Social Entrepreneur exists at the intersection of profit and purpose. We tell positive stories from underrepresented voices, focused on solutions.
22 Subscribers
Podcast hosts
- TonyLoyd
@TonyLoyd
© Copyright, 2020, Culture Shift Companies. All rights reserved
Social Entrepreneur
22 Subscribers
Reviews
RyanLacker
5 out of 5 stars
Love the podcast!
I love the meaning behind every episode of this podcast and what it focuses on. Really what the business world needs right now!
thestainedglass
5 out of 5 stars
Love hearing from like-minded entrepreneurs
Tony does a great job finding awesome guests that truly have a strong social mission behind their enterprise. I love hearing from like-minded entrepreneurs who are also on a mission to change the world. A must add to your podcast lineup!
Chetan Madaan
5 out of 5 stars
Grea concept
There are a very few podcasts that deliver this kind of content.
Katie Joy B.
5 out of 5 stars
Passion, Perspective, and Purpose, Oh My!
Tony and his wide range of incredible guests talk all things business, but it’s so much more than that! You’ll get tons of actionable advice and tangible tips, but you’ll also get heaps of inspiration from truly engaging and devoted individuals that have been where you are and want to see you succeed while adding value to the world around us. Thanks so much for putting out such a spectacular show Tony - keep up the great work!
SideHustleBob
5 out of 5 stars
Outstanding people with outstanding stories
If you're setting out to start a social-good company or a not-for-profit organization (as I am), this is the podcast to listen to. Tony interviews people who have either "been there" in very difficult life situations (e.g. relationship abuse, poverty, human trafficking, etc.) or people who have been touched by those world problems and have set out to do something about it. Tony has a nice presence. He's easy to listen to and he himself is an excellent listener of his show guests. This show has been a terrific resource for me. Thank you, Tony!
Brooke Craven
5 out of 5 stars
Awesome Podcast!!
Tony, host of the Social Entrepreneur podcast, highlights all aspects of profit, purpose and more in this can’t miss podcast! The host and expert guests offer insightful advice and information that is helpful to anyone that listens!
Gallio get out
5 out of 5 stars
Powerful and inspiring
Please include crowdfunding campaign in show description. Would make it easier to contribute. Thank you, tony
AJ654
5 out of 5 stars
Inspiring!!!
I love listening to Tony interview so many amazing "doers" and hearing about impacts happening all around the world. I've learned so much and have been inspired to do something myself. Keep these stories coming, Tony!!!
Gisele_Oliveira
5 out of 5 stars
Love it!
Amazing. Well done podcast. Helpful really.
Overflow Your Possibility
5 out of 5 stars
A podcast worth listinging to
Tony is a great listener and interviewer. I learn so much from his thoughtful questions and how he connects it not only to the big time social entrepreneur but also to the ones that are just starting. I recommend where ever you are at in your social entrepreneurship journey to take a listen and learn from the amazing leaders and practitioners he interviewes!
Lm1966
5 out of 5 stars
Podcast for Changemakers
I was looking for the perfect podcast for social entrepreneurs and I found it! I love how much diversity Tony has: he interviews nonprofit and social business leaders along with journalists and other pundits. This way you get an amazing 360-degree exposure to the industry.
HenryLopez@TheHowOfBusiness
5 out of 5 stars
Well Done!
Great show Tony! Enjoying the format and your interview approach and style. Thanks!
jmennell
5 out of 5 stars
Inspiring practical stories for game changers.
Tony brings a keen business perspective to this social impact schooling, while his palpable gee whiz enthusiasm for each story shines through. What I like most about this podcast is that Tony let's change makers tell their amazing stories long enough to discover gems that he circles back to spotlight for actionable takeaways.
Shop HPC Hamilton Perkins
5 out of 5 stars
Social Entrepreneur Builds Community
Tony enables entrepreneurs and individuals working with a purpose to elevate their message. This podcast allows great messages to be heard and consumed by an audience that is eager to be helpful and to learn. It's a must listen for anyone that's in the space or looking to know more about what it is that social entrepreneurship is all about.
LorLor444
5 out of 5 stars
Powerful Impact
Tony is truly interviewing the changemakers out there doing their part in their part of the world. Most impressive and makes me want to do and be more so that I can help others do and be more as well. Completely life-changing interviews.
angusnelson.com
5 out of 5 stars
Making a difference
The world is only creating more opportunities for us, as a people, to be more responsible for our companies' actions. Great to have a show provoking these conversations with such passion. Keep up the great work!
Michael Pasha
5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Love the topic and the focus on social entrepreneurship. Very unique and interesting.
Duffash
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
What real entrepreneurs need to know. We need to thing globally in all aspects of our business. Thank you for this great podcast and congrats on it's success!
Uncle Tanner
5 out of 5 stars
The Right Thing to Do
Tony is a great host on this great podcast. I really appreciate the time and attention he puts towards this show and pulling out the golden nuggets from his guests… Which is all to serve us… His audience. Thank you Tony and keep up the good work… Now you! You subscribe right now because it's the right thing to do
mariarise
5 out of 5 stars
I love the variety
Tony is so thoughtful! The variety of guests is great. This is what college kids should be listening to. What an amazing way to learn about real businesses and the impact they have on our world.
StrengthsMomma
5 out of 5 stars
Making an impact
Awesome guests. Great messages. Real impact. I've loved all the episodes I've listened to so far! Can't wait to listen to more!.
Byan Doz
5 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Great insperational interviews with content that other entrpreneurs can use to in their own business.
Courageous1
5 out of 5 stars
Great stuff!
I love this podcast for so many reasons - most important of which is the fact that I am a social entrepreneur myself and I want to learn from all the other social entrepreneurs who have paved the path for me. - Mani Vaya from 2000 Books podcast
MellissaW
5 out of 5 stars
Inspiring
Tony's view is always unique and inspiring. A definite value add to my repertoire.
AlexP02552
5 out of 5 stars
Loving this podcast!
Hey Tony just wanted to tip my hat to you for hosting an awesome show. You’ve brought in a diverse group of experts and I’m finding the content extremely valuable. Looking forward to hearing more.
Vidal C.
5 out of 5 stars
Great job Tony!
Glad to see other change makers are exposing great stories from fellow social entrepreneurs! Kudos! Vidal Cisneros Jr. (Host of Thriving Beyond Podcast)
SeeinADHD.com
5 out of 5 stars
Better Than College
Wonderful place to come and learn about almost anything through others’ experiences. Tony has thoughtful interviews that open your eyes to the world and expand your mind. I think the show is about much more than social entrepreneurship, but it is the perfect title.
Yuri Cataldo
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing and Engaging!!
I love this show!! Tony brings on great guests that cover a lot of topics. I am going to make my students listen to many of these episodes when we talk about social entrepreneurship.
SocialZoomFactor MarketingNutz
5 out of 5 stars
Love this show
Good change maker show. Love the stories and what you are doing with this show. I remember being told I was a social entrepreneur and how enlightening to know there was a term that described my dreams and desires! This is a good show filled with inspiration and amazing stories. Keep doing what you're doing!
Ali_Abbasi
5 out of 5 stars
I love this show!
This show is definitely my favorite podcast. Absolutely fascinating stories of businesses making an impact. I love learning about all of these great businesspeople doing such good in the world through business. Terrific!
Jjdogggg
5 out of 5 stars
Uplifting
A place to go for good news and inspiration. Tony invites guests with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives to share their stories and offer advice. He is passionate and deeply cares about making the world a better place. Tony is a welcoming voice to all types of listeners and makes you feel a part of the conversation.
Scott Tovsen
5 out of 5 stars
Tony Loyd gets it.
Tony brings an extremely insightful breadth of experience to this developing field. He does an outstanding job of holding space for social entrepreneurship to find its true north. If you are a social entrepreneur, you will benefit from his wisdom.
Doug - Mind Drippings Media
5 out of 5 stars
People, Purpose, Profits
This is a great podcast of what some people and companies are accomplishing around the world is a sustainable way.
orstoddard
5 out of 5 stars
President of Oliver Russell
Tony’s a thoughtful guy who has a great way with his guests, which translates into interesting interviews with social entrepreneurs working in some very interesting ways to change the world through social and environmental impact. His podcast is a great listen if you care about using market-based approaches to solving social issue.
John Panico
5 out of 5 stars
Insightful and inspirational
Through his interview style and insights, he is inspiring everyone to do better. He has a unique perspective that is very refreshing. Love his call to action for listeners!
taneljappinen
5 out of 5 stars
Just started listening to the show recently and got hooked!
Awesome stories and lessons on how to do business ethical way!
LulieNH
5 out of 5 stars
High minded and impactful
Its so good to listen to positive change makers who are making huge differences in their communities. This podcast has the best guests in this special biz type, and Tony is a great host.
AlfHerigstad
5 out of 5 stars
Wow...
I got more value than I bargained for in this podcast! Extremely interesting guests and topics…not just interesting; useful as well.
@SkeoCEO
5 out of 5 stars
A New Generation
There is a new generation of entrepreneurs who are committed to building businesses that are not only financially viable - but also creating a more sustainable and equitable future. Tony is doing great job sharing their stories. If you want to be hopeful about the future listen to this show!
Donnie Halbgewachs
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing intro story
I just listened to the intro episode and the beginnings of this podcast are intriguing, fascinating and convicting. Can’t wait to listen to more shows. Thanks for doing this Tony, Sincerely Donnie
Wahid Tanner
5 out of 5 stars
So much good in one place
Each and every guest is amazing and this podcast highlights all the work they are doing. I learn from each one of them.
😄😎👠
4 out of 5 stars
Inspiring!
Very detailed information. Informative and well-done.
HeavyDriver
5 out of 5 stars
So empowering!
Hearing about all these great organization's projects really instills a lot of hope and motivation to do something positive for the future. Great show!
Simon W Chan
5 out of 5 stars
Relatable and Easy to Understand
Great balance for this show and how the host extract the ideas that we can easily get it. This is how entrepreneur learnings should be!
grohiit
5 out of 5 stars
Insightful and engaging
I love how Tony gets so insightful with his interviews by keeping the engagement factor very high. The topic of choice is exceptional. Tony is really impacting the choices that entrepreneurs make by inspiring them to keep it socially relevant.
AnissaMac
5 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Great podcast which provides lots of value!!
What a complete waste of money
5 out of 5 stars
Great motivation
I enjoyed listening to Tom Dawkins discuss his company Start Some Good. I love the idea of a podcast focused on social entrepreneurship. Tony has a wide range of social entrepreneurs meaning there is a ton of great info to learn about and be inspired by.
MichaelNeeley
5 out of 5 stars
Great Show!
I love what Tony is up to in the world and how he brings it forth in his work with this podcast. Great gusts - important topics - inspirational messages. Thank you, Tony, and keep ‘em coming!
ADHD reWired
5 out of 5 stars
Seriously, where have you been?
As a therapist, coach, podcaster, speaker, entrepreneur with a purpose, I’m so happy you are creating this podcast. I’m devouring it! Keep it coming.
Real Life Resilience Podcast
5 out of 5 stars
This is YOUR call to action...
What a great podcast! Love the calls to action. For companies who want to step up a notch. Tony is speaking into a space where there's not a ton of information. Thanks for that!
neetnotes28
5 out of 5 stars
Great addition to the social entrepreneurship conversation
Wonderful to see (and hear :) this addition to the ongoing, emerging, evolving conversation on social entrepreneurship! Expertly and thoughtfully facilitated by passionate host,Tony Loyd
Dan991234
5 out of 5 stars
Awesome show!
Tony brings some really incredible guests onto this podcast. I have learned a ton!! I can't wait to hear more episodes.
Denny Krahe
5 out of 5 stars
Great Show
I love learning about companies that are worried about using their business to help society as a whole so that I can support them as well! Keep up the great work Tony!
jamesdnewcomb
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing content!
Tony asked me to give his podcast a listen and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of his show - especially a new one. By bringing really high quality and well-prepared guests, Tony communicates the purpose of his show without explicitly stating it. Well done!
Coach Faydra
5 out of 5 stars
The Real Deal
In a sea of podcasts, this one is the real deal. An entertaining host, great content and a flow that keeps your interest. Great job!
Justin Glover
5 out of 5 stars
Very inspiring!
Thanks for bringing the value Tony! I’m digging the podcast. I’ve only listened to a few episodes but I’m subscribed and looking forward to diving into more episodes this week! Keep it up my friend.
meliniz
5 out of 5 stars
Very interesting stories
Life of a business owner doesn't have to be just about making money, but also about making the world around you better.
Jeff Agostinelli
5 out of 5 stars
A podcast with meaning
Tony is doing a GREAT job extracting essential traits needed for companies to make way in an ever-changing landscape and be socially responsible, meaningful, fair, relevant and so much more. This is a must listen for anyone looking to make a difference and a meaningful impact in the world through business. Thanks Tony!
Fixerone
5 out of 5 stars
Great Show!
Great show! Keep it up!
Mike @ Lumen
5 out of 5 stars
A topic that is near and dear to my heart
Tony is a great host who really gets the potential of social entrepreneurship. This is an important topic to me because one of my orgs, People Behind the Science, is really characterized best as social entrprenurship (or we strive to be at least!).
THEREALMMASON
5 out of 5 stars
Tony is a Change and Awareness Agent
It’s really refreshing to hear the stories of social entreprenuers that a passionate about helping other businessmen/businesswomen. Very diverse and interesting guests with amazing stories of their journey.
ItsMeRD
5 out of 5 stars
Great podcast!
I love the information in this podcast. So useful, yet also with a mission in mind to help change the world!
Liz Nierzwicki
5 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
Lovin this podcast. Just surprised he hasn't had me on as a guest yet.
Harry Duran
5 out of 5 stars
Making an Impact In Business From a Conscious Perspective
There are so many podcasts that cover business and entrepreneurs. It's refreshing to Tony take into consideration the importance of the being a conscious business leader. Give this new show a listen to see if the message about making a positive change in this world resonates with you!
Cleaning coach
5 out of 5 stars
Life does surprise!
I love hearing the stories. Carrie's story was awesome!
scottalanturner
5 out of 5 stars
Super interesting guests
This podcast will make you re-think your business. So many great guests with inspiring stories of how they are making a difference in the lives of others. Check out #017. You will never think of soap the same again.
Fit 2 Love JJ
5 out of 5 stars
Inspiring stories and focus
Appreciate your focus on wanting to give back as well as inspiring stories to humble us, learn from and share. Great show!
Erik@Newconstructionleader
5 out of 5 stars
Very Interesting Content
This podcast kept my attention, sounds great, and provides valuable content.
Charlene Gilman
5 out of 5 stars
Valuable Information!
Tony has produced a podcast bringing valuable information and powerful interviews! Nicely produced show!
sweaterguy1
5 out of 5 stars
Make a Difference!
I think every business owner should listen to this podcast! It's so important to have a social cause, and this is great to get inspiration and learn a ton. The quality is great and the guests are fascinating!
Mother Jen
5 out of 5 stars
PERFECT!
Such a fantastic podcast. Keep it up!!!
SchoolofHouseFlipping.com
5 out of 5 stars
Powerful Podcast!
Well prepared and thought out show. I’ll be keeping my ear on this one!
The Medicare Nation
5 out of 5 stars
This is the real deal
This podcast is real, authentic and skillful. You're looking at a game changer here! Diane Daniels Host Medicare Nation Podcast
Jodi | Women Taking the Lead
5 out of 5 stars
The Wave the of the Future
Tony, thank you for highlighting the new industr,: the industry that will change the world for the better: social entrepreneurship. I can hear your passion and I appreciate your knowledge on this subject. I am looking forward to continued inspiration from you and your guests.
Tusharsharma
5 out of 5 stars
Love this podcast!
I love everything to do with entrepreneurship and this show focuses on social entrepreneurship. It goes into why this is important and how others can do it too. Love it. Keep rocking!
blissful dad
5 out of 5 stars
Loved the Nathan Chan Interview.
Fell in love with the show with the nathan chan episode. Hit the subscribe button, excited to do a binge listen
johnackley
5 out of 5 stars
Courage and Compassion Meet Innovation
Tony interviews entrepreneurs bringing innovative solutions to thorny social, economic and environmental problems around the world. Both Tony and his guests have the compassion to know what to do and the courage to do it. I am in awe of the work showcased in this podcast. Bravo!
Baldeagle90
5 out of 5 stars
Inspiring Stories About Awesome Leaders
I love how Tony has brought in some great leaders that are creating brilliant solutions to the world’s problems. Real win-win-win stories. Each episode lifts my spirit. Thanks, Tony!
Stringfive
5 out of 5 stars
Make an impact
Great tips and perspective to make an impact. For entreprenuers and startups. I especially liked the interview with Roger Martin. Can't wait to hear more. ~ Kevin @Everyday_MBA
Kim Avery
5 out of 5 stars
Powerful and Positive!
Tony really rocks this subject and this podcast! Great interviews and rich content. Thanks, Tony, for tackling this important content.
Carmeldr
5 out of 5 stars
Thank you!
What a great podcast, it really is so inspiring and encouraging to always make sure to make a difference while building successful businesses. Great job Tony!
Daniel E Bauer
5 out of 5 stars
Do It Now!
Learn how to become a change maker and provide solutions to real problems. Tony is a great teacher!
RyJackCL
5 out of 5 stars
Great show really appreciate the podcast
Thanks Tony for your work. I really enjoyed the stories that you and your guests talk about. Thanks.
Ian Ryan
5 out of 5 stars
Awesome Content
I just recently got bak from SOCAP 15 in San Fransisco and discovered this podcast recently. Great topics and awesome content.
The Marketing Book Podcast
5 out of 5 stars
Fascinating Interviews!
This is such an interesting concept for a podcast. It’s the convergence of so many vitally important areas. Have a listen and you’ll be hooked.
David Specht
5 out of 5 stars
Great Interviews, Easy to Listen
Loving this podcast. Tony is a great interviewer and it is very easy to listen to him.
Pod9955
5 out of 5 stars
Great Show
A must listen for anyone interested in social entrepreneurship and adding value the way you’ve always wanted to. Great content.
Gene_HPLN
5 out of 5 stars
Great show for those who want to make an impact!
Awesome podcast! For many people is is a mystery how they can step from employee mentality into entrepreneur world. This podcast can help to fill in the gap. Great stories! Keep it coming!
Joel Boggess
5 out of 5 stars
Well Done Tony!
We all need inspiring stories, fresh ideas, relevant information, and steps to action. Way to take action and make this show happen! Joel and Dr Pei Husband and wife hosts of ReLaunch
Elsie Day
5 out of 5 stars
Inspiring!
This podcast is so timely and relevant! I love the inspiring stories of hope, success, and compassion.
Speaking@krc
5 out of 5 stars
Realistic & helpful!
Came here from a recommendation from a friend and dang -- amazing advice that is REALISTIC for entrepreneurs! Great morning inspiration, and perfect for a morning commute to work
Silly bands rock go by them
5 out of 5 stars
Solid
I’ve been an entrepreneur for about 10 years, but still can’t spell it. This show is so different than all the other business related podcasts. Love it! Can’t wait to hear more!
M1kesw1fe
5 out of 5 stars
Powerful
Love this podcast, excellent content and very poignant!
Therykerdane
5 out of 5 stars
Great podcast with great advice!
This podcast is great and has some awesome guests on the show. They all have great stories and experiences of how to help that early entrepreneur get going.
Pleasetakeusername
5 out of 5 stars
An Audio Spotlight on Great People
Tony introduces you to CSR (corporate social responsibility) and brings on inspiring and amazing people for each episode. Like Stefan Phang, who literally recycles the extra soap bar remnants from hotels in order to provide soap to people in need around the world. Or Rick Hooper who left Philips Electronics as a Vice President in order to become the CEO of his own company for dedicated to widening access to renewable energy in developing countries. As a host, Tony is intelligent and likable–and his guests are dynamite. 5 stars.
PMaskill
5 out of 5 stars
Great Format, Great Guests!
Tony does a great job with his podcast, engaging the interviewee and providing content for the listener. As an entrepreneur, this is a great podcast to add to the mix.
Kristianne @ Create Your Now
5 out of 5 stars
Attention entrepreneurs!!
Ready to be inspired, hear stories of success, what worked and what didn't. Tony brings great guests. You'll learn so much. And you must listen to how Tony's life was impacted from Sara in Africa.
Don Hutcheson
5 out of 5 stars
Stefan Phang: Soap for Hope
Just listened to Tony Loyd’s illuminating interview with Stefan Phang of Sealed Air’s Soap for Hope. Mr. Phang has since October 2013 partnered with 300 hotels in 19 countries to divert 630 tons of solid soap waste from landfills and convert it into 5.3 million bars of soap, which have been given to 450,000 people. In the process the lives of over 600 people have been greatly enhanced and the incidence of sex trafficking for young children has been dramatically reduced. This podcast is a groundbreaking idea and greatly needed. Bravo, Tony Loyd, wish you all the best!
HGCIII
5 out of 5 stars
Great stories and great results - love the focus
Tony brings real life stories to the forefront of how the world will change through the impact of grass roots entrepreneurs that will bring social changes - Well done!
brianjbell
5 out of 5 stars
A podcast about business for good
Each episode is informative, thought-provoking, and inspiring. Tony Loyd's podcast is a unique view into the emerging world of impact entrepreneurship, which focuses on addressing global grand challenges through viable market-based approaches that make profit and an impact simultaneously. By bringing in entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and other professionals engaged in the land of impact entrepreneurship, Tony is creating a library of stories of impact entrepreneurship unparalleled in depth and quality. Well done, keep them coming!
rzuzow
5 out of 5 stars
Engaging and inspiring
Tony Loyd’s podcast on social enterprise is a much needed addition to the very short list of social enterprise podcasts. His thoughtful interview style, accomplished guests, and engaging storytelling make for a podcast that is a great source of inspiration.
devinthorpe
5 out of 5 stars
A Podcast with Impact
Tony is creating the greatest portfolio of interviews with changemakers you'll find on the internet. With in depth discussions with real leaders, Tony helps you learn what works and what doesn't, what makes impact players tick and how you can make a difference!
wordswithhhfrans
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing podcast
Finally!! As a sophomore social entrepreneurship major at Belmont University I have been looking for ways to expand my knowledge of this new realm beyond the classroom. I love this podcast and I am sharing it with my professor and classmates.
Isneed13
5 out of 5 stars
Powerhouse content
Podcasts are extremely useful in my growth as an entrepreneur and business owner. The content shared in these podcasts help stretch my vision and belief because you get first hand accounts from very successful people that have done it before and do it in such a positive way. Love this podcast. Thank you for your hard work!
Fabian Tech Education Account
5 out of 5 stars
So glad I’m coming in on the ground floor
Authentic, Genuine, and Making a Difference! The content is not only 1st class, it represents the possibilities of what real social entrepreneurship could look like!
LaurenGratenstein
5 out of 5 stars
Value EVERY time
Tony Loyd always giving out 🔥🔥 the best content on this podcast!
Podcast information
- Amount of episodes
- 328
- Subscribers
- 22
- Verified
- Yes
- Website
- Explicit content
- No
- Episode type
- episodic
- Podcast link
- https://podvine.com/link/..
- Last upload date
- May 18, 2022
- Last fetch date
- May 31, 2023 2:59 AM
- Upload range
- WEEKLY
- Author
- Tony Loyd
- Copyright
- Copyright, 2020, Culture Shift Companies. All rights reserved
susbcribers
- An Umbrella Made from Ocean-Bound Plastic, with Deirdre Horan, Dri(For show notes and a full transcript, see https://tonyloyd.com/deirdre-horan). Dri produces durable, fashionable, and environmentally sustainable umbrellas from ocean-bound plastic. As a fifteen year-old, Deirdre Horan left her comfortable home in Acton, Massachusetts to join a youth group traveling to Gulfport, Mississippi. This was two years after Hurricane Katrina, and the community continued to struggle. “What really struck me was the level of devastation that was still there two years later,” Deirdre explains. “It takes much longer than the initial relief to pick lives back up. People will always need assistance if they’ve been impacted. I saw at a young age that something can always be done for somebody.” Deirdre continued to travel back to Gulfport year after year. But she also thought of how she could make a greater impact. A shift in plans In 2017, Deirdre watched a documentary, Garbage Island: An Ocean Full of Plastic. In the film, Captain Charles Moore made a comment that stuck with her. “He said something like, ‘The oceans to a degree help clean itself out. We need to address the amount that’s flowing in,’” Dierdre explains. “I went down a black hole, researching recycling. I learned that plastic bottles could be upcycled into polyester. “One day I was walking to work and my umbrella flipped inside out. I was wet, discouraged, and angry. I threw the umbrella in the trash can. I checked the tag. It was made with polyester yarn. The wheels started turning. I realized that I didn’t know who made any umbrella, let alone an eco-friendly umbrella.” That’s when the idea came for an umbrella made from ocean-bound plastic. “I ran around telling everybody I knew about this idea. And then, I realized that I had to buckle down and do some research. One of the biggest hurdles was finding someone who could make it ethically. “I vetted multiple companies before I made my decision.” The problem The world produces 380 million tons of plastic every year. Much of that is for single-use. But what about recycling? Much of the plastic that is gathered for recycling is sent to countries with weak environmental laws and poor waste management systems. According to Deirdre Horan of Dri, over 17 billion pounds of plastic flows into the ocean every year. That’s more than one garbage truck per minute. In many of these low-income countries, waste pickers will pick up ocean-bound plastic and bring it to recycling centers. That plastic is pelletized and can be spun into yarn and polyester. The solution Dri umbrellas are created from upcycled ocean-bound plastic. The handles are made from fast-growing bamboo, and the shafts are stainless steel, which is recyclable. Learn More About Deirdre Horan and Dri Dri: https://dri.earth Dri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dri_umbrellas Dri on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DriUmbrellas Vice Documentary, Garbage Island: An Ocean Full of Plastic: https://youtu.be/D41rO7mL6zM IFundWomen: https://ifundwomen.com First Founders: https://firstfounders.org0 comments0
- Grants, Challenges, and Incubators (Oh My!) with Shubham Issar of SoaPenFor a full transcript and extended show notes, see https://tonyloyd.com/shubham-issar. Shubham Issar and Amanat Anand go from the UNICEF Wearables for Good Challenge to Shark Tank and beyond. Shubham Issar and Amanat Anand grew up in New Delhi but met at Parsons School of Design in New York. They loved working together on hands-on design projects that made a difference. In 2015, they entered the UNICEF Wearables for Good Challenge. While investigating the challenge, they ran into a statistic that shocked them. Hundreds of thousands of children under the age of five die annually from infectious diseases that handwashing can prevent. Shubham and Amanat were determined to do something about that. They returned to India to see handwashing in action. They sat in classrooms and observed. They discovered that teachers, overwhelmed by a student ratio of sixty-to-one, were rationing soap. Proper handwashing was not happening at critical times during the day. They also observed the children enjoying their favorite pastime, drawing with bright colors. Shubham and Amanat had an idea to make handwashing fun. They developed a prototype of a soap pen. Kids draw on their hands with brightly colored soap. It takes 20 to 40 seconds to wash off the design, ensuring proper handwashing. UNICEF selected their design as one of ten winners of the Wearables for Good Challenge. And so, SoaPen, the product, and the company were born. With the prize money, Shubham and Amanat conducted research and development. In 2017, they conducted a Kickstarter campaign to fund a production run. In 2018, they launched their first product on Amazon, but they struggled with sales. "Talking about 2019 itself, it was just such a hard year for us," Shubham says. "We were bootstrapped. We launched on Amazon because we wanted to be where the parents were. But when you launch on Amazon, you're this little fish in this massive pond. You don't know how to reach the right audience. "In October of 2019, we were featured in Real Simple magazine. Being the millennial I am, I had no idea the power that print media had. We completely sold out our entire inventory in two and a half weeks." SoaPen's supply chain was not ready. Amazon's algorithm sent people to their page, but SoaPen could not meet the demand. Their supplier took more than eight weeks to produce new SoaPens. When the SoaPen products returned in stock, the wholesale channel took 70% of that order. So SoaPen remained out of stock on Amazon. "On Amazon, if you're inactive for two weeks, you're essentially starting from scratch. I think that was very stressful. We finally felt like we had market validation, that the parents were interested in the product and that it was filling a need." That was January 2020. Then, COVID hit, and they sold out again. During this time, SoaPen received crucial customer feedback. Parents wanted more vibrant colors. And, they wanted a smaller roller ball for better drawing. When it seemed like SoaPen should rush into production, they decided to pause to get the product right. With a redesign and supply chain issues, they took time to get the product back on shelves. They missed sales opportunities, but they developed a product that kids and their parents love.0 comments0
- Social Entrepreneur Nov 27 · 31m Can Meta be a Force for Good? An Interview with Emily Dalton SmithIs it possible for the company formerly known as Facebook to be a force for good? There are some bright spots. NOTE: For a full transcript of the conversation, go to https://tonyloyd.com/emily-dalton-smith If you want to hear bad news about Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, you don’t have to look far. And, there’s plenty of bad news to find. If you’re interested in reading more about that, just Google the phrase Facebook Papers. But, for me, there’s a more interesting question. Can Meta be a force for good? Is it possible? As you know, here at Social Entrepreneur, our motto is “We tell positive stories from underrepresented voices, focused on solutions.” I admire models such as Solutions Journalism, where journalists ask the question, “Who does it better?” And I love appreciative inquiry, where leaders take a strengths-based approach. I would also recommend Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath. The point of all of these approaches is, look for the bright spots. Look for what is working and spread that around. If you know my story, you know that I was a corporate executive. I was bothered by big questions that drove me to leave my career and learn about social entrepreneurs. Social entrepreneurs use the power of business to do social good. I believe, if we are going to save humanity, we cannot depend on government agencies and nonprofits to do the work required. Their work is necessary but insufficient. Every business must look at its impact, both positive and negative. We must find the positive effects of our companies and amplify that. Let me be clear. To make the kind of impact needed, companies cannot work around the edges. If ExxonMobil plops a solar panel on top of their headquarters, they cannot declare victory and go home. We have to rethink our business models fundamentally. And positive change requires third-party verification. That’s why I’m such a fan of certified B Corporations. In today’s interview, Emily Dalton Smith, Vice President of Product Management at Meta, describes how Meta is creating a positive social impact. She talks about Crisis Response, Charitable Giving, Community Help, Health, Mentorship, COVID-19 Information Center, and the Voting Information Center.0 comments0
- Think Against the Grain for Regenerative Farmers, with Dan Miller, StewardFor extended show notes, see: https://tonyloyd.com/dan-miller Steward is a community of borrowers and lenders who support regenerative farming. Can a farm make the earth healthier? Regenerative farming is a set of practices that rebuild soil health by restoring carbon and nutrient content. This improves productivity and the health of the planet. But there’s a problem. The agricultural capital system wasn’t built for small, regenerative farms. That’s where Steward comes in. Steward equips regenerative farms with the capital they need to grow. Steward is a private lending partner, but they don’t work alone. Steward brings together a community of values-driven lenders who participate in loans and earn a return. A Capital Marketplace for Regenerative Ag Steward brings together a three-sided equation – small to mid-sized non-commodity farmers, people who are passionate about food, and the Steward platform. But it all starts with the farmers. “It’s about thinking beyond a short view of taking care of a resource and feeling the bound to it,” Dan Miller of Steward says. “For many historical and indigenous cultures, that was obvious. With our current culture, we’ve been disconnected from the resources that we live upon. “For most of these farmers, small to midsize growing non-commodity, the current financial system is built for large scale commodity agriculture - large soy and grain farms. If you’re one of these smaller producers selling at a farmer’s market or selling to a well-known chef, you don’t have an outlet for capital. “So they come to us. At first, farmers are surprised that we exist, that there’s a financial service that is focused purely on them as a customer. We have a team member that works them through the funding process. We have an in-house team member who’s a farmer. He helps speak with them about their actual business plan. “So it is about helping them think about what funding they need. What’s the right amount? What’s the right structure. What are the improvements that they can immediately make to help grow their business? “They’ve been undercapitalized so long that it’s often a very simple piece of equipment, or tools, or operational capital, or land. It’s not complicated at all. What they need are things they’ve needed for years. They have not had access to capital.” Learn More About Dan Miller and Steward: Steward: https://gosteward.com Steward on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoSteward Steward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/go-steward Steward on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steward Steward on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoSteward More Resources: Social Entrepreneur Six-Week Quick Start: https://cultureshift.com0 comments0
- The Many Faces of Service, with Kate Glantz, Luma LegacyFor complete show notes, see: https://tonyloyd.com/kate-glantz Luma Legacy: A Fairer, Kinder World “Luma Legacy is a segment within Luma Pictures,” Kate explains. “It’s a magical creative studio that's been in the world for about 20 years. The bread and butter of the business is making movie magic - so visual effects. Luma Pictures makes superheroes fly, creates new worlds and realities, and all of the really fun stuff that keeps us entertained and dreaming big. “Luma also has a venture capital arm that makes early stage investments in companies and founders changing the world with really an investment thesis around future of healthcare, future of work or future of food, and the like. “And the Luma Features is our newest division that's actually making movies from the ground up. It’s all centered around the goal of creating imaginative, emotionally rich stories that other studios or financiers just might not take the risk on. But these are stories that need to be in the world from voices that aren't always heard. “And then finally, Luma Legacy is that the segment of Luma that I was brought in to help figure out. And the mandate, the very broad, bold, ambitious mandate is to help create a fairer kinder world for everyone.” A Company Built on Compassion and Empathy “Facing any of these existential threats that are imminent, be it climate change or things we don't even know about yet without a certain sort of adherence to participating in the social fabric of what makes us human through compassion and empathy - we're kind of screwed. “We're really looking at this work is by grouping underlying root causes to some of society's greatest problems. So, we talk about it sometimes as rather than taking medicine for a sniffly nose or itchy eyes, what's actually making you sick? “There are a number of underlying causes that have driven this heightened state of polarization and intensified prejudice. But two that we're looking at are apathy and intolerance. When you flip those, you're looking at empathy and participation, and tolerance “That has helped us create these three pillars, which are: · Building bridges across America. · Catalyzing civic participation. · Promoting equity and justice, specifically the people and policies that are helping to solidify equity and justice under the law. “Behavior change is a really important component. If you are inspired, educated, or moved, it's not sufficient to then walk away and make a sandwich and go back to life. There needs to be a clear call to action. “At that very high level, our goal is to influence outcomes at the ballot box, so that we can create a truly equitable and representative democracy.” Luma Legacy’s Theory of Change Luma Legacy is creating all sorts of media. “It’s going to be what it needs to be to meet people where they are, where they gather, where they play, where they scroll. “And so our theory of change is essentially trying to shift conversations in culture at the level where pop culture happens. And that's in various segments of entertainment and arts. So music, arts, gaming, food - where people are is where we're be. And each initiative might have a different audience and a different medium, but the goal will always be consistent with those pillars that I shared.” Learn More About Kate Glantz of Luma Legacy Luma Legacy: https://www.luma.inc/legacy Luma Pictures on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lumapictures Luma Pictures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lumapictures Luma Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lumapictures More Resources: Social Entrepreneur Six-Week Quick Start: https://cultureshift.com0 comments0
- Katherine Venturo-Conerly and Tom Osborn, Shamiri InstituteFor extended show notes and a full transcript, see https:://tonyloyd.com/shamiri-institute Half of the young people in Kenya have elevated depression and anxiety. 45% of the disease burden comes from anxiety and depression. The Shamiri Institute has an answer. Kenya has been described as a young hustle culture. But that hustle takes a toll. According to Tom Osborn of the Shamiri Institute, “Mental health and wellbeing are really important. This is especially true in low-income settings like Kenya where I was born and raised. In Kenya, the median age is about 19. There's evidence that shows this young population is stressed because they have to succeed so early in life.” In Kenya, there is a massive wealth gap. The Gross National Income (GNI) per capita is around $1,750, while the number of millionaires in Kenya will grow by 80% over the next 10 years. Less than 0.1% of the population (8,300 people) own more wealth than the bottom 99.9%. This places pressure on young people to succeed or be left behind. “Most mental health outcomes are strongly connected with future career outcomes,” Tom explains. “We think mental health is important at this young age because it determines the life trajectories of many young people.” According to Katherine Venturo-Conerly of the Shamiri Institute, depression and anxiety make up 45% of the disease burden for young people in low-income countries. “Our research shows that approximately one in two youths has elevated depression and anxiety. Yet these young people go untreated because of a lack of caregivers. There is around one mental health provider for every one million Kenyans.” Tom Osborn explains that “societal stigma, government under-investment,” are partially to blame. But he also points out that “most existing treatments are long, costly, and not culturally appropriate.” And the answer is… The Shamiri Institute provides mental health interventions in a simple, stigma-free, scalable, and school-based group intervention. Services are delivered by young lay providers, ages 18-to-24. Shamiri trains the mental health lay providers and provides vetted tools. Randomized Controlled Trials of the Shamiri Institute’s interventions show more than 35% reduction in both depression and anxiety lasting up to 7 months. The interventions also provided 14% improvements in social support and a 2.5% increase in academic grades. “Our approach lowers the cultural and systemic barriers that make mental healthcare inaccessible for Kenyan youths,” Katherine explains. “Instead of the typical psychopathology-centered approach to treatment, we use a simple, positively-focused intervention that emphasizes wellbeing, academic and social improvements. Our innovation is brief, accessible, and disseminated through a network of peers working in schools.” Learn More About Katherine Venturo-Conerly, Tom Osborn and Shamiri Institute: Shamiri Institute: https://www.shamiri.institute Shamiri Institute on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamiri_institute Shamiri Institute on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShamiriTeam Shamiri Institute on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShamiriTeam Vuma Biofuels (formerly GreenChar): https://www.vumabiofuels.com Tom Osborn’s interview, Episode 50: https://tonyloyd.com/podcast/050-tom-osborn-greenchar-social-entrepreneurship-comes-early More Resources: Social Entrepreneur Six-Week Quick Start: https://cultureshift.com Self-Assessment, Are you Thriving?: https://cultureshift.com/are-you-thriving Self-Assessment, Discover Your Values: https://cultureshift.com/values0 comments0
- Kick Off, Season FourI’ve been thinking about you. You want to live a life of significance You feel compelled to serve a cause greater than yourself. You see a need in the world that you can’t unsee. There’s a cause that burns in your heart. To make a difference, you have to overcome the status quo. The status quo whispers in your ear, “That’s just the way things are.” The status quo is that you get up every day and act as if nothing is wrong in the world. It’s easy to be lulled into complacency by the status quo. There’s a high price for doing nothing. Unless you take action, the world remains unjust. You’re missing the opportunity to make a difference. You’re missing the chance to live to your full potential. You’re missing the chance to live a life of significance. It’s time to kick the status quo in the teeth. You can be the changemaker you always wanted to be. This week I’m announcing three new offerings: Season Four of Social Entrepreneur. The Social Entrepreneur Six-Week Quick Start Course. The Culture Shift Community. What is the Culture Shift Community? We bring together aspiring social entrepreneurs to serve a cause that is greater than ourselves so that we live a life of significance. This is your opportunity to: Join a movement. You can make more progress with others than you can alone. Achieve results faster. Build the skills and mastery you need to speed up your progress. Get access to a roadmap to success. Gain clarity on your exact next step from idea to impact. I know how frustrating it can be to change the world. If you don’t know me, I’m Tony Loyd. For years, I worked as a Fortune 500 executive. I watched as companies prioritized the shareholders over the other stakeholders such as the planet, communities, and employees. I knew there had to be a better way. But I had no idea where to start. The pull of the status quo seemed too great. In 2014 I met a group of social entrepreneurs – people who made a dollar and a difference. They made money, but the money went toward a mission. Today, I’m a best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and coach to social entrepreneurs. I host one of the world’s most downloaded podcasts. I have interviewed hundreds of social entrepreneurs. I found that successful social entrepreneurs follow predictable steps. Here’s what I found. Success leaves clues. You can learn what makes them successful. It’s easy as 1 – 2 – 3 to get started. Enroll today. Go to CultureShift.com and click the “Get Access” button. When you sign up, you’ll have access to a six-week live course to help you launch a grow a social business. Participate in live, interactive weekly sessions. Make more progress with others than you can alone. Get answers to your burning questions. Every week we host interactive, live sessions. Use shortcuts to get results faster. We provide a roadmap so that you always know your next step on the journey. Make more progress with others than you can alone. Go-it-alone doesn’t work. When you’re alone, you waste time, miss opportunities, lack guidance, and fail to reach your potential. That’s why you need a community of changemakers. Join the Social Entrepreneur Six-Week Quick Start course and the Culture Shift Community: Go to CultureShift.com and sign up today.0 comments0
- A Traveler’s Guide To World Peace, with Aziz Abu Sarah, MEJDI ToursNOTE: For extended show notes, see https://tonyloyd.com/aziz-abu-sarah MEJDI Tours sees tourism as an opportunity to transform lives through dual narratives and by strengthening local communities. Aziz Abu Sarah is a peace-builder, social entrepreneur, cultural educator, and author of Crossing Boundaries: A Traveler’s Guide To World Peace . But Aziz wasn’t always a peacemaker. “I grew up very angry,” Aziz says. “I didn’t have any Jewish or Israeli friends growing up until I was 18 years old. “In Jerusalem, if you don’t speak Hebrew, you’re not going to go to college. You’re not going to work. Your chances of success in life are minimal. In my high school, it was mandatory to learn Hebrew. But I went through three years of high school refusing to learn even a word of Hebrew. “I escaped from that class. I told my teachers that I was not willing to come to class because Hebrew was the language of the enemy - the people who killed my brother. I was seven or eight years old the first time I was shot at. I had a lot of trauma to deal with. I still have to deal with it. “And so when I was 18, I realized that if I don’t learn Hebrew, I will not have any chance of success in my life. So I went to study Hebrew. I studied Hebrew in a class where I was the only Palestinian, and almost all of the people in the class were Jewish immigrants to Israel. “I remember thinking I’m here to learn the language. I’m not here to make friends. I’m not going to talk to anyone. Apparently, that doesn’t work if you want to learn a language. They force you to sit together, ask questions. ‘Hey, how are you? Where are you from? What kind of music you like?’ “And that’s how we became friends. It wasn’t over political things. It was over simple things like what coffee you drink and what music you like. I love Western country music, which most Palestinians do not agree with me. In that class, I found a couple of people who love country music. “So we would sit down and talk about Johnny Cash. It started with that and eventually got to deeper conversations and political issues. But we had this space of ‘Wait a second. We have other identities that we can connect.’ And it’s not only ‘You’re Arab or a Jew, and therefore I have to hate you because of that.’ “And in that classroom, I made my first Jewish friends. From that point on, I understood that what divides us is a wall of ignorance, fear, and hatred. I wanted to put cracks in that wall. That became my mission in life.” Today, Aziz runs MEJDI Tours. “MEJDI means honor and respect,” Aziz says. “We start with that for the local communities, those we work with, and all our travelers.” MEJDI originated the Dual Narrative™ method that brings both sides of a conflict together as travel guides presenting their respective narrative. This approach was first introduced in the Holy Land and reaped remarkable results there and throughout the world. MEJDI Tours goes against the grain by rejecting the model of traditional consumer tourism—a highly commercialized experience that supports big business and often damages local communities. Also, as peace-builders, we are tackling the challenge of a divided and polarized world. Learn More About Aziz Abu Sarah and MEJDI Tours: Book : Crossing Boundaries: A Traveler’s Guide To World Peace : https://amzn.to/3bPvGDb MEJDI Tours: https://www.mejditours.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mejdi_tours Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MejdiTours0 comments0
- Social Entrepreneur Feb 28 · 22m Tap into the Strengths of Neurodiversity, with Isabella HeNOTE: For full show notes, see https://tonyloyd.com/isabella-he. High school students work on behalf of those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the United States, 1 in 54 children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Unemployment rates for individuals with ASD are approximately 85%. More than half a million individuals with ASD will enter the workforce in the next decade. The need for specialized vocational training is growing by the minute. A CDC study found that 50 percent of children with severe ASD only have access to school-based treatment services. And 17 percent of children with ASD do not have access to occupational, speech, or language therapy whatsoever. At-home therapy is difficult for those with special needs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With most in-person therapy sessions closed, many parents of children with ASD don’t have the proper material and guidance to provide effective at-home therapy. Meet Isabella He Isabella He is a high school junior at Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, CA, and the founder and President of SN Inclusion. SN Inclusion is a nonprofit organization that provides career-technical education to neurodiverse individuals. She is also a co-founder of AUesome, a social enterprise that offers at-home therapy kits to children with autism. Isabella is also an intern at the Stanford Neurodiversity Project and a dedicated volunteer and program coordinator at Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN). Other AUesome co-founders include fellow high school students Anshul Gupta, Andrew Kim, and Arnav Gurudatt. Learn More About Isabella He, SN Inclusion and AUesome: SN Inclusion: https://sninclusion.org AUesome: https://auesome.co SN Inclusion on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sninclusion SN Inclusion on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SN-Inclusion-102768024862916 AUesome on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auesome.co Isabella He on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-kai-he/ Isabella He on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iisabellahe Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN): https://fcsn1996.org Stanford Neurodiversity Project: https://med.stanford.edu/neurodiversity.html0 comments0
- A Sense of Justice for Women and Girls, with Judith Martinez, InHerShoesWhat would you do if you were 1% more courageous? Judith Martinez is a leader at the intersection of social justice and the future of human capital. She is the CEO of InHerShoes, the modern woman’s community for courage. When Judith was in the fifth grade, she witnessed a scene that changed her life direction. “I’m a first-generation Filipino-American,” Judith explains. “I grew up with Filipino as my first language. My grandparents raised me. “I remember we were at the LAX airport. My grandmother was trying to explain in her broken English to a man that she needed help. And he just cast her aside. It was like she was nothing. ‘Oh, you’re no one. You’re nothing.’ For me, as a fifth-grader, it was two humans interacting, but one human didn’t feel like the other one was a human. “That ingrained in me a sense of justice. That has evolved in a variety of ways. That is part of why I chose to take on InHerShoes.” Today, Judith is the CEO of InHerShoes. InHerShoes is a non-profit committed to catalyzing courage for girls and women of all ages. They do that through an annual summit, workshops, and leadership training. The foundation of everything they do begins and ends with one question: What would you do if you were 1% more courageous? Judith was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee, has been featured in NASDAQ and Forbes. She is a Vital Voices and a TRESemme Global Leadership Fellow. She was recently selected to be a United States of Women Ambassador representing the state of California. Learn More About Judith Martinez and InHerShoes: InHerShoes: https://www.inhershoesmvmt.org InHerShoes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inhershoesmvmt InHerShoes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InHerShoesMVMT0 comments0
- Eliminate Plastic from Your Oral Care, with Kathy Ku, Juni EssentialsHelping bamboo farmers and women in impoverished regions become self-reliant while eliminating plastic waste. If Kathy Ku’s name is familiar to you, you might have heard about her previous social venture in Uganda, Spouts of Water. I interviewed Kathy in December 2016. Kathy and her co-founder John Kye left Spouts of Water, but it continues to thrive. Around the same time that Kathy and John were in Uganda working on clean water, Dr. Noah Park was volunteering in low-income countries. “One of our Korean co-founders visited our production site in Uganda seven years ago or so, but we had never met each other,” Kathy explains. “He traveled to the less developed areas of developing countries and noted that a lot of bamboo was being grown in these areas and wanted to do something about it. He calculated by developing the bamboo industry in Vietnam, he could triple or quadruple the average yearly earnings in an area with 150,000 inhabitants. He’s also a dentist, so he naturally came upon bamboo toothbrushes.” In the United States alone, over 1 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away each year. These toothbrushes are not recycled. They end up in the landfill or floating in the environment. To deal with these two problems – plastic waste and helping poor bamboo farmers, Dr. Park launched his bamboo toothbrush company in Korea under the Dr. Noah brand. In 2020, Dr. Noah raised Series A capital to move into the US market. That is when Kathy Ku and John Kye joined the team. About Kathy Ku “I grew up in an immigrant family and community that always stressed this idea of giving back,” Kathy says. “My mom would tell me, ‘you should run an orphanage when you grow up.’ Now, I look back and think we definitely should have been worrying about our roof over our heads. But this idea of looking to do good and doing well always stuck with me. “By the time I joined Juni Essentials, they were still trying to figure out the production process. We’re talking like 50 toothbrushes being made a day. I had a manufacturing background and helped ramp it up. We’re now making more than 50,000 toothbrushes a month. We’ll get to 100,000 soon. “Not a lot of people know about bamboo toothbrushes, and of the people who’ve tried them, I think a lot of people have been turned off by them. They feel different from plastic toothbrushes. And I think this is where we come in. “Our product is fundamentally made differently from other products out there. That’s why we chose to make it ourselves. Our surface is heat-treated using patented technology that provides this smooth surface - the toothbrushing experience is comparable to that of plastic toothbrushes, so why not switch? “I think I generally have good intentions, but the execution has been difficult. For example, I want to be good to the environment, and my husband and I compost and try to use compostable Ziploc bags. But I still drive my high school car, a Cadillac, which probably contributes to 50% of California’s carbon emissions. I think bamboo toothbrushes make me happy because it’s an active decision I make every morning and evening when I brush my teeth.” Learn More About Kathy Ku, Juni Essentials: Juni Essentials: https://juniessentials.com Juni Essentials on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juniessentials Juni Essentials on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juniessentials Kathy Ku on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seulkathyku Kathy’s 2016 interview about Spouts of Water: https://tonyloyd.com/podcast/143-kathy-ku-and-john-kye-spouts-of-water-safe-drinking-water-for-all-ugandans/0 comments0
- Screen Printing with a Social Mission, with Sara Weihmann, New Avenues INKOffering paid job training for youth. Sara Hart Weihmann is the Director of Social Enterprise at New Avenues for Youth in Portland. She oversees a portfolio of workforce development social enterprises that offer goods and services to the local community. This provides paid work experiences and job training for youth experiencing housing instability. These enterprises include a Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop and a screen-printing business, New Avenues INK. “I have always had a strong sense of environmental justice since I was a young kid,” Sara explains. “My parents would tell you that I was constantly giving them feedback about lights being left on in rooms. I had these little tickets I would issue to them if they left the lights on. “So I’ve always been Type A do the right thing. You fall into line. We owe the environment everything. So I really took that environmental view forward into my life. “In my younger years, I even thought that environmental justice needed to come first before social justice was addressed. “After graduating college, I found a unique MBA graduate program in the Bay Area with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and social justice. I started a business specializing in installing edible gardens and urban farms throughout the Bay Area. “What started as a passion for ecological sustainability and horticulture quickly evolved into a passion for food sovereignty, social justice, and elevating the voices of indigenous, black, and people of color to advocate for the resources they needed to thrive in the community. “I started participating on non-profit boards, coalitions, and councils focusing on food system equity. I found myself passionate about working with young people living in excluded neighborhoods and mentoring them in agriculture and business strategy. “There is nothing more fulfilling to me than seeing young people recognize their inherent value in an entrepreneurial setting where they get the freedom to brainstorm and take risks with their peers with guidance from mentors. “When I moved back to my hometown of Portland, I noticed this opportunity at New Avenues for Youth as Director of Social Enterprise. It seemed like an excellent fit for my skills and passion. It was a combination of business strategy and management to serve young people experiencing housing insecurity. “That was over seven years ago, and I still feel inspired every day by the impacts our workforce development social enterprises have on participants and the community.” About New Avenues INK: New Avenues INK is a screen-printing social enterprise owned and operated by non-profit New Avenues for Youth. Since its establishment in 2013, New Avenues INK has specialized in providing high-quality, cost-competitive decorated apparel items to customers while delivering paid work experiences and job training to youth experiencing homelessness in the community. New Avenues for Youth’s social enterprise portfolio has provided hundreds of paid internships over the years to young people who have little-to-no traditional work experience. Young people receive an hourly wage to learn necessary job skills and participate in career exploration and career coaching. Interns can build confidence in businesses, experience being a part of a team, practice receiving and providing feedback, and ultimately learn about the world of work in a trauma-informed environment. Learn More About Sara Weihmann and New Avenues INK: New Avenues INK: https://www.newavenuesink.org0 comments0
- Changing Lives through a Second Chance, with Karen Lee, Pioneer Human ServicesPeople who were involved in the criminal justice system are more than their labels. Karen Lee is the Chief Executive Officer of Pioneer Human Services. She was born during the 1960s civil rights era. “During my lifetime, I’ve seen quite a bit of discrimination. I’ve always wanted to do something about that in a way that was true to me.” Karen graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She served our country until the 1990s. After her military service ended, she attended the University of Washington School of Law, where she received her JD degree. “I wanted to be a civil rights attorney,” Karen explains, “but I found that I liked working with people and leading organizations.” She took several middle management positions. In 2005, she was asked to serve as the Commissioner for the Washington State Employment Security Division. “We would get these reports on employment and wages from the labor economists that work there. That’s when I saw the disparity that exists in society today. “I got a good look at the income gap. What was troubling was that the income gap was most apparent with people who had a negative interaction with the justice system. Black people, indigenous people, and people of color were all at the labor market’s bottom. I wanted to do something about that.” Karen used her position in the labor department to try several programs. But then, the governor’s term was coming to an end. That’s when she noticed that Pioneer Human Services was looking for a new CEO. “This particular segment of the population is one that I have often been concerned about because of my race and because I know people that have been involved with the justice system. I have family members that have been involved with the justice system, and they’ve struggled to find employment. And so I’ve wanted to do something about that.” About Pioneer Human Services Pioneer Human Services provides counseling, treatment, housing, job skills training, and employment for those involved in the criminal justice system. Pioneer provides career paths and living wage jobs for a population many disregard. Pioneer is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit social-enterprises. Pioneer serves over 10,000 people a year through its diversion, treatment, housing, and job training programs. Under Karen’s leadership, Pioneer successfully operates several revenue-generating businesses that provide living-wage jobs and help fund its mission. Learn More About Karen Lee and Pioneer Human Services: Pioneer Human Services: https://pioneerhumanservices.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuGf99lQwbSXXObe9NlwrOQ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/pioneer-human-services Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PioneerWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/PioneerWA0 comments0
- How to Have Stuff without Breaking the Planet, with Sandra GoldmarkWhat Sandra Goldmark learned from a seven-year experiment fixing stuff. Sandra Goldmark is the Director of Sustainability and Climate Action at Barnard College. For seven years, she ran Fixup, a popup repair shop for household items of all kinds. It was staffed by theatre artists. “We use our backstage skills to fix people's broken stuff,” Sandra explains. “and to create an alternative to use and discard.” Sandra has gathered her lessons learned and put them in a new book, Fixation: How to Have Stuff without Breaking the Planet . “We are reinventing repair as a viable part of a sustainable, equitable, circular economy,” Sandra says. “We were mobile, so there was no fixed storefront. We accepted a wide range of items as a one-stop drop-off for our customers. We used an event-type structure to create a sense of urgency and community. And we partnered with a range of organizations.” It started with a vacuum cleaner. Around 2013, Sandra had a problem. Several items around her house broke – a lamp, a toaster oven, a backpack, and a vacuum cleaner. “It seemed crazy to me that it is easier to buy a new vacuum than get one fixed. It seems crazy to me to look around and see stores and homes and landfills filled with stuff. “Everywhere I looked around me the whole pattern of consumption seemed totally out of whack. The environmental impacts of our system of consumption are staggering. People aren't happy with this pattern and how it plays out in their own lives. And when you look at individual objects, many of them are actually fixable. The whole system seemed totally broken. But it also seemed fixable! “My work on circularity and repair is rooted in my work in the theatre - my belief that ALL of us have a role to play in finding solutions and building changes.” Sandra started simply. “I just started. I was home on maternity leave, and I got a bee in my bonnet and never let go. We started with grassroots advertising, word of mouth, and leveraging neighborhood networks, especially parent networks.” It worked! At their first popup event, people showed up with their broken stuff. “We partnered with other organizations to move into new neighborhoods, eventually operating pop-ups in neighborhoods across 3 boroughs.” Sandra didn’t always get it right. “I tried to raise money from investors at one point during the process, and that did not work,” Sandra says. “The project didn't seem to fit some sort of model or mold that they were looking for, and we didn't seem to speak each other's language. I think this is an important point, not for my business per se, but about how we approach climate solutions, how we think about innovation, and how we can learn to work across siloes. “The hardest part was trying to iterate and pivot while also keeping our focus.” A popup shop becomes a book. Sandra sees the book as an extension of her work. “Now, in this latest phase, we are reaching more people through the book, Fixation . “Fixation provides a comprehensive look at the problem, a clear path forward, and a call to action for individuals, businesses, and policymakers.” Learn More About Sandra Goldmark and Fixation: Book : Fixation: How to Have Stuff without Breaking the Planet : https://amzn.to/3qLlK3M Sandra Goldmark: https://sandragoldmark.com0 comments0
- Social Entrepreneur Feb 21 · 27m The Purpose-Driven Social Entrepreneur, with Karim Abouelnaga, Practice Makes PerfectNOTE : For a full transcript of the conversation, see: https://tonyloyd.com/karim-abouelnaga. Close the Opportunity Gap through high-impact programs before, during, and outside of school hours. Karim Abouelnaga is CEO of Practice Makes Perfect, a company he founded when he was 18 years old. Practice Makes Perfect partners with K-12 schools to help narrow the opportunity gap. Karim is a TED Fellow and Echoing Green Fellow. At 23, he was named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list in education, and at 24 was named to Magic Johnson’s 32 under 32 list. In 2016, he was ranked in the top 3 most influential young entrepreneurs under 25 globally. Karim’s TED Talk was named one of the 9 Most Inspiring Talks of 2017. Karim has gathered his lessons learned in a powerful new book, The Purpose-Driven Social Entrepreneur. Learn More About Karim Abouelnaga and Practice Makes Perfect: Book : The Purpose-Driven Social Entrepreneur: https://amzn.to/3seHTYO Practice Makes Perfect: https://practicemakesperfect.org Karim Abouelnaga: https://www.karimabouelnaga.com0 comments0
- Denise Withers, Author of Story Design: The Creative Way to InnovateIf you want a better future, you need a better story. “Leading change has never been tougher,” Denise Withers says. “Fear, apathy, and uncertainty have paralyzed most of the world, making it almost impossible to engage people in even the most straightforward initiative. “But it doesn’t have to be like that. Story Design can help. It’s a practical way for leaders to take the risk out of change and create a better future.” Denise Withers is an award-winning storyteller and ICF certified leadership coach who helps clients reduce the risk of change and design better futures - with stories. Denise spent the first two decades of her career making whitewater films, corporate videos, and TV documentaries - primarily for Discovery Channel. Early in her career, she discovered the power of stories to drive change while directing a film about Indigenous youth for CBC and quickly found her niche creating docs about environmental and social issues for change-makers across the globe. Five continents, eight awards, and a hundred stories later, Denise left the media to study narrative, engagement, and design, ultimately becoming one of Canada’s top design educators. In 2013, she discovered how to combine storytelling and design thinking into a robust framework for change and pioneered the Story Design concept - a practical way to imagine a better future and make it happen. Since then, Denise has worked with hundreds of clients across sectors, including CEOs, scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs, academics, and creatives. Together, they’ve used Story Design to do things like advance clean energy, protect ecosystems, transform higher ed, and slow disease. Most recently, she helped two National Geographic photographers double the revenue, reach and impact of their ocean non-profit in less than a year. Millions of people have seen Denise’s stories on Discovery, CBC, NatGeo, SSIR, the UN, and National Post. Her first book, Story Design: The Creative Way to Innovate, is a favorite with purpose-driven leaders. And her podcast, Foreward: How stories drive change, ranks in the top 100 of management shows. In the last 35 years, Denise’s clients have used Story Design for impact projects such as clean energy, wilderness protection, reducing chronic disease, advancing food security, and improving financial literacy. Denise helps clients through custom coaching, training, storytelling, and retreats. As a certified leadership coach and storyteller, she shows you how to combine design thinking and storytelling. Her initiatives build trust, fuel innovation, engage supporters, and inspire action. “The world desperately needs a new story, says Denise. “Let’s see what we can create together.” Learn More About Denise Withers and Story Design: Book : Story Design: The Creative Way to Innovate : https://amzn.to/3bm7rfO Denise Withers: https://denisewithers.com Denise Withers on Twitter: https://twitter.com/denisewithers Denise Withers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisewithers0 comments0
- Housing Affordability Through Small Homes, with Nichol Beckstrand, YardHomes MinnesotaYardHomes Minnesota uses a prefabrication approach and an innovative financing model to create affordable housing. YardHomes Minnesota is creating housing affordability by building and maintaining accessory dwelling units (ADUs). “We are a startup that focuses on delivering ADUs in Minnesota as a method of housing,” Nichol Beckstrand explains. “ADUs are tiny houses designed to be permanent living spaces. The problem we set out to solve is housing affordability.” Under its Y-HELP program, YardHomes installs an ADU on an existing residential property owned by a partner. YardHomes holds and manages the ADU for ten years, offering it as an affordable rental unit for low-income tenants. Each month, YardHomes typically shares a portion of the ADU rental income with the property owner. After 10-years, YardHomes transfers ownership in the ADU entirely to the partner. The problem YardHomes Minnesota is solving: Nichol grew up in a house where she could have fun and feel safe. As a parent, she created a space for her children. But, she soon realized that a safe, secure home is not an option for every family. “We are creating more affordable housing for the housing insecure. We create a community setting for them. This creates wealth for the families and nonprofits that participate as host locations for our ADUs.” “I’ve understood the finance side of affordable housing all my life, but I needed to partner with someone. My business partner understands the building side and the cost factors that go into building a home. I also know that under my current model, the units’ affordability could change after ten years. So I knew I needed to partner with organizations and people who had a desire to keep the property in play for affordable housing after the ownership transfers. I spent a fair amount of time understanding how ADU’s work, how city policy can be helpful (and sometimes harmful) to adding density. I focused on also creating a community connection for the individuals that we are housing.” Here’s how they solve it. Yard Homes Minnesota is creating more living spaces quickly. This efficient building model meets housing and safety standards. With more homes in supply, this will eventually reduce the cost of housing. “We leverage our Y-HELP leasing program. YardHomesMN asks an intermediary between nonprofits or people with the land they would like to use for affordable housing. We own the ADU and maintain it. We lease the land where the ADU will be placed and rent the ADU’s to an individual on voucher programs. The program amortizes the lease over ten years, thereby transferring the ADU ownership to the nonprofit or individual landowner at the end of the ten years.” Here’s how they’re funded. “Thus far, we are self-funded. We recently established a Program Related Investment (PRI). Our lead donor is the Maggie Foundation, with a matching grant from The Bush Foundation. We will be using their funds as a down payment on a loan to leverage five times to create five times this amount of housing. For every $25,000, we can create one unit of housing with our lease program.” Learn More About Nichol Beckstrand and YardHomesMN: YardHomes: https://www.yardhomesmn.com YardHomes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/yardhomesmn/64755918 YardHomes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YardHomes-MN-103884421228762 YardHomes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yardhomesmn0 comments0
- Set Goals Aligned with Your Values, with Ruth Biza, #ThisIsMyEraFor every planner and course sold, #ThisIsMyEra helps a child with an education. #ThisIsMyEra produces a 90-day planner that helps you set goals that align with your values. They also provide online courses to help you get clear on your life’s purpose. For every planner that is purchased, #ThisIsMyEra donates school supplies to kids in need in Africa. So far, they’ve provided more than 10,000 school supplies. And for every course that is purchased, they provide a school scholarship. Why Education? “In Ghana and most African countries, public education is not free,” Ruth Biza explains. “So if your family cannot afford to pay for your tuition, you stayed at home.” Ruth recalls a particularly humiliating experience. “It was in the middle of a session, and the financial aid lady comes in class, and they call out every single person that owes the school money. When they call you out, you stand in front of the class. So this is an embarrassing moment because every person on that list means you can’t afford your education. You owe money. They parade in you in front of the class.” On that particular day, The person from financial aid called out Ruth’s name, and she had to stand in front of the class. “I thought we were a middle-class family, and we could afford the tuition. When I got sent home that day, I spoke with my parents. I learned that we actually could afford my education. Being the selfless person she is, my mom was using half of my tuition to pay for the schooling of other kids who were not so fortunate - kids who had lost parents or kids who lived with grandparents who could not afford it. “That was the first experience for me, where I noticed how people view you and how education can just affect you.” Late, Ruth had a second experience that shaped her. “I was around nine or ten. My mom and I were returning home from the market. We had stopped at a red light. Often, in Ghana, at a red light, people approach the cars selling anything, just anything they can find to make money and make ends meet. “We were approached by this girl that looked so out of place to me. And I realize she is my she’s probably the same age as me. Why is she here approaching the car asking for money when she should be at home playing or in school? She seems so out of place, and it did not sit well with me. My mom being the chatty lady, decided to strike up a conversation. We learned that her mom was sitting across the street. Her mom was blind, and she was taking care of a newborn baby. So it was up to this nine-year-old girl to find the resources to feed her family. “ These two incidents sent Ruth Biza on a quest to provide education for those who cannot afford it. Today, Ruth runs #ThisIsMyEra. About Ruth Biza Ruth was born in Ghana, went to middle school in Zimbabwe, completed high school in Switzerland, and moved to the U.S. to study at Lynn University. Ruth is the Co-Founder of #ThisIsMyEra, a personal development brand that donates school supplies for every planner purchased to kids in need in Africa. They have sold over 10K planners and counting. Together with her husband Kuda, they founded the Amani Hope Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to empower underprivileged children by providing scholarships. Ruth is also a Fitness Trainer and Consultant to social impact brands. She is driven by her desire to leave a positive impact on the world and inspire others to fulfill their potential. Learn More About Ruth Biza and #ThisIsMyEra: · #ThisIsMyEra: https://thisismyera.com · #ThisIsMyEra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismyeraofficial · Kuda Biza’s speech at the 2014 Millennium Campus Conference: https://youtu.be/fac_roNrfyI0 comments0
- The Urgency to Go Tree Free, with Zoë Levin, Bim Bam BooFor extended show notes, see https://tonyloyd.com/zoe-levin Trees Should Capture Carbon, Not Crap We know the problems with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions: Climate change, rising sea levels, flooding, droughts, wildfires, ocean acidification, climate refugees, political instability, and a lot more. We know that it’s important to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and the oceans. We can do that by reducing the production of CO2. We can also do that by capturing CO2 in carbon sinks. In the US, forests store 14% of our annual CO2 emissions. Trees are a valuable, and powerful carbon sink. And yet, in the United States, 27,000 trees are flushed down the toilet every day. And here’s another problem. Paper-making is a toxic process. It uses toxic chemicals. It creates air and water pollution. This is especially a problem for people with chemical sensitivities. Zoë Levin calls herself “The toilet paper queen.” She is the Founder and CEO of Bim Bam Boo. They make sustainability-focused, health-forward essentials from fast-growing bamboo. Last year, they experienced 900% growth in annual revenue. And they saved 1.2 million pounds of virgin forest from getting flushed down the toilet. Help Launching and Growing a Business with a Social Mission: If you need help thinking about these questions, take one of the free self-assessments at CultureShift.com. If you need help thinking about your strategy to start and grow a business with a social mission, you can schedule a complimentary strategy call. Also, we have provided a full transcript of this conversation at https://tonyloyd.com/zoe-levin. Learn More About Zoë Levin and Bim Bam Boo : Bim Bam Boo: https://bimbamboopaper.com Bim Bam Boo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bimbamboopaper Bim Bam Boo Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bimbamboopaper Bim Bam Boo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bimbamboopaper Lunar Startups: https://www.lunarstartups.org Free Self-Assessments: https://cultureshift.com/assessments Complimentary Strategy Call: https://cultureshift.com/strategy0 comments0
- Using Human-Centered Design to Prevent Maternal and Infant Deaths, with Karima Ladhani, Giving Cradle and Barakat BundleFor extended show notes, go here: https://tonyloyd.com/karima-ladhani/ 80% of maternal and infant deaths are preventable. Dr. Karima Ladhani is the daughter of immigrants. Her parents moved from India to Uganda. In 1972, Ugandan president Idi Amin expelled Asian minorities. He gave 90 days to leave the country. Karima’s mother made her way to Canada. Her father was in a refugee camp in Malta before immigrating to Canada. “We can’t take for granted the luxuries and privileges that we have,” she says. “There are people going through things. We have an opportunity and responsibility to help them. Others have helped us. We never know when we could be in that position in the future. It’s our responsibility to society to do our best to uplift all.” When Karima was in fifteen years old, she volunteered to travel to Chitral Pakistan where she taught English and Science. “It was transformative. It was my first experience of seeing dignity in places we don’t often associate with dignity.” From Finance to Free Falling As an undergrad at the University of Waterloo, Karima studied finance. “I thought my goal was to work on the trading floor and to become a trader.” In her fourth year of school, Karima had a chance to work on the trading floor. “Within two weeks, I realized I hated it. The world I was in was interesting. I always thought I could volunteer on the side. My work and these other interests don’t have to align. But I found it wasn’t sufficiently motivating for me. I decided I had to take drastic change. “Before I graduated, I emailed every professor. I told them that I have no experience in science. But I have a hunch that there is something in this medical-health field that would be more satisfying for me. Here are the transferrable skills I could bring to the table. “Only one professor replied to me. When all my friends went on to high-paying jobs, I went on to a minimum wage research assistant job in this small town of Waterloo. “That’s how I learned about public health. I was exposed to this world of population-level health. Then, I was trying to figure out my next steps. I often call this my free-falling period. I took a risk. I had no idea where I was going to end up. Taking a risk is what allows you to grow. If I continued to know what ground I was going to step on the ground in front of me, I could only land where I expected – what was in the realm of my imagination. But, by free-falling, I allowed myself to go beyond that.” Giving Cradle and Barakat Bundle In North America, Giving Cradle provides a safety-certified, eco-friendly bamboo rocking cradle. Families can make a safe choice for their newborn and for a newborn in need. In South Asia, they provide lifesaving Barakat Bundles. These bundles include a Giving Cradle, evidence-based medical items, and health education to families in need. Karima pitched the idea at the Harvard Business School New Venture Competition. They won enough funding to help them get started. Today, Karima is the Founder & CEO of Giving Cradle. They sell safety-certified bamboo rocking cradles to families in North America. For every Giving Cradle sold, a mother and newborn in South Asia receive a bundle of needed supplies through Barakat Bundle. “I think it is unjust that women and newborns continue to die from causes the world has already solved,” Karima says. “80% of maternal and infant deaths are completely preventable. We already have the tools to solve this problem. We just haven't figured out how to get the items that are needed into the hands of people who need them. If we do get them the needed items, we need to teach them how to use them, and they need to want to use them.” Learn More About Karima Ladhani, Giving Cradle and Barakat Bundle: Giving Cradle: https://givingcradle.com Barakat Bundle: https://barakatbundle.org Giving Cradle on Instagram: https://instagram.com/givingcradle Barakat Bundle on Instagram: https://instagram.com/barakatbundle0 comments0
- Social Entrepreneur Dec 8 · 26m A Safe Space in Times of Crisis, with Katherine Woo, Airbnb.orgAirbnb.org to support emergency response around the world. Natural disasters are on the rise. Climate change has accelerated wildfires and hurricanes. Healthcare workers are responding to the global pandemic. People find themselves displaced without warning. Who better to provide a safe place to stay than Airbnb and their global network of hosts? To respond to the need for safe housing during disaster, Airbnb has launched Airbnb.org. Airbnb.org is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Since then, Airbnb hosts have responded to natural disasters like an earthquake in Nepal, and manmade tragedies, like the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Airbnb hosts have provided stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, and asylum seekers. Recently, frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19 have benefited from the generosity of Airbnb and their hosts. More than 100,000 hosts have opened their homes and helped provide accommodations to 75,000 people in times of need. Going forward, Airbnb’s Open Homes and Frontline Stays programs will now be called Airbnb.org. Katherine Woo to Lead Airbnb.org Katherine Woo is the new Head od Airbnb.org. She brings a wealth of business and tech experience. She has held roles at Netscape, PayPal, eBay, and Facebook. But it was her work at Kiva.org that helped her to realize that her work could have a direct impact on people in need. She is joined by a staff and a board that reflects the communities they serve. Airbnb.org is building a diverse team at all levels, starting with its founding board of directors. At launch Airbnb.org’s founding board is composed of 80% women and 40% underrepresented minorities. Board members include: Joe Gebbia, Co-Founder of Airbnb, Chairman of Airbnb.org Jennifer Bond, Founder & Managing Director of the University of Ottawa Refugee Hub and Chair of the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GSRI) Jocelyn Wyatt, CEO of Ideo.org Melissa Thomas-Hunt, Head of Global Diversity and Belonging at Airbnb Sharyanne McSwain, COO of Echoing Green Learn More About Katherine Woo and Airbnb.org: Airbnb.org: https://airbnb.org Katherine Woo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinewoo0 comments0
- The Power of Voice to Make an Impact, with Regina Larko, #impact PodcastFor extended show notes, see: https://tonyloyd.com/regina-larko A place and a community shaped Regina Larko. Regina Larko was born and raised in Vienna. “Three generations raised me,” Regina says. “My great-grandmother played a huge role in raising me. Her generation had experienced the hardships of the second world war. One of my great grandfathers never came home from the war.” When Regina was around nine years old, the former Yugoslavia broke apart, plunging the territory into ethnic wars. Refugees poured across the border into Austria. Many of Regina’s classmates moved to Austria to escape the fighting. She heard first-hand the stories of refugee children. “I felt immense gratitude for growing up in a peaceful, safe city,” she says. Regina also spent her summers in a small village of 300 inhabitants located 50 kilometers outside of Vienna. There, she learned the value of community. She saw how community members took care of one another. “There is so much purpose and meaning in every single small action,” Regina explains. “Neighbors and extended family members would always look out for each other. This is the reason I am so passionate about purpose-driven work that draws its energy from the community. “It has always bothered me that there is so much inequality in the world - that I had privileges just because of the place and time I was born. I always wanted to live in a fair, equal, and peaceful place. I wanted everyone to have the same rights and possibilities I have. It frustrates me that there are so many people out there suffering every day, just trying to survive.” #impact Podcast is Born Regina launched #impact Podcast in the spring of 2017. They feature inspirational, motivational, and impactful stories. The listeners of #impact Podcast are interested in social impact and sustainability initiatives. #impact marries two passions in Regina’s life: audio and purpose-driven work. As an audio enthusiast, Regina has always loved how intimate the medium of audio felt. Listeners create pictures in her head. #impact Podcast tells impactful stories in a light, refreshing and inspirational way. Regina talks about the issues, but she also talks about solutions. #impact Podcast portrays individuals making a positive impact in the world. They talk about why and how they got started, the challenges along the way, and what keeps them going. Listeners feel inspired by the individuals that Regina and her co-hosts interview. Listeners feel empowered to create change. The podcast guests often find new volunteers and donors. “The first interviews for #impact were game-changing,” Regina says. “I was clumsily setting up my microphones. I asked very scripted questions. Yet, I saw the impact the conversations made on the guest I featured. These NGOs had never had the chance to tell their story. They humanized their work, giving their cause a voice that people could connect to. They reached new listeners. They found new volunteers. “The first listeners started to reach out, thanking me for introducing them to NGOs. Many listeners started volunteering or donating, thanks to #impact Podcast. That’s when I knew that it was so worthwhile and that I have to continue producing and expanding the show.” Regina Larko’s Work Today Today, Regina is a TEDx speaker. She has been named “10 Women who are shaping Hong Kong for the better”. Her work has been featured in radio, print, and online media. Regina is passionate about inspiring everyone to start making a positive impact. She also mentors aspiring podcasters, empowering them to find the confidence to get their voices heard. Learn More About Regina Larko and #Impact Podcast: #impact Podcast: https://www.hashtagimpact.com #impact on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hashtagimpact Free Podcasting Guide: http://www.hashtagimpact.com/guide Podcasting Course: https://www.hashtagimpact.com/start-a-podcast0 comments0
- A Muscle for Innovation, with Tom Dawkins, StartSomeGoodHow do we get more people involved in social innovation? NOTE: For extended show notes, see https://tonyloyd.com/tom-dawkins Tom Dawkins is the founder of StartSomeGood, the leading home of cause-driven crowdfunding, innovative partnerships, and social entrepreneur education. I first interviewed Tom nearly five years ago, on December 14, 2015. You can hear our previous interview at https://tonyloyd.com/018. Tom keeps coming back to one fundamental question. How do we get more people involved? “All of us are smarter than any of us,” he says. “It’s essential in a world that is evolving so rapidly. It’s never good enough to come up with a single good idea, a single solution, because things that were proven to work yesterday won’t work tomorrow. “Those of us who care about the future, the planet, and the community, we need not just to find innovations, we need to build an innovation muscle. As a community, the best way to innovate is to ensure that every perspective is heard. Everyone has an opportunity to participate in that process of creating a better future. “One of my foundational beliefs is that all the ideas are already out there. They’re often held by someone who has lived experience of a particular challenge. “But so many people don’t know how to get their ideas out into the world. They don’t know how to turn it into a story that will resonate with people. They don’t know how to identify: Who is it for? What’s the value I create for them? “They don’t have access to a network or impact investors or other types of supporters. So, we started with crowdfunding, but since then, we’re adding all these pieces that might help people make that leap as well.” What Do Early-Stage Social Entrepreneurs Need? “There are three key types of capital they need to underpin progress and impact. “There’s intellectual capital, which is knowing how to do things or accessing the people who do. “Financial capital is in some ways to fill the gaps of your intellectual capital – to pay for things that you can’t acquire in other ways. And to boost growth and reach. “And then relational capital, which helps you not to burn out. It’s more than accessing people who know stuff. It’s people who care about you – people who understand the journey. “ The Next Level of Evolution for StartSomeGood Today, StartSomeGood builds capacity for early-stage social innovators in several ways. They run accelerators on behalf of corporate partners. They have the Good Hustle, a ten-week social enterprise design course. And they offer other workshops. They run live crowdfunding events called Pitch for Good. They run inspirational events such as their annual Starting Good virtual summit. They provide the Starting Good Network, an exclusive community for those committed to changing the world. And they continue to innovate on their crowdfunding platform. StartSomeGood now offers a recurring crowdfunding model. Learn More About Tom Dawkins and StartSomeGood: StartSomeGood: https://startsomegood.com Recurring Crowdfunding model: https://startsomegood.com/recurring Good Hustle: https://www.goodhustle.online Starting Good virtual summit: https://www.starting.gd Starting Good Network: https://startsomegood.com/starting-good Tom Dawkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdawkins Tom Dawkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tomjd0 comments0
- Wrap-up of Season Two and Kick-Off Season Three of Social EntrepreneurIn season two, we’ve been telling stories of a just and equitable transition to a clean energy future. The Coronavirus is a wakeup call. If you don’t know by now, the way we’ve been living isn’t working for the earth. Most of all, it is not working for the poorest inhabitants of the earth. Climate change, extreme weather, hurricanes, floods, droughts, melting glaciers, rising sea level , wildfires, degraded food supplies, tick-borne diseases, mosquito-borne diseases, climate refugees, political instability – these are just a few results of our current way of living. The way we produce, transmit, and store our energy, hurts the poorest among us. The way we grow, waste, and consume food hurts the poorest among us. The way we transport ourselves, and our goods, hurts the poorest among us. We way we produce and consume goods, hurts the poorest among us. The way we build, heat, and cool buildings, hurts the poorest among us. The climate crisis is a social justice crisis. But there are solutions: wind energy, solar, energy efficient lighting, smart buildings, regenerative agriculture, alternative transportation systems, and consumer trends are available to us. We must change. We can change. And we will change - if not for ourselves, for the poorest among us. That is why we produced season two of Social Entrepreneur where we’ve been telling stories of a just and equitable transition to a clean energy future. Season Two Wrap-up In Season Two, we talked with: Jonathan Foley of Project Drawdown. Jessica Hellman, Director of the Institute on Environment at the University of Minnesota. Ry Brennan. Ry reminds us that the problems with electrical generation and distribution are systemic and complex. The solutions are at the systems level. Janet McCabe of the Environmental Resilience Institute Mark Kuo of Routific Robert Blake of Solar Bear. Deepinder Singh of 75F Mary Jane Melendez of General Mills Lauren Gregor of Rent-a-Romper Steven Downey of Harmony Fuels Sebastian Sajoux of Arqlite Dave Goebel of enVerde Looking Ahead to Season Three of Social Entrepreneur We’re kicking things off with someone I admire and consider to be a friend, Tom Dawkins of StartSomeGood. Karima Ladhani will tell us about Giving Cradle and Barakat Bundle. Ruth Biza will tell us about #ThisisMyEra. One of my favorite storytellers, Denise Withers will talk about Story Design. And Nichol Beckstrand will talk about YardHomesMN. Still Looking for Guests for Season Three Our commitment is this: We tell positive stories from underrepresented voices, focused on solutions. If you know someone we should interview, here is what we’re looking for in a guest: https://tonyloyd.com/guest.0 comments0
- A Former Oil Executive Transforms Waste to Energy, with Dave Goebel, enVerdeenVerde converts organic waste into sustainable clean energy. The Office for Technology Commercialization (OTC) is the office at the University of Minnesota whose mission is to facilitate the transfer of technology to licensees. This allows for the development of new products and services that benefit the public good. It also fosters economic growth and generates revenue. Since 2006, the University has spun out 170 startup companies. But there is a challenge. Technology transfer is not simple. For a venture to be successful, it must be desirable (the market wants it), feasible (an organization can produce a market solution), and viable (the cost structure and returns are sustainable). There is a vast desert from license to commercialization. Research can create an idea that is desirable but is not viable or sustainable. It takes time to prove out and commercialize a technology. The time and effort to commercialize a technology is often called the commercialization gap. On today’s episode of Social Entrepreneur, we talk to Dave Goebel, CEO and Founder of enVerde. enVerde has licensed a thermochemical catalytic technology from the University of Minnesota. The catalyst converts organic material into heat energy. enVerde provides circular economy solutions by repurposing carbon-containing waste into clean, sustainable energy and chemicals. The Problem with Organic Waste Every day, the average American generates 4.4 pounds of waste. That includes paper, plastics, yard trimmings, food waste, wood, rubber, leather, textiles, and more. At the same time, the US Energy Information Administration predicts nearly 50% increase in world energy usage by 2050. What if we could use organic waste to provide clean, renewable energy? That’s the promise of enVerde. They are addressing the nearly infinite amount of organic waste and the growing need for energy. They do so in an environmentally friendly, cost-effective manner. Waste becomes a resource instead of a problem. “Waste is stored energy and we have a clean way to liberate, free, that energy for our use,” says enVerde Founder and CEO, Dave Goebel. “We economically transform organic wastes into a product called syngas. We also produce heat in the process. Both syngas and heat can be power sources for making electricity. “Syngas is also convertible into new clean fuels like hydrogen, methanol, or dimethyl ether. It can be green precursor for other chemical processes displacing petroleum products. “Agricultural, industrial, commercial, and other organizations decrease their operating expenses by significantly reducing their waste streams and creating clean fuels/heat they can use locally and immediately.” Recent Successes enVerde is finding some successes along the way. The inventor of the technology, Dr. Paul Dauenhauer won a MacArthur Foundation Genius Award. enVerde was also selected as a member of the next cohort with Creative Destruction Lab. Creative Destruction Lab accelerator program is based out of Calgary, Alberta. Learn More About David Goebel and enVerde: enVerde: https://www.enverdellc.com enVerde on Twitter: https://twitter.com/enVerdeLLC enVerde on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enVerdeLLC University of Minnesota Office for Technology Commercialization: https://research.umn.edu/units/techcomm/about-us/overview Dr. Paul Dauenhauer, MacArthur Fellow: https://www.macfound.org/fellows/1056 Creative Destruction Lab, Energy: https://www.creativedestructionlab.com/streams/energy0 comments0
Podcast hosts
- TonyLoyd
@TonyLoyd
© Copyright, 2020, Culture Shift Companies. All rights reserved
