I’m an anti-capitalist business owner.
How does that work?
Capitalism is a system that funnels profits to the top. The owners exploit the workers/producers for their labour while taking the profits. Yes, workers are paid, but they do not benefit from their labour to the extent that the owner does. This is exploitation. This system allows a few to hold the majority of wealth and resources while controlling access to those resources for the rest. This system prioritizes profits over the well-being of people and the planet.
Commerce is the exchange of goods and services for currency or barter. This is a system that has existed for thousands of years, long before the industrial capitalist system we now live in. Commerce can exist without exploitation when capitalism is removed from the equation.
As the sole proprietor of a small business and a creator, the work I do is directly compensated by the sales I make. I am not paying a workforce minimum wage to carry out labour on my behalf to maximize my earnings. I can make decisions to lessen my impact on the Earth and avoid unethical practices even if it affects my personal profits. This is the difference.
Anti-capitalism is anti-harm and anti-exploitation. Not anti-business. I believe there is more than enough prosperity to go around (please don’t get me started on competition) if the hoarding and extraction stops.