Why Entrepreneurs Matter

Enabling Common Individuals to Achieve Uncommon Economic – and Social – Goals

By Thom Ruhe

What do Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, and Federal Express have in common? They all started in the difficult conditions of economic recessions yet became incredibly successful by recognizing new products or new ways to service existing industries. They carefully sized the market demand for their new product or service and took calculated risk towards meeting that demand. In short, they were entrepreneurs that built great companies by following their passion and hard work.

Another pioneer defined a new service category for the nascent online landscape. With online auctions fairly ubiquitous now, one should remember that it was the entrepreneurial vision of eBay that empowered individuals with entrepreneurial dreams to achieve the then uncommon ability of being able to sell directly to buyers.

This represented a paradigm shift to industries that were built around channels of distribution that always added cost to the final product but rarely added value beyond logistical support. This meant that entire segments of the economy became more efficient and more cost effective as eBay enabled the creation of new supply chains that forced greater competition and value.

Associates from Marion Labs likewise benefitted from the entrepreneurial acumen of our founding namesake – Ewing Marion Kauffman. Mr. Kauffman came from very humble beginnings yet was able to build a fortune by recognizing opportunities where others did not, and tenaciously executing on thoughtful strategies to meet those opportunities. The total benefit of his success wasn’t just personal however as Marion Labs employed thousands of individuals and made several hundred of his earliest loyal associates millionaires when Marion Labs merged with Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc.

He understood, better than most that entrepreneurship was a powerful tool for social transformation. Simply put, entrepreneurship allowed common individuals to achieve uncommon goals.

And so it is that eBay has encouraged average individuals from all walks of life to realize their entrepreneurial calling, and why the Kauffman Foundation is a proud supporter of the eBay Sellers Challenge.

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