Reef Read - For the Purpose Driven Entrepreneur

Jeffrey Redmon | Jul 14 2025 14:00

You built your business to do more than just turn a profit. You care about your community, company, and your people. But in a world full of noise, it’s easy to feel unsure where or how to start making a purposeful difference that lasts.

 

This is the story of a man who left the heights of tech (Google, YouTube) to return home—not to retire, but to re-engage. Steve Grove’s journey back to Minnesota is a roadmap for how leaders can use your platform, your experience, and your heart to serve your community with clarity and courage. 

 

Key Takeaways for Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs

  1. You Don’t Need Permission to Start Local
    Grove reminds us: impact doesn’t require a big title or perfect plan. His shift into public service shows how entrepreneurs can start right where they are—one conversation, one neighborhood, one initiative at a time.
  2. Real Change Requires Showing Up Fully—Flaws and All
    He shares struggles with faith, family, and failure—not to dramatize, but to normalize. If you’re waiting to be “ready” before stepping up, this book will shake that myth loose.
  3. Crisis Is a Catalyst, Not a Curtain Call
    From the George Floyd tragedy to COVID’s economic chaos, Grove witnessed how community leaders can rise in tough times. Your business doesn’t just survive hardship—it can lead through it, with integrity and purpose.
  4. Crossing Sectors Expands Your Superpower
    Grove didn’t stay in his lane. Tech, government, media—he learned to speak multiple languages. As an entrepreneur, your versatility is an asset , not a liability, in leadership.
  5. Belonging Builds Momentum
    The Midwest isn’t just scenery—it’s soul. Grove’s love for place and people reminds us that rooted entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to solve problems with empathy, creativity, and staying power.

Why You Should Read It

If you’ve ever thought:

  • “I want to help, but I don’t know how.”
  • “I care about my community, but I’m just one person.”
  • “Maybe someday I’ll give back…”

This book will help you turn “someday” into today —with humility, hope, and a clear next step.