MBA Series

MBA Series Ep. 24: Transforming Capitalism & The LIFT Story

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve deep into the topic of transforming capitalism to create a more sustainable and equitable future. Join us as we explore the inspiring stories, innovative ideas, and groundbreaking initiatives that are reshaping the capitalist landscape. We cover transforming capitalism into the Next Economy and unpack the complexity of the systems that need to change.

MBA Series Ep. 23 Ana Martina and Daniella Preisler: Democratizing the Workplace

In today’s conversation, we delve into cooperatives as a business model and how to leverage them as drivers of change. We discuss why cooperatives have become so popular with communities, the benefits of the cooperative business model, and why sustainability is vital to building democratic workplaces. You’ll learn how the pandemic impacted Ana and Daniella’s work and perspective, exciting projects happening in the space, the biggest challenges of transforming the economy, and more. T

MBA Series Ep. 22: Marketing II - Branding and Sales Systems

In today's episode of the Next Economy MBA Series, we are joined by Jeanette Morelan, Marketing Lead at LIFT Economy, and Erin Axelrod, Partner / Worker Owner at LIFT Economy, to continue unpacking the intricacies of marketing in the Next Economy. In this episode, we discuss everything branding and sales systems; from the concept of brand community to raising capital in the Next Economy. Learn about building a community around a brand, developing a Next Economy sales strategy, aligning your brand with your core customers, how lead qualification works, disqualifying with passion, and much more.

Mike Strode: Time Banking and its Importance in the Solidarity Economy Space

The Kola Nut Collaborative is Chicago’s only time-based service and skills exchange that provides an open platform for mutual aid, community organizing, and network weaving. Through practices like the Offers and Needs Market, they develop programming to support Chicago-based organizers in facilitating non-monetary exchange networks. Mike is also a program manager at Open Collective Foundation and serves on the boards of the US Solidarity Economy Network, the New Economy Coalition, and more.

MBA Series Ep. 21: Marketing | Approach & Messaging

Join Shawn Berry and LIFT Economy Marketing Lead Jeanette Morelan to find out what marketing looks like in the Next Economy, from iterative design grounded in reality to responsive audience research and user testing, factual and emotional messaging, authentic storytelling, and more. Although we use some of the same tools as business-as-usual marketing, Next Economy business principles inform a slower and more intentional approach to commerce.

MBA Series Ep 18. Strategy III - Partnerships and Governance

In today's conversation, we unpack the third strategy of our MBA Series and discuss how to leverage the power of governance. We discuss how meetings are a part of the decision-making process, the concept of authority, the different systems of governance, and why engaging more stakeholders is better. Learn about practicing good governance hygiene, tactics for forming strategic partnerships, the various facets of accountability, and more. To hear actionable steps and essential insights to ensure a culture of good governance for your company, tune in now.

MBA Series Ep. 14: Meg Erskine and Matt Simon: Multicultural Refugee Coalition

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Today we have two wonderful guests on the show to talk about the Multicultural Refugee Coalition (MRC) in Austin, Texas. Meg Erskine and Matt Simon join us to explain the current work being done by the organization, the different components of their jobs, and how the projects function. Listeners can expect to get a great insight into the progress being made by MRC, as well as some inspiring examples of the way different initiatives can work together towards the common cause of a more equitable world.

MRC aims to provide livelihood opportunities for refugees through skills-based education and social entrepreneurship. Their work is divided between two separate, yet connected enterprises: New Leaf Agriculture, and Open Arms Studio. Their work is built on the foundation of providing fair-wage jobs that offer opportunities to advance careers, while utilizing the array of skills and expertise of their workers. 

Meg Erskine is the Co-Founder of MRC, which she began with a small team in 2009. She has a background in conservation biology, and she is driven by her passions for sustainability, ethical fashion, regenerative agriculture, and social enterprise. Matt Simon is the Farm Director at New Leaf Agriculture, a role he began in January 2020, bringing a decade's worth of experience in the organic agriculture space in his native Austin, and holding a number of different roles relating to permaculture design and sustainable agriculture.

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Key Points From This Episode:

  • Some background on our guests and the Multicultural Refugee Coalition.

  • Expanding on the idea of food autonomy and the foundation it provides for the work at MRC. 

  • The array of initiatives that are currently in the pipeline at MRC.

  • The important connection and exchange between the Open Arms project and the farm.

  • How the farm came to be and the work that went into finding the land. 

  • The emphasis on flexibility that the farm offers its workers to accommodate other demands. 

  • Benefits of fresh air and exercise for those working on the farm. 

  • Healthful herbs and 'weeds' and using the varied knowledge of different cultures. 

  • The certification program that MRC is offering and what the modules consist of.

  • How listeners can support and contribute to the amazing work being done by our guests!

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Tweetables:

  • “For me, the foundation of food justice and food access is food autonomy.” — Matt Simon

  • “There are so many things that we are working on that I am so excited about!” — Meg Erskine

  • “It was interesting to me to realize when I started working with folks out here, that none of them had ever worked in a greenhouse before, but they had been farming their whole lives.” — Matt Simon

  • “Every week is a consideration of what is going to happen six weeks from now.” — Matt Simon

  • “We are still looking for philanthropic support and we are looking to expand our network, and meet up with folks in other areas besides our own.” — Meg Erskine

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Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Meg Erskine — https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-erskine-5657a95

Matt Simon — https://www.mrcaustin.org/latest-news/meet-matt-new-leafs-farm-director

Multicultural Refugee Coalition — https://www.mrcaustin.org/

Open Arms Studio — https://www.openarmsstudio.org/

New Leaf Agriculture — https://www.mrcaustin.org/new-leaf-agriculture

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LIFT Economy Newsletter

Join 7000+ subscribers and get our free 60 point business design checklist—plus monthly tips, advice, and resources to help you build the Next Economy: https://lifteconomy.com/newsletter

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Next Economy MBA

This episode is brought to you by the Next Economy MBA.

What would a business education look like if it was completely redesigned for the benefit of all life? This is why the team at LIFT Economy created the Next Economy MBA (https://lifteconomy.com/mba).

The Next Economy MBA is a nine month online course for folks who want to learn key business fundamentals (e.g., vision, culture, strategy, and operations) from an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative perspective.

Join the growing network of 300+ alumni who have been exposed to new solutions, learned essential business skills, and joined a lifelong peer group that is catalyzing a global shift towards an economy that works for all life.

Learn more at https://lifteconomy.com/mba.

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Show Notes + Other Links

For detailed show notes and interviews with past guests, please visit https://lifteconomy.com/podcast

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Music by Chris Zabriskie: https://chriszabriskie.com/