#100Startup: Passion + Usefulness = Success

Last updated on: June 5, 2012 at 8:40 am by Steve Knight

#100Startup: Passion + Usefulness = Success 2012-06-05T00:12:54-03:00 Steve Knight

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This week I’m blogging through Chris Guillebeau’s new book The $100 Startup and giving away a free signed copy! Find out how you can enter to win »

In the book, Chris Guillebeau talks about the “microbusiness revolution,” or people like him who are solopreneurs (entrepreneurs who work for themselves, usually have no employees, etc.). He writes, “Freedom is what we’re all looking for, and value is the way to achieve it. … Value is created when a person make something useful and shares it with the world.”

Here’s the secret formula (which isn’t really a secret), straight from the book:

Or, in other words:

Passion or skill + usefulness = success

Or, as Chris says later in the book:

(Passion + skill) → (problem + marketplace) = opportunity

The key is to figure out what you’re passionate about that intersects with what other people care about (i.e., what there is a market for). That sweet spot of convergence is the thing you’re good at that people will pay you for. Maybe it’s some kind of knowledge work or maybe it’s something hands-on, but whatever it is, figure out what that is and get started.

The future belongs to missional entrepreneurs who can create new models for sustainability. It starts with knowing who you are, your gifts, your passions, your abilities, and then where that connects with your community.

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” —Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC

What are you passionate about that you could imagine turning into a missional business? Share that idea in the comments on the contest giveaway post for a chance to win the book!

Previous Post

June 4, 2012

Missional Monday: Mission of God Study Bible, Missio Alliance, crippledJesus, and More

Next Post

June 5, 2012 Disrupt Your Church's Status Quo ... Or Else?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Books Definitions Events Funding Funny History Mainline denominations Missional Mondays Networks Offers Startups Tech Theology Video Youth-Young Adult Ministry

Select a Month January 2014 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Faith without works is dead"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

James Peter John Paul