In this forward-looking episode of Develop This!, Dennis sits down with acclaimed speaker, author, and CEO Mark C. Perna to unpack one of the most important shifts facing economic and community development professionals today: the rise of the entrepreneurial generation.

With 84% of Gen Z expressing interest in entrepreneurship, communities must rethink how they build talent pipelines, support startups, and cultivate opportunity.

Mark shares insights from his 27+ years of building impactful businesses and explains why today's youth view risk, safety, and control differently than previous generations. For them, entrepreneurship isn't rebellion—it's stability. It's ownership. It's purpose.

Drawing from his bestselling book Answering Why and his work through TFS Results, Mark explores how communities can better align education, workforce development, and economic strategy to support this shift.

This episode is packed with practical takeaways for economic developers, chamber leaders, workforce boards, and higher education partners looking to future-proof their ecosystems.

Key Insights for Economic Developers

The Generational Shift

• 84% of Gen Z are interested in entrepreneurship.
• Young people see traditional employment as riskier than ownership.
• Control, flexibility, and purpose are powerful motivators.

Lower Barriers, Bigger Opportunities

• Physical storefronts are no longer required to launch a business.
• Social media, freelance platforms, and digital tools have democratized entrepreneurship.
• Communities must pivot from recruitment-only strategies to startup cultivation.

Managing Risk & Building Resilience

• Risk management—not risk avoidance—is the true entrepreneurial skill.
• Failure is data. Reflection drives growth.
• Adaptability is the competitive advantage of modern founders.

Leadership in the New Economy

• Integrity and vision are non-negotiable.
• Decisiveness builds confidence in teams.
• Shared vision is critical when managing remote and distributed teams.

Avoiding Mission Creep

• Clarity of purpose prevents dilution.
• A strong "North Star" helps organizations streamline offerings and maximize impact.
• Focus drives scalability.

Why This Matters for Community & Economic Development

Entrepreneurship is no longer a niche strategy—it's a central economic development driver.

Mark discusses his Education with Purpose & Employment with Passion movement and his involvement with the International Economic Development Council, emphasizing the need for tighter alignment between:

• K–12 education
• Higher education
• Workforce development
• Employers
• Economic development organizations

Communities that connect these dots will win the future talent war.

Practical Takeaways

• Start small—but start.
• Define your North Star.
• Build ecosystems, not just incentives.
• Teach risk literacy.
• Focus on value creation over scale.
• Use failure as a confidence-building tool.

About Mark

Mark C. Perna is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and CEO who has examined education and careers through a generational lens since 2019. He is the founder of TFS Results and creator of the Education with Purpose & Employment with Passion movement.

A graduate of John Carroll University, Mark serves on the Advisory Council for the Coalition for Career Development and is a member of the International Economic Development Council.

His viral writing on the education crisis continues to spark national dialogue around workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and generational change.