New York cleaners create new path to entrepreneurship – BBC News
Brightly: A New Cooperative Business Model
Introduction to Brightly
- Brightly is a cleaning company founded by immigrant women, aiming to change lives through its cooperative franchise model.
- The initiative focuses on prioritizing workers' needs in the cleaning industry, as reported by Samira Hussein.
Julieta Aquino's Journey
- Julieta Aquino, an immigrant from Mexico, worked as a cleaner for 25 years in low-paying and insecure jobs.
- As a single mother, she faced challenges but eventually transitioned from being an employee to becoming a business owner.
Empowerment Through Cooperative Ownership
- As a co-owner of Brightly, Julieta sets her own wages and working conditions, earning more than double her previous income.
- The cooperative structure allows equal decision-making among members and equitable profit sharing.
Expansion and Impact of Brightly
- Brightly operates as part of a franchise system that shares branding and resources with other cleaners seeking ownership.
- Currently, there are five branches in New York City with plans for expansion into Philadelphia.
Broader Implications of Cooperative Models
- This cooperative model could provide vulnerable populations with better economic stability in America.
- By promoting collective ownership, Brightly exemplifies how capitalism can be reformed to be more democratic and humane.