In the 25 years that Mark Carr has run his automotive franchise business according to Christian teachings, he’s never considered it a conflict.
“Downsides? I don’t see any,” says Carr, who named his Houston startup Christian Brothers Automotive Corp., because he wanted to let everyone know Jesus was at the wheel.
“We are in a very, very crummy business that is known for being dishonest,” says Carr, who has 41 franchises with 2006 revenue of some $42 million. “Christianity is the driving force to be honest with customers, do the best possible job that I can and have integrity.”
There has been no systematic study to determine exactly how many U.S. startups are openly faith-based, according to David Miller, executive director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture and a former entrepreneur.
“That said, many smaller businesses and startups are incorporating altruistic dimensions into their business plan and credo,” he says. “Some may be explicitly faith-oriented while others might not mention faith,” but were inspired by religious teachings or the entrepreneur’s personal values.
‘Divine’ Entrepreneurship
There are also church-sponsored entrepreneurship schools, like the Joseph Center in Forest Park, Ill., which views entrepreneurship as a divine calling. Worship and work are certainly not opposing forces – if they ever were, Miller says. But are they good partners?
“The old model of how to succeed in business is you kept your personal life separate,” he explains.
Author: Lynne Meredith Schreiber
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