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What did you want to be when you were a child and did you follow thru on that dream?

A co-op (cooperative) is a business is like any other business; however in several important ways they're unique and different.

Are owned and democratically controlled by their members-the people who use the co-op's services or buy its goods-not by outside investors; Co-op members elect their board of director from within the membership.

Return surplus revenues (income over expenses and investment) to members proportionate to their use of the cooperative, not proportionate to their "investment" or ownership share.

Are motivated not by profit, but by service-to meet their members' needs for affordable and high quality goods or services;

Exist solely to serve their members.

Pay taxes on income kept within the co-op for investment and reserves. Surplus revenues from the co-op are returned to individual members who pay taxes on that income.