An Economy Rooted in Generosity
How The Circle Community Creates Generosity that Fuels Economic Abundance
For many Corporations in the Twin Cities, economic disruptions have resulted in self-preservation by way of raising prices, renegotiating with vendors, and even laying off employees.
Rather than be at the whim of macroeconomic tides, some Minnesotans are creating their own opportunities by starting businesses — whether to supplement current income re: inflation or as an alternative to the saturated job seeker market.
Starting a business certainly comes with its own risks, yet something has moved these ambitious Entrepreneurs to take the leap in hopes of gaining something beyond wealth accumulation: agency, purpose, and stability.
What happens when business owners operate within their community to support a more human-centered approach to economics?
In her 2024 book, The Serviceberry, author Robin Wall Kimmerer describes the Indigenous tradition of practicing a “Gift Economy.” Kimmerer poses a question to us — a supply and demand, scarcity-focused culture:
What if wealth was defined not by how much we hoard,
but by practicing generosity?
We see Female Entrepreneurs respond to this question every day as they create wealth not only for themselves but also to benefit their communities at large, according to WomenVenture’s Legislative Report (2022):
“Female small business owners reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their communities and local economies.”
At The Circle Community, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we have created a community where women have the opportunity to thrive and build stronger businesses and communities through collaboration, education, and mutual support. Our localized Gift Economy is fueled by women who give back by offering one another their products, services, network, and resources – which keeps the gift of PEERpower in motion to ensure mutual thriving.
“PEERpower: A group of individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, opinions, stages of life, and abilities... whose vulnerability, openness to learning and willingness to share support, creates a powerful experience for all.”
How might we all invest in systems that bring everyone forward, especially as we weather this season of uncertainty?
Here’s where to start…
Support our movement with a tax-deductible donation to The Circle Community, a registered 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization supporting Minnesota female-led small businesses
Join us at The Annual Forum on July 14th. Tickets sales coming soon (join the waitlist by June 2nd for an exclusive discount!)
Learn about starting a regenerative Gift Economy of your own by reading Kimmerer’s book, The Serviceberry.