Built Oregon + Terry "Starbucker" St. Marie
By its very nature, being a misfit means different things to all the fabulously unique misfits across the globe, every person who identifies with nonconformity does so for different reasons. Today, I want to shine a light on our dear friend Terry “Starbucker” St. Marie, whose passion for instigating causes that reach far beyond himself defines his work and his character.
A few years ago, Terry met AJ in a break room at a blogging expo and connected over the fact that they were both recovering accountants bent on promoting good through stories. Thus, a misfit bond was forged.
“I’m a misfit at heart. The whole philosophy of Misfit resonates with me. I am part of that family,” he shared with me from Oregon Story Board – a state-funded incubator that helps digital companies tell stories that grow. His objective is to promote economic development in the state of Oregon by sharing the stories of its entrepreneurs.
“We know entrepreneurs are the engines of economies, and we were frustrated by the fact that their stories weren’t being covered much outside of Portland.”
As a solution, he co-founded a statewide platform and digital cooperative for businesses and entrepreneurs called Built Oregon. The project’s vision was shared by the support of 318 backers of their Kickstarter campaign, which saw them breeze by their initial goal of $20,000 and earn over $30k. Their campaign included a video that may very well compel you to move to Oregon – and for Oregonians, it served as a loving nod to those who craft products and provide services for customers around the world – companies like breweries, guitar manufacturers, software developers, and clothing designers.
Through Built Oregon, he has created an industry-diverse meeting place for Oregonian entrepreneurs to learn more about the people that are shaping the future of their state’s economy. The stories uncovered through the site will culminate in an online monthly magazine focused on more than just companies, but, specifically, the people who are running the companies.
After decades of work in the corporate world, Terry quickly immersed himself into Oregon’s entrepreneurial scene. Motivated by his father’s admonition to “go higher and do better,” Terry has arranged his life to be about helping others and working hard.
“In my heart of hearts, I want people to see this content and be inspired by these stories and take them into their communities,” he said. He’s convinced that Built Oregon’s vision could lift up the entire state’s economy.
Terry is also a speaker and consultant, and works to promote a philosophy of “Human Leadership” – built on principles of integrity, empowerment, accountability, and trust. All of these values are clearly visible in Built Oregon. If you’re an Oregonian (or even if you’re not), please go and check out the site and – if it jives with what you’re working on – maybe even become a member.
Terry believes that humans want to be a part of a meaningful cause that’s bigger than themselves. Built Oregon is the physical evidence of his belief.
~ Dane Johnson, Misfit Wordsmith