Apr20
Profit with a Purpose
I’m sitting in an 18th century apartment in old town Riga.
Riga is the capital of the Baltic Republic of Latvia, who now is nearly two decades from declaring their independence from the Soviet Union. The transformation of this city into a modern European metropolis is truly amazing.
Why I’m here, however, has everything to do with owning my own business. And nothing to do with it.
I come here every year to speak to a group of young men preparing to lead their growing country. They are in a three year graduate program. The first year consists of classroom instruction and the next two practical work experience.
I get a week in the classroom with these emerging leaders and some time in the field with previous students. I give my time for free and pay my own travel expenses because this cause is something that has deeply touched my heart. I have no business interests in Latvia and anticipate no monetary return on my investment.
It has nothing to do with my business. And it has everything to do with it.
When you own your own business and run that business well, you have freedom. Freedom to be true to the things that matter most to you and freedom to give your time and your money to the causes you believe in.
I happen to embrace a revolutionary concept: I believe that small businesses can solve some of the the most pressing problems of our day. Well run, cause-driven small businesses, using the revenue of that business—instead of manipulative fundraising techniques—to finance those causes.
That’s why I’m in Riga today. Where will you go to change the world?
