Today’s entrepreneurs are using skillful digital storytelling to live independently, contribute to the local economy, define our communal identity, and joyfully connect people.
For example, the Remsen-based organization Making The City Smaller (MTCS) hosts a podcast that introduces professionals to their peers. This is contemporary networking focused on bridging the gap in a personable way. Mohawk Valley Today is an online regional hub that educates residents and visitors on local farmers, small businesses, recreational opportunities, and more. This strengthens a sense of community and pride of place.
These are people-powered organizations during a time in which professionals are increasingly empowered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI can conveniently automate boring, repetitive tasks to minimize “busy work”. But interpersonal collaboration is still needed to provide the warmth and humanity that connects people.
Consider the freelance writing organization, Our Neighborhood, which can help locals with their heartfelt pursuits, like pre-planned obituaries, family stories, individual memoirs, and apology letters for loved ones. Digitizing these documents and storing them online can ensure their long-lasting safekeeping. But a human touch is still important for literary business pursuits as well, like with press releases (case in point) and “About Me” pages for professional websites to enable online findability, public comprehension, and social kinship.
Here, people and computers find a common ground.
Cheyenne Dorsagno is the founder of Our Neighborhood. She was prompted to start writing others’ stories after struggling to have a sentimental connection with people during her potentially-fatal health crisis.
“To me, being an entrepreneur is about security, community, and honor. I appreciate the opportunity to live life on my own terms, give back to the public, meet new people, and exercise the right to earn,” said Dorsagno. “The impact that I want to have is to help others walk away feeling like they know their own value. Through guided conversation, I draw out what people can be proud of. I articulate their livelihood so they can believe in their own worth, impress potential clients, and grow closer to loved ones,” she said.
When reflecting on where her skill stands in the face of AI, she offered a nuanced perspective: “Hopefully, it will keep becoming easier for people to work and be independent. But that should be in service of building relationships, not a barrier. People will always need people.”
