1. Why do you hold networking meetings at Qdobas Mexican Grill since it is not a locally owned company?
It is the best place have been able to find so far, but we are open to holding networking meetings at other places. Also, we do hope to work with Qdobas and other chains/franchises to help them be supporters of a healthy local economy. We answer this question in detail here.
2. You seem so similar to BALLE, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. Why do you need to start a new organization.
You are right! We are very similar to BALLE, and we even share the same principles. But we focus on a broader vision of how to get everyone and every organization who is willing involved in the process of creating a healthy local living economy. We would love for there to be a chapter of BALLE in every region, and will support that in happening, because BALLE has so much support to offer to businesses. We will be working to get a BALLE network going in NW Arkansas. If you know of anyone who might like to start a group, we encourage you to check out their website at www.livingeconomies.org
3. You are also similar to AMIBA, American Independent Business Alliance, of which a chapter called FIBA, Fayetteville Independent Business Alliance is forming in Fayetteville. How are you different?
We are looking at a holistic view of creating a healthy, self-reliant local economy where everyone can thrive. FIBA’s focus is on supporting local businesses, which definitely does help the local economy. We will be supplementing what they are doing, and supporting what they are doing. For example, we will be very engaged in helping neighborhoods become thriving, self-reliant communities. We promote Time Banks. We are initiating a regional alliance. We are sponsoring think tanks and conferences to get EVERYONE who wants to be involved in finding creative solutions to our problems. I, Patricia, have talked to both of the co-founders of FIBA, and studied AMIBA’s web site. We are working to make sure that no one needs to re-invent the wheel, or duplicate efforts.
