I hardly ever read a book twice, but there is one I return to now and then to see how we Boomers are doing compared to what was predicted: Generations: The History of America’s Future by William Strauss and Neil Howe written in 1991.
Are we becoming who they said we would be?
Based on their reading of history, Strauss and Howe proposed we would “demand sweeping moral authority and…assume an air of stuffy principle, off-putting to fun-loving younger adults. This generation’s quest for righteousness will extend globally in elderhood. It is easy to picture aging Boomers as noble, self-sacrificing patriarchs—but just as easy to see these righteous Old Aquarians as the worst nightmare that could ever happen to the world.”
The authors paint a frightening picture of what we might become as we grow older. Exercise, eating right and taking our medications are not going to be enough to keep us from becoming the overbearing and self-absorbed generation that everyone will be glad to see leaving.
However, I think I have found something that may save us from that fate: Investing in the “fun-loving younger adults” who also have serious dreams for their lives.
I’ve mentioned the work of Praxis in previous blogs, but I have always focused on the nonprofit organizations enrolled in the year-long mentoring process. However, Praxis also mentors for-profit companies, and this year I have been involved with this side of their work. I just returned from a meeting in San Francisco, and the dynamic in the room when these young entrepreneurs give their “pitches” is significantly different.
Yes, there was plenty of idealism and high energy. Yes, the participants were not only focused on profits and doing well but also doing good. There was an air of genuine goofiness and even comedy, but in the end they were all business.
This impressive group of business entrepreneurs understands the pressures of creating products that will sell, capturing and holding customers, and building a viable and valuable enterprise. These are young for-profit companies asking for working capital based on their business acumen and skills. Even though all of them are committed believers, there is no grading on the curve or special concessions for that. They must succeed or fail on their own merits and business plan.
Here are three examples:
Jon Beekman founded Man Crates, a “new, tastefully irreverent brand” that sells “bragworthy gifts for guys.” He started the company in 2011 with the manifesto, “We say ‘no’ to ugly neckties, cologne samplers and executive trinkets. We don’t save wrapping paper, we don’t do ribbons…Man Crates packs only the best guy-approved gear, gadgets and grub into wooden crates and ships every crate with a crowbar for truly unforgettable gift experiences.”
Jonathan Robinson had the idea for FreeTextBooks after he began to make some money in college by finding cheaper textbooks for his friends. The company has become an on-campus marketplace for students to rent, buy and sell textbooks from their friends, replacing the need for a brick and mortar campus bookstore. Today’s technology allows hundreds of “student influencers” on multiple college campuses to use their smartphones to quickly find, order and ship textbooks to other students, making a commission each time.
David Simnick created SoapBox Soaps, using a model similar to TOMS. This startup where “Soap = Hope” gives away soap, vitamin supplements or clean water for every product it sells. Once SoapBox was picked up by Whole Foods, its distribution exploded and you can now find their products in Costco, Harris Teeter, The Fresh Market and thousands of other stores around the country.
A company looking to attract investors is far removed from the world of a nonprofit looking for tax-deductible gifts, although in the past I have seen many — too many — ministries use the language of investment to try and attract donations. It doesn’t work because the prospect of investing appeals to another area of the brain entirely.
It is not about good feelings but about a financial return for taking a risk. It is not serving on the missions committee at church but is more akin to joining Mark Cuban on “Shark Tank” and making the potential companies prove themselves and their plans.
In the evangelical community, there is still the lingering doubt and guilt that money invested in a business will not be as pleasing to God as money given away to a ministry. We mistakenly believe that money is made only to be given away, not to capitalize a business that must make a profit to grow.
But we don’t have to be one to the exclusion of the other. In fact, we need both. Those who are more comfortable with giving can do that, and those who have an affinity for—and competence in—business investment can focus their efforts there.
I appreciate Praxis supporting both the nonprofit social entrepreneurs and the for-profit business creators. As well, I am grateful for the opportunity to ward off the prospect of early onset stuffiness and moral arrogance by frequent exposure to these new friends.