This entrepreneur grows money on trees

Person planting tree in dry ground (Courtesy of Komaza)
The forestry company Komaza encourages farmers to plant trees instead of cutting down forests. (Courtesy of Komaza)

Tevis Howard credits his business success to trees. After graduating from Brown University, Howard visited Kenya. While much of Kenya is arid, drought-prone and inhospitable to many crops, Kenyan soil is ideal for growing certain types of trees. Howard created Komaza, a forestry business that works with over 5,500 Kenyan farmers to grow and harvest trees. The tree farmers get an income, and Kenyans enjoy the benefits of reduced deforestation.

“I made a dozen or so business plans,” Howard tells Fast Company. “Most of them were bad or mediocre ideas. But trees continued to be a good idea.”

Entrepreneurs with all kinds of business plans will participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 17–23. This resource guide is a great place to start developing yours.