Mayor Yemi Mobolade - From Business Owner to City Builder

Early Roots and Immigration Journey
The story of Yemi Mobolade is deeply rooted in the immigrant experience, where resourcefulness isn't just a skill—it's a survival tool. Growing up in a developing country, he witnessed firsthand the entrepreneurial spirit that defines many immigrant families. "A lot of immigrants are just inherently entrepreneurial," he reflects, "especially immigrants who come from developing and third-world countries. You learn the art of stretching resources. You learn the art of being creative." His early years were marked by observing parents who, like many immigrants, worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. "I watched parents who—a lot of immigrants are about the hustle—they work two, three, four, five jobs just to make ends meet," he recalls. This early exposure to dedication and hard work would later inform his own approach to business and public service. The immigrant experience taught him not just about survival, but about maintaining hope for a better future despite limited resources. Throughout his childhood, one message from his father would prove particularly prophetic: "The sky's the limit." Years later, Mobolade would reflect on how his father, despite his own insecurities, repeatedly instilled this powerful message of limitless possibility. This early encouragement would become a foundational element of his future success and his approach to both business and community leadership.

The Call of Colorado Springs
Mobolade's journey to Colorado Springs was defined by what he describes as three pivotal elements. The first was an immediate, almost magnetic connection to the city. "When I visited, it was love at first sight," he shares with evident emotion. "I'd like to believe that I didn't choose this city, this city chose me, and I'm so glad it did." The second element was deeply personal—a crucial moment in his own leadership journey. At the age of 30, having emerged from what he describes as "a hard season," Mobolade found himself at a crossroads of self-discovery. "I was trying to assess who I wanted to be," he recalls. "It was a season in my life where I realized I needed to be the change I wanted to see in the world. Not enough to just complain about the state of affairs—I needed to step up and be a part of the solution." This realization marked the true beginning of his entrepreneurial journey. The third element was opportunity—a theme that resonates deeply with the city's own history. Drawing parallels to General Palmer, the city's founder who invested $5,000 of his own money to plant trees he would never see mature, Mobolade saw himself as part of a continuing legacy of visionary pioneers. "Nothing existed," he notes, speaking of the city's founding, "and that's what entrepreneurs do. We create something out of nothing." This connection to the city's entrepreneurial roots deeply influenced his approach to business and community building. He often uses the analogy of buying a house to describe his relationship with Colorado Springs: "You love the house as it is, but you also see potential. So you go to Home Depot, Lowe's, buy some tools, materials, you get to work, you hire contractors, and you make it an even better home."

Creating Community Through Business
The founding of the Wild Goose Meeting House and Good Neighbors Meeting House represented more than just business ventures—they were manifestations of Mobolade's vision for community building. These establishments were deliberately designed as modern interpretations of traditional public houses, spaces where community wasn't just welcome but was the very foundation of the business model. "The mission of both businesses literally is we create community over good food and beverages," Mobolade explains. The impact of this mission became evident in the stories that unfolded within these spaces. He recalls with pride the numerous first dates that led to engagements and marriages, the touching story of a single father who brought his daughter almost daily after school, creating a ritual of connection in a public space, and the countless reunions of old friends who hadn't seen each other in years. The choice of the name "Meeting House" was intentional and rooted in history. "It's a new way of saying pub house, public house," Mobolade explains. "The root word 'pub' was a public house in Europe where, when the community wasn't at work or at home, these were third places in the community that the community gathered." This historical connection wasn't just semantic—it spoke to the fundamental role these spaces played in community formation and democracy itself. These establishments became true societal levelers, where people from all walks of life could gather and connect. On any given day, you might find developers and construction workers sharing the same space, creating an authentic democratic environment that transcended social and economic boundaries. This aspect of the businesses proved particularly valuable in preparing Mobolade for his future role in public service, providing him with deep insights into the community's needs, aspirations, and challenges.

The Entrepreneurial Education
Running these businesses provided Mobolade with an invaluable education in leadership, community building, and problem-solving. The challenges and triumphs of small business ownership became a practical training ground for his future role in public service. "As a small business owner, you learn hard work, you learn grit, you learn resilience, you learn sacrifice, creative solutions," he reflects. One of the most crucial lessons came in understanding the importance of culture and team building. "You don't cheat on culture. You don't sacrifice on culture," he emphasizes, recalling experiences where his desire to help individual employees sometimes risked impacting the broader team culture. "Even as you're trying to help one or two people, you're also hurting your culture with the other 30 people that are on your team."

Transition to Public Service
The path from business owner to public servant wasn't one Mobolade had initially envisioned. "The furthest thing from my mind," he admits with characteristic candor. "I kind of stumbled into this." What drove him wasn't political ambition but rather what he playfully terms "topophilia"—the Greek word for love of place. "I joke that love makes you do stupid things like run for office," he says, "but you love this community, you want to be a part of changing it for the better, you want to leave it better than you found it." His business experience, particularly through the Wild Goose and Good Neighbors Meeting House, had given him a unique perspective on the community. These establishments served as informal town halls, where he gained firsthand knowledge of the city's challenges, aspirations, and potential. "I actually got to learn so much about the city that I had enough knowledge about the city to go into public office, because it's a public place," he explains. This transition was marked by bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to politics. Rather than adopting traditional political approaches, Mobolade applied the same innovative thinking that had made his businesses successful. "I won the election implementing an entrepreneurial mindset into the realm of politics," he notes. "I didn't do it in a traditional way."

Supporting Local Entrepreneurs
As mayor, Mobolade's commitment to supporting small businesses has remained unwavering, informed by his own experiences as an entrepreneur. His initiatives reflect a deep understanding of the challenges faced by small business owners, particularly during critical times like the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure as small business development administrator before becoming mayor, he worked to create practical solutions based on real-world experience. "These were not some great government solutions," he explains. "When I say have this conversation with your landlord, it's because this is a conversation I just had with my landlord." His administration has implemented several key programs to support local entrepreneurs:

1. Partnership with Exponential Impact The city partnered with local organization Exponential Impact for the Survive and Thrive program, investing approximately $1.2 million to support 54 businesses. "It's more than just funding," Mobolade emphasizes. "We entrepreneurs, we live in silos, and it feels like a lonely journey, but the truth is that lone wolves die. It's about bringing entrepreneurs and business people into a community of people who can support them and help them."

2. Permanent Partner Program This innovative tool helps businesses navigate the permit process before committing to locations or leases. Drawing from his own experiences, Mobolade recognized how crucial this information is in the early stages of business planning. "The number of times I spoke to business leaders who were frustrated that the location they signed their lease was not the ideal location for the business," he recalls, highlighting how this program helps prevent costly mistakes.

3. Business Navigator Initiative This comprehensive online resource provides step-by-step guidance through videos, helping entrepreneurs understand every aspect of starting and running a business. The platform represents Mobolade's commitment to making business information accessible and understandable to all.

4. Enhanced Access to City Government Recognizing that small businesses often lack the resources of larger corporations, Mobolade established dedicated positions within his administration to support entrepreneurs. "If you're large or corporate, you typically have somebody who you don't have to pick up the phone and call," he explains. "Small business people don't have that."

Leadership Lessons and Philosophy
Through his journey from entrepreneur to mayor, Mobolade has developed a leadership philosophy grounded in practical experience and human understanding. "Trust but verify," he emphasizes repeatedly, citing this as a crucial lesson learned sometimes the hard way through business partnerships and staff relationships. His approach to leadership is deeply influenced by his entrepreneurial background, particularly in how he handles challenges and resource allocation. "In government, we have to stretch resources because we don't have enough, especially this city," he notes, drawing parallels between business and public service challenges.

Impact and Legacy
The impact of Mobolade's entrepreneurial ventures extends far beyond their physical locations. The Wild Goose is credited with helping to ignite downtown revitalization in Colorado Springs, creating a ripple effect that inspired other businesses to open and contribute to the community's growth. His vision of business as a tool for community building has influenced how many in Colorado Springs view entrepreneurship. "I think about the number of businesses that have opened and started in a community because of our business," he reflects. "That's humbling, and that's what entrepreneurs do—our work is just bigger than they are."

Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Mobolade continues to apply entrepreneurial thinking to civic challenges. His experience as a business owner informs his approach to issues like housing, homelessness, and public safety, where creative solutions and efficient resource management are crucial. He maintains that the entrepreneurial spirit is essential for community development. "Entrepreneurs are what build any society, a community," he asserts. "This community was built on the backs of visionaries and entrepreneurs and people who can envision a reality, a world out of nowhere."

Personal Transformation and Legacy
Mobolade's journey from an immigrant child hearing "the sky's the limit" to a successful entrepreneur and mayor embodies the transformative power of entrepreneurship. "That boy, a combination of luck, fate, hard work, was able to not only transform his own story of the American dream but also help others achieve their story of the American dream," he reflects.

His story demonstrates how entrepreneurial skills and mindset can create positive change beyond the business world, impacting entire communities and inspiring future generations of leaders. The legacy he's building extends beyond his businesses or political office—it's in the countless connections fostered, the opportunities created, and the community strengthened through his vision of what a city can become when entrepreneurs lead with purpose and heart. Yemi Mobolade's journey from immigrant entrepreneur to city mayor represents more than just personal success—it's a testament to the power of community-focused entrepreneurship.

His story demonstrates how business acumen, combined with a genuine commitment to community building, can transform not just individual lives but entire cities. Through his various roles—as a business owner, community leader, and now mayor—Mobolade continues to embody the entrepreneurial spirit that built Colorado Springs. His message to current and aspiring entrepreneurs remains clear: their work matters not just for their own success, but for the broader community they serve and inspire. As he continues to lead Colorado Springs,

Mobolade's story serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs and civic leaders alike, showing how the principles of innovative thinking, community building, and resilient leadership can create lasting positive change in our communities. His journey reminds us that entrepreneurship is not just about starting businesses—it's about creating spaces and opportunities for others to achieve their own American dreams.