Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Devin Thorpe, Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., located in Jacksonville, FL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

For over a decade, I've worked as an independent new media journalist, including writing over 500 bylines for Forbes. Along the way, I've convened several conferences and recently incorporated the conference business as The Super Crowd, Inc. we host the SuperCrowd series for the impact crowdfunding community. Together, we're working to accelerate the growth of the investor community supporting social entrepreneurs.

Tell us about yourself

Working to make the world better has long been an aspect of my goals and ambitions. Beginning more than a decade ago, I shifted that objective to become my primary focus. I write, podcast, YouTube, and speak about solving the world's big problems--climate change, poverty/social justice, and global health. I'm now convinced that investment crowdfunding is an underutilized tool for addressing those crises and working to expand its use.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Early in this century, I launched a FINRA-registered investment banking firm that grew to be recognized as one of the 100 fastest-growing companies in Utah--two years in a row. We helped dozens of companies raise growth capital and complete mergers and acquisitions. Today, I leverage the lessons learned there to help social enterprises raise money and investors to invest like pros.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Balancing the financial interests of a company and its shareholders with the human interests of its employees, customers, and other stakeholders is a great challenge. Those who suggest that shareholders are the only ones due allegiance in decision-making overlook the long-term health of the enterprise and its community. On the other hand, those who suggest that all company decisions that adversely affect people similarly oversimplify. Founders have a fiduciary duty to shareholders and an obligation to their employees, customers, and community. Balancing those interests can be excruciating.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Focus on building a community, not just a network. Any business exists within a larger ecosystem. To the extent you can build yours to suit the needs of your business, you will benefit from faster growth, easier access to capital, and--if you want--a quicker exit.
  2. Prioritize positive impact. The world doesn't need Uber for cats
    the world needs real solutions to the climate crisis, new inclusive economic models to improve social justice, and more affordable healthcare treatments, vaccines, and practices. Choose to solve a problem that matters.
  3. Celebrate diversity. Data overwhelmingly shows that diverse teams achieve more than homogeneous ones. Teams need to feel genuine safety to express themselves, make mistakes and even fail on the way to success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://thesupercrowd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Superpowers4Good/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devindthorpe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/devindthorpe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinthorpe/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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