So where were we…
Oh right, birthing the village part 2. (If you didn’t read part 1 - you can catch up here). So grab a cup of coffee or tea, find that comfy chair, get a quiet moment to yourself and let’s dive in.
I used to think I wanted an intentional community, but now I realize this was a form of escapism and perhaps utopian idealism. Not to mention, it’s scary as hell trying to find the right families you can co-live in harmony with, even if on large acreage. It’s possible, but takes time and a strong alignment on vision and values.
Maybe it’s not out of reach some day, but I know this... the world needs solutions now for people who have chosen an alternative path, and that path doesn’t mean everyone is meant to sell their home and live in off-grid tiny homes with other families. (Don’t get me wrong, sister wives can be great and all, without the weird sharing of husbands part.)
This first iteration of Freestory Village (FSV) will be accessible to many.
If you fancy yourself an entrepreneur or have a business or gig that allows you to work-from-anywhere, this is your place.
If you are home-educating your children and are looking for some drop-off enrichment programs to help round out their education and allow you some reprieve, this is your place.
And if you’re a combination of BOTH of those descriptions, this is REALLY your place.
You’re in the mush-pot middle of this very well-drawn FSV audience venn-diagram.
(what would a business launch be without a good ol’ Venn diagram....up next funnel charts!)
So why am I doing this?
I am on a mission to help people live less hurried lives.
Why?
Because when we remove some of the rate-race rigor and create space, we allow room for innovation and inspiration to be born. We allow kids the freedom they need to find their God-given purpose on earth instead of checking boxes and passing tests. And when we do that, the next generation of change-makers are equipped to innovate new solutions that make this world better, and bring a little more heaven on earth.
The decision to homeschool for our family may have been catalyzed by world events, but the confidence to continue came from an understanding that the increasing trajectory of entrepreneurial workers meant that the current “butt-in-seat” school system wasn’t going to properly prepare kids for the future of work.
I wasn’t comfortable with waiting. Sure, there are always exceptions...hybrid programs, great teachers, alternative schools. But do you know the thing that makes me MOST uncomfortable with traditional education.
The long days.
Just like working a 9-5 (or 7-7 if you come from advertising)...an 8-3pm school model didnt sit right with me. That’s a long time out of the home.
That’s a butt rush out in the AM. No Thank You.
For 12 years I got my ass up early and schlepped to LA for a competitive career in advertising. I know that drill. You’re basically running in permanent stress mode. Getting highs on checking off to-do-lists.
So come imagine a different daily rhythm with me. Here is how things will flow the Freestory Village way…
Instead of bum-rushing your kids out the door at 7:30… you wake up slow. You eat a nourishing breakfast. You read some stories. Around 10:00am you pile in the car. Maybe your hair isn’t brushed. Maybe one of the kids doesn’t have shoes. But it’s okay. You arrive at Freestory Village to be greeted with smiling faces — people ready to take your kids on adventures to inspire wonder. To educate and play. While your kids are poured into, you find yourself a peaceful spot in the outdoor cafe, holding a latte in a real mug. You see a friend across the room. You chat briefly about how grateful you are to be in a beautiful place, then shift to discuss the exciting work you get to do today. You each find a quiet corner of space and you slip into an intentional flow of deep work. At lunchtime you reunite with your family at the community cafe to enjoy a nourishing meal. After meal time, your kids take-off again for afternoon arts + crafts. You use the quiet time to allow yourself the space to be creative, to meditate and check in with your body before wrapping up some final work to dos. In the afternoon, the families gather again, to thank all the FSV staff and community for a wonderful day and head home to their personal sanctuaries.
When you get home, you’re not exhausted, but invigorated. You have the energy you need to bless your home, make a nice dinner and prepare for the next day.
Sounds breezy right!?
It’s not going to be all plants and patchouli here. Let me assure you, while we are 100% going to be barefoot and grounded, this is also a bustling incubator program for today’s entrepreneurs and knowledge workers to LAUNCH BIG THINGS.
The co-working space will be a place where adults can find their flow, ship some great work by late morning and then take off to meet their kids for lunch and a hike before getting back to it.
And maybe you don’t have a business, but you could use a few hours to catch up on the admin work of your life while your kids attend a few hours or forest school... grab your iPad and find a seat!
NOTE: If you’ve gladly found your place in the education system and are happy with your career, what I am sharing may have little relevance to you. But if you’re someone seeking an alternative, and that little voice is telling you to ‘go your own way’ - start a business and/or homeschool, but you’re scared.... then I am here to offer support and say, “you’re not alone - the solutions are coming!”
Up next: Mission, Vision, Values, and all that jazz.
Peace!
-Brooke
(P.S. We will be start fund-raising this summer. Our website, business plan and pitch deck are almost done and our evaluation process is underway. We will have our investment strategy and fundraising numbers soon. If you, or anyone you know might want to financially back the launch of Freestory Village as a seed/ early stage investor, please get in touch with me at brooke@freestory.co or 805-914-7537.
Or if you’re a K-12 educator who takes a more alternative approach, or have a valuable service to provide to the community, please also reach out. We need permaculture specialists, child educators, and personal/business coaches of varying specialities, to offer value to all ages in the community. Thanks!