Co-op Creation

WAGES provides ongoing support to co-ops at all stages of development.

When founding a co-op, WAGES provides the organizing framework for each cooperative, although the businesses are owned completely by their workers from the start. We work intensively with the members during a 3 - 4 year incubation period, helping the members develop skills and the cooperative grow its client base.

During incubation, we offer a range of personal and professional development opportunities for co-op members including business basics, eco-friendly cleaning, financial literacy, quality control, marketing, customer service, and vocational ESL. Our group activities foster positive communication and democratic decision-making, cornerstones of successful cooperative businesses.

After co-ops graduate from our incubation program and operate without subsidies from WAGES, we continue to provide technical assistance and training for these mature businesses. We help them maintain a healthy work culture, sharpen core business functions, and develop the leadership skills of co-op members.

Members of mature co-ops are invited to participate in continuing education opportunities offered by WAGES designed to promote eco-friendly cleaning and co-operative business development.

Another support that WAGES provides for co-ops is the Eco-Friendly Cleaning Co-op Network. The Co-op Network develops shared business strategies that are more easily achieved with economies of scale (such as joint purchasing and marketing).

The network also facilitates peer learning among the co-ops and technical assistance and training from WAGES. In this way, the best business practices are shared among the cooperatives, helping emerging and mature co-ops alike.

For more information, see our logic model.