J. David Bamberger is not a name most people outside of Texas know.  Mr. Bamberger was a visionary entrepreneur who recognized in the mid 1960’s, when he became the head of operations and marketing for a chain of nine walk-up fried chicken restaurants in the San Antonio area called Church’s Fried Chicken in a partnership with Bill Church, Jr., the unique, exceptional business opportunity presented at that time and place in history through franchising fast food restaurants.   Executing on his vision with business acumen, he grew the chain to more than 100 locations by 1969 and topped 1000 units in 1971. That story of a rocket ship growth of a successful business model is worthy of study, but it was never the legacy or subject that he wanted to talk about up until his recent death at the age of 97 (J. David Bamberger, a Reluctant Fried-Chicken Magnate, Dies at 97 – WSJ).  J. David Bamberger instead throughout his life wanted to talk about his conservation efforts to restore overgrazed, eroded ranchland to a robust natural state and the habitat he built for over a half million wild bats. 

It is common knowledge that successful entrepreneurs accumulate wealth, fame, and possessions. Social media, YouTube, and podcasts are filled with people sharing how they achieved success as business owners and why entrepreneurship is a well-traveled, accessible pathway to fulfilling dreams in terms of personal fulfillment and financial prosperity. What is often under shared is that entrepreneurship is frequently not an “I” career path focused on fame & fortune, but one undertaken by people who want to contribute positively to society and make a difference during their lives. The following are four of the ways entrepreneurs benefit the communities they are part of and why federal, state, and municipal governments should govern and implement policies that encourage and support their efforts.

1. Employment Opportunities – Plain and simple entrepreneurs create jobs.  Jobs allow people to support themselves and enhance the quality of their lives.  Growing up in Beaverton, Oregon I remember when Nike was a small business fighting for recognition and shelf space in the athletic apparel and footwear marketplace.  Today, the company has a large campus in Beaverton, Oregon and is a global brand. No community can have too many job opportunities.  Employment opportunities should exist for the high school student seeking their first job and the executive who was let go who wants to continue to live in their present home and have their children continue to matriculate with their friends through the local school system.  Note: One of my favorite entrepreneurial stories is Shoe Dog about the birth of Nike (https://www.amazon.com/Shoe-Dog-Phil-Knight/dp/1508211809). It is an honest account of the risks that need to be taken and the strategic decisions made to be successful as an entrepreneur.
2. Tax Generation – Tax collection is needed to pay for everything from schools & roads to social safety net services like Social Security & Medicare.  Communities cannot thrive without a reliable tax base.  No component in American society generates more tax  dollars than privately held companies and family businesses. In Washington state, home of IBA’s corporate headquarters and seven satellite offices, businesses collect employee contributions to Social Security and Medicare, and match those contributions corporately, to contribute federally, collect sales tax, the largest state revenue stream from taxes, pay business & occupational taxes to contribute at a business level, fund family leave programs for employees, and pay property taxes as either a tenant or real estate owner.  All of these contributions create higher quality of lives for residents of the Evergreen State. Every business that grows enhances that quality and tax collections. While every one that contracts or closes diminishes the health of the environment. Washington had an environment last century that gave birth to Microsoft, Amazon, Costco, and Starbucks.  Recent state & municipal government policy changes lacking foresight on their impact made that decrease the incentive for entrepreneurs to start companies in Washington should be reversed.
3. Real Estate Stability and Value Appreciation – A strong commercial real estate marketplace is good for communities.  New construction creates public and private sector jobs from permit approval to road & utility infrastructure creation to new building erection from shell construction to tenant improvements.  Occupancy in buildings creates an ecosystem of support businesses from food service providers to retailers to service providers.  Building vacancies diminish the flow of dollars to community residents, businesses, and taxing authorities.
4. Philanthropy – Entrepreneurs generally care about the communities where their businesses call home and frequently will share their wealth with the people who contributed to their success.  The Seahawks won the Super Bowl in 2026.  They would not be in Seattle, if Paul Allen had not been a founder of Microsoft.  I fondly recall the day he saved the franchise for the region when it was bound for Los Angeles.  Paul Allen achieved a level of uncommon success and could do things in terms of buying sports franchises and creating museums few could do.  However, go to any town USA and you are likely to see parks, ballfields, and theaters & arts programs bearing the names of past pillars of the community who funneled a portion of their success back into the garden where their business thrived.

J. David Bamberger elected to work a distressed piece of land to improve the hill country of Texas for future generations.  Texas is a better place because he was a successful entrepreneur.  I encourage all readers of this article to thank an entrepreneur this week for offering jobs and making their community a better place.  Gratitude and appreciation are free gifts humans can provide to each other. A community is a better place when gratitude and appreciation are commodities in abundance.

IBA, the Pacific Northwest’s premier business brokerage firm since 1975, is available as an information resource to the media, business brokerage, mergers & acquisitions, and real estate communities on subjects relevant to the purchase & sale of privately held companies and family businesses.  IBA is recognized as one of the best business brokerage firms in the nation based on its long track record of successfully negotiating “win-win” business sale transactions in environments of full disclosure employing “best practices”.