New mindset creating collaborative small business models

WARNING: If you are over 40+ this story may be hazardous to your paradigm!

I was teaching an eager and naïve class of up-and-coming entrepreneurs earlier this week.

These students are dedicated adults who want to do something different with their lives, so they have gone to school. Their job is to learn how to start their own business.

As always, I asked each student to tell me what they want to accomplish and what they feel they need to know.

One idea really popped out

It was a diverse class with business ideas ranging from Driving Schools to Sandwich Shops.  And then there was Roger.  Roger’s idea sounded like a social network I visit online. Roger’s idea left me…s.t.u.t.t.e.r.i.n.g.

Roger has a business concept that is built not on a “we do it for you” model or structure, but rather, we will provide the space, the tools and the guidance, and you do it for yourself – with us.

What?  A business where I come in and work alongside others and pay you to do it?

Similar to online social networks

Not unlike a social network site, the idea centers around community, sharing, working together, learning, and finally, a finished product; hopefully better than before.

I don’t want to give away his business idea, so I haven’t mentioned his concept.  But, consider the implications:

• A pizza place where you make your own pizza with their supplies and guidance, bake it on the premises, and take it home to the rest of your family.
• A hairdressing salon that provides the color treatment supplies, but you do your own hair? ( I am nervous just writing that)
• A building supply where you build your furniture along with others.  Saws and sanders are passed around the room and shouts of “crap,” are shared among your peers when the hammer hits the proverbial thumb.

The idea has been germinating for awhile

I guess the first signs appeared years ago, when someone opened the first “do it yourself” car wash or Laundromat . They provide the tools and the water. They get paid and you do the work.  

Artists have done this for years: someone poses in the nude and a group of artists all poised with their easel and brush, gently stroke the vision onto canvass, and pay for the pleasure.

There are scores of charible runs, walks, bikes, jumps, dances etc, where the participants do something for charity, and often not only do they raise money, but they have to pay to register to do the work.

"If I should die before I wake"

Things are certainly changing though.  I don’t ever want to retire, but I must say that I will have quite a time “advising” the next generation or two about business when I dread the idea of hiring a cleaning service to come “help me clean my house”!

To our success,

Harmony

PS Related article on the subject at Examiner.com

Your comments on this subject are most welcome. Do you know of businesses that fit this idea? I want to research the topic in much more depth. Your feedback would be appreciated!