FAQs
How does the collective work ?
Our business approach is not one-sided. We provide transparency in our pricing. Our proposed budgets are calculated as a combined rate for both tactical and advanced strategic consulting work, recognizing that as consultants, we must fill many roles for our partners.
Every bee in the hive provides budgetary support for the shared prosperity of the hive and its members. This represents a 20% allocation of contracts brought in by bees to support a strong infrastructure for our network. At the end of the year, we jointly decide how to invest and/or divide remaining profits.
Do I bring in all my Clients, or does Colmena provide me some?
We understand that some people are going to come to Colmena as a side hustle, maybe they are primary caregivers at home and they want a few hours of work, maybe they can’t grow where they work so they come to learn and build skills and knowledge, maybe they are saving up enough to leave their jobs. These people aren’t going to go get clients, but we can build them into Colmena contracts and other bees with their own contracts can give them portions of the work – freeing them up to get more clients and/or focus on the work they’re passionate about.
We understand that some people are going to come to Colmena and run their business through our hive, they will go get contracts and clients and will benefit from being able to partner with other bees, bring on bees to work on their projects, and run all aspects of their business in our collective infrastructure.
We understand that some people are going to stay at Colmena forever. Owners invest financial and time capital to build out a collective hive that can house the work of others and themselves. Where we can get clients together as a hive, where we can bring our own contracts, where we can work on the contracts of others.
What benefits do the bees have as part of Colmena? Other than community?
We offer our members a sense of community. Every bee in the hive participates in the profits, oversight and management of Colmena through the use of democratic practices.
We look out for each other and help every member in all aspects of their work such as contract management, business insurance, justice-based pricing, amongst other things.
What does the Colmena actually do?
We offer business infrastructure and provide a community for learning, collaboration, and business development. Under a collective brand and platform, each bee can work in an equitable system; following their drive and building their career.
As a result of this effort, each bee can run their consulting/coaching/facilitation business alone; and also come together in Colmena to:
Create a common brand that reinforces their personal one.
Share the cost of running a small business, while also sharing in the profits.
Come together to pursue opportunities and jointly market our services.
Learn and upskill, as well as affect the shaping of the future of work that is already around us.