Entrepreneurship As An Act of Resistance

Today, I am releasing a free, nineteen-page manifesto proposing a new approach to social change which moves away from charities and non-profits toward direct empowerment. You can download Entrepreneurship As An Act of Resistance for free right now.

I want you to imagine an ideal world, an ideal country, an ideal city, an ideal life. One where your needs are met, one where you–all of you–are respected, one where you are fulfilled, provided for, loved.

Can you hold that in your mind for a moment?

So you’re interested in a better world. Do you want to work for a non-profit to help better your community? Do you give to Goodwill or PBS? Perhaps you’ve participated in a rally or a phone bank or a donation drive.

But your efforts feel a little incomplete, don’t they? The change you desire hasn’t quite materialized yet. Children still go hungry, families are still homeless, queers are still unequal, and racism is still alive and well. We’re living in an imperfect world and the structures we’ve created to make it better–charities, NGOs, the government–while making progress and doing good are still a long way off.

Are there any other alternatives? Is there something we can do right now to effect change? I think there is.

Two years ago, I quit my job at a television network to work for myself. In the two years since, I’ve built a multi-faceted business that supports me and allows me to dedicate time and energy to projects and causes that I am passionate about. A year ago, I launched Legalize Trans* with my friend Asher to help him pay for surgery. His date is set. Over the past two years, I have become increasingly convinced of the viability–and necessity–of creating alternate economies where we can regain economic control of our lives and have a positive effect on the community.

I want to invite you into this new way of being with me. A way of existing you’ve perhaps been thinking or dreaming about already. Or maybe a way that sounds foreign but enticing. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating a better world–or even a better life–this manifesto is written just for you.

I believe in it so strongly that I’m giving it away. This is an invitation that should be spread. This is an invitation to you. And to anyone else you’d like to bring along.

You can download it for free here.

I’m also putting together resources to help you put the principles of this manifesto–entrepreneurship as an act of resistance–into action. Take this short survey so that I can tailor resources to your needs and empower you with the tools to strike out on your own.

Sign up here to receive updates when more resources are available.