Being independent preserves your power.
There’s something about managing your own finances, billing your clients, and paying quarterly taxes—it hurts. Although it’s painful to get past the learning curve, it’s also satisfying and gives you perspective on the responsibility you have as an individual within the employment world. It brings a different kind of purpose to our work.
FAQs
Are each of you your own separate business?
Technically, yes. Depending on our career level, some work under a 1099 and some have LLCs or other entities set up. It’s all based on each person’s preference. Most of our changes happen when a vendor requires a certain type of organization to bill—that’s where we help each other figure it out.
What makes this a co-op?
We share the small details of how to operate individually. That means, invoicing, creating a proposal, writing a statement of work, navigating procurement, setting up retirement plans, paying taxes, etc. It’s hard to figure it all out on your own—especially when you’re starting out.
We also share software and administrative costs. Individual subscriptions and billing often cost less when it’s done as a group. We split up the work throughout the year and bill appropriately. Think of it as buying bulk at Costco and getting a better deal.
Also, we’re all in the same Slack.
Where does the money go? Does it go into one pot and then you pull from it?
It goes to the person you’re making the contract with who will then disperse based on their budget balance sheet. Each person figures out their own profit margins and have others bill according to agreed rates. Basically, more often than not, you won’t be making checks to Semicolon.
Can anybody join?
Right now, we’re pulling in people we know who are leaving larger corporations and wanting more independence. Oh, they also have to be stellar at what they do.
It’s a reference based model for now but one thing is clear, skill levels are high and emotional intelligence is a must.
So, you all make money off of each other? And that’s ok?
Yes. We encourage people to stay within profit margins that are “appropriate” but this is also where sales skills are exercised and operating costs are refunded. High rates are encouraged per individual.
Why not just operate individually? Why start a group?
It’s a bit isolating. When you’re running your own thing, it’s a bit lonely and having a work community is vital to one’s health.