Photo by Shaunté Glover (ShaunteGlover.com)

When I feel hesitation, it makes me want to clear things up. There are so many people transforming Phoenix right now, so many people who care about preserving its history and skyrocketing it as the major city it is. Most people have no hesitation for supporting COHOOTs and their mission for a bigger, better entrepreneurial public space, but I’d like to share my perspective incase you’re on the fence about their crowdfunding campaign.

Let my general disclaimer be that you shouldn’t invest money out of obligation. That’s how both overexposure and overweighted positions occur. If you’re willing to support, pick an affordable number, and feel damn good about however big or small your contribution.

Approach this with an appreciation for the mission.

That’s why we donate to the fight against anything. This mission is a public space for entrepreneurs in Phoenix that is 3X the original size with an impact that stretches way beyond any real or made up borders. There are few places that cater to the psychotic nature that is the entrepreneur and COHOOTS has nailed it.

The culture makes Friday-night brainstorming sessions normal, and supports those who dedicate their time to finding curious connections, launching big ideas and creating opportunities for impact on both a local and global scale. It helps us appreciate our unique weirdness, and supports my personal argument that Phoenix is the most generous city for entrepreneurs.

Yeah, I said that.

As for the investment . . .

Pretend you will never see the money again. And then pretend you will see it 20 times over. And then stop pretending that you know what will happen. Expect your support to make an impact, because it will.

I’m fucking tired of people acting like they don’t make a difference. People make a difference. It doesn’t matter how seemingly small. You do. Get over it. You make a difference. You make or break things. Yes, it is a lot of pressure. We know. But it’s also kind of awesome, isn’t it?

We have gotten some amazing experiences from COHOOTS. Some of us have gained wonderful clients, have had a place to try out ideas, and some have simply received bravery to launch a project or business — that bravery being a priceless, invisible thing. I am the recipient of all three benefits, among many more shared by many others.

This is about building a place that helps make things real.

It doesn’t always work but it works enough of the time to make a difference, and that’s a damn decent bet if you ask me. In a world where we feel a shit ton of resistance, mostly from ourselves, I’m all about helping a place that helps us break that resistance down.

Comments or concerns?

This goes for interaction with any organization: if you don’t agree with something, call it out. It doesn’t have to be publicly. It doesn’t have to be privately. But it does have to be done out of care, or respect, or humanness. Not a lot of people know this, but there are actual humans behind organizations. Speak to them with thought, love and willingness. We are people in a community of care. Act like it.

You’re not obligated to support, but you do certainly make an impact: Support the new Phoenix location here and if you don’t mind, hit the recommend button (wittle heart) below to share this article.