Meet Ed and Nicole of Rose & Cole’s Co-op Transport!
With many in Pittsfield struggling with transportation issues, Ed had found himself increasingly busy bringing friends back and forth to work these past few years. Before long word got around Ed was single-handedly running a mini ride-share service without realizing it. Their participation in the Working Cities Coalition coalesced, that indeed, Pittsfield is in need of transportation services. Nicole, a long time community organizer with Manos Unidas, had become impassioned with the idea of worker co-ops and their ability to empower and mobilize workers via democratic governance, shared capital, and the various other ways co-ops ensured economic member participation. Co-op’s adherence to sustainability and their concern for community was also impactful. Having recently founded Roots & Dreams and Mustard Seeds Inc, a Berkshire co-op incubator, Nicole thought that a transportation start-up was a great project to instate. With the support of other staff members from Roots & Dreams, Ed and Nicole began readying themselves to become a full fledged cooperative, adding other worker owners to their team!
