https://www.reddit.com/r/IowaCity/comments/1ifr4oj/looking_for_individuals_to_brainstorm_coop/
created by Aggressive-Steak-399 on 02/02/2025 at 06:26 UTC
6 upvotes, 7 top-level comments (showing 7)
I've got a handful business ideas and I'm realizing most might align nicely with worker owned co-op business models.
I have a lack of business experience. I'd like to start having meetings at the North Liberty CoLab with people with skills in business startups, technical engineering, or just ambitious people.
Comment by SovereignMan1958 at 02/02/2025 at 06:44 UTC*
10 upvotes, 1 direct replies
What work have you done so far? Have you taken advantage of local resources yet? Researched and or visited established co op businesses to learn how they got started and what their challenges have been?
At least give us some ideas of what type of business you are thinking of. Manufacturing, service, retail, artist co op, housing co op?
Are you familiar with legal requirements for starting a co op? What about financing? What is your management experience? Do you have a long term commitment to the local area?
Do you see the group as being a democratic one?
Just trying to gauge your commitment to such a project so that you attract like minded individuals.
Honestly more than one of these groups have started in the past only to fizzle out due to lack of leadership.
Comment by ZachVIA at 02/02/2025 at 06:30 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Care to share high level business ideas?
Comment by RemoteRub7835 at 02/02/2025 at 15:03 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I’m glad to talk to you in DM, but if you have zero business experience, I recommend starting with UI Venture School. It’s open to anyone in the IC community. I don’t know about NL, but Merge IC has open office hours on Weds after 1 Million Cups where local business leaders come in and are available to give advice or discuss business plans.
Comment by vwtom at 02/02/2025 at 17:26 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Check out University of Iowa Venture School. It starts here in February and will help you walk through your business idea and get it out.
DM if you need contact information.
Comment by Haunting-Walrus7199 at 02/02/2025 at 16:39 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
What do you mean by "technical engineering"? I'm in technical engineering but what field of engineering are you looking for?
Comment by normalice0 at 03/02/2025 at 18:09 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I always have random business ideas and then forget what they are five minutes later.
But some older ones I do remember: Some recreational thing with batting cages, go karts, maybe a roller hockey/skating area. This would ideally be placed around pinseekers and maybe even in collaboration with then.
A community auto repair garage. Lifts and tools availible for rent. Charge per minute for the lifts. I know Southside Imports is closing down if one were to want a probable deal on lifts.
A daycare that employees can use for free and in fact employees get paid slightly more if they have their own kid there.
Comment by Aggressive-Steak-399 at 02/02/2025 at 07:26 UTC
-2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
100% democracy, no question there. No backdoor startup share rug pull allowed.
After struggling to develop solid business plans for my ideas that are mostly in the service industry I reached out to the Greater Iowa City, Inc.
After reviewing the 2024 Data Digest that compares I.C. to comparable Midwest populations for business environments. I realized that some of my services ideas aligned with of our area's weaknesses. The biggest being the percentage of personal income allotted to housing and life/work balance.
Financially some of my ideas are geared more towards membership fees.
Churches, political parties and crowdfunding are some other possibilities.
I really should ask for a tour of South Slope or Pioneer.
Thank you for the suggestion, I haven't thought of that.