The young people of our world are growing up in a very unique time. These people have experienced more wars, tragedies, and economic failures then most grown ups do in a lifetime. While many individuals would expect this to have a negative impact on our youth, I notice a different trend.

Many young people are taking a unique approach to entrepreneurship and business. Instead of trying to create businesses that solely exist for profits, social good has become a huge market. From Better World Books to The Community Corkboard, entrepreneurs are creating for-profit companies that include social good aspects. This effort is commendable, especially when you attempt to realize the possibilities.

Imagine a world where the rich were attempting to solve social issues through philanthropy (Gates, Buffet, etc), and the poor/entrepreneurs were trying to solve the issues with innovation. Everyone would bring their greatest assets to the table in the name of progress.

Forget the world where children are starving in third world countries….someone has created a for-profit that gets them food from first world countries efficiently. Forget the world with widespread disease….someone has created a for-profit that efficiently gets vaccine and education to everyone. Forget the world where individuals are destroying the environment…..someone has created a for-profit incentive program to be environmentally conscious.

While these things may not have been created yet, how far away are they? My guess is just a few years until we see them. Why? Because our youngest generations are growing up with a sense of social responsibility to something bigger then themselves. While they will miss the generation of enlisting in the armed forces during wartime, some would argue that they have the potential to be our nation’s greatest generation. Are you willing to bet against them?…..