Empowering Small Businesses, Driving Wealth Creation, and Building a Collaborative Economy
In the dynamic landscape of commerce, few ideas are as innovative and inclusive as the model Richard G. Stewart presents at Leading Entrepreneurs of the World. Stewart, the Founder and Chairman of WeSave, introduces a groundbreaking framework that redefines commerce by fostering collaboration, ownership, and shared prosperity. His vision for “democratizing commerce” is not merely a business strategy but a paradigm shift toward economic inclusivity and mutual growth.
A Marketplace Rooted in Reciprocity
WeSave emerges as a revolutionary platform addressing the challenges small businesses face in a highly competitive and increasingly digital world. Stewart articulates a bold vision: a marketplace where small merchants thrive through collective action. Unlike traditional e-commerce giants that prioritize scale and consolidation, WeSave positions itself as a community-driven ecosystem.
“Small merchants can achieve greatness when they unite,” Stewart explains. He draws a compelling analogy to auto malls, where competing car dealerships co-locate to mutual benefit. “When merchants share a platform and collaborate, their collective strength becomes a force multiplier.”
WeSave’s marketplace incorporates a clearinghouse model to track transactions and distribute revenue equitably among participants. Merchants, members, and other stakeholders benefit from what Stewart terms the “revenue distribution engine,” which ensures that every transaction generates shared value. “This system transforms competition into cooperation,” he says.
Transforming Financial Participation
Stewart doesn’t stop at creating a marketplace. He reimagines how individuals and businesses participate financially in the ecosystem. Drawing inspiration from the Visa and Mastercard models, WeSave allows participants to function as issuers and acquirers, enabling them to earn from both customer and merchant onboarding.
“We adopt the best elements of financial systems, but with a twist—everyone has the opportunity to own a stake in the system,” Stewart explains. This model not only incentivizes growth but also democratizes participation in a manner unprecedented in commerce.
To solidify this vision, Stewart navigates the rigorous approval process with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), securing the right to issue stock to every merchant and member who joins WeSave. “Ownership changes the game,” he asserts. “It aligns incentives, builds loyalty, and fosters a genuine sense of belonging.”
Building Wealth Through Assets
A standout feature of WeSave is its focus on wealth creation for its participants. Stewart introduces an innovative investable store, allowing members to convert rewards into tangible, appreciating assets such as gold, collectibles, and art.
“This isn’t just about rewards points,” Stewart states. “We give real money back to our members, empowering them to invest in assets that hold long-term value.” He contrasts this approach with traditional loyalty programs that restrict benefits to discounts or points, emphasizing that WeSave is designed to help individuals build financial resilience.
Stewart’s personal philosophy underpins this aspect of the platform. “It’s not how much you earn, but how you use it. Investing in assets is an investment in your future,” he explains, drawing on decades of experience in fractional ownership and asset-backed ventures.
Empowering Communities and Merchants
At its core, WeSave is a lifeline for small businesses. Stewart notes the economic pressures that have led to the decline of mom-and-pop shops and empty storefronts across communities. By uniting small merchants on a single platform, WeSave equips them with the tools and visibility needed to compete.
“We give merchants more than just a marketplace. We give them ownership, faster access to funds, and a stake in the system,” Stewart says. Merchants receive stock in WeSave and benefit from the platform’s collective traffic-driving efforts. Additionally, merchants earn revenue even when their customers shop with competitors on the platform—a radical departure from conventional business models.
Stewart’s commitment to social impact extends beyond business. WeSave channels a portion of its revenue to support community initiatives, creating a ripple effect of positive change. “This is about more than commerce. It’s about creating an ecosystem that uplifts everyone,” he remarks.
The Road Ahead
The future of WeSave is as promising as its foundational vision. Stewart expresses absolute confidence in the platform’s ability to scale and revolutionize commerce. With the system already operational and partnerships forming with major banks and merchant networks, WeSave positions itself for exponential growth.
“WeSave is not just an idea; it is a proven, functioning system,” Stewart declares. He envisions a platform that reaches every corner of the globe, connecting millions of merchants and consumers in an ecosystem of shared value. His team focuses on scaling the network, increasing the diversity of assets in the investable store, and onboarding representatives across cities to bring merchants into the fold.
Stewart underscores the immense potential for growth: “The momentum is undeniable. Every day, more merchants see the value of a cooperative economy. We are building a movement where the success of one becomes the success of all.”
Looking ahead, Stewart sees WeSave transforming not just commerce, but the way communities thrive economically. He believes the platform will become a cornerstone of financial stability for small businesses and a driver of wealth for participants. “WeSave will be the blueprint for a new era of commerce,” he asserts. “This is not just an ambitious vision; it is the future we are already creating.”
A Partnership Economy
Stewart envisions WeSave as the foundation of a new economic system he calls the “partnership economy.” In this model, collaboration replaces competition, and shared ownership ensures that value creation benefits all participants. He underscores the importance of this approach in today’s volatile economic climate.
“Every participant, from the smallest merchant to the largest stakeholder, has a role to play and a share in the success,” Stewart explains. “This is a movement toward shared prosperity.”
Richard J. Stewart’s WeSave represents a bold reimagining of commerce as a tool for collective empowerment. By integrating principles of collaboration, ownership, and wealth creation, WeSave offers a glimpse into a future where business and community align seamlessly.
As Stewart eloquently concludes, “This is not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about we.”
