Never underestimate the power of passion
On June 7, 2013, entrepreneurs from across the state converged upon Portland for the 2013 Oregon Entrepreneur Summit sponsored by the Oregon Entrepreneur Network (OEN). Walking in, you can almost feel the concentrated excitement reverberating through the glass walls. That’s not an unusual feeling at start-up related events! You know you are surrounded by entrepreneurs when each direction you turn, you hear how someone is “pivoting” their business model, “disrupting” an industry, cultivating “lean” processes, demonstrating their “MVP” (minimal viable product), or asserting that their service or product is a “game changer.” At this OEN conference and tradeshow, I was representing the Umpqua Business Center, my RARE AmeriCorps Program – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments placement organization – a new small business incubator in Roseburg, Oregon.
The fifteen speakers from multiple industries shared their pivotal lessons, experiences, and struggles as company founders and entrepreneurs. Ken Barker, CEO of CRAiLAR Technologies, discussed his successes and struggles moving forward a sustainable, natural fiber that is revolutionizing the textile industry. Lisa Sedladr, the former New Seasons CEO, created a unique niche by blending the concept of a health food store and convenience market to offer fresh, healthy food in an accessible way through her business, Green Zebra Grocery. Mark Frohnmayer, founder of Arcimoto, turned his entrepreneurial energy towards creating a more sustainable system of transportation with his company’s development of a quality, affordable electric vehicle. Each of these entrepreneurs found their unique passion, whether it’s local food or sustainability, and created a new company.
The backbone of the American economy is built upon small businesses and micro-enterprises (firms with 1-4 employees) which now make up 88% of the country’s businesses. Karen Mills, Former SBA Administrator, said that, “there are more than 28 million small businesses in the United States, and those firms create two out of every three net new jobs and employ half of America’s workforce.” We forget that even in small communities, there are pockets of entrepreneurs. The quantity may be smaller but the same level of passion and persistence is there.
Oregon has a bubbling culture of entrepreneurship and innovation…maybe “frothing” with the number of start-ups opening in the craft beer, coffee, and wine industries. While many consider cities the hub of new business, there are quite a few start-ups beginning or expanding in rural areas. Entrepreneurs can be anyone. They can be home cooks starting to sell artisan finishing salts at a local farmers market, a young farmer planting Camelina in between their primary crop seasons, or a family that owns a small-scale barbecue restaurant and wants to expand to new locations and offer signature bottled sauces.
That’s the exciting thing about entrepreneurship: great ideas can come from anyone. With a pinch of capital investment, smidgen of business acumen, and importantly – a dash of dedication, anyone has the opportunity to be an entrepreneur. This OEN Summit was an exciting opportunity to be immersed in the start-up culture and be reminded that regardless of whether you are from an urban or rural area: never underestimate the power of passion.
OEN’s 2014 Entrepreneurial Summit – The Entrepreneurial’s Journey
Stay tuned at http://www.oen.org/events/oens-entrepreneurial-summit
About the Author: Alexa Carey is a Regional Program Associate for Rural Development Initiatives where she trains rural community leaders and facilitates economic development programs across the state. During her 2012-2013 RARE AmeriCorps Program year, she served as the Business Development Specialist at the Umpqua Business Center. She is a Startup Weekend facilitator, social media strategies speaker, and rural community enthusiast.