From Visionary to Victory: 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year and the Quirky Success of Rent-a-Chicken
Dive into the inspiring journey of Rubens Menin, crowned the 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year, and discover how his dedication to social impact propelled MRV Engenharia to unprecedented heights. Meanwhile, explore the unconventional success of Rent-a-Chicken, a testament to the fact that even the most out-of-the-box ideas can hatch into thriving businesses. Get ready to be inspired by the power of innovation and the impact of giving back.
Meet the Entrepreneur of the Year
If you ever wondered if there was a competition for the best entrepreneur in the world, there is. In fact, the world has been celebrating the best entrepreneur in the world for the past 18 years.
This year, at the 2018 EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards held in Monaco, one of the richest cities in the world, there was fierce competition. As I’m sure you can imagine!
Nominees were judged on financial performance, strategic direction, innovation, global impact, personal integrity, influence, and philanthropy, but Rubens Menin came out on top. (Congrats, Rubens!)
As Menin understood how difficult it was for Brazilian families to own their homes, he saw both a need and an opportunity for a business endeavor.
Now, 1 in every 200 Brazilians live in a property that Menin’s company, MRV Engenharia, built.
To Menin, success is real. MRV leads the way in being Brazil’s most popular low-income housing builder, and now they’re also Latin America’s largest residential real estate developer.
One thing that matters most to Menin is this: he never forgot the social impact his company could have on the world at large. This, in effect, is what led to his overwhelming success as an entrepreneur.
Also philanthropic in nature, MRV donated $302 million to fund road projects, sewage infrastructure, lighting in schools, daycare centers, and healthcare facilities, while also planting over 1 million trees, to strengthen air quality.
If you’re seeking for ways to be a winning entrepreneur, know that it’s not only about the revenue you generate, but the ways in which you give back, to the citizens, communities, and the stewardship of the planet itself.
Uncharted Territory: Rent-A-Chicken
Is it crazy that this business idea worked?
Cocka-doodle-doo.
Some people are born wanting to keep a brood of backyard chickens in their yard. Others aren’t.
Are you sure you know which category you fall into?
To see if you really are a chicken farmer at heart, Rent-A-Chicken is your go-to business. Rent-A-Chicken is the brainchild of a husband and wife duo out of Traverse City, Michigan. They offer “Backyard Chicken Rental Packages” where they’ll deliver a set up a coop and an enclosed run with 2+ laying hens, all of the ladies’ favorite accessories, bedding, and feed to your backyard. You know, to see if you’re ready for what it takes to keep the hens a-layin’.
Rent-A-Chicken is like trying on a pair of shoes before you buy them—only this time, it’s “try before you buy” chicken owning.
Sounds wacky, right? But, it worked. Don’t judge your craziest ideas before you give them a try. Rent-A-Chicken is proof that even the wackiest of ideas, with just a little work, might just fly.