A company that sells itself as the cure.. is not always interested in prevention.

When Derek Sivers, founder of CD Baby was asked how he planned to stop the “death” of CD Baby if other musicians set up their own sites. He replied, “Honestly, I don’t care about CD Baby. I only care about the musicians. If someday, musicians don’t need CD Baby anymore, that’s great. I will just shut it down, and get back to making music.”

Seriously? This is hot! I love this!

As hard as I work, I hold what I do with an open hand because of where I place my hope and my passion.  The honor of walking with dreamers is nothing less than awe inspiring, but when a season comes to an end, I keep it moving.  Whether I am working with an individual or an organization, my goal is always to become obsolete. This is one way I measure success.

This does not compute to those who may be in love with their brand or expecting their organizations to outlive them.

Pause. Not all organizations are built to last. 

There will come a day when Dream Development will no longer exist. Perhaps before that happens it will mature into something else. That day has not yet come.

I simply think it is wise to never become some enamored with our companies, organizations, ministries, structures etc. that we forget that they are only vehicles in which we travel… living out purpose, impacting others, building character, learning life lessons, providing for our families and creating memories. If the vocation or structure changes, the call remains. 

An expiration date is often the beginning of legacy.

I am freakishly attracted to novel ideas.

I have been hanging out with my latest “idea” infatuation for almost 7 months. No longer infatuated, we have moved to commitment.

I tend to build into the design of my businesses, systems which reflect their missions. When I began my first company, I set a modest price for services, unchanged… until recently.

People respond differently to difficult economic times. I tend to see opportunities in times of struggle.   

So, I find business models like pay what you can afford or “Freemium” freakishly attractive… LinkedIn is a one example of freemium - offer it for free; build a large base of free users; charge for select services. 

Better yet consider, Prince, who gave away his latest album music release in the U.K. in the face of ridicule. He then proceeded to sell out his London concerts. Who is laughing now?

                                             hmmm?

Pay what you can afford is a business model that has seen success in café’s worldwide. A café in Melbourne, Australia expanded to 3 locations. Panera Bread is one of the first U.S. chains to test the model. Panera is opening a new Brooklyn location. I am not sure if they will employ this pricing.  

I do and I enjoy it! My clients enjoy it as well!

The pay what you can afford model for service sets a tone. Clients want to make an investment in themselves. The payment for services to Dream Development is simply a reasonable exchange towards this commitment.  For me, pay what you can afford goes beyond marketing. It is transformational, adventurous and grateful.

I have been thumbing through the Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk and appreciating the call to care.  Pay what you can afford is the kind of pricing concept that honors the client, the cost and community.

 If my passion is to serve, why should price stand in the way?