Entrepreneurs are a rare breed of individuals and partnerships that are constantly reinvigorating the nature of business. Sometimes found tucked away in non-traditional environments of old warehouse buildings in this rust belt region, they begin small and lean attracting forward thinking talent to build solid frameworks that provide services for modern commerce. They push the old business models into new terrority.
These entrepreneurs begin with ideas and intentions turning dreams into reality with consistent and often pragmatic efforts. Seeking guidance through business incubators, industry mentors and financial experts, they gather the tools and information they need to realize functional applications which ultimately turn into profits. They are smart about conducting business not leaving success up to happenstance as they're set on evolving expansion creatively with market sense rather than contracting out of fear.
They are fresh in their approach. Many don’t believe their “work” environments have to be dull or stiff oversized corporate structures devoid of personality, instead opting to nurture environments of collaboration and creativity.
“I started my business because I wanted to go somewhere everyday that I enjoyed.” One entrepreneur said to me.
It’s a common thought amongst of this generation who have the motivation and positive thought patterns that unite and energize their teams.
In some cases new hip businesses remind me of Montessori style schools with nooks of cushy couches where team members may go with laptops in hand to work on proposals or details of solutions. Through their proliferation its proven effective as businesses become more successful. It’s a more holistic approach to conducting business where fun, freedom, and support are elements in the equation.
Respecting talent and understanding that without it there is little achieved in the overall scheme means accepting those individual personalities. Team or community is fostered in several ways whether eating together a fresh cooked meal by the chef on staff or celebrating goals met. These new methods of the work place have lasting value for the team’s productivity and bare the identities of their entrepreneurial ownership.
Working doesn’t have to be painful. The “office” or “shop” can be a place you go to apply your skills productively with ingenuity to accomplish something greater than you could alone. If people like what they are doing and where they are doing it while feeling fairly treated, they will in turn take care of the customers’ needs.
The Holistic business model doesn’t just stop with the setting or internal operations, its spectrum goes into the relationships with clients and the services provided. There is a greater likelihood of custom applications being produced alternatively then the one size fits all. The flexibility in thinking results in greater creativity. Positive energy attracts positive energy, which is the best result anyone or business can hope for.
The economic forest is reseeding with this rare breed of entrepreneurs as they manifest their dreams. In this phase of evolution they are providing new products and services helping us and other businesses adapt to technology that improves quality of life whether in our careers or lifestyles. They are also reminding us of the power in dreaming and having the courage to take the first step forward. Growth!
about the author: Karen Ollis is an experienced photographer specializing in studio portraiture, and environmental on-location portraits for editorial stories, PR and marketing testimonials. instagram @ollisphoto