Start-Ups and Entrepreneurs Have the Power to Rejuvenate-Pathway to Start-Up Success (Escanaba and Gladstone)

November 21s 2026

WELLS, MI.-Startups, entrepreneurship, and the revitalization of downtowns and small towns are recurring themes on this blog because understanding how entrepreneurial ecosystems develop can help communities create lasting economic and social value. Rather than simply discussing these ideas in the abstract, we can examine research and consider how its findings might apply to communities such as Escanaba.

(Illustrative)
Is it possible to do
something new?
In Theory.
Perpetual Sustainable Development.
Time answers all questions. 

A recent systematic review examined 48 studies and identified numerous factors associated with startup success, including vision, leadership, adaptability, resilience, and prior experience. These characteristics are particularly relevant to small-town entrepreneurship, where business development often requires persistence and a willingness to learn from setbacks. Entrepreneurs may experience failure, adapt their strategies, and continue pursuing new opportunities. Resilience and perseverance therefore become important components of the entrepreneurial process.

However, successful startups depend on more than individual characteristics. Organizational capabilities, access to resources, collaboration, and the surrounding economic environment can also influence whether new businesses develop and survive. This is where community development becomes particularly important. In Escanaba, for example, downtown development efforts, local stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and community organizations can contribute to an environment in which businesses interact, collaborate, and create additional opportunities for one another.

The researchers also identify the need for additional research across industries, geographic regions, and stages of business development. This connects closely with the concept of industry clusters that we have explored on this blog. The question becomes how communities can organically develop interconnected businesses that meet market needs, strengthen local economic resilience, and compete in broader markets.

Ultimately, entrepreneurship should not be viewed solely as a mechanism for increasing the wealth of individual businesses. It can also be a tool for community development. When entrepreneurs, local institutions, investors, organizations, and residents contribute to a supportive ecosystem, new businesses can generate employment, retain wealth locally, strengthen downtowns, and contribute to long-term community development and generational value.

The Pathway to Startup Success

• The study reviews 48 empirical studies identifying 24 factors associated with startup success in developed and emerging markets.

• Entrepreneurial characteristics such as vision, leadership, adaptability, resilience, experience, and opportunity recognition can influence startup performance.

• Organizational capabilities, including teamwork, innovation, financial management, strategic planning, and marketing, are important to startup development.

• External factors such as government support, incubators, accelerators, and economic conditions can also affect startup outcomes.

• The authors call for more research across industries, regions, and stages of business development, particularly in emerging markets.

Argaw, Y. M., & Liu, Y. (2024). The pathway to startup success: A comprehensive systematic review of critical factors and the future research agenda in developed and emerging markets. Systems, 12(12), 541. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12120541

Enlightenment, Justice, and the Responsibility to Challenge Corruption (The Allegory of the Clan)

In The Allegory of the Clan, a philosophical story modeled after Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, the pursuit of enlightenment extends beyond personal awareness to the responsibilities of citizenship and social justice.

The society was founded on ideals of liberty, equality, religious freedom, and individual dignity. Yet, as history demonstrates, declaring universal principles does not eliminate discrimination. Human beings often favor those within their social groups, creating divisions that can undermine equal treatment and institutional trust.

Within the allegory, individuals who belonged to an out-group faced targeting, corruption, and a lack of meaningful recourse. Although witnesses were aware of the misconduct, some remained silent or withdrew not because of moral conviction, but because they feared personal consequences. This raises an important ethical distinction: Is a person committed to justice, or merely avoiding the consequences of wrongdoing?

These questions extend into economic and social development. Discrimination and exclusion can weaken trust, limit participation, and prevent societies from fully developing their human capital. When prejudice shapes how people perceive others, it creates unnecessary divisions that restrict cooperation and opportunity.

(Illustrative Only)

Ancient concepts of justice

are personified in scales 

of justice today. 

We weigh one's heart, soul, 

good & bad. 

Here is an ancient 

example of things like

justice and fairness 

being part of the earliest formations

of society. 

Book of the Dead for the Singer of Amun

Such concepts 

do not belong to a day or

time but to humanity itself.

This is also why

such philosophical ideals also exist during

modern times or codified

into Constitutions.

Strengthening society requires individuals to recognize corruption, challenge injustice peacefully, and uphold the principles of equality and liberty—even when doing so carries personal risks. Courts and institutions must serve justice rather than become instruments of discrimination or political retaliation.

Ultimately, enlightenment requires more than recognizing the truth. It demands the moral courage to act upon it. A society advances when its members defend the dignity and rights of others, including those outside their own social groups.

Sometimes listening to a broader swath of society comes with new solutions. Elect the best and brightest and not the most connected. 

Justice reactions to deviant ingroup members: Ingroup identity threat motivates utilitarian punishments

• The study examines how an offender's group membership (ingroup versus outgroup) and their typicality within that group influence the punishment motives of observers.

• Observers show significantly stronger utilitarian, exclusion-oriented punishment motives and weaker restorative motives when sanctioning an ingroup offender compared to an outgroup offender.

• Transgressions committed by typical ingroup members trigger higher levels of experienced ingroup identity threat because their actions jeopardize the group's moral image and social reputation.

• Ingroup identity threat serves as the primary psychological mediator that drives group members to favor exclusionary, utilitarian punishments to protect the group's identity.

• Highly identified group members experience greater identity threat and favor stronger utilitarian punishments against ingroup deviants, reflecting a heightened desire to safeguard the group's social standing.

Fousiani, K., Yzerbyt, V., Kteily, N. S., & Demoulin, S. (2019). Justice reactions to deviant ingroup members: Ingroup identity threat motivates utilitarian punishments. British Journal of Social Psychology, 58(4), 869-893. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6850106/

Hunker Junker Chronicles: E-Biking in the Fall-UP Michigan with Old Cars, and the Race Against Winter (AI Can't Touch This Car)

Biking around is always fun, but when life gets busy, finding time to ride can be a challenge. Then your Hunker Junker decides to take another vacation at the repair shop, and suddenly, you're a man with places to go and no four-wheeled transportation.

So, I dragged out the e-bike.

(Illustrative Only)
There was a time
when we walked up
hill both ways,
when you had 
hand me down
clothing, and
people made much of
their own stuff. 
Be happy you 
have an e-bike.
🙃 

I'd pulled it out a while ago to tinker with it, update a few things, and make sure everything was working properly. Now I've been riding it around for the past day or so, and honestly, it's not bad. It just takes a little more time. A trip that normally takes 10 or 15 minutes by car can take around half an hour on the e-bike. It's transportation, exercise, and a minor scheduling inconvenience all rolled into one.

Then there's the weather. It's getting cooler, so you have to dress for the occasion. Low 50's in the AM. Gloves, wind protection, and a little preparation go a long way. Riding an e-bike is somewhat like riding a motorcycle, except you're traveling slower and doing more of the work yourself. At least you don't need to worry about finding a gas station.

Escanaba and Gladstone are developing some nice bike trails and lanes, including a new downtown bike lanes. You can ride between the communities and see people out biking. There are still roads I don't particularly enjoy, especially those without a proper shoulder. When I see cars coming up behind me, I try to stay clear and ride safely. I even fixed my mirror, so now I can see what's coming before it becomes a surprise.

One of the best things about biking is being outdoors. You notice things you might miss while driving. You take a more deliberate route, stop at the grocery store, and experience the community at a slower pace. With the e-bike assistance, I don't feel particularly tired, either.

I've also learned something about battery management. Level 3 assistance seems to work well for longer trips because I'm still doing about half the pedaling. Turn it up to level 5, though, and that battery starts disappearing faster than money at a car dealership. Level 5 is fine for shorter rides, but if you have several places to go, level 3 is probably the way to go.

As for the Hunker Junker, I need to call the shop and ask them to actually fix it this time. It's a 1985 Buick Riviera, so it isn't connected to the internet, AI, or anything else that might send me a notification saying, "Your vehicle has decided to stop cooperating." Nor will it turn on me and attack me when the Terminator becomes the real thing! It's just an old school car, and that's part of the appeal.

(Illustrative Only)
This car
is the destroyer
of wallets. 
My 1985 Buick
Riviera is not
sophisticated enough
to keep running
consistently, let alone
write its own code.
It does have basic
dummy lights. If
they work.🤷

Sure, I think about buying a newer vehicle. But then I consider making payments for five years at today's interest rates, on top of the high price of cars. The last car I had was hit by a deer, and the insurance paid off the remaining loan, taking all its long term value away. That wasn't exactly the return on investment I had in mind.

So, for now, I'm sticking with the Hunker Junker. E-biking is fine while the weather cooperates, If I'm lucky only a few days needed but if I'm unlucky I'm looking for a new car. We will see. Hopefully, the old Riviera will be repaired, running properly, and ready to carry me through the winter—without taking another unexpected vacation at the shop.

E-Bikes: Transportation, Health, and Community Development

• E-bikes provide an alternative to cars, supporting mobility, health, and environmental sustainability.

• Incentive programs can make e-bikes more affordable and accessible.

• E-bikes may reduce transportation-related carbon emissions.

• They encourage cycling over longer distances and expand access to active transportation.

• Communities such as Escanaba could explore e-bikes to support downtown development, recreation, and sustainable transportation.

Portland State University Transportation Research and Education Center. (n.d.). E-bike research. https://trec.pdx.edu/e-bike-research 

Entrepreneurial Motivation: Financial Success, Independence, and Commitment (Escanaba as a Start-Up Spot)

The study below identifies finance as one of the primary motivations for starting a business. I can certainly relate to this as someone who has operated small businesses, including microbusinesses and hobby ventures, from time to time.

(Illustrative Only)

Escanaba has a new 
downtown. As an 
illustrative example 
Janice and Todd started
a wood shop on Ludington
Street because it looks
so clean and nice. They
are only partly 
motivated by money
and the other part
by working together
on a hobby they
turned into a
store. They sell
to locals, tourists, 
and even sell their products
off their website and
markeplace sites like
Amazon or eBay. 
They brought a little 
money that grandma
gave them and they
worked with a local
bank to obtain additional
financing. Someone
helped them find 
some grants to redo 
the front of their store. 
They bought the whole building
for less than $200K
and live upstairs. 
They love that other
entrepreneurs are
considering Escanaba's
Ludington Street.
Entrepreneurs succeed
the most around
a welcoming business
environment with 
other business
people. They
know there is room
to scale if need
be. 

Financial opportunity is important. If a business becomes successful, it can create the potential for significant wealth. That possibility can be particularly appealing to people from blue-collar or small-business backgrounds.

However, money is not the only consideration. Many people are also attracted to entrepreneurship because it offers greater control over their schedules, the ability to run a business according to their own vision, and independence from a traditional boss. While I have had both good and bad bosses, I understand why independence and the ability to pursue personal goals are important motivators.

Entrepreneurship can also provide a sense of freedom, although that freedom comes with significant responsibilities. Owning a business often requires long hours, substantial personal commitment, and years of hard work. Even as a company grows, owners may continue investing considerable time because the business is something they created and care about.

As people get older, their approach to running a business may change, but the need for commitment does not necessarily disappear.

Read the study below to explore its findings on the primary motivations behind entrepreneurship, including financial opportunity, independence, and business ownership.

Startup Business: Entrepreneurial Motivation, Capabilities, and Challenges

• Entrepreneurial motivation: Startup owners were primarily motivated by financial improvement, independence, professional development, and increased income.
• Financial goals: Earning more income was the strongest reported motivational factor.
• Entrepreneurial capabilities: Participants reported strengths in innovation, opportunity recognition, strategic planning, and networking.
• Startup challenges: The study examined financial constraints, management skills, and business development obstacles.
• Business development: The findings support tailored training and support programs to strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities and business sustainability.

Dacayo, L. P., & Ballados, M. T. B. (2025). Startup business: Entrepreneurial motivation, capabilities, and challenges. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(5), 553–564. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.135 

The Value of Friendship-Accomplish Your Goals and the Understand the Soft Side of Life

Achievement Matters, but So Does Enjoying Life

In a world that often measures success through accomplishments, income, and professional achievement, it can be easy to overlook the importance of friendship, laughter, and meaningful relationships.

Good friends provide more than companionship. They offer social connection, look out for one another, make phone calls, remember important occasions, and create opportunities to enjoy life together.

Sometimes I get a call from MI when I am in CA and I like to get them. Other times I might get a call from CA when I am in MI. Equally nice. It is these little things that make a difference when people ask, "When are you coming back?". We complicate life. It is about the social world in which we live while finding something worth pursuing.

Illustrative Only

A recent experience illustrated the value of those connections. While spending time with a couple of friends, I randomly stopped at a location where a band was performing. One of the musicians recognized me as we walked in, called my name on the mic, I raised my glass and exchanged a greeting (Ok actually just my hand.).

Small moments like these can make a difference. They demonstrate how friendships develop through shared experiences, familiarity, and genuine care.

The Balance Between Ambition and Enjoyment

Pursuing goals requires determination, purpose, and grit. I believe in working hard to accomplish my ambitions, helping others, and building a meaningful life. However, achievement does not have to come at the expense of enjoying the journey. Grit comes from enjoying the process. 

After accomplishing most of my goals, I can take time to reflect on what matters most. Professional success and personal accomplishments can provide satisfaction, but relationships and the ability to share experiences with others add another dimension to life. 👆

“Don’t forget the soft side of life,” I emphasize. “All that achievement amounts to nothing unless you do something good with it.”. A duty many leaders forgot.  You are there for society (i.e. the social side of economic development).

That perspective encourages me to use my accomplishments in constructive ways, including helping others, supporting my community, and spending time with the people who bring joy. Encouraging those who enjoy such joy to connect.

Staying Focused on What Matters

Not every problem deserves the same amount of attention. Learning to distinguish between what is important and what is not can help me maintain perspective while pursuing my goals.

Having a purpose does not mean ignoring life's enjoyable experiences. It means finding a balance between working hard, helping good people do good things, and making time for relaxation and friendship.

As someone who has spent much of my life pursuing achievement, I recognize the value of taking a step back. Enjoying a conversation, laughing with friends, attending a local event, or simply being present with others can provide a meaningful counterbalance to daily responsibilities.

A Life Worth Enjoying

Success is not limited to what I accomplish. It is also reflected in the relationships I build, the people I help, and the experiences I share.

When I remain focused on my purpose while appreciating the good things around me, I can find greater contentment in everyday life.

The lesson is straightforward: Work toward your goals. Develop grit. Maintain your honor through pro-social acts. Help others. But don't forget to enjoy the people and experiences that make the effort worthwhile.

Sometimes, being in the zone is not about achieving more. It is about being surrounded by good people, doing something one enjoys, and recognizing that life is meant to be lived as well as accomplished.You  may want to read this piece of friendship and its importance......

Friendship in America: Social Connections and Relationships

This summary examines friendship patterns in the United States, including how people form relationships, maintain social connections, and experience friendship in everyday life.

• Importance of friendship: 61% of U.S. adults say having close friends is extremely or very important for living a fulfilling life, exceeding the shares who say the same about marriage, children, or having a lot of money.

• Number of close friends: 53% of adults report having one to four close friends, while 38% have five or more. About 8% say they have no close friends. Older adults are more likely to report having five or more close friends than younger adults.

• Similarity among friends: 66% of adults say all or most of their close friends are the same gender, while 63% say all or most share their race or ethnicity. These patterns vary by age, gender, and racial or ethnic background.

• Friendship satisfaction: Among adults with at least one close friend, 72% report being completely or very satisfied with the quality of their friendships. Satisfaction is higher among those with five or more close friends (81%) than those with one to four (65%).

• Topics of conversation: Work and family life are the most frequently discussed subjects. Friendships also provide opportunities to discuss current events, physical health, and mental health, with differences in conversation topics across age and gender groups.

Pew Research Center. (2023, October 12). What does friendship look like in America? https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/10/12/what-does-friendship-look-like-in-america/ 

Escanaba City Council Meeting Thursday -September 17, 2026- (Start-Up Opportunities in Oddly Normal Places)

 Escanaba continues to grow, develop, and challenge the market. While many towns across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula have experienced economic and population challenges, Escanaba has shown signs of renewed development in recent years. Improvements to infrastructure, downtown revitalization, beautification projects, community events, paved alleys, housing initiatives, and technological upgrades have helped create an environment with opportunities for new businesses.

The community is well positioned to attract entrepreneurs, particularly younger families with children or want to have children. New businesses, even those that do not succeed initially, can encourage entrepreneurship and lead to future ventures. Entrepreneurs who live locally are more likely to keep their spending, investments, and business activities connected to the community, helping circulate money within the local economy.

(Illustrative Only)
People beautifying their town
and engaged in technology
and other pursuits. 
Life is oddly normal
here and how it 
should have been.

There are also opportunities for retirees who want to start a part-time business, such as a gift shop or a small venture based on skills and interests developed throughout their careers. This allows people to remain active in business while maintaining time for family and personal pursuits.

Escanaba offers the potential to balance running a business, caring for your family, and enjoying life. If you have some startup capital and are considering opening a business, reach out to the local Chamber of Commerce, banks, city and county offices, and other community organizations. Ask questions, explore available resources, and begin developing your idea.

Escanaba is a community worth considering for your next business venture.

Escanaba City Council Meeting – Main Themes

Recent Meetings

(AI generated) 

Meeting Date: September 17, 2026

- Downtown Beautification and Grant Funding: The City Council approved renewing a $37,000 grant-match commitment to support flowers, pots, and hanging baskets along Ludington Street. Enhance Escanaba will seek at least $25,000 in additional grant funding, with the city potentially serving as the primary grant applicant. The initiative aims to improve the appearance of the downtown area through community and city partnerships.

- City Technology and Phone System Upgrade: Council approved a five-year hosted phone system lease with DS-Tech of Escanaba. The new system includes installation, setup, labor, training, and warranty support, replacing the existing system, which has experienced usability and operational problems.

- Alley Paving and Infrastructure Improvements: The city approved a $42,875 contract with Payne and Dolan to repave two alleys near Ludington Street. The alleys had been left gravel after lead service line replacement work and are scheduled to return to asphalt before winter. The water department will cover portions of the paving associated with the areas it disturbed.

- Housing Commission Appointments: Council approved two applicants, Linda Heitman and Christine Dalvo, to fill vacancies on the Housing Commission. Additional vacancies remain on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

- Community Events and Local Engagement: Council members discussed the success of a recent Ludington Street celebration, which included cooperation with the local high school, a marching band, children participating in a countdown, and 600 cupcakes distributed to attendees. The event was described as a successful example of small-town community celebration.

Standing Up for What Is Right: The Courage to Defend Shared Values (Hypothetical Feather Party)

September 19th, 2026 

AXIS MUNDI-Many people claim to have strong values, and many seek leadership positions. However, when difficult choices arise, not everyone is willing to stand up for what is right. This is a human phenomenon found across societies, and the surrounding environment can make moral courage easier or more difficult.

In the hypothetical learning story, The Allegory of the Clan, individuals who reported corruption faced retaliation and intimidation (...even much much worse). Yet some continued to stand up, and others eventually joined them, gradually challenging a closed network of corruption and mistreatment.

What makes these individuals different? Research suggests that people who speak up may demonstrate stronger social responsibility, altruism, persistence, and emotional regulation. Rather than simply being complainers, they may be motivated by obligations to their communities, families, future or past generations, and personal values.

Moral courage involves placing principles above personal gain, refusing to abandon one's responsibilities under pressure, and recognizing that leadership requires more than holding a position. As the study below illustrates, some individuals are willing to accept personal risks to defend the values they believe matter.

Even when one is at risk. Thus when someone makes oaths, or pledges, or promises they must keep them even if it costs them much or everything. This is the moral conscious question; or lack thereof. 

What are your values you tell others? (Now think more deeply of what your real values are. This you don't have to tell anyone no matter which way you see it.)

Speaking Up for Shared Values

• The study examines why some people speak up against immoral, discriminatory, or uncivil behavior.

• People who confront wrongdoing tend to demonstrate altruism, social responsibility, persistence, and emotional regulation.

• Speaking up is not necessarily associated with aggression or low self-esteem.

• Individuals who challenge prejudice are also more likely to confront other forms of misconduct.

• The findings highlight the importance of social courage, ethical leadership, and defending shared values.

Moisuc, A., Brauer, M., Fonseca, A., Chaurand, N., & Greitemeyer, T. (2018). Individual differences in social control: Who ‘speaks up’ when witnessing uncivil, discriminatory, and immoral behaviours? British Journal of Social Psychology, 57(3), 524–546. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12246