Brent Chase

© Brent Chase 2022. All rights reserved.

Not A Business Project's

A journey into making a business to satirize capitalism and what I call “retail innovation” companies.

Retail vs Real Innovation

Understanding the Distinction:The best way to understand "retail innovation" (or "predatory innovation") is by first understanding what "real innovation" is.Real Innovation creates new wealth—monetary, mental/physical health, and increased autonomy—for people and communities that previously lacked it. It’s like Robin Hood distributing wealth to the villagers or the widespread impact of the polio vaccine. Real innovation empowers historically disadvantaged communities, providing solutions to genuine problems. It encompasses financial, health, and social aspects of wealth, addressing barriers that prevent financial stability, health, and shelter. Examples include local grocery stores in food deserts, solar-powered lamps in off-grid areas, and affordable healthcare technologies.Retail Innovation, on the other hand, does not create new wealth but rather redistributes it among those who already have it. It exploits those with wealth, selling solutions to non-existent problems. Think of any business the Kardashians have started. These innovations create perceived deficiencies and market solutions to these artificial problems, embedding false narratives about needs and solutions into societal common knowledge. Examples include beauty products from celebrities like the Kardashians, the bottled water industry’s packaging shifts, and vitamin supplements.

Why It Matters:Daily Voting:
Every purchase is a vote for what should exist in the world. Businesses and systems rely on consumer support to thrive; they need us more than we need them.Redirecting Economic Power:
Conscious consumerism can starve harmful businesses of resources, forcing them to adapt or shut down. Investments should flow towards real innovations that benefit society as a whole, not just the wealthy.Impact of Misleading Retail Innovations:
These products can mislead vulnerable populations, leading to wasted resources and missed opportunities for real solutions. Social pressure and marketing can create a false consensus, driving people towards ineffective solutions.Addressing Common Objections:Retail Products and Harmlessness:
Retail innovations often claim to solve problems that don’t exist or fail to address real issues effectively. Vulnerable individuals may be misled by social pressure and clever marketing, leading to long-term costs. Recognizing the limitations of retail innovations is crucial for making informed choices.Supporting Small Businesses:
Directing spending towards small businesses and underrepresented communities can mitigate the harm of retail innovations. Even if the products are part of the retail innovation world, the economic boost to small businesses can foster real innovation.Conclusion:
Real innovation challenges the status quo and builds a future where wealth is more equitably distributed. By making conscious choices, we can drive change and support systems that truly benefit society. Let’s vote with our wallets for a better world.Here's the deal, the venture capital and greater entrepreneurship ecosystem has had a negative effect on my mental health.I've felt burned and burnt out, as such I want to work on fun projects that bring me personal joy but inevitable help me finance real change. I take the profits to pay for the costs of building social impact to real world problems through start-ups that I create.As such "Not A Business, LLC" was made to start making content that satirizes entrepreneurship and what I call “retail innovation” companies.

A Short List Of Project's

Keep your hands busy and your mind open.

Children's Books For Adults

A children’s book series designed to teach critical life skills that help children navigate the complexities of growing up with joy and resilience. Recognizing that many vital lessons were often unspoken or misunderstood in previous generations, this series aims to fill that gap, providing children and their parents with clear, compassionate, and engaging guidance.