and seeking feedback to elevate our service to new heights. Step into ProWash Missouri, where cleanliness isn't just a task – it's our passion, our commitment, and our way of life.