• Market studies area map

Deep Data Dive: Patrick Shabram Offers Market Analysis for Startups and Expansions

By |February 11th, 2026|

Location research consultant Patrick Shabram is a new Columinate member—welcome! Shabram has over thirty years of experience in store location research, market research, and Geographic Information Systems. His clients include both startup co-ops and established food co-ops planning expansion or relocation. Shabram summarizes his professional practice, using current research, as dedicated to providing accurate numbers that support informed decisions by the co-op’s planning group.

  • Leadership Learning Circles with Laura King

Laura King and Leadership Learning Circles

By |January 29th, 2026|

Your leadership team, or your organization’s board of directors, are likely to have skills in finance or marketing or visioning, or in all of these. But are these same leaders holding a team back by avoiding difficult issues, resisting ideas that differ from theirs, or delaying essential changes?

  • Garland McQueen, Manager on Contract

Manager on Contract Strengthens Co-ops from the Inside

By |January 21st, 2026|

Columinate Manager on Contract (MOC) consultants provide essential support that strengthens co-ops in transition—through both short-term and long-term agreements. MOC services are more diverse than many people may appreciate. The program serves food co-ops needing various management support, and MOC provides leadership in a wide range of scenarios.

Return on Investment of Columinate’s Management on Contract Services

By |March 21st, 2021|

When co-ops enter a time of transition, they can turn to Columinate's group of experts available for contract management services. These folks step in as Interim General Managers (IGMs) to work fast and smart, implementing lasting change for their clients. Ranging from a few months to a few years, IGM engagements are meant to bridge a co-op from Point A to Point B.

Nurturing Inclusion and Diversity on Staff

By |November 7th, 2018|

The Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op (TPSS) in Takoma Park, Maryland is a cooperative that is known for its diversity and inclusion among staff and customers. Currently, 48 employees from 20 countries work at the food co-op. Creating an atmosphere of welcome and exchange is something that they continually work on.

  • Leadership Learning Circles with Laura King

Laura King and Leadership Learning Circles

By |January 29th, 2026|

Your leadership team, or your organization’s board of directors, are likely to have skills in finance or marketing or visioning, or in all of these. But are these same leaders holding a team back by avoiding difficult issues, resisting ideas that differ from theirs, or delaying essential changes?

Just Launched!

The NEW Compensation Database Includes:

GM plus department, and manager roles

trans and non-binary people

and can report BIPOC equity issues and progress

  • Gender Equity Project

Manager Compensation Examination: Gender Equity Gaps Persist

By |January 31st, 2024|

Three years ago, I presented a webinar with data showing that female food co-op general managers (GMs) were paid significantly less than male GMs. Since then, Columinate has rolled out a new version of the database I drew on for my data, with the ability to collect more detailed and nuanced information. Along with updated data and charts, with help from Mike Houston we have testimonials from co-op managers on the high value of what is shared through the Columinate Compensation Database.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: DEI Teams Can Set a Foundation for Success

By |June 20th, 2022|

Columinate Intercultural Facilitator Darin Short has worked with a range of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committees, task forces, and teams across many sectors. Darin recently led a workshop, “Why Some Diversity Teams Succeed While Others Do Not” at the Thought Leadership conference in Elkhart, Indiana, in May. “No matter what setting you’re in, DEI is an emotional topic,” says Short. “We need to create safe spaces where people can express their emotions and can say exactly what they need to say with respect for the collective goal.”

  • Market studies area map

Deep Data Dive: Patrick Shabram Offers Market Analysis for Startups and Expansions

By |February 11th, 2026|

Location research consultant Patrick Shabram is a new Columinate member—welcome! Shabram has over thirty years of experience in store location research, market research, and Geographic Information Systems. His clients include both startup co-ops and established food co-ops planning expansion or relocation. Shabram summarizes his professional practice, using current research, as dedicated to providing accurate numbers that support informed decisions by the co-op’s planning group.

Columinate Job Board

Use our job board to fill all your local positions.

  • Leadership Learning Circles with Laura King

Laura King and Leadership Learning Circles

By |January 29th, 2026|

Your leadership team, or your organization’s board of directors, are likely to have skills in finance or marketing or visioning, or in all of these. But are these same leaders holding a team back by avoiding difficult issues, resisting ideas that differ from theirs, or delaying essential changes?

  • Gender Equity Project

Manager Compensation Examination: Gender Equity Gaps Persist

By |January 31st, 2024|

Three years ago, I presented a webinar with data showing that female food co-op general managers (GMs) were paid significantly less than male GMs. Since then, Columinate has rolled out a new version of the database I drew on for my data, with the ability to collect more detailed and nuanced information. Along with updated data and charts, with help from Mike Houston we have testimonials from co-op managers on the high value of what is shared through the Columinate Compensation Database.

  • Caring and Connection: Examples from history show the heart of cooperatives

Caring and Connection: Examples from history show the heart of cooperatives

By |December 7th, 2023|

The feeling of safety and belonging are also common needs and aspirations. It is why solidarity is a core cooperative value. A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and/or cultural needs and/or aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. —International Cooperative Alliance Statement of the Cooperative Identity

  • Leadership Learning Circles with Laura King

Laura King and Leadership Learning Circles

By |January 29th, 2026|

Your leadership team, or your organization’s board of directors, are likely to have skills in finance or marketing or visioning, or in all of these. But are these same leaders holding a team back by avoiding difficult issues, resisting ideas that differ from theirs, or delaying essential changes?

  • Market studies area map

Deep Data Dive: Patrick Shabram Offers Market Analysis for Startups and Expansions

By |February 11th, 2026|

Location research consultant Patrick Shabram is a new Columinate member—welcome! Shabram has over thirty years of experience in store location research, market research, and Geographic Information Systems. His clients include both startup co-ops and established food co-ops planning expansion or relocation. Shabram summarizes his professional practice, using current research, as dedicated to providing accurate numbers that support informed decisions by the co-op’s planning group.

  • Mighty Community Markets new Logo

Three Retailer Challenges Addressed by Mighty Community Markets Grocery Bootcamp

By |May 5th, 2025|

Independent grocery stores—mom-and-pop shops, food co-ops, and nonprofit-run markets—face unique and persistent challenges. From thin profit margins to limited formal training, retail leaders often find themselves navigating complex work with little support. Mighty Community Markets Grocery Bootcamp, presented by nationally recognized consultant and former general manager Jeanie Wells, was created to directly address key challenges faced by community-minded grocers across North America.

  • Patrick Shabram, Location Research Consultant

Patrick Shabram Brings Market Research Expertise to Columinate

By |January 27th, 2025|

Columinate is proud to welcome Patrick Shabram as a new consultant. Patrick comes to Columinate after working with location research expert Debbie Suassuna of G2G Research Group since 1998 (specifically, with G2G Research since 2017), bringing more than 30 years of experience in location research, market research, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the Columinate network.

Governance and Board Support

Columinate consultants are experts in providing board support to co-ops, non-profits and community organizations.  We offer an award-winning and innovative program for ongoing support that includes customized one-on-one support as well as online trainings.