This is a question that haunts me. I once owned a business and the strange thing is that I never intended to. I just wanted to make buildings green and so that means offering a service and that meant that I was a business. A business with a mission. Our secret mission was to 'transform the way buildings are built'. Through that process I learned that I love business - I love the process - the strategic planning, the accountability, that I am providing a service that has a value...that for others I am adding value.
Recently I spent a good chunk of time at the Kennedy School of Government - a place where the question ' ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country', seems to be alive and thriving. People are very clear about the cause to which they were in service. I left there thinking government is the place where service is really possible. If you are driven by that inner whispering. Which apparently I am. And yet I am not sure I have the personality for for government, having now been an entrepreneur for ten years.
So I feel the draw of being of service, and the draw of business...sometimes lately I have felt like they are two internal horses are headed in different directions. It is slightly uncomfortable! Not unlike when I founded my original company these things were resolved in the details....finding how I could contribute. And so now again - in the last few days some of the veil of confusion is lifting and I see some ways, some opportunities where I can use the forces of capitalism in service of the good!
Stay tuned for news of Urban Fabrics new service offering!
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