From an idealistic lens, businesses should be about making profit in exchange to not only offering something of demand, but offering a product or service that enhances the community it is serving. America’s shinning star is the Free Market; a land where the consumer ideally determines what is bought and sold. In recent year, contrary to the shinning star, we have seen local governments override the Free Market in order to help protect its people.
For example, in some California communities, restraunts are prohibbited from using certain ingredients tehat have dramatically negative effects on its consumers. To some, this intervention by the government bears a great offense. If the consumer finds the ingredients to be unwelcoming, then the product will not be purchased, thus the market regulates itself. But, according to some, that ideal is not always the case. As companies becoming increasingly shrewd in market research and consumer trends, some believe that companies like McDonald’s are predatory towards impoverished demographics. If one understands the economics behind the food industry, and one can position oneself to corner the food market, one can in theory override the free market.
I share these thoughts because we at the ACT Boot Camp just had a long discussion on the nature of our company. The need for profit is ever looming, and the lack of is a constant threat to our demise. But in addition, we have to ask ourselves this question: “Is the service our business provides the caliber of business that makes me believe our community is better off?” or “Does our work really matter?”
I believe to both questions the answer is yes. I just sat in a room with 21 northern Kentucky students who have dedicated 5 weeks towards ACT prep in order to be best prepared for college. And I know that everyone of those kids are prepared, everyone of them have a much higher chance of getting obtaining the necessary resources for school, for training, for a career.
My company enhances my community. Now I just need my community to trust us with their students.