| If you're the owner of a small business and have | | | | Co-ops are also helpful when you would like to join |
| limited resources, usethe power of numbers to obtain | | | | professionalorganizations but can't afford the dues by |
| more customers or clients. Create aninformal co-op. | | | | yourself. Join as a co-op andyou'll probably get |
| Creating such a co-op is simple. First, make a list of | | | | membership benefits for at least several of |
| other smallbusiness owners you know personally, | | | | yourmembers. Join several different organizations so |
| trust, and respect. On your list,include some | | | | that each co-opmember can enjoy membership in at |
| businesses that have products or services similar to | | | | least one organization of his orher choice. |
| yoursand others that provide very different ones. | | | | Here are some examples of the types of businesses |
| All of these small business owners probably have | | | | that would makegood co-ops: |
| limited resources, too. | | | | Car dealerships - car washes - auto parts stores |
| Arrange a meeting with several of these owners and | | | | Childcare centers - children's bookstores - children's |
| sit down together ata relaxing location (like a coffee | | | | clothing stores |
| shop or bookstore) to discuss how youcould all | | | | Graphic designers - freelance writers - small printing |
| benefit from an informal cooperative (co-op, for | | | | companies |
| short). | | | | Animal clinics - pet stores - pet grooming centers |
| For example, do you all attend trade shows for your | | | | Advertising agencies - specialty food stores - gift |
| businesses? Couldyou share a booth with one or two | | | | basket companies |
| of these other small business ownersto cut the cost | | | | Freelance writers - gift stores - day spas |
| of a booth? Do all of you have web sites for | | | | Are you beginning to get some ideas? |
| yourcompanies? If so, it would be easy to create a | | | | Start thinking about creating a business co-op and |
| blog for your co-op, withlinks to the web site of | | | | you'll probably thinkof many other cost-saving and |
| each co-op member. Then, each member couldtake a | | | | service-sharing ways to fit your particularneeds. |
| turn updating the blog, which should result in | | | | Create an informal co-op, then sit back and watch |
| increased web sitetraffic (or at least more publicity or | | | | your businessgrow. |
| exposure) for each member. | | | | |