Charity Begins at WorkHere's one entrepreneur with divine inspiration.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
When you think of a monk, you may not think of someone like TheRev. Bernard McCoy, 36, who beganLaserMonksout ofThe Cistercian Abbey in Sparta, Wisconsin. McCoy and his fellowmonks of the Cistercian Order offer up to a 75 percent discount onimaging supplies for printers, copiers and fax machines-when theyaren't spending five to seven hours per day in Gregorian chantand prayer. After expenses are paid for the business and themonastery, revenue has gone to everything from getting adefibrillator for the local fire department to providing freecomputer training for orphans in Vietnam. In 2002, its first yearin business, LaserMonks only sold $2,000 worth of supplies. Thisyear, thanks to a friend handling marketing on the cheap and mediaattention in the likes ofUSA TODAYand MSNBC, estimates areat about $500,000.
What are some of the challenges youface when mixing religion with business?
Continue reading this article — and all of our other premium content with Entrepreneur+
Join the internet’s leading entrepreneur community! With your subscription you’ll get:
- Access to all of our premium content and an ad-free experience
- A complimentary subscription to Entrepreneur Magazine
- Four free e-books a year and 20% off everything from our bookstore
- Exclusive events with business celebrities and successful entrepreneurs