NJ : Talk about the setbacks
Heidi : First and foremost , it was getting people to believe in us . We would talk about this vision of a food coop and people were used to this other kind of model that was in the late 70 ’ s where you would have to volunteer X amount of time to get your discounts and it was a bunch of people splitting bags of oats . It was a misconception . So we had to paint a picture for people . We used a lot of imagery on the website , on facebook , to show people it ’ s different , it ’ s new . You do not need to volunteer to get your discount . But you also don ’ t need to be a member to shop here . Everyone is welcome . So education is always an ongoing challenge .
We really had to push the visual for the people to get them to understand what it really was . Then the financial piece ; pushing membership , letting people know we needed member owners to invest further if they had the means for the member loans . There were grumpy neighbors who don ’ t want to share parking even though we have a shared parking agreement . We had to go through a city commision process to show them we have a variance and he had to honor that . I think you ’ re always going to have those naysayers and those people that think it can ’ t be done because maybe they ’ ve tried it before or it hasn ’ t worked in the past .
Bismarck local Sam Spryncynatyk ordered juice mix of fresh beets , oranges and lemons . “ This is delicious and good for you !”
Pictured above and below : All natural bath and beauty products