There’s no denying that it’s easy to feel somewhat isolated during the lockdown period, in both a personal and a business sense.

I’m sure you’re all over the Zoom and WhatsApp video calls to friends and family, and those who can work from home are dialled in with colleagues, but there’s no replacing the entrepreneurial buzz that comes from being surrounded by like-minded people.

That’s where Cartel Connect Online (CCO), the fantastic new app we told you about last week, comes into the fray.

In case you missed that memo, CCO is a new digital members’ club that brings together a collective of like-minded individuals, all facing similar challenges, and with many of the same needs and concerns.

Driven through the Ideas Cartel app (Android and Apple Store), for R99 a month, members can plug into products and services like entrepreneurship webinars, business coaching, video masterclasses, and much more.

Let’s run through a few basic questions…

WHY JOIN CCO?

• Engagement: Ask questions, share perspectives and connect with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs to find solutions, together, through live experiences.
• Savings: small businesses have fewer overheads, so you’ll save money when you support them.
• Speed: Get quicker deliveries of essential services when you order from smaller providers.
• Service: A team of community managers awaits to help you solve problems—all you need to do is ‘Request Assistance’ on the Ideas Cartel app.

WHAT DOES THE MEMBERSHIP ENTAIL?

The Cartel Connect Online membership is broken down, broadly, into three parts.

Online Live Experiences & Classes

Cartel Connect Online (CCO) is a digital platform offering immediate access to a growing list of special services, webinars and classes, ranging from workouts with Scotty to entrepreneurship talks and online marketing workshops.

The webinars present brands with the opportunity to gain positive attention through a valuable services exchange, whilst also focusing on wellness and human interaction.

You can run through the full list of what’s in store here.

Digital Community Connection

Stay connected with the Ideas Cartel community by joining their Slack workspaces. If you’re an Ideas Cartel member—whether you’re a tenant, coworking member, or Cartel Club member—and haven’t received your invite, email them at cartelconnect@ideascartel.com.

Personal Shopping (Groceries)

Want to escape the madness of grocery stores? They’re #atyourservice. As an Ideas Cartel member, you can use the Personal Shopping service in the app to order groceries from their stock.

The order process has an estimate of 48 hours. As soon as your order is ready, you will be informed to collect the produce at Ideas Cartel, 1 Sandhill Road, Cape Town – known as The Foundry.

It is essential services certified, and supports local producers. If you have any questions, you can WhatsApp 083 635 8413, or click ‘Request Assistance’ on the app.

All of the above is accessed through the Ideas Cartel app (Android and Apple Store), and membership is R99 a month.

Working from home really doesn’t have to put an end to the idea of entrepreneurial idea sharing and collaboration, so get stuck in.