THE GENERAL STORE
Working as a clerk in New Salem’s general store provided Abraham Lincoln with an ideal foundation upon which to build his political career. The general store “filled a unique place” on the frontier. Beyond the sale of groceries, hardware, cloth, and bonnets, the village store provided “a kind of intellectual and social center,” a place where villagers gathered to read the newspaper, discuss the local sporting contests, and, mainly, argue about politics in an era when politics was a consuming, almost universal concern. For the farmers, who might ride fifty miles to grind grain into flour at the village gristmill, the store offered a common meeting place to unwind, exchange opinions, share stories.
From Leadership in Turbulent Times about Lincoln’s early life
A STRUCTURE FOR EQUALITY & INVOLVEMENT
A different structure is needed
We wanted to do better. Most of today’s corporations think that community development begins and ends with sharing a % of profits or community service days.
With the invention of blockchain (Bitcoin’s underlying technology), we have built our structure as a DAO. Decentralized Autonomous Organization: this legally allows both individuals and companies involved in The General Store to earn reputation and vote on how every decision is made and every dollar is spent = you are The Boss.
We get it, this blockchain, cryptocurrency stuff can be confusing. Essentially, we are creating a company that is 100% controlled by the people involved.
But what exactly IS a DAO?
It is a group of people (us!) united by a mission-focused framework (revitalizing Minneapolis). They combine ideas about cooperation, shared ownership/accountability and diversity (our Collaboration Code) with newly invented cryptography and networking technology.
Decisions made by these groups, (or Organizations), are self-actuating via interaction between smart-contracts, (hence Autonomous) which radically diminishes the need for middle men or intermediaries, (therefore Decentralized).
Current companies collaborating for change
Bogarts Donuts — creating joy in every bite. Experimental flavors available weekly
Collaboration.Ai — connecting the planet
Educated Change - utilizing social media to transform your presence
Invested Interests — putting your assets to work for sustainable interests
theDifference — pioneering data + design + diversity
The Perennial Plate - sustainable and adventurous food films
Turas Mara — investing in businesses to out last a generation
a new collaboration code
A DIFFERENT FINANCIAL MODEL
Each person that participates in the General Store can get ‘reputation’ and/or ‘ownership’ in the store. For example, yes, we have a janitor, but he/she/they spend half their time cleaning/maintaining and half the time as an apprentice with member companies giving them an option to grow their knowledge, job opportunities and ownership.
We are keynote speakers the the largest blockchain conference in Berlin this summer. Stay tuned for more details.
An all-in-one:
retail store
co-working space
incubator with Venture funding
event/community space
What if an office was busy from 5pm to 9am?
What if a community space made a profit to make a bigger impact?
What if co-working funded radical inclusion instead of fueling an IPO?
What if an event space broke down the silos in the community?
What if venture capitalists and incubators properly tapped into the under-served?
Our Collaboration code
The General Store welcomes everyone
We just ask you that you follow the Collaboration Code
Our Code is fluid and continually updated (think of this as actionable rewriting of corporate rules, allowing us to be more equitable daily … as we are not tethered by the middle men, margins, lawyers, bankers, fees, you get the point…
once you enter the door:
Be active in the DAO with a 40% or above reputation
Be recommended by another member or HumanOS (our Augmented Community Platform to break barriers across cities)
Be inclusive and diverse - we need to be able to learn from our differences
Be willing to vacate The General Store 2 - 8 days a month (to allow for community/corporate events)
Be published - everyone must share at a ‘task’ level what they do each day so each member can easily help others
Be inviting - welcome other organizations to benefit from The General Store community once a month
Be giving - pay quarterly into the DAO
*Note - The Collaboration Code is controlled by the DAO/owners and changes based on the needs of the community.
Get involved
