A nation on fire consumes the media, our hearts, and our minds. There is a natural desire to help, to do something, anything, to help those who are losing homes, property, and loved ones. For those who have ideas for an entrepreneurial response, I recently published a map of Australian innovation support roles focused on climate-related action. There are also many options to donate to send funds to the fire support and those in need.

It is difficult to reconcile a desire to help when so many are hurting. Even beyond our own situation, flooding in Jakarta has taken lives in the worst rains in over 24 years. Anger and activism come as we attempt to make sense of the pain through questions of ‘why’ and ‘how’.

These thoughts flit at the edges of my mind as I spend my day completing my thesis, researching sustainable approaches to regional innovation that build community resilience. How can I work on something seemingly so unrelated when so many are hurting?

I then received the message below from someone who read one of my previous posts:

Hi Chad,

I was curious about a statement you made. How do we make a positive societal impact when start ups begin? To be honest, I’ve been focused on trying to gain momentum purely for financial reasons. I have not even considered for-profit business operating with vision for good social impact.

Do you think it matters and why? If so, what is even realistically achievable for a startup? How do we make a positive societal impact when startups begin?

Thanks for connecting…

This is such a great question. With any idea or question we have, we can be guaranteed that someone else is thinking the same thing.

I will add a caveat that we are discussing businesses that are not explicitly set up primarily as a social enterprise. Businesses such as FloodMapp or Mineral Carbonation International, both who reached out to me from my previous post, are in the thick of solutions to the current challenges. Others may integrate impact into their business model, such as one-for-one models like Tom’s Shoes or aligning product to causes like the Good Beer Co.

Others provide services or deliver products not directly related to current challenges. These businesses just starting out can find it difficult to know how to respond, particularly when they may be trying to just keep their own financial head above water.

For the benefit of others, to crowd source further input, and to capture my perspective at this point in time, I copy my response below.

A response to how a startup changes the world

Great question!  I don’t know your situation, so below are just some personal reflections, take what adds value.

First, is your business exceptional?

The business needs to be sustainable and exceptional to make a difference. No one would listen to Atlassian if the product was garbage.

If it is a fee for service web agency, then let that be a focus. Build a successful company, do each aspect exceptionally well.  Customer service, quality of solutions, staff management, technical application, solution architecture, business analysis, sales and marketing, maintenance, and the list goes on. There is a lot to go into running a business. Get the machine working well. 

Second, what difference do you want to make in the world?

That may be your business – you may be passionate about great websites, efficient digital business operation, a specific technology like blockchain or WordPress or AI or AR, or some facet such as content or operational such as staff management.

That may be a cause – indigenous, climate, regional, small business, females or gender – there are a lot to choose from.

Finally, it may be personal – family or faith.

Whichever it is, make a difference there. 

Connect with others who have similar passions, locally and globally.  Look around your local network for meetups and networks of like-minded individuals. If one does not exist, create that community.

Find the cross-section of your day job and interest – ‘digital and the environment’, ‘business owners and faith’, ‘technology and small business’.  Talk about it, perhaps write about it, be known for that thing and you will attract others to make it more than what you could do on your own.

If it aligns with your interests and passion, it will be natural and authentic. It will also attract customers who align with the position and create a competitive advantage.

Then as your business gets more exceptional and sustainable, consider pointing the capital and resources you are building at the difference you want to make. In that order. 

Again, take what adds value, I expect you may already be down the path given you reached out, keen to hear more of what you are up to, happy to help.

Using the situation as motivation

When I managed a local innovation hub, entrepreneur members would often ask how they could help. My response was always the same:

“Be a success“.

We give where we can and where we can have a direct impact. Sometimes that may be giving a portion of our product or service. Other times it is being sustainable to then give a portion of profit. Still others may be in a position to personally volunteer.

Thinking through my response helped focus my own efforts. I need to get my thesis complete so I can get back in the field helping those in regions create a sustainable future.

There are many on the front-line supporting the fire response, while others are in leadership positions making critical decisions on policy and budget changes. Our hearts go out to them as it is challenging for everyone involved.

I am also so grateful for others keeping the country running. In the months and years to come we need more successful and sustainable businesses generating profit and creating employment, managed by leaders who have integrity, vision, and compassion.

This then becomes our capital and a valuable resource of a resilient nation.