We spend a lot of time discussing the need for a more entrepreneurial Michigan, but sometimes we forget to mention that there are multiple types of entrepreneurs. Not all entrepreneurs seek market success, dress in suits, or want to build a business from the ground up: some entrepreneurs are simply ordinary people (in jeans and t-shirts, even) who want to spark thought and improvement in the world around them. Those in the second group are considered social entrepreneurs. (Social entrepreneurs can, however, also be business entrepreneurs.) In attempting to cultivate an entrepreneurial environment, it is absolutely essential to create not only business-savvy entrepreneurs but also social entrepreneurs.

Social entrepreneurs possess many of the same qualities as those individuals typically thought of when discussing entrepreneurs – risk-taking, adaptability, and creativity – but use those qualities to create social change and societal improvement rather than to maximize economic gains. Social entrepreneurs work to eradicate poverty, feed the hungry, and serve as advocates for people who have no voice in the world, among other things. As one innovative Michigander explains things, social entrepreneurs do the work that they do by maximizing the utility of “human resources (action, passion, ideas) and human solidarity.”

A society of entrepreneurs and innovators simply could not exist without social entrepreneurs because where business entrepreneurs typically work to enhance markets, social entrepreneurs completely transform the necessary infrastructure and attitudes of a society. Social entrepreneurs identify a problem within the system and take a pivotal role in solving it. They act as leaders, inspiring others to join their cause. Although business entrepreneurs create new opportunities and expand market capabilities, social entrepreneurs do more to change society as a whole because they often work to modify preexisting attitudes, structures, and ideas.

The best thing about social entrepreneurs is that anyone can be one. Although it often takes specialized knowledge and business knowledge to become an enterprise entrepreneur, social entrepreneurs are ordinary people who maximize their potential by generating and implementing ideas about how to improve the world around them. Additionally, social entrepreneurs are role models who convince others to rally around a cause and work together to drive social change.

Michigan is a state that has tremendous entrepreneurial potential. As Alex Hill, founder of the Michigan non-profit SCOUT BANANA (an entrepreneurial organization that works with African communities to provide access to basic health care), puts it, “the culture of Michigan is strong and very people and community oriented. The only reason that it has become non-conducive to entrepreneurship is because of the perceived loss of opportunity. Michigan has forgotten how to innovate and be creative.” If more individuals strived to become social entrepreneurs like the many hard-working members of organizations like SCOUT BANANA and worked to spark social change within this state, Michigan would have its own innovation revolution. Although people often struggle to believe this, just one person with one idea can make a huge difference.

Because of our community-focused culture, Michigan is ideally situated to become a more entrepreneurial state. We have many innovative and creative individuals, and if a society where social entrepreneurship is the norm starts to take hold, other types of entrepreneurship will follow naturally. By encouraging social entrepreneurs and idea promotion, we will eventually move in the creative, adaptable, risk-taking direction that will take us to where we as a state want to be.

by Caitlin Blair
Many ideas for this article come from interviews with Alex Hill and various Spotlight Michigan members. We would like to thank them for their insight and contribution to the innovative climate in Michigan. You can learn more about or contribute to SCOUT BANANA by visiting scoutbanana.org. If you are a Michigan student, check to see if your school has a SCOUT BANANA chapter!