In a world where the path to entrepreneurship often seems predetermined — college degree, corporate experience, venture funding — an unlikely pair of entrepreneurs in North Idaho is proving there are many routes to success. Their stories, though decades apart, intersect at an innovative community hub that's reimagining how cities can nurture business talent.

Meet Chris Banks, a 14-year-old entrepreneur who's already launched multiple businesses, and Alan Rich, a retired Silicon Valley veteran who worked on the original Macintosh computer with Steve Jobs. Despite their age gap, they've found common ground at the Innovation Collective, a community-driven entrepreneurship hub in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

"I like the environment and connecting entrepreneurs with other entrepreneurs," Banks, who attends school virtually and is currently developing an ATM business, said. "The first time I went, I thought I was just going to connect with people and maybe get some advice, but almost all the attention was on me. I wasn't expecting so many people willing to help a young entrepreneur."

For Rich, who spent years in Silicon Valley's fast-paced tech scene, the Innovation Collective reminds him of the industry's earlier, more collaborative days. 

"It's kind of like back to the Silicon Valley that I remember," he said. "Before it became so restrictive, with so many rules."

The Innovation Collective has created an environment where age and experience level don't define a project's potential. Instead, it's about fostering connections and sharing knowledge. The organization hosts regular events where members can network, share ideas and seek guidance from others in the community.

“I’m blown away by how many creative ideas turn into action, whether it’s publishing a book, writing a play, or launching an AI company," said Nick Smoot, who founded build_ cities and runs the collective. "Every time, the build_ Coeur d’Alene community — part of the build_ cities network — rallies to support each other."

Rich, who worked with tech pioneers including Steve Jobs, brings decades of manufacturing and engineering expertise to the collective. 

"I'm here because I like hanging out with smart people, creative types, people that have an idea," he said. "I may not have the business sense to help them get started, but I do have the engineering background to help make tweaks, make things more manufacturable or easier to market."

For Banks, this mentorship has been invaluable. Since joining, he's received help with everything from LLC formation to business strategy. 

"I got tons of help," he said. "I've used different mentors before, but they never really had like a personal connection like this."

The collective's impact extends beyond just business advice. It's creating a culture where failure is seen as a stepping stone to success, not a dead end. 

"It's OK to fail," Rich said. "As long as that's not where you stop. Don't let that be your defining moment."

This perspective particularly resonates with young entrepreneurs like Banks, who started his first business at 13 and has already experienced both successes and failures. 

"Every single business I've had, I failed some of them. I've obviously been successful with some, but all of them taught me something," he said.

The collective has incubated several successful companies as well. 

"One of my favorite stories is about an NIC student who had an idea for a cybersecurity company using machine learning in a new way. He turned to the build_ community for help finding a place to test it, and someone suggested he talk to the North Idaho College employee managing the college’s network." Smoot said. "Unsurprisingly, the guy said no — he couldn’t hack the college network. But here’s the shocking part: that same employee quit his job, joined the student as a cofounder, and they went on to raise venture capital. Now, they’re not just experts in AI and crypto, but also in what it takes to turn an idea into action.

"Even a local woodworker and inventor who reimagined 3D printing with carbon fiber now has a company working with NASA and aerospace leaders. And just this year, we saw a company launch and hit $6M in revenue within 12 months, employing 40+ people. It’s wild to see, and the opportunities for local investors are incredible because this community we have created knows how to build the future.”

What makes the Innovation Collective unique is its deliberate removal of traditional barriers to entrepreneurship. Politics and religion are left at the door. Age is irrelevant. As Rich notes, "There's guys in there that are probably close to 70, and there's kids in there like this 14-year-old who has a pretty cool idea."

The result is a diverse community where a teenage entrepreneur can sit next to a tech executive, and both can learn from each other. It's a model that challenges traditional notions of mentorship and business education, suggesting that entrepreneurial knowledge can flow in multiple directions.

"When I look at young guys like this 14-year-old who wants to start his own business, I'm like, 'Yeah, where do you need help?'" Rich said. "And that's the cool thing about the Innovation Collective. There'll be like eight guys going, 'Dude, that's awesome,' as opposed to everybody going, 'Don't do that. What are you, stupid?'"

In an era where traditional paths to success are being questioned and reimagined, the Innovation Collective offers a glimpse of what the future of entrepreneurship might look like: intergenerational, collaborative and accessible to anyone with drive and an idea, regardless of their age or background.

For both Banks and Rich, it's more than just a meeting space. It's an investment in their future and their community. As Banks puts it, "It's worth more than just a place to sit down and work. That place gives you so much more."

For more information, or to sign up for a free membership, go to BuildJournal.club.