Our Main Street
An idea rooted in compassion for community, and the belief that the places we call home are worth building for.
The question
How do we make “support local” mean something people can actually act on?
One memory that stuck with me was a childhood friend trying to start a longboard business with his dad. They made boards at home, but figuring out how to market them was another story. From what I remember, they made about three and stopped.
I still wonder what a little guidance, visibility, and community support could have changed for them.
The approach
I started exploring a platform where businesses could explain what they’re trying to do, what’s getting in the way, and how people could help.
That support could take different forms: spreading the word, making an introduction, sharing useful skills, or potentially contributing funding. I also explored ways to give supporters clearer business information and practical suggestions, so helping wouldn’t require them to become startup experts first.
Before committing to a build, I reached out for feedback from businesses and communities that mean something to me. I wanted their actual needs to shape the idea.
Where it stands
Our Main Street is in early development. The work so far centers on the concept, community outreach, and questions about usefulness, participation, and trust.
The next meaningful step is finding a specific business need and shaping a small, practical experience around it. The broader platform can grow from what that teaches us.
What stays with me
This project is personal because the communities behind it helped shape who I am. I’d like to give something back using the skills I have now.
It also keeps bringing me back to a simple thought: people may want to help and still have no idea what would actually be useful.
Making that next step easier could matter a hell of a lot to someone trying to get a business off the ground.