“Happiness in the work place.” Does that concept sound more like an oxymoron than a real possibility? Integritive owner John Miles doesn’t think so.

Started by Miles over 8 years ago, Integritive is a rapidly growing E-Marketing firm in Asheville that places the priority of employee happiness on a level playing field with the economic vitality of the firm. In fact, when hiring a new team member, Miles acknowledges that he first considers the candidate’s personality in context to overall cultural fit before even reading the candidate’s resume. “Does this person play well with others,” he (seriously) jokes. He knows if he can get the right people on the bus to start, the potential for happiness broadens.

At the recent TEDx Asheville event held Sunday, August 29, 2010, Miles described an idea termed ‘Innerpreneurship’. In contrast to Entreprenuers, which start a business to fill a need and turn a profit, Innerprenuers start a business to learn about themselves, make a difference in the world and reach their full potential. Each interaction throughout the typical work week is an opportunity for personal growth of the individual, which is then shared with the team in the name of collaborative evolution. How to define success under this model? Miles uses Earl Nightingale’s definition: “A progressive realization of a worthy ideal.”