Natik and our partners know that once the excitement and practical knowledge derived from startups has been experienced firsthand, a return to an attitude of victimhood, surrender and defeat is highly unlikely.

Therefore, opportunities to engage in micro enterprises are a powerful counterbalance to economic marginalization, even when the activity might seem inconsequential and the income is minuscule when perceived from outside the community.

It’s all in the attitude. People who believe in themselves and in their capacity to generate a dignified, locally-based income for themselves and their families are less likely to be dominated through intimidation.

Communities that aren’t easily intimidated have the power to transform economic marginalization into economic opportunity — with or without the help of outsiders.

For organizations, mission-related revenues contribute to overhead, model the can-do attitude of entrepreneurial ingenuity, and generate income for people in the community.

For that reason, Natik partners have been encouraged to explore income-generating ventures that utilize locally-sourced talents, skills, and materials.

In rural areas, entrepreneurial ventures that tap local talent, skills, and materials are generally related to labor-intensive agricultural and artisan work.