I just finished Ben Franklin’s autobiography. The subtitle is quite relevant to today’s small business owner: “America’s Original Entrepreneur.”
The book opened my eyes to basic entrepreneurship. He started out as “one who starts a business.” Ben created companies for the public good, not for personal gain. Did he benefit? Yes. But that was not his motivation. Today that definition has been somewhat distorted to mean someone who creates wealth for personal gain. His desire to do the public good prompted him to create all these companies.
I like the original definition better. It feeds my small business needs a big argument for enthusiasm. If you don’t believe in what you’re doing, how will others? Yes, some people can sell things they don’t believe in for money and not feel guilty (or at least not for a while). That’s one of the reasons the economy tanked. Some people didn’t care that they were selling fictitious products for a lot of money.
Ben says, “I became convinced that truth, authenticity, and integrity in all interpersonal dealings were fundamental to success and happiness.”
I also believe that you can do good and earn money, like Ben. He grew up poor with only a few years of formal education. His zest for life and his dogged persistence brought him wealth, fame and happiness. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, authored Poor Richard’s Almanac, and founded the first Philadelphia fire department and the University of Pennsylvania. Not to mention that he signed the Declaration of Independence.
Talk about a hustler.
And you? What company can you undertake for the public good? Perhaps looking at your business from this new angle will energize you. Just thought!
