Inspired Entrepreneurship: A new venture prepares for non-profit status.

John Rumery

It's an ambitious plan for anyone, let alone two very recent, twenty-something GVSU graduates.

Their project?  Starting a non-profit organization with three goals:  1) provide basic medical supplies to health clinics that serve the families at the "base of the pyramid" in Nicaragua, 2) recognize the workers at these type of clinics utilizing video and social media channels and finally, maybe the most ambitious goal of all, 3) help train and motivate the next generation of philanthropists.  

Sean Heyboer and Joey Pohlen are the two GVSU alumni behind MedRunners. Heyboer became involved with MedRunners after Pohlen participated in Estelí Innovation, an experiential educational program for GVSU students developed by Dr. Paul Lane of the Seidman College of Business and Engineering Professor John Farris in which students work in Nicaragua and help communities develop sustainable solutions to a variety of economic, health and social problems.

Through Estelí Innovation, Dr. Lane began a program in which students would bring very basic medical supplies to the health clinics that Estelí Innovation was working with.  Pohlen says working with the medical clinics in Nicaragua and seeing firsthand how much the these individuals were doing for their communities was "eye-opening." The experience inspired an idea for a non-profit, and this idea morphed into MedRunners. 

The concept is simple: MedRunners will solicit both donations and very basic medical supplies. Products that they can't get donated for free, they will purchase at or near cost from partner organizations. These supplies will then be given to students to hand-deliver directly to the clinics in Nicaragua, primarily when they are on break from school. Their plan depends heavily on inspiring students to start MedRunner groups at their school and engaging them in discussions about sustainability, social entrepreneurship and understanding the issues of those living at the base of the economic pyramid.

Heyboer indicates that MedRunners should receive their official status as non-profit in October, which will allow them to pursue an aggressive fundraising goal of $170,000.  In the meantime the pair is busy organizing and preparing a marketing plan that includes a heavy dose of social media including a Facebook page, Twitter and YouTube.

Also in October, the pair plans to begin their outreach to colleges and energize students to become involved with MedRunners.  While their website is under construction, you can learn more about MedRunners on their Facebook page.  You can also learn more about Estelí Innovation on their webpage.

Source: Interviews with Sean Heyboer, Joey Pohlen and Dr. Paul Lane.

John Rumery is the Innovation and Jobs Editor for Rapid Growth Media. He is an educator, board member of AimWest, WYCE music programmer, entrepreneur, raconteur and competitive barbecuer living in Grand Rapids, MI.  He can be reached at [email protected]

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