Entrepreneurs.
Innovators.
Changemakers.
Our mission is to seek out, explore, catch, and release lesser-known human-centered, experiential stories of entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers as they individually and collectively self-discover, understand, grow, change, and impact themselves and the world around them.
Join us as we gather and share stories of entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers - from Western Washington University to the world and back.
Dr. Arthur Sherwood
Social Scientist, Explorer, Storyteller
WWU Sustainability Fellow & Community Engagement Fellow
Cole Professor of Entrepreneurship & Director of WWU’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Programs
“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.”
JRR Tolkien, The Hobbit
Featured Stories
The Flourishing Changemaker
This picture was taken from the social enterprise Mare Blu, Coastal and Ocean Cleanup Expedition's. Our team visited the founder and team in Costa Rica and asked the key question:
What does it take to simultaneously flourish and be engaged in changemaking work? How to remain lit up rather than burned out?
Salish Sea Stories and Global Comparative Narratives
Building on WWU's Newest EIC Specialty, FOREST*, we've been gathering stories from EICs in global ecosystem site visits in US/Canada (Salish Sea), Costa Rica (Tarcoles River Watershed) and will add in Southeast Asia (Gulf of Thailand-Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia) in 2023.
WWU EIC Alums & Students
Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Changemaking is not a solo journey. Our early research clearly shows this! We are intentionally seeking out ecosystems that have been self-perpetuated by EICs in order to support their efforts to have an impact and to imagine, design, build and live ways of life they love. We've completed gathering one global community story of a cooperative of consultants for the common good and have two more lining up... together, EICs are stronger...
Collaborative and Cooperative EIC Micro Ecosystems
WWU has thousands of graduates that have gone on to engage in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Changemaking. We've started gathering their stories from around the world and seek to link active EICs to current and potential WWU students.
This is a special human ecosystem that is impacting ecosystems around the globe. It will be super fun to meet these folks and to gather and share their stories!
In local partnership with WWU's Entrepreneurship & Innovation Programs
In global partnership with the UPEACE Centre for Executive Education at the United Nations Established University for Peace
Featured Changemaker
MareBlu
An Environmental Conservation Organization in Costa Rica with a goal to make the oceans, rivers, and coastlines plastic free primarily through our coastal cleanup expeditions.
Guiding Principles
-
At the heart of our mission lies a boundless curiosity for the myriad journeys of entrepreneurs, changemakers, and innovators across the globe. We dive deep into the essence of their experiences, navigating through successes and failures, to bring to light the untold narratives that inspire and educate.
-
From the bustling streets of major cities to the quiet corners of hidden villages, we seek out tales of creativity, resilience, and transformation. Each story contributes a unique perspective to the global tapestry of innovation, offering insights and lessons that are universally relevant.
-
Our world is full of surprises, presenting stories from corners we never planned to explore. These unforeseen narratives often carry profound lessons, reshaping our understanding of what it means to innovate and lead change. We embrace these serendipitous encounters, allowing them to enrich our collection and challenge our preconceptions.
-
Navigating the vast landscape of human endeavor, we let our fascination and intuition be our north star. It's these intrinsic guides that lead us to the most compelling stories, those that resonate on a deeper level and have the power to move hearts and minds.
-
We understand the importance of a flexible structure to help us navigate this unpredictable world. This framework is designed not as a constraint but as a support system that allows us to navigate our exploration efficiently. It ensures that we can adapt to the unpredictable nature of our quest, while still delivering stories that are thorough, engaging, and impactful. Our process is a delicate balance between freedom and form, allowing creativity and discovery to flourish within a coherent and accessible format.
Join the community.
We are actively seeking stories!
Contact Dr. Arthur Sherwood to get more information on this project by filling out the short form below.