not have to tap into innovation to create a highly acclaimed social
enterprise…but they did.
Their story by Jon Dengler, Executive
Director of The Well and CEO of Well Built
Bikes
“The project started as the The Well’s Recycle Bin, a bike shop
for the poor that began, almost by accident, with one of The
Well’s volunteers who rode bikes helping a neighbor in need
the need for bike services for those without money, and the
initiative snow-balled. In time the shop was almost completely
run by neighbors who had originally come in to get a bike for
themselves and through their continued participation, took
ownership of the work, and the shop itself. A beautiful cycling
community arose out of our shared work. A family of men and
women you might see riding around Tampa on group rides,
affectionately referring to themselves as ‘The Well’s Angels.’
Not only do these groups rides provide opportunities to
build relationships and promote safer riding, these dignifying
experiences have led us to see a need for something more than
just a bike shop for the poor.
Well Built Bikes is a social enterprise aiming to create bridges
between the different cyclists in Tampa. Our goal is to build a
safer and more inclusive cycling community by making bikes
and the activities and services associated something that all
people can access.”
And impact Tampa, they certainly have. They set out to make
reliable transportation available to homeless and working poor.
Connect divided rich and poor cycling populations to make for
a more inclusive and united community. Employ homeless bike
mechanics by selling refurbished bikes and offering repairs. Teach
Bike safety. And create a bike co-op for Tampa. Their impact so
far: Over 1000 bikes put on the streets through build-a-bike co-op
with homeless neighbors.
So perhaps creating a new
business or social venture is
not in your wheelhouse no
matter how disconnected
you become. But we all want
to be happy. Happiness and
researchers at the University of
North Carolina at Greensboro.
After randomly sampling the
feelings and actions of 79
young adults over a week they
found those who generally
reported feeling happy and
active were much more
likely to be doing something
creative in a given moment,
such as making up their own
recipes, writing, playing music
or drawing. In addition, those
who scored higher in openness
to experience were much
more likely to spend time on
creative activities than others.
that everyday creative behavior
is both a cause and an effect
of positive psychological
processes. (Psychology of
Aesthetics, Creativity, and the
Job Dengler and the Well
Built Bikes team turned a
hands-on, physical community
into a thriving social enterprise.
What could you do with the
untapped creativity being
repressed by our love of
technology? How about just be
a happier human.
What you are
InPursuit of?
Melanie Hicks, PhD
Founder
InPursuit Research Institute
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