Paper Napkin Wisdom - Podcast And Blog For Entrepreneurs, Leaders And Difference-makers

In episode 183 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we had the pleasure of speaking with Vernon Oakes, the host of Everything Cooperative, and a passionate advocate for the cooperative business model. With years of experience in real estate, business education, and cooperative development, Vernon’s mission is to empower communities and transform economies through the power of cooperatives. The Beginning of a Cooperative Journey Vernon’s journey into the world of cooperatives began with a simple yet profound observation: “Watching everyday people make powerful business decisions started my journey to love cooperatives.” This was the wisdom he shared on his paper napkin during our conversation. He realized that when people come together to pool resources, make decisions, and share profits, something truly transformative happens. What is a Cooperative? A cooperative, as Vernon explains, is a business model that is owned and operated by the people who use its services. Unlike traditional businesses where decisions are mad