1M1M: Why I volunteer for One Million by One Million Global Entrepreneurship Initiative.

"Knowledge" Digital Art by Irina Patterson

This blog is a part of my volunteer efforts to build a strong entrepreneurial community in South Florida and worldwide.

Today, I will try to answer a question that I am asked over and over. The question is WHY am I doing it? Why, people ask me, why do I volunteer for this One Million by One Million, (1M1M) a Silicon Valley-based  initiative that aims to help 1 million entrepreneurs globally to reach their first $1 million in revenue each.

Why do I put at least 15 hours a week into this for no pay? Why am I doing my outreach to local entrepreneurial support organizations, the SBA, SCORE, government officials and individual entrepreneurs? Why do I talk to Angel investors worldwide and why do I write here, all in attempt to educate anyone who wants to be educated in Silicon Valley's best business building practices? Here is why.

1. I like the fact that 1M1M project by Sramana Mitra, a veteran Silicon Valley strategist, was started as a completely grassroots efforts. There were no government grants to launch it, no red tape. It just grew out Sramana's and her volunteers' sheer passion for entrepreneurship.
2. I like innovation. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think anyone attempted to help entrepreneurs in a such systematic way and globally in scope. Through me, this project becomes Miami, Coral Gables, South Florida-based project, despite its Silicon Valley-origin.
3. The project is focused on one single goal which is to help 1 million entrepreneurs to reach $1 million in revenue each. The goal is spelled out clearly and in dollars. I like that.
4. I love to be around people who stimulate my imagination and strategic thinking and Sramana and other 1M1M volunteers certainly do.
5. Building value and problem solving simply gives me pleasure. I do it for the thrill of being able to accomplish something of value. 1M1M project gives me a solid structure to do just that.
6. I am polishing my own entrepreneurial skills. I have been attending online weekly strategy roundtables that Sramana holds for entrepreneurs every week on Thursdays for over a year now. I've heard over 300 startup pitches, each followed by Sramana's feedback. After a while you are able to identify the basic mistakes that entrepreneurs are making over and over and through Sramana's feedback I now know how these mistakes can be avoided.
7. The idea of being able to contribute to a process that I strongly believe in (developing entrepreneurship in Coral Gables and worldwide) makes me happy.

It is somewhat similar to what must be Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are feeling when they give and ask other American billionaires to give at least half of their wealth to charity. Since I am not a billionaire, I give my time and energy to 1M1M initiative, which I believe will make a real difference in many, many lives.

And if you are not aware of how insufficient entrepreneurial education on every level is, please check these two great discussions:

1. Why B-Schools Set Up Entrepreneurs To Fail?
   
   
2. Why Do Business Incubators Fail?

I hope this answers WHY. As always, feel free to discuss this subject in the comments bellow and ask me any questions.

About me: I am Irina Patterson, was a Medical Doctor and tech PR executive in the past, My current passion is entrepreneurship. I'm a volunteer for the Silicon Valley-based Global Initiative 1M1M that offers free online guidance to entrepreneurs worldwide.