"I know what needs to exist. A room that isn't priced for people who already have the runway. A place where the person with $37 in their account and fifteen years of experience and a real idea can come and learn to build their way into a different situation."
A potential solution here is to have the higher paying clients subsidize those who can benefit, but can't pay the same fees.
There are parallels to scholarship programs, where a certain amount of overall tuition collected is allotted for these scenarios. This, making it so every corporate client funds at least X amount of non corporate participants per quarter.
Also re: corporate clients, there's a motto commonly used which is "price the client, not the job". While I don't know if you offer a flat rate to corporate clients, or already adjust based on other attributes, this framework is known to increase revenue as well from the better paying customers.
Anyways, just things to consider as you find a more optimal balance.
This is a cool model and idea, thanks for sharing it. I’ve also considered upskilling opportunities for the recently laid-off people at these companies (maybe as a part of their severance packages?) It feels almost unethical to send people back into the job market who you have not upskilled for the AI age.
@Bethany Crystal One more framework to consider is how Broadway tackles this problem. A lottery system can help fairly select applicants that otherwise can’t afford the program.
Thank you for writing this important post. Ever since I heard about barefoot developers from Maggie Appleton, it's felt really important to support everyday people in building what they need together. Thank you for holding the importance of this.
I’m 57. Was laid-off 2 years ago from a 24 year HR career with Accenture. Pivoted into a business when it became clear that no one was going to hire me (or only if I took a huge pay cut and was willing to go back to an office after being remote since 2006.) I currently have $34 in my account and am getting multiple calls and emails from creditors hourly. The only reason I have a place to live and health insurance is because my hubby (who was also laid-off) got a job (he has to go into an office every day). Who knew that getting married 8 years ago would be the difference between me being homeless and having shelter? I’m finally pivoting to corporate training because B2C is netting me only $280 per month (I have a paid community - Joy Prompt Club). It’s frustrating and disappointing because I know how much I could help my ICP (women over 40) but the realities of learning to build a business while also serving a client while also managing living on a household income that’s 1/3 what it was a year ago is exhausting.
Hi. Wow, thank you so much for sharing your experience. I’m so sorry to hear that things are so real and raw for you right now. I’m finding it too easy to get lost in the shuffle when it comes to this particular technological revolution. It’s stories like this that help to validate why we need alternative options.
1000% agree. People who haven’t had access to building with code *could* be benefiting from this time, but it’s not easy enough yet that we can do it without help. I am lucky to have a PM on my team who’s helping me, but gosh, I still feel lost. (Non-engineer, former librarian, current mom without extra hours)
It is very luck to have a PM who can help! I would not have gotten as far as I have were it not for some very kind engineering friends who have sat with me (some of whom for hours on end).
Thank you for this post. This seems to be happening in several areas. The organizations I work with are finding some usefulness in AI but not at the scale or speed that can make meaningful change. There is plenty of opportunity, motivation and access. But less guidance through systems even though the potential for growth is huge (IMO).
Thank you for sharing this perspective. So much is moving so quickly right now (and so much is happening in AI silos) that your human POV is very helpful.
"I know what needs to exist. A room that isn't priced for people who already have the runway. A place where the person with $37 in their account and fifteen years of experience and a real idea can come and learn to build their way into a different situation."
A potential solution here is to have the higher paying clients subsidize those who can benefit, but can't pay the same fees.
There are parallels to scholarship programs, where a certain amount of overall tuition collected is allotted for these scenarios. This, making it so every corporate client funds at least X amount of non corporate participants per quarter.
Also re: corporate clients, there's a motto commonly used which is "price the client, not the job". While I don't know if you offer a flat rate to corporate clients, or already adjust based on other attributes, this framework is known to increase revenue as well from the better paying customers.
Anyways, just things to consider as you find a more optimal balance.
This is a cool model and idea, thanks for sharing it. I’ve also considered upskilling opportunities for the recently laid-off people at these companies (maybe as a part of their severance packages?) It feels almost unethical to send people back into the job market who you have not upskilled for the AI age.
@Bethany Crystal One more framework to consider is how Broadway tackles this problem. A lottery system can help fairly select applicants that otherwise can’t afford the program.
ooooh this is cool though i imagine less randomness, more fellowship, might make sense in this particular context.
Thank you for writing this important post. Ever since I heard about barefoot developers from Maggie Appleton, it's felt really important to support everyday people in building what they need together. Thank you for holding the importance of this.
Thank you. I also think about home-cooked and small-batch software daily. It feels in many ways like the anti-thesis to big tech’s dominance.
I’m 57. Was laid-off 2 years ago from a 24 year HR career with Accenture. Pivoted into a business when it became clear that no one was going to hire me (or only if I took a huge pay cut and was willing to go back to an office after being remote since 2006.) I currently have $34 in my account and am getting multiple calls and emails from creditors hourly. The only reason I have a place to live and health insurance is because my hubby (who was also laid-off) got a job (he has to go into an office every day). Who knew that getting married 8 years ago would be the difference between me being homeless and having shelter? I’m finally pivoting to corporate training because B2C is netting me only $280 per month (I have a paid community - Joy Prompt Club). It’s frustrating and disappointing because I know how much I could help my ICP (women over 40) but the realities of learning to build a business while also serving a client while also managing living on a household income that’s 1/3 what it was a year ago is exhausting.
Hi. Wow, thank you so much for sharing your experience. I’m so sorry to hear that things are so real and raw for you right now. I’m finding it too easy to get lost in the shuffle when it comes to this particular technological revolution. It’s stories like this that help to validate why we need alternative options.
1000% agree. People who haven’t had access to building with code *could* be benefiting from this time, but it’s not easy enough yet that we can do it without help. I am lucky to have a PM on my team who’s helping me, but gosh, I still feel lost. (Non-engineer, former librarian, current mom without extra hours)
It is very luck to have a PM who can help! I would not have gotten as far as I have were it not for some very kind engineering friends who have sat with me (some of whom for hours on end).
And yes, I want in, because I’m not happy unless I’m learning and growing
Thank you for this post. This seems to be happening in several areas. The organizations I work with are finding some usefulness in AI but not at the scale or speed that can make meaningful change. There is plenty of opportunity, motivation and access. But less guidance through systems even though the potential for growth is huge (IMO).
Thank you for sharing this perspective. So much is moving so quickly right now (and so much is happening in AI silos) that your human POV is very helpful.