"Yes, of course the bottom line is important.  But the true bottom line is:  You're not going to be here that long.  Live with Purpose." ~ Maya Angelou

I've been a businessman and entrepreneur my entire life. In fact, as a kid growing up on a farm in Missouri, I bought my first calf at the tender age of 9.  And I was turning a profit by age 10.

I've spent most of my time in small-to-medium-sized businesses, it seems most large corporations don't fully appreciate my out-of-the-box entrepreneurial thinking.

I also got a taste of the challenges nonprofit organizations face by spending a year as Vice President of Development for a nonprofit business organization.

Capitalism Meets Philanthropy

I'm proud to say I'm a philanthrocapitalist, meaning that any business I start will be for-profit and will also consciously dedicate significant resources to improving the quality of life on the planet. As I approach my late 50's, I'm committed to only doing things that "matter" or "make a positive difference" on the planet.

Budding Entrepreneur Down on the Farm

I've been blessed with some wonderful successes, like the Web development company I helped start in 1995 which went public in 1996 and I've also had some brutally painful "learning experiences" like the Social Cause Network I started in 2004 and just shut down a few months ago.

So, as Judy Collins said, "I've looked at life from both sides now..."

Small Businesses Rock

I'm passionate about the impact small-to-medium-sized businesses can have on transforming society.  I'm in total agreement with Paul Hawken as he so eloquently said, ""Business is the only mechanism on the Planet today powerful enough to produce the changes necessary to reverse global environmental and social degradation."

The Future

I'm also very optimistic about the future of the planet.  As I've interviewed these caring and innovative business owners and managers for this book, I realize there are many smart and dedicated people of all ages, all genders, all ethnic backgrounds, all religions who really are smart enough and committed enough to make sure we don't self destruct.

Family Matters

I'm also a husband, a father of three kids who keep me on my toes and I have two wonderful grandkids. 

And this book is dedicated to them because they are truly the solutions to the problems that we've created on the planet.

 

Jake Age 7

Isabella - 20 Months