John: Business Pathway Volunteer

1. You could share your valuable time and skills with many deserving non-profits. Why do you choose to donate your time to the International Institute of Minnesota? 

I choose to support the International Institute of Minnesota because I have seen first-hand how the International Institute of Minnesota transforms lives. My wife and I have sponsored a number of Ukrainians to come to Minnesota as humanitarian parolees since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. I have seen my new Ukrainian friends learn English at the Institute, learn nursing skills and learn leadership skills. I have seen how the Institute helps my friends build stable, successful futures through opportunity, preparation, and community support.  I deeply respect the focus of the Institute on long-term empowerment.

2. What kind of volunteering do you do with us?

My volunteering at the Institute primarily involves sharing my experience as a business attorney to support the Institute’s programs and the individuals that the Institute serves. I see my role as sharing important information and perspectives that helps participants navigate systems that may be unfamiliar or intimidating. I see my role as helping people get ahead of potential challenges by being informed and prepared.

3. Can you share a memory of a volunteer moment that helped make this work rewarding for you? 

I particular enjoy the moment when a class participant repeats back information and frames the information in such a way that it makes sense to them. I see their confidence grow with their understanding of how business and legal systems work in America. Watching someone move from uncertainty to clarity, for me, reinforces why this work matters. Those moments remind me that a little guidance at the right time can have a lasting effect.

4. What kind of impact do you hope your volunteer work has?

I hope my volunteer work helps people feel more confident, prepared, and empowered to start and run great businesses. If my time and experience help someone avoid unnecessary pitfalls, build good business practices, or move forward with greater confidence, then I have made a meaningful contribution.

4. Why is this work important to you?

The work is important to me because I believe strongly in developing good business practices and avoiding future problems, whenever possible. Starting a business is difficult. New business owners work long hours. Add in the fact that America is a highly litigious society, there are many problems that could arise. Business owners needs to manage their stakeholders, find vendors, find customers, and at the same time, comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. A simple mistake can be costly and can mean the difference between success and failure. I want to help newcomers understand the American business and legal system and the opportunities in front of them. In this way, a new business owner will be far more likely to succeed. This is deeply meaningful work for me.