Community-First Capitalism (WE first is the new ME first)
For every inclusion, there is an equal but opposite exclusion.
This is a truth I’ve come to realize when reflecting on the term financial inclusion. It’s a phrase that’s been widely adopted, but sometimes feels hollow—used more as a token solution rather than a true system of change. We are told that inclusion is the answer, but the systems in place still often perpetuate inequality. If inclusion doesn’t address the root causes of exclusion, then we are merely shifting the conversation without changing the system.
Why do I bother? Because I believe there is a framework for Doughnut Economics that can only take us so far. Like the law of supply and demand—you can’t just say it; you have to do it. What’s the supply and where’s the demand? I think the secret lies in ambition. There are enough people (especially young ones) who want us to take responsibility for the planet, the people, the patients, the parents, and the communities around us. People who don’t want to go broke or stay broken.
This is where Community-First Capitalism comes in. It’s about doing more than just talking. It’s about creating a shift in the way we build businesses and serve the world around us. I’ve seen firsthand how this approach works and how it can fail if not executed with the right intention. That’s why I’ve built Funding Fixed—to bring a new model to life. It’s a model grounded in the FinCom Framework: Community, Communication, and Commerce.
Community-First Capitalism: A Shift in Mindset
Traditional capitalism often prioritizes profits above all else, sometimes at the expense of people. In contrast, Community-First Capitalism focuses on creating businesses that thrive by lifting up the communities around them, driving both social impact and financial growth. It’s a model that sees business as a force for good, not just a way to make money.
This is where the FinCom Framework comes in. The three pillars—Community, Communication, and Commerce—work together to create a holistic approach to business growth. By focusing on community, transparent communication, and shared success, businesses can forge deeper, more meaningful relationships with their customers and partners. This approach leads to sustainable growth because it’s based on long-term connections rather than short-term transactions.
Why Community Matters First
When businesses place the community at the center of their strategy, the impact goes far beyond profitability. Community-first businesses are built on trust, loyalty, and a shared sense of purpose. By engaging with local communities and aligning business goals with social values, businesses become more than just entities that sell products or services—they become integral parts of the ecosystem they serve.
I believe that when businesses focus on what’s truly important—supporting and uplifting the communities they serve—they set the stage for lasting success. Whether you're working with local charities, collaborating with faith-based organizations, or partnering with community-minded resellers, it all comes back to the idea that business success is deeply rooted in the strength of the community.
Who We Serve: Empowering Diverse Communities
Community First isn’t just for businesses; we specifically serve a wide range of individuals and organizations who are committed to making a difference:
Teachers and Educators: Teachers use our platform to secure funding for educational projects, classroom resources, and personal entrepreneurial ventures. Whether they’re creating after-school programs or community-based educational services, we help them access the capital they need to bring their visions to life.
Faith-Based Organizations: We work closely with churches, religious organizations, and community faith leaders who seek funding for their missions, outreach programs, and community services. These organizations often focus on community upliftment, and we provide the financial tools to support their work in a sustainable way.
Local Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners: From dads with side hustles to small businesses looking to expand, we’re here to support the entrepreneurs who are building their dreams and making their communities stronger.
Resellers and Brokers: Through our network of resellers and brokers, we help create opportunities for individuals who want to make an impact while building a profitable business. We provide the tools to become a Funding Fixed partner and create local opportunities while giving back to their communities.
Building for Long-Term Success (sustainable and attainable)
To build a business that not only maximizes profits but also positively impacts the community, you need to integrate the principles of FinCom into your strategy. This means shifting from transactional relationships to meaningful, long-lasting connections. The businesses that succeed in the long term are those that place their community at the heart of their operations and find ways to collaborate for mutual benefit.
But here’s the truth: Community-First Capitalism isn’t just a theory—it’s a practical approach that’s easy to talk about but can be tough to implement, especially when you’re navigating the complex realities of entrepreneurship.
A Personal Lesson: The Reality of Community-First Capitalism
I’ve had firsthand experience with both the successes and failures of trying to build a business with a community-first mindset. In my earlier ventures, I was deeply committed to youth-based finance—creating a platform to support young people in building financial literacy and access to capital. But despite my passion and commitment, I failed. The reality of speed to market, combined with my inexperience as a CEO and a product that didn’t meet the needs of the market, led to challenges I couldn’t overcome at the time.
What I’ve learned is that social entrepreneurship is different from community-first capitalism. While both are driven by the desire to create positive social change, community-first capitalism goes deeper. It’s about building local impact through models that work in real-time—solutions like mobile DXPs (digital experience platforms), no-touch delivery, and global access to capital.
I have learned from these experiences. Community-first doesn’t mean you wait five years to see results. It means you work locally, engage authentically, and innovate in ways that give your community access to global opportunities—starting with fixing business funding, and then expanding outward. It’s about doing things differently, with a focus on sustainability and long-term partnerships, not just transactional exchanges.
The Challenge of Financial Inclusion
The term financial inclusion has been widely used in recent years, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s becoming something like the carbon footprint—a term that’s been co-opted and manipulated by the very institutions that need to take responsibility for the problems it highlights. In many ways, financial inclusion is now used to shift the blame away from the systems that perpetuate inequality. We’re told that inclusion is the solution, but where does it truly lead?
In the U.S., financial inclusion often feels like an incomplete narrative. For every effort made to be more inclusive, there seems to be an equal and opposite form of exclusivity. Inequality persists not because the system is closed, but because the system still prioritizes the wealthy and well-connected. For financial inclusion to truly work, it must address the root causes of exclusion, not just offer a token seat at the table.
At our company, we’re committed to true inclusion—not just access to financial products, but a real shift in how we view financial success. True inclusion doesn’t just mean adding more people to the system—it means changing the system so that it works for everyone, not just those who already have the upper hand.
Together...
We know know that businesses don’t thrive in isolation. They succeed when they align with their communities, communicate transparently, and support sustainable growth. The FinCom framework guides us in this journey, helping businesses not only fix their funding but also build for the future, ensuring that they’re equipped to succeed socially and financially.
As we continue to grow and evolve, we’re committed to doing things the right way—community-first. And if we’ve learned anything along the way, it’s that the road to success might not always be straight, but by staying true to these values, we’ll get there together.
Let’s Funding GO!
LFG!
More Lessons Here
https://bmorefin.com/nine-lessons
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