To the untrained eye business is simply about making money. Many very successful business people completely believe this along with many more people who have never given being in business a second thought. I don’t. I believe that business is a sustainable vehicle for change. In fact I believe that business is the only way to make realistic, long term changes for the better in the largely capitalist society we live.

Having said this business and the free market does not always make changes for the better mainly because companies lose their original direction and become focused on making more money for their founders, their shareholders and the companies the sell their products. From my own experience and the study of other businesses it is clear to see that the most successful business are those born out of solving a problem in society. That may be providing people with technology to help make life easier, or the food they need where they live, it could be any number of problems but few companies who aren’t solving a real problem succeed. I like to refer to these as ‘me too’ businesses because they are simply trying to capitalize where other trailblazers have been successful.

If making money is your only reason for starting a business I would suggest you think again. Money is the by product of business, the reward if you will, but like most rewards they can only be gained by achieving a goal before others. You will be much more driven to achieve that goal if it is something you are passionate about that will benefit others in society.

If you have an idea that you think will make a difference to other people’s lives you can find a business model to support it. Then all you need to do is get out there and change the world as we know it.