From Policy Wonk To Movement Builder — A Conversation With Cameron Cushman

If nearly two out of three Americans say they have a business idea, why do so few ever act on it?

That question sits at the heart of today’s conversation.

Welcome to another episode of The Entrepreneurial Mindset Project, where we explore the hidden logic that enables ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Today I’m joined by Cameron Cushman, co-creator of 1 Million Cups — a simple Wednesday morning experiment that grew into a national movement supporting entrepreneurs in communities across the country.

Cameron began his career in trade policy at the U.S. Department of Commerce, helping share the “secret sauce” of American entrepreneurship with the world. But it wasn’t until he arrived at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City that he discovered something important: the real secret wasn’t policy — it was community.

In this conversation, we explore what actually helps people move from intention to action — why community matters, why “weak ties” often prove stronger than close friends and family, and why, as Cameron likes to say, a dolphin tank beats a shark tank when it comes to real growth. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t reserved for the venture-backed elite. It’s a way of thinking — and engaging — that becomes possible when the right conditions are in place.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Cameron Cushman.