I had my heart set on this 5 acre lot in Locust Grove, GA where I envisioned building my own production lot and community development space. The townhomes in my gated community were selling at nice prices so I put my house up for sale and watched all those homes around me sell, but mine. Punctured a huge hole in my plan. I continued to advocate for a Free Palestine, to Stop Cop City ( an initiative that doesn’t exactly make you popular amongst the elite here in Atlanta). So it was no surprise that due to my vocal advocacy, I have lost out on so many opportunities and so much money. My former speaking agent still owes me $40,000, and just this year alone I lost out on roughly $60,000 in opportunities where corporations and nonprofits told me, “we decided to go in another direction” at the last minute. Money and jobs I was certainly counting on to help me get out of the debt I am now in.
However, as I have said before, I believe community is always key and prioritizing community over capitalism. These bills still need to get paid though. So I have come up with an idea that I believe will model just that.
Welcome to PotluckFire Studios
I have created a membership only, radically inclusive creative sanctuary for Artists, Storytellers & Visionaries Podcasting & Recording Studios | Music Production & Video Shoots, Photography & Content Creation | Mentorship & Collaboration
Limited Early-Access Spots Available!
This space is 3 levels. On the top levels I now offer lodging starting at just $60/night for a guest room with private bathtub and shower, or the master suite at just $99/night that includes a HUGE private bathroom, with spa tub, separate shower and walk-in closet.
In preparation for also working and living in New York, and abroad, I have moved out of my bedroom and into the lower level where the studio space is. There is an additional bedroom on that level with a pull-out bed that doubles as my recording studio. I also moved my altar where I chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo every morning and every evening. I welcome those in my Buddhist community and those interested in Buddhism to chant with me every morning at 7am and every evening at 7pm. The lower level includes studio space that can be use for podcasting, video production or for music recording. Space rental starts at just $50/hr and I have all the equipment you would need for a high quality production for rent in the space as well as equipment to rent for your next project outside of the studio space. External equipment rentals are handled through Sharegrid.com
That being said. I decided to create a lane for capitalism and commercial pricing for my studio spaces and services as well as a lane for community, that isn’t always about money, it can be about mutual aid and benefit and how we can bring value to each other. Those who are willing to volunteer in the studio space can earn studio credits to use towards bookings.
Currently, I am looking for someone in the Atlanta area (we are specifically in North Decatur) who wants to be a Potluckfire community member and volunteer as our community manager as well as help on-site when needed. This is one of those ways in which one would not need to pay to use the studio if they are helping to manage the studio.
I also film my podcast N.O.W. - No Opportunity Wasted LIVE on Monday nights at 10pm ET. Volunteering on the onsite or online production team is another way to earn studio credits.
So…want to become a member of Potluckfire? You can become a paid Co-working member or a FREE community member. Visit Potluckfire.com to checkout membership pricing. You can also click here to: “Apply Now” to become a member. Community membership may technically be “FREE” but the admission price for this community is “accountability” and a reciprocation of value or mutual aid.
As with everything there just needs to be community agreements and an understanding that protects the space, the equipment, and creates value that is mutually beneficial.