Entrepreneur.com tells of three entrepreneurs who measure success by more than their bottom line. In their commitment to make a difference in their communities they are examples of truly "good entrepreneurs".
"The role of businesses in civic responsibility--actively working in communities for positive change--blows past charity donations and in-house recycling programs as businesses take an aggressive, hands-on approach to making change happen in their communities. Despite the tarnished image some business leaders have sustained in recent years, there are shining examples of those who work to build successful communities as well as successful businesses."
The first was Kowalski's Markets in Woodbury, MN.
"The Kowalskis had an opportunity to flex their civic muscle when they purchased four store locations in 2002. One of the stores was located in Minneapolis' Camden neighborhood, a lower- to middle-class community unlike their typical upscale customer demographic. Rather than sell the property, the Kowalskis decided they had an obligation to provide a neighborhood grocery store to that community since the former tenant had failed to do so, and the civic experiment began."
James Tufenkian uses his carpet business to make a difference in Armenia, his ancestral homeland.
"(H)e brought several Tibetan craftsmen and revived ancient Armenian carpet weaving through his business, which now employs more than 2,000 people in Armenia and nearly 10,000 in Nepal. Tufenkian also started the Tufenkian Foundation, with about 15 different programs to benefit Armenian society; Armenian Forests, a nongovernmental organization to stop deforestation; and Tufenkian Heritage Hotels, with three locations open so far, to drive tourism to Armenia."
Michelle Rathman is the owner of a St. Charles, Illinois-based marketing/PR firm.
"Her mother abandoned her and her three sisters when Rathman was 4 years old. Rathman left her home and her abusive, alcoholic father and lived on the streets at a young age....(S)he shares her story with inner-city youths. She provides insight and advice in hopes of enabling them to make good choices."
