Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?

In 1950, the world's population of 2.5 billion produced just over 1.5 million tons of plastic. Today, with a global population of more than 7 billion people, we product over 320 million tons of plastic… and it's estimated that this number is set to DOUBLE by the year 2034. And every single day, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution finds its way into our oceans. 8. million. pieces. Every. Single. Day. My guest today is doing her part to impact this issue in a big way... 1:57 – The Sarah 101 Growing up Adelaide, Australia, Sarah knew from a very young age that she wanted to work in tourism and travel the world. While in graduate school, she discovered a specific passion for sustainability and ecotourism. Sarah took a slight career detour for a few years as a digital marketer for the Tourism Industry. In 2012, she realized was no longer pursuing her dreams of working on sustainability and ecotourism. After searching out those dreams in Australia, she started to broaden her search to Southeast Asia where tourism was an emerging market with opportunities to implement sustainability. Sarah's search took her through Thailand, Cambodia, and even Laos. While in Cambodia, she met the founder of ConCERT (Connecting Communities, Environment & Responsible Tourism). The experience made such an impact on Sarah that she decided to move from Australia to Cambodia in late 2014 to learn more from ConCERT. 5:00 - Plastic Free July Just before she left Australia, Sarah experienced her first "Plastic Free July" challenge. The experience shaped her ideals around minimizing single-use plastic in daily life. Sarah introduced the challenge to the Siem Reap community in 2015 as a side-project in addition to her full-time job. A local training restaurant called Haven asked Sarah to speak to their staff about why plastic pollution is something we should all be worried about. 18 months ago, Sarah left her job to devote all of her work to Plastic Free Cambodia. She now runs local workshops and online programs to help Cambodian businesses remove plastic from their operations. 9:29 – Baby Steps Sarah learned from the experiences of reducing her own plastic use to teach others how to eliminate plastic from their own daily routines. The first phrases she learned in the Cambodian language of Khmer was "I don't want a plastic bag", and "I don't want a plastic straw." The reactions she received from communicating these ideas to the community helped her teach locals the same techniques. Most of the time, all we need to do to be understood is speak about where we're coming from and describe what we want. 10:45 – Getting Rid of Plastic The passion Cambodian people have for learning helped Sarah spark a community desire to start to implementing changes in the local markets. Cambodians are resourceful: Sarah didn't have to do the work for them, she simply gave them the education to get started. The sheer nature of the tourism industry has caused its operations to revolve around reliance on single-use plastics. A huge part of the problem with recycling in developing nations is that the infrastructure isn't available to handle recyclables locally, so materials are often shipped off to other countries in Southeast Asia. 20:00 - Incremental Change Local markets are the best place to start implementing small changes toward avoiding small plastics. There is a much greater awareness these days with Cambodians about the dangers of plastic use, and the conversation has shifted to a place where there is opportunity to work on daily behavior and changing old habits. This year, Sarah wants to spend more time launching programs that can be accessible in areas like Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and other local regions. We can make change by focusing on our own unique path and the topics we're most passionate about. 25:20 Plastic Free Tips: Sarah shares her own personal shopping techniques to cut back on single-use plastics. The most difficult thing lately for Sarah in the plastic free challenges has been dealing with the way milk is packaged around the world. Sarah has been trying her hand at making her own milks including Soy and Oat milk. Since individual sugar packets are often lined with plastic to keep out humidity, an easy workaround is carrying your own small jar of sugar with you in your bag. 29:55 - Getting To Know Our Guest: Find out what Sarah is most grateful for, the fictional place she would visit if given the chance, healthy social media habits, and the magical place she wants everyone to visit at least once. 10:35 A Memorable Moment "Have a conversation. Use your words to describe what you want, and when people understand where you're coming from, then they're going to be more than happy to oblige most of the time." - Sarah Rhodes Meet Your Guest: Sarah Rhodes has worked in the hospitality and tourism industry throughout her career and has a Masters in Tourism Management where she developed a keen interest in sustainable tourism. Followi

Do you have an item or two (or seven) in your closet that you've held on to for a long time and you're not sure why? It doesn't fit or it's out of style but it holds some type of significant meaning to you… whether we realize it or not… a lot of our identity, personal history, and even sometimes our self-esteem can have a significant connection to what's hanging in our closet… we hold onto things that maybe… just maybe we should let go of. 3:50 – The Essense 101 As a child, Essense wanted to rebel against being dressed in the same outfits as her sister. Once she found her first job in retail she took full advantage of her 30% employee discount and she began to cultivate her own style. In college, Essense started to define and explore her own style, but worried people would only know her for clothing. She wanted to be known for her personality as well. Today, Essense fully embraces her personal style as a way to show others who she is. While working as a paralegal, Essense's style would attract attention from her coworkers who requested help with shopping on lunch breaks. Sometimes the best way to start is by jumping in the deep end: Essense changed her Instagram profile to say "Paralegal by day, personal stylist by night" before she ever had her first client. 9:32 – More Than Just Hangers and Shoeboxes Essense realized her skills could help others when her first closet organization client found healing in cleaning out a closet after a hot water heater disaster and a dramatic weight loss journey. So many of us look for control in the midst of loss and life-altering events. Often when we feel out of control, we spend our time and energy controlling our belongings or letting them control us. Closets are a metaphor for the things in our lives that we keep hidden. When we clean out our homes, we are forced to face the things we've been holding onto. Essense helps transform lives by cleaning up the literal and figurative mess in people's lives and provides structure to help her clients overcome personal obstacles. 18:40 – God and The Door in the Dining Room Essense has a close relationship to her mother and believes there's a very specific reason she didn't leave home until she was 25. Through a shared dream, Essense finds confirmation of where her mom is now and where her mom will be eternally. (This part will give you chills – the good kind). 26:04 – Legacy Through Faith Essense's mom left a beautiful legacy of faith, and Essense honors her mom's legacy by giving glory back to God with every step of her career. After finding her mom's old business cards, Essense carries on her mom's boutique with D.E.F.Y. Fashion and a unique take on camo jackets. 29: 47- Winning the Super Bowl Without any connection to the NFL, Essense's jackets show up at the Super Bowl two years in a row. You can attract the market you want with clientele who understand the value of what you have to offer. "They could wear anything, but they chose to honor my work at a legendary moment." Our outer appearance can be a reflection of how we feel on the inside, and Essense gives glory to God by reminding others to celebrate what makes their story unique.

Corretta Scott King was quoted as saying "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." Sometimes, when we think about community, we focus solely on our neighbors. Yes, we should be participants in our community, but we should also think about community in a broader sense. Consider our online community, our ancestral community, and those with whom we share a nationality. Today's guest is Haitian American Vanessa Fleury, the founder and director of Carl's Village.She's taken the idea of impacting her community to the next level by starting a nonprofit. To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/06/12/business-purpose-podcast-vanessa-fleury/

How do you approach tragedy? What do you do when the bad things come in life? How do you handle pain, sorrow, and sadness? Today's guest used a period of suffering to make herself better, give herself strength to carry on, and inspire others to do the same. Nancy Solari is the founder, creator, and host of Living Full Out. She wants to encourage you to overcome disappointments and strive for your goals. This is her unique story. To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/06/05/business-with-purpose-podcast-ep-144-nancy-solari/

This episode is for the guys. When it comes to fashion and style, what's your perspective? Do you have a personal style, or do you go through the motions each morning. Additionally, what do you think of ethical fashion? Do you think it only applies to women, or does it resonate with you. Let's be honest, in the ethical fashion realm, the voices are primarily female. On today's episode, we'll hear from one of the men on the frontlines in the ethical fashion industry. Garik Himebaugh is the Chief Stylist and founder at Eco-Stylist. He joins us to help you revamp your style while shopping with a purpose. Things You Don't Want To Miss: 3:09 - The Garik 101 Eco-Stylist is a marketplace for ethically and sustainably-made men's clothes. Garik shares how his journey into this space began with his first foray into men's fashion. Garik's girlfriend suggested he wasn't well-dressed, and he began to see that fashion enabled him to represent his best self. His dream was to be an entrepreneur. Specifically, he wanted to be a social entrepreneur. Garik moved to Iowa three years ago, and he planned to open a business at the same time. During this time, a summer in Boston sparked his passion for ethical fashion. 8:20 - A Background In Conflict Resolution Garik studied Conflict Analysis & Resolution at George Mason University. His major started on a whim, but soon it turned into an eagerness to turn his degree into a career. However, Garik explains the difficulty of finding a competitive job in D.C. Garik took a job in finance, but he never forgot his dream to pursue peace studies and social justice. In business school, Garik read the stories of companies like TOMS Shoes and Warby Parker. He decided he wanted to leverage his degree to first start a business and later pursue social entrepreneurialism. 13:26 - Why Not Start Today? So many people desire to make change, yet they're hindered by the phrase, "When I get to X place in life, I'll be able to do Y." They feel they need to take care of themselves before they can begin to make a difference for others. In reality, it might be possible for you to jump in and start doing what you want to do NOW. You can do anything with purpose. Garik explains how his work as a stylist gives him a platform to advocate for those in need. 18:36 - A Misconception Of Generosity There's this misconception that wealthy people are the most generous. Not to take away from the work of the wealthy, but the middle class is exceptionally generous. Everyday people give their time, money, and talents to fight for change. 22:20 - Speaking The Language Of Men Not to generalize, but most men aren't that into fashion. Garik shares his journey into fashion and he developed his own personal style. So many voices in the men's fashion space are part of what Garik refers to as "bro culture." Garik wanted to find his own voice in the space. He wanted to be genuine. 29:38 - Little Changes Lead To Large Impacts Diversity is important in the ethical fashion space. However, Garik explains not all views are necessarily healthy. Sometimes, voices in the ethical space can be hostile, but we need to be united as we advocate for change. It's difficult to go all-in in the ethical space. It's important to recognize what steps you can take to become more socially conscious without beating yourself up over what you can't do. There's nothing wrong with shopping, but it's important to be conscious as you shop. Don't be an impulse buyer. Consider what you're supporting with your purchases. Lots of little changes by lots of people can be hugely impactful. The issues can feel overwhelming, and change doesn't happen overnight. Advocate for small changes. 34:50 - Bridging The Gap For Men Garik explains his process for getting guys into fashion. For most men, the jump into fashion isn't a natural one. Eco-Stylist has an online shop, and they also have a styling service that helps you to find a wardrobe to match your personality. Eco-Stylist can even suggest specific ethically-sourced items and help you know where to find them. Getting To Know Our Guest: 40:17 - Garik shares with us how he'd survive in an elevator, his favorite tv shows as a child, and a challenge for us to try rock climbing. A Memorable Moment: "Lots of little changes by lots of people can be hugely impactful." - Garik Himebaugh To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/05/29/business-purpose-podcast-garik-himebaugh-eco-stylist/

In the last year, I've been open in sharing about my faith journey and it's impact on my life. Through grief, my faith has been stretched and grown, and through scripture, my faith has been transformed. However, memorizing scripture can be a challenge. Meet Vera Schmitz, the founder of Dwell. Dwell is a membership service that helps people to connect with God through scripture verse memory. On today's podcast, we'll examine how Dwell profoundly changed the way I view scripture and scripture memorization. Things You Don't Want To Miss: 4:17 - The Vera 101 Vera spent most of her life training as an athlete. In middle school, she fell in love with track and field. She trained in pole vault, and she attributes her faith in God to keeping her rooted along the journey. Scripture kept Vera focused and in tune with God as she competed. She found scripture memorization to be a helpful tool, and as her competition got bigger, she turned to those verses to deepen her faith. Vera trained to become a part of the U.S. Olympic team and compete in pole vault. When she didn't make the team, she prayed God would show her the next steps, and the idea for Dwell was born. She wanted to share her unique technique for scripture memorization to connect people with God. Vera explains her passion for pole vaulting and reminisces about watching Stacy Dragila at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Her hero won gold, and Vera was hooked. 12:56 - Rooted In Faith Vera grew up in a Christian home. The youngest of five, her oldest sister shared the Gospel with Vera after becoming a Christian in college. She challenged Vera to accept Christ. She remembers the parable in Matthew about the power of having faith even as small as a mustard seed. God took her mustard seed of faith and grew in her a need for Him. "Truly I tell you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed ,you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:20 26:28 - God's Love Letter To Us God's word is His love letter to us. Memorizing scripture puts God's word on our hearts and protects us when we encounter suffering. When troubles arise, cling to scripture. Memorizing scripture gives us life and enables us to stockpile the truth in our lives. 29:30 - A Test Of Faith Vera shares some of the experiences that tested her faith. Sports are filled with highs and lows, and as the competition becomes a grind, it's easy to give into the doubts in your head. Scripture helped Vera to combat those doubts. An injury brought Vera's career to an end 13 days before the Olympic trials. God's word strengthened her. She was reminded that He is our ultimate prize. 35:33 - A Different Plan We're quick to make our plans, but God often has something different for us. We need to surrender our story to His. Vera explains her hope for people to know God through her business. Dwell launched in December of 2017. Amidst the launch, Vera and her husband adopted a son. 40:44 - More About Dwell Dwell has a plan for individuals as well as a family package. You can use Dwell to learn scripture together with your friends and family. Use your Dwell tattoos as a talking point. Vera explains how Dwell verses open up opportunities for conversations about faith with friends and coworkers. Dwell is a family operation. Vera's sister is a pastor's wife, and she writes Dwell's content. Vera is in charge of the design, and her aunt serves as a consultant. Getting To Know Our Guest: 43:43 - Vera shares her love for tacos and sushi, her verbatim memory of the 8 Mile soundtrack, her vast appreciation for Harry Potter, and much more. To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/05/22/business-with-purpose-podcast-142-vera-schmitz-dwell/

It's no secret we live in a time of heightened social tension. There are issues all around us we're inundated with through the media and around the dinner table. It's overwhelming to consider how we should address issues including racism, foster care reform, recidivism rates, and healthcare. Today's guest is tackling these issues with a unique kind of ammunition: human-centered design. Durell Coleman is the founder of DC Design, a social impact design firm that uses human-centered design to fix some of the world's greatest challenges. Things You Don't Want To Miss: 3:00 - The Durell 101 Durell starts with his childhood and shares of his upbringing in Texas. His passion for design goes all the way back. He told his mom he wanted to be an inventor at the age of eight, and he made grand plans to own his own company. Durell's brother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when Durell was nine. His brother fought the disease for five long years, and he even played varsity soccer and graduated high school. However, he passed away at the age of 19. Durell's brother's battle with cancer challenged him to evolve his dream. He wanted to create, and he wanted to do so in a way that improved quality of life for others. He wanted to give people a chance for success. 7:00 - A New Perspective Durrell reflects on how his perspective changed upon the death of his brother. The common mantra is "Life is short. Live it up." Durell used that phrase as an opportunity to live with purpose. 9:00 - Lessons From Failure As humans, we're able to see our highs after going through lows. In short, we learn from our failures. Durell's first company designed renewable energy sources in the developing world. The plan made sense, but he lacked funding, and the vision was compromised. Durell began designing low-cost wind turbines for homeowners in America, and unfortunately, there wasn't a need for that particular solution. He drew strength from his failure, and he studied it as well. As he started DC Design, those lessons became valuable pieces of insight. Immersion is a great tool for learning. Durell emphasizes his working class background forced him to design by necessity. He knew there was no alternative solution if he couldn't build or learn something himself. 16:24 - Explaining DC Design DC Design is a social impact strategy and design consultancy. They help people on the front lines of addressing social impact. From criminal justice to foster care, DC Design wants to help world changers deliver on their mission. The goal is to utilize the process of human-centered design. DC Design wants to understand the needs of people who live through a particular challenge. Going straight to the source helps organizations to shape the process for change. 19:10 - What Is A Design Thinking Impact Retreat? The goal is to connect with the souls of other people and build them up. DC Design wants people to know they matter and can only be brought down if they allow themselves to be. Design Thinking Impact Retreats are focused on helping people who want to impact the world. They teach effective strategies that help alleviate suffering. Social impact innovators attend these retreats. They're the ones who see the news at night and want to effect change. 24:48 - A Unique Approach To Social Justice It's the Average Joe who effects change, and we're all impacted by social issues. We're all in it together as we're trying to make change happen. Durell's journey began when his first company failed. He'd been focused on his work in other countries. However, he realized many social issues affect us right here in the U.S. He wanted to design ways to fight for social justice, address poverty, fight wildfires, and champion prison reform right here "at home." Durell realized the need to equip the people and organizations on the frontlines of these issues. We're not equipped to fight every issue, and DC Design wants to help individuals realize which specific issues they're called to champion. He also wants to learn from the experiences of those in need, and use their insight to design change. The most effective strategies for change come from within. 31:52 - A Notion Of Privilege The notion of privilege exists in many forms. Your education, background, and physical appearance can all leave you with privilege. Remember the Spiderman quote, "With great power comes great responsibility." How are we using our privilege to call out injustice and fight for restoration? Justice and redemption go together. We're quick to judge yet slow to forgive. We need to create a space for restoration. Rather than wanting people to suffer, we should focus on giving people the opportunity for rehabilitation. 42:30 - How To Learn More Sign up for the DC Design newsletter. Attend an Impact Retreat. Send your high school students to a Design The Future workshop. Getting To Know Our Guest: 45:16- Durell shares with us his favorite desserts, his dumbest injury, and a song he could listen to o

In the last year, big brands like Nike, Athleta, and J.Crew have entered the fair trade industry. It's a big win for the fair trade movement, but it leaves small business owners with daunting challengers. Mom-and-pop shops are no match for companies like Target. No longer is it enough to market the story of your artisans and expect to generate revenue. If you want to compete, you must put your customer first. In my keynote address at the Fair Trade Federation Conference in Austin, I challenged business owners to reconsider how they position their organizations in the fair trade space. This is what I had to say... Things You Don't Want To Miss: A Crazy Dream 1:17 - In the next 25 years, I want the term fair trade to cease to exist. I want ethically-made products to become so much the norm that the term "fair trade" is no longer needed. The Power Of Persistence 1:45 - When I was about eight and 1/2 years old, I took it upon myself to look out for the other children in my neighborhood. Our neighborhood didn't have any sidewalks, so I decided to petition the town council for safer streets and the implementation of sidewalks. As you might imagine, nothing happened. In six months, we still had no sidewalks, so I began to write the town council, asking for change. Finally, after two and 1/2 years of calling, writing letters, and begging for change, we finally got the sidewalks. While this is a cute story, it's an important illustration for the power of persistence. If we want to see change, we must be persistent. Life Lessons From Kenya 7:34 - In 2011, I visited the Kazuri Bead Factory on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. It was my first exposure to the fair trade movement, and if you're not familiar with them, their goal is to provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged members of Kenyan society. This trip put in me a desire to learn more about the movement, and I soon jumped all-in on fair trade. I wanted to do my part fo effect change for those living in poverty around the world. The Challenges Facing Fair Trade Businesses 9:10 - Fair trade businesses are changing lives, and striving to make ethical business practices a standard around the world. However, the jump to fair trade isn't without its challenges. One day, fair trade will become a seemingly standard operating procedure, and cause marketing will slowly begin to lose its power as consumers come to expect ethical practices as the norm. 9:52 - Fast fashion brands Madewell and J. Crew recently launched Fairtrade certified denim lines. Athleta is now a certified B Corporation, and Nike has an entire department dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices. The industry of business is wising up, and that will affect small businesses who operate on fair trade principles. Small businesses will lose their competitive edge to monoliths like Target as it seeks to enter the fair trade space. A Unique Perspective 13:10 - I'm a fair trade customer, and I love ethical fashion. I've also worked alongside small business owners as they seek to stay alive and use their revenue to serve their local communities as well as men and women in poverty around the world. As a blogger, I've interviewed hundreds of fair trade business owners who seek to thrive as entrepreneurs, and I hope my perspective will challenge you to consider how to run your business with purpose. Change Your Messaging 15:35 - If you want to survive in the next era of ethical business, change your message. Put the onus on your customer first, your product second, and your artisans' stories third. Disclaimer: We're not telling you to neglect your artisans, nor are we suggesting you hide their stories. Of course we want to tell the stories of those who make your product. However, the message of fair trade for years has focused around the artisans, and in reality, it's the customers who can be the heroes of the story. Customers purchase products, and their purchases keep your business alive and lift your artisans out of poverty. 16:55 - The Root Collective is a great example of a company that's shifted it's messaging. They realized their customers wanted to be noticed in their shoes, so they began focusing on developing a rock-star product that would solve a problem for the customer. Now, their customers get noticed, and in turn, they share the story of The Root Collective. Focus on meeting a need for your consumer, and in turn, they'll get behind your cause. Shift Your Brand Perspective 19:26 - Consider your branding. Does your branding blow people away? Do you impress people when they visit your website? If you want to compete with Nike, you've got to brand yourself. Ask yourself, "other than fair trade, what's your competitive edge?" 21:36- Tribe Alive is an ethical fashion brand that's killing it these days, and their branding is SHARP. In fact, it's so sharp that J. Crew and Madewell approached them. Now those companies are selling Tribe Alive products. Tribe Alive's branding speaks for itself.

Ethical issues surrounding the jewelry industry are often vague and misunderstood. Movies like Blood Diamond examine these problems, but we need to go deeper to fully understand the ethical issues surrounding gold and diamond purchases. Marc Choyt is the president of Reflective Jewelry. He joins us to answer all of your questions on ethical jewelry and show you how your jewelry purchases impact lives around the world. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest 1:25 - Marc Choyt is the president of Reflective Jewelry, the first and only Fairtrade certified gold jewelry in the United States. He initiated the first ethical jewelry blog in 2006 which eventually evolved into Fair Jewelry Action, a human rights and environmental justice network. The Marc 101 3:20 - Marc's wife was a self-taught jeweler. In 1995, he started driving around the country and trying to sell her handiwork. At the time, he was also funding ecological preservation, and an epiphany in his preservation efforts gave him new awareness to the ecological harm brought about by gold mining in other areas of the world. He wants the sourcing of his material to match the symbolism behind his jewelry. A Lack Of Information 6:20 - The average consumer doesn't know much about the sourcing of gold and gemstones. We've heard about conflict diamonds, but that's about it. Marc explains the narrowness of the definition given to conflict diamonds. 9:10 - In the 80s and 90s, millions of people were killed in wars funded by diamonds. However, nobody has been held accountable for the decisions to fund those wars. 10:25 - Marc explains the issues surrounding the term "conflict free." Where Are Gold And Diamonds Sourced? 13:09 - Marc explains the difference in large and small-scale mining. Basically, 80 percent of the gold supply chain comes from large-scale mining operations. However, small-scale mining operations involve 90 percent of gold labor, and small-scale mining operations are often dangerous and exploitive. 16:36 - Gold comes from veins running under the earth as well as on the surface. It runs in all kinds of situations. 17:39 - Diamonds aren't as widely concentrated as gold. Diamond resources tend to come from Canada, Russia, and South Africa. Asking Questions Leads To Change 20:08 - "Mine Your Own Gemstone" shops are prevalent tourist locations, especially in the mountains of North Carolina. The idea is you get a bucket of dirt, and you sift through the mud to look for stones. These businesses claim these stones are locally sourced, and many times they are. However, you need to know where your materials are coming from. Asking questions leads to change. Question Your Jewelers 23:08 - Different mining operations involve different levels of toxicity. Some operations are relatively harmless, but others involve dangerous levels of mercury. 24:00 - Ask your jewelers where their resources are coming from. The term "conflict free" is misleading, and it only scratches the surface of the issues surrounding gold and diamond mining. 26:45 - We need to focus our energy on change that impacts the small-scale miner. Certain purchases don't actually make a difference, and we need to focus on impacting the lives of small-scale miners. Fair Trade Versus Fairtrade 31:50 - "Fair Trade" refers to the broader movement where organizations source products from artisan communities. The idea is that your business or organization is directly connected to the community, and therefore, your customers' purchases directly impact the lives of those who are making them. 33:09 - The term "Fairtrade" is trademarked by an organization out of Bonn, Germany. It's called Fairtrade International, and the organization conducts audits and provides certifications to small-scale gold mining operations. The organization ensures companies are upheld to a high standard of ethical practices. 34:52 - If you're a jeweler working with metals and gems, you need to begin the process of determining where your source material is being produced. The Problem With Purchasing Lab Created Diamonds 38:00 - The lab created diamond industry is up-and-coming. Millennials especially like them because they typically cost a fraction of the price of dug diamonds. However, buying lab created diamonds doesn't address the issues associated with small-scale diamond producers. Start Small 45:30 - Whenever we talk about shopping ethically, listeners tend to get overwhelmed. After all, it's a tricky task to totally overhaul your lifestyle and buying habits. Remember, change starts with baby steps. You don't have to completely revamp your wardrobe overnight. Instead, slowly change your buying habits. Find one ethically-made product you like, and start there. Think of it like a diet. You don't get in shape overnight. It takes time, and you have to be patient as you're going through the process. A Change Of Heart 49:00 - The process of pursuing social justice starts with aligning your heartfelt values with economic dec

The minutia associated with owning a small business can be excruciating. Especially if you run a non-profit, you're probably more interested in your passion than you are managing day-to-day activity. Today's guest is Stephanie Skryzowski, the founder and CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting. As an expert in management and finance, she equips motivated organizations to execute their vision while managing organizational operations. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest 1:40 - Stephanie Skryzowski is the founder and CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting. 100 Degrees Consulting helps purpose-driven leaders better understand and use their financials to make smart decisions for their organizations, so that they can do more and serve more. The Stephanie 101 5:03- Stephanie just new she was going to become a lawyer. She'd read every John Grisham book, and she majored in Political Science. After college, she even lined up a job at a massive law firm in New York City. However, she quickly realized she was in the wrong place. 7:16 - One of Stephanie's jobs at the law firm was working alongside an organization in Afghanistan. Something about that organization drew her in, and she eventually took a position with them as an operations coordinator. 8:20 - On a trip to Afghanistan, she had a lightbulb moment that changed her career trajectory. Her knack for numbers led her down a path that eventually culminated in her starting 100 Degrees Consulting. She wanted to enable nonprofits to achieve their vision while becoming more organizationally sound. A Need For Help 13:00 - Many business owners have a strong vision, but they lack the support necessary to keep their lights on day in and day out. Small business owners and nonprofit directors often need organizational help to maintain the day-to-day flow of activity. A Fear Of Money 16:30 - Money is complicated, and people like to avoid complicated things. Stephanie explains why a fear of numbers tends to keep leaders from becoming organizationally sound. Hire Where It Hurts 18:00 - Perhaps you've heard the saying, "Do what you do best, and hire the rest." Don't feel like a failure simply because an area of your business is outside of your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You can't do it all, and it takes a team to accomplish your vision. Taking It To The Next Level 21:38 - Stephanie shares her niche for helping organizations on an aggressive growth trajectory who lack the ability to take their business to the next level on their own. She's able to answer key questions that add value and help organizations to achieve their goals. A Cognitive Disconnect 25:55 - There's often a disconnect in a nonprofit's goals and it's ability to achieve them. So many organizations have great strategic plans, but they lack the ability to execute them. You have to align your budget with your growth plan. Tangible Takeaways 29:36 - The word budget is excruciating to hear, but if you're starting an organization, your budget is a valuable tool. 31:50 - Manage your cash flow. Map out when your cash is coming in, and when it's going out. Getting To Know Our Guest: 35:11 - Stephanie shares her love for Dave Matthews and urges you to try whacky foods that might put you outside of your comfort zone. A Memorable Moment: "At the end of the day, we only have 24 hours to make an impact. The only way to grow exponentially is to bring in outside help." - Stephanie Skryzowski To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/04/24/podcast-stephanie-skryzowski-100-degrees-consulting/

We often hear on the news how we're a divided nation. Tensions run high as political, racial, and cultural divisions lead to hate, prejudice, and fear. Amidst the turmoil, one woman in an under-resourced community in Detroit, Michigan is taking small steps toward creating meaningful, cross-cultural relationships and bridging the divide. Rebecca Smith is the founder of Better Life Bags, a company that seeks to provide economic opportunities for women who might otherwise face barriers to employment. This is her story. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. 1:20 - Rebecca Smith is the founder of Better Life Bags. Better Life Bags is a custom handbag company located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan. Every bag is hand-sewn by a woman from their under-resourced community. Your purchase gives these women the opportunity to excel at a skill and provide for their families. Click the video below to learn more of Rebecca's story. The Rebecca 101. 10:30 Better Life Bags will celebrate its tenth birthday this summer, and it really started as a hobby. In the summer of 2009, Rebecca was in the final months of her first pregnancy, and she was bored. She decided to make her own diaper bags, and at the behest of her friends, she decided to try selling them on Etsy. Around the same time, she decided to send a portion of her proceeds as a micro-loan to low income entrepreneurs overseas. 14:00 Her family moved to an under-resourced, ethnically diverse community in Detroit, Michigan. She needed help scaling her business, and she hired a Yemeni neighbor to help her keep up with the work. The two quickly developed a close relationship, and in a lightbulb moment, Rebecca realized she could use her business to provide economic opportunities to other women in the neighborhood. A Higher Purpose. 20:35 - Rebecca is currently in the process of writing a book that tells the story of her journey. She's been reminded throughout the project that God is looking out for us, and that He leads us as we take small steps of obedience in faith. Lessons From The Old Testament. 22:13 - In the Old Testament of the Bible, we're constantly reminded of God's plan for His people. He's constantly leading the Israelites despite their shortcomings. Even amidst their fear, He offers protection as He leads them toward the Promised Land in order to accomplish His purposes for them. We're reminded of how difficult it can be to trust God amidst difficult times. However, as we look back over time, we begin to see His bigger plan. Sometimes, we simply need to follow him, one step at a time. Making Cross-Cultural Connections. 25:44 - It can be difficult to start relationships with people who are different from us. Rebecca shares how God used the story of Jonah to call her to love her local community. She shares how her neighborhood in Hamtramck, Michigan enabled her to develop relationships and bridge the cultural divide Americans often face. An Update On Better Life Bags. 37:00 - Better Life Bags has greatly evolved through the years. They currently employ about 15 women, and Rebecca shares how God has challenged her to consider what it means to do His will. She saw the business grow immensely through its first seven years, and now as growth has leveled out, she's asking herself whether she can trust God's plan through a period of slow growth. She wants to follow His plan, and trust Him with the results, even if it means losing sales. Getting To Know Our Guest: 45:34 - Rebecca shares her love for sweets, her aptitude for long-distance road trips, and her longing to return to the 1950s. A Memorable Moment: "It's about taking small steps and trusting God has good plans for us. We don't have to wear ourselves out because He has the plan. We just have to walk it." - Rebecca Smith To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/04/17/business-purpose-podcast-rebecca-smith-better-life-bags/

Join me for a special edition of the podcast as we feature exciting moments from the Fair Trade Federation Conference in Austin, Texas. I'll recap my favorite stories, brands, and personalities from the week. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Llenay Ferretti, Acting CEO Of Ten Thousand Villages. 2:41- Llenay Ferretti has been involved in fair trade for years. She gave a presentation outlining the research surrounding consumer markets as well as the information gap between the consumer's understanding of fair trade and what they value. Reshaping The Story. 3:28 - Llenay discuses Ten Thousand Villages' efforts to bring its mission into the modern age. They created the Maker to Market Movement, and they now encourage consumers to connect to ten thousand villages around the world. Liz Bohannon, Founder Of Sseko Designs. 5:00 - Liz Bohannon encourages us to use design thinking to build better businesses and in turn, a better world. The Myth Of Preparation. 5:56 - The idea that we can perfectly design a product is a myth. Every solution we have is simply a stepping stone to a more relevant, more robust solution. If you want to improve your ideas, get them out into the marketplace. Working With Influencer Marketing. 8:50 - Kirsten Dickerson, founder of Raven + Lily, hosted a panel on partnering with influencers who will leverage their status for the good of your fair trade brand. The panel spoke on finding the right influencer for your brand and how to find influencers who are more relational with their followers. Catching Up With Shannon Riesenfeld. 12:22 - Shannon Riesenfeld is the founder of Mango + Main. Her company works with artisans in Rwanda, Haiti, and Peru to develop and distribute their products around the U.S. We caught up to discuss her journey into the world of fair trade and her recent jump into the Fair Trade Federation. Alice Grau, Global Mamas. 18:24 - Global Mamas seeks to create prosperity for African women and their families by selling their beautifully hand-crafted jewelry, apparel, and soaps. Alice Grau is the organization's creative marketing director, and she shared Global Mamas' mission to create prosperity and enable their producers to buy a car, build their own home, and educate their children. Charlie Brandes, Equal Exchange 23:55 - Equal Exchange is a producer of fair trade coffee, chocolate, and tea. Charlie Brandes works in their sales department. He spoke about Equal Exchange's goal of connecting consumers with the farmers who grow their food and the challenges or partnering with big box stores. Lucia's Imports. 28:28 - Lucia's Imports is a wholesale business that sells handmade imports from Guatemala. They design jewelry, ceramics, purses, and other products as they seek to preserve Mayan culture. Marita Miller, Pebblechild. 30:58 - Pebblechild is a fair trade organization that makes baby products while providing opportunities for employment to women in Bangladesh. It wants to enable women to work while continuing to care for their own children. Pebblechild works with about 12,000 women and keeps them from working in hazardous inner city factories. The Grain Of Rice Project. 34:28 - The Grain Of Rice Project is a non-profit ministry, which seeks to empower Kenyan people with the love of Christ by helping them become self-sufficient through employment, education, and skills training. It works within one of the largest slums in Kenya, generating income for locals by selling handmade jewelry, accessories, housewares, and decorations. Rover And Kin. 37:34 - Rover & Kin is a newly-minted fair trade fashion company. All of its clothing comes from a small, women's cooperative in West Bengal, and it centers its style around minimalist designs. Mayamam Weavers. 40:55 -Mayamam Weavers is a brand I've often talked about. Mayamam Weavers make beautiful handwoven textiles, and they seek to preserve Mayan culture while empowering women from a small cooperative in Cajolá, Guatemala. Katie Schmidt, Passion Lilie. 45:15 - Passion Lilie is a fair trade clothing line that utilizes artisanal fabrics manufactured in India. Katie Schmidt is the founder, and she leveraged her background in fashion, sewing, and textile design to provide fair wages and employment opportunities to women in India. Joy McBrien, Fair Anita. 47:57 - Fair Anita is a beautiful line of ethical jewelry and accessories. Fair Anita seeks to make ethical brands more affordable. Joy McBrien is the founder and CEO, and she wants to appeal to the average consumer. She wants to feature designs that fit into your everyday closet. Campbell Plowden, Center For Amazon Community Ecology. 50:57 - Campbell Plowden is the executive director of the Center for Amazon Community Ecology. He started the organization in an effort to help people make a living in the rainforest without cutting it down. The organization works with 15 communities as they develop and market innovative fair trade handicrafts and essential oils. A Snippet From My Talk. 54:22 -

It seems like out of nowhere, eating healthy has suddenly become trendy. People like to talk about eating Organic and Non-GMO foods. It's funny because our grandparents and ancestors did this for years, yet somehow, it's come onto the scene as this trendy, new concept. Regardless, our guest today wanted to make clean, healthy food more accessible. Join us as we speak with Kat Eckles, the founder of Clean Juice. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. 1:08 - Kat Eckles is the founder of Clean Juice. It's the only USDA certified organic juice bar in the country. She joins us to discuss how her homemade smoothies and juices inspired the idea of opening a juice bar in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Kat 101. 2:30 - Kat is a mom of five, and she wants to create a healthy home for her children. As a young mom, she researched healthy foods, looking for ways to make green smoothies a bit tastier. She quickly discovered you could disguise the taste of spinach in a smoothie by adding a banana and some blueberries. What started as a way to make nutritious meals for her children became a business when she and her husband decided it was time for a career change. They moved to Charlotte and started Clean Juice in 2014. Origins Of Clean Juice. 6:45 - Kat lived in suburban Pennsylvania, and while she enjoyed making smoothies and juices at home, she realized there weren't many healthy options for the general public. Most play dates ended at fast food jaunts, and she wanted to create healthier options for other families. Turning A Hobby Into A Business. 8:30 - Kat attributes much of her success to her faith. She believes God provided her family with the right opportunity at the right time. She also credits her husband and his business acumen. The two of them worked together leveraging their savings in order to get the credit off the ground. They tried to keep things simple as they got started. The fruit came from Costco, and the staff came from local churches and youth groups. Rooted In Faith. 12:19 - Clean Juice puts faith at the forefront of its business. Scripture decorates cups, bowls, and other branded materials. Kat says she committed her family to faith when she moved back to North Carolina. She saw how God was able to hold her family together, and she wants to incorporate that into her business. Expanding The Business. 16:40 - As soon as Clean Juice opened its doors, customers wanted to know where they could find others. They'd always wanted to open 10 Clean Juice franchises in Charlotte, and they quickly decided other communities needed access to healthy food as well. Today, Clean Juice has 56 stores in thirteen states. They hope to be in more than twenty states by the end of 2019. Partnering With Burn. 21:49 - Clean Juice shares a unique partnership with Burn Boot Camp, which also started near Charlotte, North Carolina. Both businesses care about health and wellness, and they regularly collaborate and share business ideas. Since When Did Healthy Eating Become A Trend? 23:55 - When did eating fruits and vegetables become a trend? They've always been good for our bodies, so it's hard to imagine healthy eating becoming a "one hit wonder." While it might not be realistic to only drink clean juices and smoothies, a fast or juice cleanse can work wonders for your body as you seek to create a healthy lifestyle and prevent various diseases. Defining The New Vision. 32:41 - In Charlotte, there's tremendous income gap between underprivileged and wealthier families. Certain families don't have access to healthy foods, and Clean Juice wants to shift that paradigm. The new foundation will work to create opportunities for kids in schools to eat healthy at home. Getting To Know Our Guest: 36:24 - Kat shares everything from her favorite acai bowl to what she's most grateful for today. A Memorable Moment: "God always brings beauty from the ashes. We want an opportunity to share Jesus' love and show what an impact He's had on our lives and what he can do for others." - Kat Eckles To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/04/03/business-purpose-podcast-kat-eckles-clean-juice/

Maybe you want to get into ethical fashion, but you're not sure where to start. Meet Amy Ann Cadwell, the Co-Founder and CEO of The Good Trade. The Good Trade is a digital media and lifestyle brand publication that covers sustainable fashion. Amy Ann joins us to tell her story and share with you how your purchases can truly work toward alleviating poverty and suffering for marginalized communities. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. 1:19 - Amy Ann Cadwell is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Good Trade. She founded The Good Trade in Los Angeles in 2014. It's a digital media and lifestyle brand publication that covers sustainable fashion and lifestyle. The Amy Ann 101. 2:45 - Amy Ann first pursued social change as an academic interest. She studied development economics and along the way became interested in micro-finance and entrepreneurship as sustainable solutions for poverty alleviation. As a result, she received her master's degree in social entrepreneurship. During this time, Amy Ann watched the Netflix documentary, The True Cost. It showed her the dark underbelly of fast fashion, and it convicted her to leverage her graduate work toward solving labor issues and promoting sustainability in the fashion industry. She subsequently founded The Good Trade in 2014. The Power Of One. 8:13 - You might be thinking, "I'm just one person. Does it really matter where I shop?" We need to combat that mentality because the truth is, you do have an impact on change. As consumers, we're collectively capable of making huge shifts in global, economic power, and it starts with one. As consumers, we must question the status quo and support companies that align with our values. Consider what you're bringing into your home. Do Your Purchases Serve A Purpose? 12:40 - No, we're not asking you to become a minimalist. However, we would encourage you think about whether you're purchasing with a purpose. We have a skewed idea of how many things we need in our lives to live comfortably, and our purchases can have detrimental impacts upon those who created those items. Ironically, the more stuff you have, the less satisfaction you'll probably receive out of a particular item. Something To Write About. 14:45 - Amy Ann always had a desire to write and create. She leveraged that interest for her passion for sustainable development. She and her husband started a blog about popular local businesses as a hobby while she was in graduate school. When she moved to Los Angeles, they sold the publication, and she decided to start over with a new digital publication centered around her work. Transforming A Passion Project Into A Publication. 20:00 - The Good Trade began as a side hustle. It was a full year before Amy Ann began thinking of it as a serious business, but she soon began seeing the momentum behind her content. She wanted to dedicate more attention to sustainable fashion, so she developed a studio of writers toward the cause as she and her husband built the organization. How To Get Started. 22:18 - If you've never read The Good Trade, take the baby step of subscribing to their newsletter. It's released daily, and it's a place to get some of The Good Trade's best content. The Good Trade covers everything from fashion and beauty to lifestyle and travel. It's become a community of women looking to make an impact. A Lightbulb Moment. 25:00 - Amy Ann was first convicted The True Cost. Now, as she receives reader feedback, she's constantly reminded of the millions of people who care on an individual level about sustainable fashion. She sees how individuals can join together as a collective and become a powerful impetus for change. Getting To Know Our Guest: 30:18 - We quiz Amy Ann on her unusual talents, spirit animals, and favorite cheesy songs. We'll also travel back in time for a visit with America's favorite roommates. A Memorable Moment: As consumers we have a responsibility to question the status quo and support companies and lifestyle decisions that align with our own personal values." - Amy Ann Cadwell To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/03/27/business-purpose-podcast-amy-ann-cadwell-good-trade/

At ten years old, most of us were exploring the outdoors, riding bikes, and maybe playing with dolls or legos. However, today's guest was busy growing his family's business; Perkins Orchard. Join us as we interview Donovan Alexander Watson about the importance of buying local, supporting local farmers, and connecting the community with farm fresh produce. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. 00:42 - Donovan Alexander "Alex" Watson is the owner and CEO of Perkins Orchard. It's a family business he took over when he was just ten years old. Perkins Orchard is that largest and oldest fruit stand in Durham, North Carolina. Alex transformed his grandfather's fruit stand into a full-fledged business. He's here to share his story. The Alex 101. 4:08 - Alex's grandfather started Perkins Orchard started as a roadside produce market in 1970. However, his grandfather also pastored the Apex First Baptist Church, and around 2004, he started a divinity school within the church. The fruit stand proved to be too much work, and Alex's grandfather had almost closed it down when Alex stepped in to run the business. At the time, Alex was 10 years old, and he handled everything from inventory and finances to customer service. Fast forward to 2013; Alex tore down the original fruit stand and expanded it to a three-acre operation. Painting A Picture. 6:34 - Perkins orchard sits just off of Barbee Road in South Durham, North Carolina. As you turn off the main road, a gravel driveway gives way to a sprawling three-acre outdoor market. They work with three hundred farmers in twelve states, and they're about to begin their 49th season in business. Keeping Others In Business. 9:50 - Perkins Orchard works to keep other family farms in business. Alex began writing checks to producers when he was 15, and as Perkins Orchard expanded, their producers were able to buy more land, grow more crops, and provide for their families. Many of these farmers are local to North Carolina. They also contract with Chiquita, Del Monte, Welch's, and Sunkist. Their goal is to support local farmers while also providing customers with produce that isn't native to our state. The Perkins Orchard Story. 14:48 - Alex's grandfather started Perkins Orchard 49 years ago. At the time, there were several neighbors who operated various produce stands off of Barbee Road. It was a suburban area of Durham, and many folks sold produce out of their front yards. Perkins Orchard started with just a couple of tomato boxes. It was never meant to be more than a hobby. It was a respite from the stress that came with being a pastor, and Alex was blessed to transform it into a business. Hitting The Road. 22:32 - In addition to running the business, Alex is constantly on the road picking up produce. Many of the pickups happen in Raleigh, but you'll often hear of Alex hitting the road for South Carolina or Florida to bring in fresh produce. He says the thrill of waking up before dawn to meet his farmers runs in his blood. Lessons From The Orchard. 25:18 - Alex finds there's a certain camaraderie in his relationships. He relies on his farmers to take care of his customers and provide them with a high-quality product. Connecting With The Community. 33:30 - Alex makes it his mission to impact the community with his business. He seeks to educate people on why it's important to buy locally, he partners directly with farmers, and he makes it his goal to provide produce that's superior to other grocery store products. Perkins Orchard even hosts other local vendors and tries to connect with the community via community events. One year, he made artificial snow and invited the community to come out for hot chocolate and football. He says it's his way of building relationships with others. A Fun Fact About Alex. 39:00 - He dreams about becoming a meteorologist. He shares his passion for tracking snow as well as his high school hobby of sending out weather reports. The Vision For Perkins Orchard. 40:26 - Alex is currently immersed in several small projects including expanding the parking lot for customers and adding plum trees by the business' 50th season. His long-term goal is to open a brick-and-mortar farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Durham that features local meats and produce. Getting To Know Our Guest: 42:23 - Alex shares his little-known love for Katy Perry, and unpacks how he might survive solely off of watermelon from his fruit stand. He expresses his desire to glean wisdom from former President Barack Obama. A Memorable Moment: "I'm grateful for the life I've been brought up in, for the family who has raised me, and for the resources I've been provided with in life to create my own path." - Donovan Alexander Watson To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/03/20/business-purpose-podcast-donovan-alexander-watson-perkins-orchard/

We often contemplate the origins of our clothes and shoes, but purchasing with purpose even includes notepads, sticky notes, pens, and paper. Jillian Ryan is the founder of the Marie Mae Company. She joins us to discuss the tremendous social impact you can have by purchasing items as simple as office supplies. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. 00:54 - Jillian Ryan is the Founder and Creator of the Marie Mae Company. Her company provides invaluable business training for entrepreneurs around the world. By purchasing Marie Mae's office supply products, you're contributing to the education of students at the Marie Mae Business School. The Jillian 101. 8:30 - Jane grew up in Texas where she graduated from Texas A&M. She ended up working in Washington D.C. for ten years with an international business consulting firm. She was a political risk consultant, and she helped businesses overseas to navigate the nuances and risks associated with business in an emerging market. A Change In Direction. 9:46 - While helping big businesses operate in Africa, she witnessed these enterprises wanting work with small, local businesses, only to reach a dead end as local entrepreneurs lacked the necessary skills and resources to partner together. She decided to discover the means and training necessary to run a business in rural Africa. It started as a side project, and her goal was to provide a business bootcamp for local entrepreneurs. However, she needed funding, and selling office supplies was a way to pay for the project. How Marie Mae Works. 12:00 - Basically, for each product you buy, Marie Mae provides one hour of training for a local entrepreneur. It started as a side project, and quickly grew into a full-scale operation. A Big Break. 13:52 - The next year FabFitFun approached Jillian about providing them with 250,000 boxes of stationary. Suddenly, Jillian was scrambling to figure out how to scale her business. What Does Marie Mae Sell? 18:04 - Their main focus is practical and professional gifts. They produce notebooks, stationary, and artisan-made goods, and they work a lot with corporate businesses, and of course, their products are ethically-sourced. Marie Mae even has their own quarterly subscription box. How Does The Training Work? 21:20 - Jillian worked with so many high-powered bankers, lawyers, etc...and so many of them wanted to volunteer. Jillian wanted to provide local entrepreneurs in Africa with business training, and she saw an opportunity to enable her corporate partners to share their expertise. Thus was born the Marie Mae Business School, and business professionals train entrepreneurs with the skills needed to run a successful business. Humble Beginnings. 30:04 - Jillian reflects on the early days of Marie Mae and shares strategies and products that just didn't work. Oddly enough, some of her flops turned out to be best-sellers later. Remember, business is about perseverance. Practical Lessons. 41:30 - Jillian seeks to equip her entrepreneurs with practical skills. General business concepts will only take you so far, so Marie Mae seeks to contextualize their lessons for their audience. Jillian shares how she was able to train a sewing cooperative in Rwanda. Getting To Know Our Guest: 45:05 - Jillian shares her desire to learn Spanish and travel through space to the fantastical locations featured in Interstellar. A Memorable Moment: "It's the power of perseverance. It's one of the things I try to drive home. People might be smarter than you. People might have come from a better background, but you can always win in a perseverance game." - Jillian Ryan To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/03/13/business-purpose-podcast-jillian-ryan-marie-mae-company/

Charity doesn't end poverty. Jobs do. Resources and money give you freedom; the give you dignity. Charity is important, but work is empowering. Jane Mosbacher Morris joins us to discuss how job access could end global poverty. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. 1:22 - Jane Mosbacher Morris is Founder and CEO of TO THE MARKET. She's also the author of the newly released book, Buy The Change You Want To See. TO THE MARKET connects consumers and businesses to ethically made products from around the world. It partners with businesses that offer a safe work environment for women who have been exploited in the sex trade or who are vulnerable to human trafficking. The Jane 101. 3:29 - Jane shares her belief that every person has a purpose as well as her passion for promoting the dignity of work. Her career started in the U.S. Department Of State, and she spent a lot of time around people who lacked control over their own destiny. She wanted to create opportunity for these individuals, and she discusses how the private sector was the best way to do that. Looking For Opportunities. 7:00 -Working for the Department Of State and the McCain Institute provided Jane with several unique glimpses into life in the developing world. She found opportunities to create value in the market. Starting TO THE MARKET. 12:06 - The vision was to connect talented makers around the world who are overlooked and vulnerable with consumers fueled by tremendous buying power. Jane shares the beginnings and discusses how TO THE MARKET built supply chains with organizations that employed individuals in an ethical way. She wanted to change the manufacturing paradigm. Money Leads To Choices. 16:01 - It's not about becoming rich. Money is simply a tool, but it allows you to achieve financial freedom, and it can lends itself to creating resources. Financial aid clearly plays an important role in global development. However, once people's basic needs are met, people prefer to have the ability to earn their own way. When you're constantly receiving, you don't really have the ability to make your own choices. Growth Is Slow. 20:23 - There's been a lot of talk surrounding the need to purchase ethically, but behavioral change takes time. Jane shares how she discovered the importance of continuing to pursue people who say they want to shift their buying habits. Highlighting Jane's New Book. 25:46 - Buy The Change You Want To See debuted at the end of January. It promotes the idea that as buyers, we have purchasing power. If we harness that purchasing power, we can positively impact the lives of others. How Your Purchases Impact Others. 28:20 - We discuss how our purchasing power can affect the lives of trafficking survivors and others living in poverty. Customer loyalty has kept Mom and Pop shops open for years. If you commit to buying locally, and supporting these businesses, your purchases enable business owners to stay open, generate revenue, and impact the lives of others with their hires . Getting To Know Our Guest: 33:24 - We take a moment to get to know Jane and discover her go-to song at a Karaoke night. She'll also share her memories of watching America's favorite family as a kid. A Memorable Moment: "These amazing men and women don't want charity. The want opportunity. They want access to resources. They want money, so that they can make their own choices for their family." -Molly Stillman To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/03/06/business-purpose-podcast-jane-mosbacher-morris-to-the-market/

The Marie Kondo craze has swept the nation with her new show on Netflix, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo. A good purge can be cathartic, but what will become of your things that don't "spark joy?" Give your clean-up a purpose, and consider how you'll develop new habits amidst your clutter-free lifestyle. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Who Is Marie Kondo? 00:00 - Okay, most of you are familiar with Marie Kondo. Perhaps you've even tried tidying up, but in case you've missed the craze, Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizational consultant. She's got her own show on Netflix, and she helps people to declutter their homes while sparking joy in their lives along the way. She wrote a New York Times Best Seller, and she's even appeared on Ellen. A Few Statistics On Your Clothes. 2:23 - According to the EPA, Greenpeace, The New York Times, and a few other resources, more than 15 million tons of used textile waste is generated each year in the United States. In other words, we throw away a lot of clothes in this country. However, only 2.62 million tons were recycled, and 3.14 million tons were combusted for energy recovery. The rest was shipped off to the landfill. An even crazier statistic, the average American throws away approximately 80 pounds of used clothes each year. Synthetic clothing takes multiple lifetimes to decompose, but you could reduce your carbon footprint by recycling your clothes. We Need To Steward Our Resources. 4:55 - Look, I'm not your average John Lennon hippie of the tree hugging variety, but I believe it's important to take care of our planet. As a Christian, I believe we need to cherish the things God has given us. He's directed us to steward our time, our wealth, and our resources. When Your Clothes Don't Spark Joy... 6:04 - The KonMari method would have us dispose of any clothes that don't spark joy in our lives, but this generates a problem. Of course it's a good idea to tidy up your home, but you need to consider where you're tossing your undesirables. Statistics show ninety percent of the time, you're tossing your clothes in the trash or shipping them off to Goodwill. After that, it's "out of sight, out of mind," and all the while, thrift shops and landfills are beginning to overflow. Instead of haphazardly dumping our old Beanie Babies and grandma's scratchy old sweater, we should carefully consider how we choose to retire those items. What Should We Do With Our Stuff? 7:28 - We've broken your stuff down into a few categories. Let's start with your clothes. I'm of the opinion when you toss your old clothes, you shouldn't immediately head out to the thrift shop. If an item is still in decent condition, sell it, or consign it first. Use services like thredUP, Poshmark, Relovv, And We Evolve, Schoola, and SilkRoll. You could also check out local buy-sell pages on websites like Facebook. People who buy your clothes will value them more, and they will give your clothing a longer lifespan. In other words, selling your clothes helps them to avoid rotting in a dump somewhere. Your Donations Are Being Dumped. 10:05 - In 2017, I went on my third trip to Kenya, and I got to visit the Dandora Dump. It's the largest landfill in East Africa, and it's basically a sea of waste. In that waste site, there were hundreds if not thousands of people scavenging. It's a well-known fact the majority of the clothing we "donate" gets shipped off to developing countries, and these countries get overwhelmed. There's nothing wrong with donating your clothes, but it's far more effective to try to sell them first. Donate With A Purpose. 12:02 - If you can't sell your clothes, donate them to a specific organization that can use your clothes. These organizations can make sure your items don't go to waste. What To Do When You Can't Sell Or Donate. 14:24 - If you have items you can't sell or donate, recycle them. Almost one hundred percent of textiles can be recycled. Turn your old t-shirts into quilts, dish rags, car-washing rags, napkins, and other useful items. Take your textiles to the textile recycling center. Yes, those exist. Here in Durham, you can drop your old clothes off at drop centers around town. What To Do With Old Furniture And Home Goods. 15:51- Of course, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are great options for your old furniture. However, Habitat For Humanity is a great, overlooked resource. In several cities, they even have a store where they will resell your items. There's also an online shop called Chairish where you can buy and sell used pieces. Even if your furniture no longer sparks joy for you, it could spark joy for someone else. Paper Is Recyclable. 17:53 - Obviously, any type of old paper is recyclable. Don't throw it in the trash. Recycle it. Donate your old books to local schools and libraries, and if you have memorabilia, you might be able to donate it to a local museum. There's even an option for your random stuff. In Durham, we have a shop called The Scrap Exchange. They'll put your old knic

The Fair Trade Federation is an association that works to elevate and strengthen fair trade partners in the United States and Canada. It's a key partner in the global fair trade movement. On this edition of the podcast, we catch up with the organization's executive director, Chris Solt. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Come To The Fair Trade Federation Conference! 1:20 - I'm going to be speaking at the Fair Trade Federation Conference in Austin, Texas in March. If you live in the area, you need to come check it out. There will be all sorts of speakers, fair trade organizations showing their wares, breakout sessions, and much more. For more information, visit fairtradefederation.org. The Chris 101. 3:45 - Chris takes us all the way back to the beginning and shares the story of his upbringing in Vermont and Ohio. Chris' father was a band director, and he grew up learning to play the drums, bass, guitar, piano, and many other instruments. He was even in a band, and he just knew he'd become a musician. He chose to skip college and become a recording engineer while working in Border's in Cleveland. In 1999, Chris became a father and attended college. His degree in Social Science landed him in a Ten Thousand Villages store, and it ultimately changed his path completely. Following A Different Path. 8:04 - Chris took a job with a company called Ten Thousand Villages. It's a nonprofit that markets fair trade artisan products to alleviate poverty around the world. While there, Chris learned how commerce and retail could be leveraged to impact lives and boost local economies. Becoming The Executive Director At The Fair Trade Federation. 10:58 - A friend connected with Chris and led him down the path toward working with the Fair Trade Federation where he now serves as their executive director. How Do We Find Our Calling? 12:38 - Maybe you grew up wanting to be a teacher or a doctor, so you went to school and turned your passions into a profession. However, maybe your path hasn't been as clear. Chris shares how his life experiences in his twenties led him toward his calling later in life. What Is The Fair Trade Federation? 14:10 - The fair trade industry consists of more than coffee, tea, and chocolate. There are all sorts of businesses involved, and the Fair Trade Federation is a trade association that seeks to strengthen and promote these organizations. Their mission is to build equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and create opportunities to alleviate poverty. The Fair Trade Federation works with all sorts of wholesalers, retailers, nonprofits, and faith communities. These organizations seek to promote justice and provide opportunities for laborers all over the world to find dignity in their work while sustaining their livelihood. How The Fair Trade Federation Operates. 19:50 - The federation operates under principles of transparency and accountability for the purposes of creating opportunities, promoting fair trade, ensuring fair wages, and developing safe working conditions for laborers. They also fight for the rights of children, cultivate environmental stewardship and respect cultural identity. These seem like high standards, but the organization seeks to guarantee the products being sold by federation members haven't come at the cost of someone's health or dignity. The Fair Trade Federation wants its members to put fair trade in the very DNA of how they operate. How The Fair Trade Federation Operates. 23:50 - The Fair Trade Federation works with all sorts of marginalized communities. They want to alleviate poverty and suffering, and they want to be a resource for those trapped in modern-day slavery. A Story From Nepal. 26:16 - Chris shares the story of a trip to India and Nepal in 2008. While there he partnered alongside an organization called New Sadle which works exclusively with victims of leprosy. These victims are seen as outcasts in their villages and are even considered to be cursed. Consider Your Purchases. 27:08 - Walk through Walmart and consider a $1.99 t-shirt. While that graphic tee might be harmless to you, there's a real possibility it was put together by an indentured servant on the other side of the world. We must consider where our money is going. Chris Explains The Difference Between The Fair Trade Federation And The World Fair Trade Organization. 30:30 - In short, the Fair Trade Federation is based in the United States in Canada while the World Fair Trade Organization is worldwide. A Difficult Question. 34:49 - Can something be ethical and not be fair trade? While this is a challenging concept to consider, the answer is absolutely. The Fair Trade Federation sets a high bar for its retailers, and not every well-meaning company qualifies. The fair trade movement is a spectrum, and while the term "fair trade" can get nebulous, any movement toward becoming fair trade is to be applauded. The simple step of adding transparency to a business can change lives. Fair Trade Is A Learning Process

I do not have a green thumb. The past few years, I've tried to start a garden in my backyard and it almost always ends up overrun with weeds, or one year all of my cucumbers ended up just eating everything else in my garden. I had no less than 50 cucumbers that year, and then the next year I wasn't able to grow anything, then the next year I tried to grow things with plants, and maybe had a couple of jalapeños. But for the most part, every year, my garden has turned into a big flop. I really wish I could garden, I really want to learn how to garden. So, this year we're going to try again, we're going to do some raised beds, planted some fruit trees, got some blueberry bushes that maybe will give us some blueberries. We've got a blackberry bush, we're trying. My guest today, took the idea of a garden in her backyard, and decided she no longer wanted to just feed her family, she wanted to feed her entire community on the south side of Chicago. What was once a small idea that she had, is now a full fledged dream that she is pursuing. FOLLOWING OPEN DOORS After the death of Natasha's sister, she learned not to take life for granted. She started to explore areas where she could use her passions to serve other people and boy did her idea explode. Molly and Natasha discuss the miracles that happen when you follow open doors. Her community garden has not only opened doors in her own life, but opened the doors of people in the community, allowing them to come together, get to know one another, and support each other in times of need and celebration. STARTING A COMMUNITY GARDEN From starting a small community garden, to collaborating with other non-profits in Chicago to buy a plot of land that has sustained much of the community, Natasha's vision has grown beyond what she imagined. Their unique design allows for the community to come together and request certain foods, sparking an interest that they're hoping will lead to classes, teaching others how to grow and sustain their own food. About Natasha Nicholes, Founder of House of Nicholes: Natasha C. Nicholes is a serious maker. To be a serious maker, you need the ability to see things not as they are but as what they can be. Not only that, you need the skills to make that vision into reality. That is Natasha's super power. Where others saw an abandoned lot on the Southside of Chicago, Natasha saw a community garden overflowing with greens, fresh food for her neighbors, and chickens. Because of Natasha's community leadership and hard work, the We Sow We Grow Community Garden allied with local stores, won features on the Harry show and in the Chicago Tribune, and was a 2017 Iris Award Nominee for the Best Philanthropic Work of the Year. Not only does Natasha grow food, she grows humans. She made four bold and brilliant children with her husband – and even made two of them at the same time. She even homeschools. But when she was researching online to find families like hers, she didn't find any voices of African Americans represented. So of course, she created her own space at www.housefulofnicholes.com. Through her blog, Natasha forged partnerships with companies and organizations such as Kia,Samsung, General Mills, Dream Kids, and Habitat for Humanity. She spoke at conferences such as Blogalicious,BlogHer, National Box Tops University, and various Illinois Farm Bureau summits. She is the Travel Editor at Mom 2.0 Summit and was a cast member for the Chicago 2017 Listen to Your Mother Show. And if that isn't enough, there's more. Sewing. Knitting. Canning. Preserving. Building. Growing. Sowing. Natasha can do all these things. She is a serious maker. CONNECT WITH NATASHA Website: www.housefulofnicholes.com Facebook: House of Nicholes Instagram: @houseofnicholes Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

Let's pretend for a second that you have a dream of starting an ethical fashion brand. You want to start this brand, you know the designs in your head, you have a clear vision for it, but you have no idea where to start when it comes to the manufacturing component. You look online, you do some Google searches, and you find factories literally all over the world, and you have no idea if they're ethical or not, you have no idea what these factories might look like, you have no idea what the process is like. What if there was a way to make it easier for people want to manufacture their clothes ethically? What if there was a way that you could know for sure that these factories are vetted, they're legit, they're clean, they're ethical, workers are working in clean, and safe conditions. What if there was a way you could have all of that taken care of you. My guest this week is Jessica Kelly, the founder of Thr3efold. It is a platform to help you build your ethical, and sustainable fashion brand. EXPERIENCING SYSTEMIC POVERTY After years working in the corporate fashion industry, a mission trip to Africa opened Jessica's eyes to the way that populations around the world were struggling. She knew she had to do something, and wanted to use her passion for the clothing industry to make a difference. After must trial and error, she realized the great need for a company like Thr3efold. BRANDS MAKING A DIFFERENCE Jessica was on a mission to make a difference. Upon visiting India, and some of the largest clothing manufacturers in the area, many of her stereotypes about mass production were challenged. Molly and Jessica discuss the ways that major clothing retailers like H&M and Target are actually making great strides to change the standards of production. SOURCING ETHICAL MANUFACTURING Jessica discusses the mission of Thr3efold, providing ethical sourcing and manufacturing options for new brands, with hopes to change the industry standard and even provide alternative options for well-established brands. Their online community provides great support to entrepreneurs in need of relationship, which Jessica shares is one of the most important necessities she's found in owning her own business. About Jessica Kelly, Founder & President of Thr3efold; Jessica cut her teeth in fashion by paying her dues in PR, schlepping 50 pound gowns across Manhattan to Condé Nast and working backstage at NYFW for top brands like Alexander Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Tory Burch and Tommy Hilfiger. As her career grew, she worked with over 300 brands on a daily basis preparing them for wholesale market, and she began to understand how the overarching industry worked and the many pain points all brands face. It was around this time that she went on a life changing trip to Africa where she encountered severe social injustice but simultaneously the power of sustainable employment and knew she had to start a business that provided that opportunity to people in need around the world. After much brainstorming and an extensive research and development trip to India it became clear what was needed was an easier way for fashion brands to find the trustworthy, ethical factories in order to increase supply chain standards, improve transparency, and positively impact people and planet around the world. CONNECT WITH SOMYA Facebook: Thr3efold Pinterest: Thr3efold Instagram: @thr3efold Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

Our lives are filled with defining moments. Tragedy shakes us, suffering changes us, but it's how we take tragedy, and how we learn from suffering that determines the next phase or trajectory of our lives. We can choose to use that suffering as an excuse, and become bitter, and disheartened, and withdraw from the world, or we can use it to grow. We can use it to make ourselves better, to make others better, to leave our communities and families better than we found them. My guest today, at the age of 26, nearly died from someone trying to kill her. She could've used that experience and let it defeat her, but instead she used it as fuel to impact the next generation for good. A CULTURE OF COMPETITIVENESS Somya and Molly dive right in and discuss how our current culture is one of competitiveness. They discuss various events in history, politics, and religion which have contributed to the society we live in now, one that starts even at the very bottom, educating our children through an elitist system, to the very top, displaying competitiveness in governments around the globe. BREAKING THE CYCLE Molly shares how even on her visit to a local restaurant, she always makes a point to acknowledge and get to know every person she comes in contact with. The two discuss how the simple act of being kind, having conversations (even the awkward ones), can lead to change. Somya share her belief that all human beings just want to be seen, and understood, and if we can all work together to address and relieve each others fears, the world could be headed for a much brighter future. IMPACTING THE NEXT GENERATION Somya's life passion is education children in a way that will change the world. Her many initiatives surrounding youth education are structured to disrupt the current education system, by providing new research, and facts countercultural to what most children are reading in their history books. Her dream is to see children achieve the same level and quality education no matter where they are born, or what economic bracket they fall under. Influencing what and how children learn from a young age has the power to change our economy, our ecosystem, our society, and the world. About Somya Munjal, Founder & President of Youthful Savings, CPA for the People, and Audacious Endeavours; Somya Munjal is a social entrepreneur whose work focuses on youth education and economic empowerment. As an advocate for the creation of a fair economy based on conscious transacting, education reform and resource redistribution, Somya believes that poverty can be eradicated through equal opportunity and economic and entrepreneurial education. To contribute to the alleviation of these issues, each of Somya's social enterprises provide economic education, financial planning and resources to build socially conscious businesses. By empowering people in these ways, each project also fosters fiscal and monetary policy reform. Somya is the Co-Founder of Youthful Savings, Managing Partner of CPA for the People, LLP and the Creative Director of Audacious Endeavors. She is also the author of the newly released book, Audacious Endeavors: 8 Steps to Social Consciousness that will Spark Your Inner Fire (Third Edition). She is a member of solution-based, action-oriented organizations dedicated to resolving socio-economic issues, such as the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and the Southern California Mediation Association. Somya is a Certified Public Accountant, FINRA Licensed Financial Advisor, and is Certified in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation, Arbitration and Negotiation. CONNECT WITH SOMYA Facebook: Audacious Endeavors Book Twitter: Somya Munjal Twitter: Learning Marketplace Facebook: Youthful Savings YouTube: Youthful Savings Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

There is a cliche saying that says, "a picture is worth a thousand words." I know we hear it all the time, but really, have you ever thought about the priceless value of an image? I don't like to think that I have regrets in life, but there is one regret that I have. To be honest with you, it sticks me with every day, and that is that I have very few photos of my mother and I together, in my teenage years. I have looked and looked, and there are little to no picture of just my mother and I in the few years before she died, and I hate that. It's one of the reasons that I take so many pictures of my kids and it's one of the reasons that I say, "sorry, not sorry," when I ask people to take pictures of me and my kids together. Pictures are so valuable when you've lost someone that you love, because it's the only physical thing that you have to remember them by, where you can see them, and feel the emotion behind that image. Today's guest realized the value of an image in the most unimaginable way possible. THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE OF SKYLAR Ashley shares the inspiration behind the start of Love Not Lost, the life of her daughter Skylar. At around 2 months, Skylar was diagnosed with SMA, a disease that she was told would take her daughter's life before the age of 1 year old. Thanks to an SMA researcher, the Jones' family had 21 months with their daughter. After her passing, photographs were what helped Ashley through the grieving process, and so she wanted to provide that same resource for those approaching the loss of a loved one. CAPTURING THE LIVES OF OTHERS Love Not Lost was brought to life on November 19, 2015, what would've been Skylar's 4th Birthday. Ashley asked her friends and family to come together support her vision for providing photography to families approaching a loss, so that they'd have memories to cherish long after their loved one had passed. LOVING OTHERS DURING HARD TIMES Molly and Ashley discuss how difficult it can be to approach a friend or family member who has lost a loved one, and what you can do to love them where they are. Love Not Lost provides incredible resources for those looking to support their loved ones through hard times. About Ashley Jones Founder of Love Not Lost; After losing her daughter to a terminal condition, Ashley developed a new perspective on success, life, and love. Her passion for helping others, her photography skills, and her own personal experience through grief and loss, led her to create Love Not Lost. The driving question she asks daily is "How can we love people better?" She is constantly working on new initiatives and resources for Love Not Lost to answer that question as well as loving her husband, family, friends, and community better in her personal life. She loves speaking to companies, conferences, and groups about grief, love, and making the most of the time we have. CONNECT WITH ASHLEY Website: https://lovenotlost.org/ Instagram: @lovenotlostorg Facebook: Love Not Lost Org email: [email protected] Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

If I'm being honest, I don't even know how to introduce today's episode. Back in the Fall, my husband and I had the opportunity to screen a documentary called Letter from Masanjia, and I'll get into the details of the documentary, and we'll be talking about it throughout this episode. But, after I saw that documentary, it affected me in ways I can't even begin to explain. I knew that I wanted to have the producer of that documentary on this episode, and so I reached out to him, and I asked him to come on the show, and he obliged. Today's episode is tough. It is engaging, challenging, emotional, it's raw, but my prayer is that it will impact you. My guest is Leon Lee, the founder of Flying Cloud Productions and producer of the documentary, Letter from Masanjia. BECOMING A SELF-TAUGHT DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER Leon's first documentary, Human Harvest, was inspired by the accusations of Chinese Organ Harvesting, not too far from his hometown in China. Alongside a team of Canadian researchers, he took 8 years to create the film. It has now been viewed by millions, broadcast in more than 25 countries, and received the 74th Annual Peabody Award for Documentary. THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF LEON'S FILMS While creating the films were not easy, took years of research, and faced much opposition, Leon pressed on for all those affected by the tragedies he was documenting. After the release of his first film, governments around the world began to recognize the serious implications of China's organ harvesting, even banning certain travelers from traveling to China for organ implantation. LETTER FROM MASANJIA In 2012, an Oregon woman found a cry for help in her K-mart box from a man held prisoner and tortured in Chinese labor camps. Through Leon's connections, he was able to find the man, Sun Yi, and expose the horrific acts still happening in China today. About Leon Lee, Flying Cloud Productions; Award-winning Canadian filmmaker Leon Lee founded Flying Cloud Productions to share intriguing stories about modern-day China that help shine a light on human rights issues. Their debut film Human Harvest, a documentary about China's illegal organ trade, was broadcast in over 25 countries and was the recipient of numerous accolades including the illustrious Peabody Award. Their recent feature documentary Letter from Masanjia premiered at Hot Docs 2018 and is currently playing in theatres and scooping awards at festivals worldwide. Their aim is to create an impact by bringing true stories to life in unforgettable ways, sparking vital discussion on topics of international importance. CONNECT WITH LEON LEE Website: http://flyingcloud.ca Watch Letter from Masanjia: https://www.letterfrommasanjia.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/flyingcloudprod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flyingcloudproductions/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCssAXAQ9lZYSX8htVgi5lPg Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

The average american woman is a size 14/16. I'm a size 14, so I'm pretty average, but I will say that ever since having kids, I have noticed how much the fashion industry does not cater to average women like me, and women who are above a size 14. One of my biggest challenges as an ethical fashion advocate has been to find clothing that is ethically made and size inclusive. And I get it, ethical fashion businesses a lot of the times are small and they have to make smart business decisions and it's hard to cater to everyone. But, let's be honest, there are a lot of women who are being cut out of the ethical fashion industry because ethical fashion brands don't make clothing that fits them, and fits them well. Last year, after so many of you and so much of my community on social media asked me over and over again, 'Molly where can I find ethically made plus-sized clothing?' I went on a hunt, and one of the amazing plus size ethical fashion brands that I found, happens to be my guest today. FROM SOCIAL WORKER TO FASHION ENTREPRENEUR Mary Alice spent the bulk of her adult career as a social worker in Philadelphia. It wasn't until after she became a mother and began to progress in her career, that she realized she couldn't find the clothing that she wanted, in her size. So, she started to sew her own clothing. After recognizing the real need in the fashion industry for ethically made clothing that fit all sizes, she decided to take a leap in growing sewing her own clothing into sewing clothing for others, which is how Alice Alexander was born. CREATING A BRAND FOR ALL WOMEN Mary Alice discusses her deep intentionality behind everything she creates at Alice Alexander. From the clothing itself to the content created using inclusive models, her brand truly stands for making everyone feel loved and included and it is evident through everything she does. Her goal is to create clothing that can seamlessly fit into any woman's wardrobe. FINDING BODY POSITIVITY Molly and Mary Alice discuss finding body positivity, learning to love themselves, and what it looks like to create and raise a generation of women who value their bodies. Mary Alice found support in many online groups of women who were loving their bodies just the way they are, and Molly expresses her joy to show her own daughter how strong and loved she is.About Mary Alice Duff, Founder of Alice Alexander; Mary Alice Duff is owner of Alice Alexander, a size-inclusive, ethically-made women's apparel startup based in Philadelphia with both an online and brick and mortar presence. Started in September 2017, Alice Alexander offers bold, yet accessible pieces to the modern-day woman in sustainable fabrics and inclusive sizes, ranging from 0-28. Prior to launching her own business, Mary Alice was a nonprofit executive and social worker with dual degrees in social work and law and social policy. Frustrated with the lack of high quality clothing in her size and growing increasingly aware of the negative environmental and human impacts the fashion industry was creating, Mary Alice started sewing her own clothes, consciously building a self-made wardrobe piece by piece. Realizing there was a business in her new sewing hobby, Duff enrolled in fashion design school at Philadelphia's MADE Institute, where she balanced taking classes and working full-time. In May of 2017, Duff left a successful career in the nonprofit sector to launch Alice Alexander. In June 2018, with the crowdfunded launch of their second collection, Alice Alexander opened a brick and mortar location and combined production studio in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. To learn more visit us on the web, follow us on Instagram, check out our online store or stop by our location at 4056 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia PA. CONNECT WITH MARY ALICE Website: www.alicealexander.co Instagram: @alicealexanderco Facebook: www.facebook.com/alicealexanderco email: [email protected] Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

I love meeting people who see a need and they fill it. They see an area that they can specialize in or an area that is underserved in this world and they just do it. They don't make excuses, they don't come up with reasons why it won't work, they just go for it. They find solutions, not excuses. They make a way instead of just saying that it can't be done. My guest today saw a need to elevate the voices of social impact companies and decided to fill it. My guest this week is Kassia Binkowski, the founder of One K Creative, a full-service studio that works to tell a story for companies and social impact brands that have a social change component. A CIRCUITOUS ROUTE Kassia grew up in a huge and supportive family in the midwest. She had traveled a lot domestically as a child, but not much internationally. When she had the opportunity to travel to East Africa, her eyes were thrown wide open to the reality of poverty. This was her first exposure to social injustice on a personal, intimate level, and it led her to delving into the world of public health. Kassia wanted to look at the community systems and the social systems that were influencing health outcomes. She got her Master's in Public Health and spent years working with the maternal a child health space. When she and her husband decided to move from Seattle, Washington (the Public Health mecca of the United States) to Boulder, Colorado (where they knew they wanted to be and raise a family, but a public health desert), Kassia knew she had to get creative. She was hired as a communications director for a non-profit that was doing education work in Guatemala. Kassia had never done communications and marketing on a professional level, but the non-profit trusted her cultural knowledge and background so much that the door opened for her. She loved the work she was doing! Kassia flourished and began getting inquiries from other organizations about her design work. She began to realize that there was space for a studio that exclusively focused on social impact organizations. THE VISION One K Creative was born as a result. One K Creative works with clients who have a social or environmental mission, regardless of whether they are for-profit, non-profit, social-responsibility, etc. It simply has to be a cause that their team cares about. One K Creative produces the content that drives these organization's audiences towards action. While they started out primarily doing writing and graphic design, their services have now expanded to include photography and film. They originally were called One Thousand Design - a nod to the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words." Kassia always wanted to build a creative studio that was bigger than herself, and she has wildly succeeded. COMMUNITY BUILDING Maybe it is a photo or an audio-clip in an email. Maybe it is a film that gives you a glance at production in a completely different country. Finding connection--that is exactly what Kassia and One K Creative find so motivating. They seek to help audiences empathize with a cause whether or not they have had a direct connection to it. It is both a challenge and One K Creative's storytelling sweet spot. About Kassia, founder of One K Creative: Kassia Binkowski grew up in Madison, WI and traveled her way around the world to Boulder, CO which she now calls home. Nestled against the Rocky Mountains, Kassia supports innovative organizations from Colorado to Kathmandu tell stories of social change. Kassia is an eternal optimist, backroad wanderer, and founder of One K Creative. CONNECT WITH KASSIA Website: http://onekcreative.com/ Facebook: /onekcreative Instagram: @onekcreative Email: [email protected] Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

There is an ongoing refugee crisis in our country and in our world. Millions of men, women, and children are making the incredibly difficult and impossible journey to a country they don't know, with a language they don't speak, to seek refuge and a better life for themselves and their families. The stories are heartbreaking, yet there are glimmers of hope in the darkness. Often these families come and we think that they need our charity. But what they really need is an opportunity--a chance. Charity doesn't change lives in families, business does. A job does. Sustainable employment does. My guest this week is Stephanie Giddens, founder of Vickery Trading Co.--a children's clothing company with a bigger mission--to equip refugee women with long-term success through vocational training, personal development, and fair wages. This is an absolutely incredible conversation about a topic that I'm incredibly passionate about, and I know that you're going to be encouraged. AN UNCONVENTIONAL PATH Stephanie graduated college with a community health degree and went on to get her master's degree in theology. She now works for a fashion company. While this may not seem like your typical career path, the pieces fit perfectly together for Stephanie. Her fashion company is not like most, and she spends her days working with refugees--allowing her to draw on her community health knowledge. Vickery Trading Co. is a non-profit social business that equips refugee women for long-term success through vocational training, personal development, and fair wages. They hire refugee women, train them to sew at a professional level, and they produce clothing (mostly for little girls). This unique company spends an hour of each and every day assisting their partner refugees with personal development and cultural assimilation through English as a second-language, handwriting, and typing classes. This allows the refugees that they work with to become valuable, employable residents of the United States. SEWING AS AN OPPORTUNITY Stephanie decided to use sewing as a teachable skill and a tool to help these refugee women assimilate. It is a uniquely social skill in that it allows for community and relationship-building. These women are all sitting in a room together working and learning, which helps them build both trust and English skills. The company was built upon this foundation. In terms of product, Stephanie saw a lot of companies making jewelry and handbags, and not as many folks doing clothes--especially children's clothes. Stephanie saw a hole in the social business arena for people who want to do good when dressing their children. From that point of choosing their niche, Vickery Trading Co. moved on to running focus groups for mothers, allowing the team to develop their product ideas even further. A HEART FOR HELPING Stephanie's first experience with the refugee community came when she was dropping off a donation box and was invited into a woman's home. The woman told her that what she needed and wanted the most was a stable job. While the culture gap can be challenging, Stephanie has long had a heart for helping refugees. She has found the refugee populations she works with to be incredibly hard-working and industrious--always wanting to do their absolute best to create a better life for themselves and their families. At our very cores, despite our differences, Stephanie believes that we are all similarly humans with the capacity to form relationships and love one another. About Stephanie Giddens, Founder & President of Vickery Trading Co.: In the summer of 2000, Stephanie met poverty face-to-face in the slums of Calcutta. She will never forget the eyes of children whose daily reality was far different from hers. She returned to the U.S. confused and guilt-ridden about the luxuries she had but never appreciated. In 2008, she took her first trip to East Africa. While wandering through a market in Kampala, Uganda, she bought a handmade paper necklace from a local artisan. In the artisan's eyes, Stephanie saw something different than what she'd seen in Calcutta. The woman's physical circumstances weren't any better, but Stephanie's purchasing her handiwork allowed dignity in a way that charity never could. In 2011, Stephanie helped to develop a project that partnered businesswomen in Dallas with like-minded women in Rwanda. She raised money for leadership training and microfinance lending to launch Rwandan businesses. Many thrived. Later in 2011, she was confronted and horrified by the proliferation of human exploitation, so she organized a panel to address human trafficking. Stephanie recognized again what she'd seen in Uganda – the unbelievable redemption and freedom that dignified work affords the human soul. In the last five years, she's studied social business and learned how work empowers the vulnerable. Stephanie and her husband seriously looked for social business opportunities in East Africa. Their plans to move to Rwanda in th

It is episode #120 of the Business with Purpose Podcast: "How to Shop Ethically on a Budget." A couple of episodes ago, actually at episode #110, I started introducing my solo episodes. Now every ten episodes, you get an episode with just me, on topics requested by you! So if you have a topic that you would like me to talk about, you can email me at [email protected], you can find me on social media at Still Being Molly, or we have lots of awesome conversations in my Purchase with Purpose Facebook Group. By the way, if you are not already in that group, it is so much fun. We ask lots of great questions, there's a lot of great discussion, and you get to give me feedback on podcast episodes like this one! Today I've got six tips for you on How to Shop Ethically on a Budget. I want to make this really easy, really quick, and really simple, because this is one of those things that I get asked about all the time. People say to me all the time, "Molly, shopping ethically is expensive, it's too difficult!" and it doesn't have to be. TIP #1: SHOP SECOND-HAND This is the most affordable and arguably the most ethical way to shop. Whether it's thrifting, consigning, or shopping by sell pages--when you are shopping second-hand, what you are doing is you are actually purchasing clothing that is already in the "ecosystem," so to speak. You are not further contributing to the demand for clothing to be produced, because you are buying clothing that already exists--it has already been purchased by somebody else, and it's already out there. Also, a lot of great non-profits run thrift stores and consignment shops, so you might be supporting a local business--keeping money in your local economy--as well. Shopping second-hand is super, super ethical, and it's also the most affordable, because when you're buying something second-hand, you are not paying retail prices! This is a great way to purchase items you need, whether it's clothing, shoes, accessories, or home decor. You can shop some of the more mainstream brands that you already know and love, and you'll get a discount off of that retail price. Take a look at my favorite online and in-person resources below! My Favorite Online Resources ThredUp - A platform that allows you to browse through brands, sizes, styles, and categories. Poshmark - An app-based platform that allow you to search through brands, sizes, styles, and categories. You can buy directly from another person and even sell your own clothes! ReLove - A platform for shopping higher-end second-hand items. SilkRoll - A platform that operates similarly to a points-based system, where you send in designer items to earn points that allow you to shop for other designer items. This one costs no money other than their membership fee! And We Evolve - A second-hand style subscription box. Style For It - For my plus size ladies, this is a plus-size online resource! Facebook Marketplace - A great way to buy and sell used items in your local area. Facebook Buy/Sell Groups & Pages - Most areas have local buy/sell groups and pages on Facebook. Search for yours today! My Favorite In-Person Resources Clothes Mentor Once Upon a Child Plato's Closet TIP #2: BUY LESS, BUT BUY BETTER The fashion industry has you convinced that you need to buy new clothes--every week, every month, all the time. That is not how life should really be! Back in the days of our parents and grandparents, the average American only had 15 to 20 items of clothing in their entire wardrobe. Now, these days, we go through that in a month! Buying less, but buying better will help to save you money in the long-term. Rather than going to a cheap, fast-fashion store like H&M, Forever 21, or Old Navy--where new clothes are coming out weekly, where they're not as well-made, where they fall apart after a few washes and so you just end up having to replace them--save that money, and instead of buying an $8 shirt 12 times per year, spend $50 on one shirt that is going to last you much, much longer. Where you spent $96 through the year on clothing that just wound up falling apart, instead purchase one or two shirts that will last you several years. Some of my favorite brands that I purchase from produce clothing that lasts me for years, because of the intention and the quality of the product. When you buy less but buy better, you will save money in the long-run. It can be really hard to shift our mentality that way, but it is so important. TIP #3: SAVE This one may seem really simple, but so often we forget about saving. Yes, we save for retirement, we save for a home, we save for all these different things--but why not save for an investment piece that you really want and that you know is going to last you a long time? When you save up for an item, you value it more and you are less likely to go through the cycle of buying an item, using it once, and then tossing it! TIP #4: GET TO KNOW YOUR MORE AFFORDABLE ETHICAL BRANDS I know that some of the pricier brands a

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole, that was said by photographer Roger Karris. Maybe you are, or aren't a dog person. I'm a dog person. We have two dogs at home, Tater who is a pitbull cattle dog mix, and Audrey Hepburn who is a cavalier king charles spaniel. I will let you all figure out which one was my husbands when we got married. Whether or not you're a dog person, there's pretty much no denying that dogs hold a special place in our lives and in society. I remember when I was in high school, I got really sick and spent a few weeks in the hospital. The best day of the week was when the therapy dog came by. I never wanted those moments to end. Dogs can bring so much to a family, a person, a community. They protect, they nurture, they cuddle, they play, they heal, they are a gift. Our guest today, Marshall Morris, had a passion for helping dogs and humans, and found a way to have an impact on both. ON LEARNING TO BUILD A BUSINESS THAT GIVES BACK After his Army career, Marshall was seeking more purpose in his career. He found himself jumping from job to job, before everything fell into place. He soon found himself building businesses that surrounded that allowed him to combine his love for dogs, and his servant heart for veterans. The community spoke, and his business listened, ensuring that each product gave back to the communities they serve, as they continued to grow. iHeart Dogs not only donates toys to shelters, but gives back to provide veterans with services they may need. DEALING WITH PHASES IN BUSINESS Through scaling multiple businesses, Marshall has learned the various ways to get through hurdles in business. Whether you're in a niche business, or gaining a community of family, Marshall walks through the ways to persevere in business, and learn from the feedback of your community. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF PETS Marshall dives into the proven benefits of not only veterans having dogs, and pets in general, but as human beings the benefits that we reap interacting with dogs. Their emotional connection is proven through science but also in the way that human beings as a species cherish their pets as family. Every day new research is being done as to the real effects of war, but also the real treatments that could improve the quality of life of veterans. About Marshall Morris. Marshall is a serial internet entrepreneur and an Army Veteran who sold his first online company at the age of 28 for over 7 figures. Since then he has been actively involved in scaling profitable 7 and 8 figure internet based businesses that focus on high quality products and services that give back to humanity in a measurable way. His current company iHeartDogs.com has funded over 10 million meals to shelter dogs, donated over 140,000 toys to animals awaiting their forever homes in shelters and funded over $250,000 dollars to provide Veterans with service and companion animals. CONNECT WITH Marshall Website: iHeart Dogs Facebook: iHeart Dogs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iheartdogscom/ Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Visit http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/cultivate to shop! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

Were you ever one of those kids who always felt like your parents were forcing you to do something? Maybe your parents made you go to church or they made you take piano or they made you learn Spanish or whatever… it was something that was important to THEM and they, in turn, wanted it to be important to you, too. Maybe for years you did whatever it was begrudgingly… as a teenager you would kind of roll your eyes but you did it anyway… but then, suddenly, as an adult.. there's that lightbulb moment where you realize that all those years of your parents encouraging you to do something all of a sudden becomes something that you care about and it becomes something you want to do on your own. Suddenly… no one is forcing you… you're doing it because you care. My guest this week is Jennifer Lunsford with Rahab's Rope, a non-profit and jewelry brand that is giving hope to women and children who have been, or are at-risk of being, exploited by human trafficking. As you know, this is an issue that is near and dear to my heart, so I was really excited to have Jennifer on the show. GOD'S TIMING Jennifer first got involved with Rahab's Rope through her mother. Jennifer had always been around missions, but after spending her childhood being dragged overseas and to church, she wanted to do her own thing and pave her own path in life. She got her bachelor's degree in psychology and thought that was the route she was going to take. She got married to someone she had known for many years, and they had two children. When she decided she wanted to get her master's degree in psychology, she choose start her first semester online. That was the time that she realized something was off. She realized psychology was not what she was supposed to do. Feeling empty and unfulfilled, she prayed for an answer to what exactly she was supposed to spend her life doing. It was at this time, that she asked her mother if there were any full-time positions with Rahab's Rope. Incredibly, someone had just put in their two-week notice, that very day. The business was starting to grow and they needed more help. She never imagined that working with her family business would be her life's calling, but she found it was exactly what God had been preparing her to do. A PRAYER, A PASTOR, AN ANSWER Rahab's Rope began when Jennifer's parents took a trip to India to visit some friends who had gone to India to work full-time at an orphanage. Jennifer's mother had traveled the entire world but felt she was being called to India. Two years later, Jennifer's mother and father planned another trip to India, this time to see what it would look like if she was involved in missions there. Jennifer came along this time, and her family met with an Indian pastor. They discovered that a woman from the red lights district had been praying with this pastor for help and for hope, and that Jennifer's mother was the answer to those prayers. Jennifer's family learned about the issues facing this community and realized that none of the women wanted a hand-out, they wanted somebody to teach them a trade. They, above all else, just wanted hope and opportunity. Her parents decided to do more than just fundraise. They elected to educate so that these women could go back to their community and make a positive change. THE BUSINESS MODEL: DUAL RUNGS Rahab's Rope has grown so much over the years. They are a 501c3 non-profit, but they also sell gorgeous products--through retail sales, wholesale, and host parties. On one rung of the business, Rahab's Rope combats human trafficking, and on the other side, they sell goods, which helps to provide economic empowerment for the women they work with. Rahab's Rope has 5 women's centers in India where their beautiful work takes place. In these centers, they provide basic education, vocational training, and even housing. It is in these centers that the products are crafted. Rahab's Rope wants to teach these women a trade, but their goal is not to employ them indefinitely. They seek to provide the women with the tools and opportunities that they need to go back into their community and share hope. About Jennifer: Jennifer Lunsford is a native of Hall County and married Alex Lunsford a native of Habersham County. They have 2 sons, Forrester and Fletcher and reside in Clarkesville. Jennifer received her BA in Psychology from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Jennifer is a member of the Habersham Chamber of Commerce and the coordinator for the Chambers Young Professional Group, she is on the Board for Prevent Child Abuse Habersham and Co-President for the PTCO Clarkesville Elementary. Jennifer mother, Vicki Moore is the founder of Rahab's Rope and Jennifer is the Director of Sales for Rahab's Rope. She oversees the organizations sales for wholesale and host parties along with the stores. Jennifer has traveled to India to personally work with the women and children Rahab's Rope serves. Connect with Rahab's Rope: Rahab's Rope https://www.instagram.c

Did you know that there are literally hundreds, thousands of toxic chemicals that you are being exposed to on a daily basis? I really hate being the bearer of bad news, but in everything from air fresheners to cosmetics to bath and body products to cleaning products, there are so many chemicals we are exposing ourselves to, often without even knowing it. Our cleaning products are some of the worst offenders. From phthalates to triclosans to parabens and sulfates to ammonia and... words of chemicals I literally cannot pronounce. When we are exposed to these chemicals, they cause everything from hormone disruption to respiratory issues. They're irritating to the skin, and at worst, they are cancer-causing. So many of these ingredients are unregulated and are causing incredible harm to people. My guest today saw this serious issue and wanted to do something about it herself. My guest this week is Michelle Smith, the founder and CEO of MamaSuds--an all-natural, safe, non-toxic, environmentally-conscious household cleaning products brand. I discovered MamaSuds this year and have personally fallen in love with their products. I knew I had to have Michelle come on the show so I could hear her story of how she started this phenomenal company. Hey, P.S. you can use the code SBM15 for 15% off your purchase from Mama Suds. WHAT IS THIS MADE OF? Michelle started her career as a teacher, but realized as she began having children that she wanted to do something else with her life (through she didn't immediately know what). She did know that, despite not being very artistic, she always loved making new things. Then, one day during her pregnancy with her second daughter, she noticed a small bottle of baby soap lying on its side on the dresser. It had leaked. She went to wipe it off, and to her astonishment, the dresser's finish came off with it. This sparked the question in her head: "What in the world is this made out of?" It was that question that changed her whole life. MORE THAN A HOBBY Michelle began doing research and realized that this "soap" she was using on her family, was not really soap at all. After much searching, she finally found an actual soap that she could use on her family safely. This new Castile soap could be used for so many different purposes--from bath time, to washing the bathroom, to washing the floors and walls. Michelle decided to make her own. She and her husband loved the first batch, and just kept on making it. From there, she began making laundry detergents, skincare products, cleaners, and more. Her husband suggested she try selling her goods, and they set up a site--starting a small hobby that grew into a full-fledged business that allowed her to leave her full-time job as a teacher. A BIG SCARE Things took a terrifying turn when Michelle received a phone call informing her that her husband had collapsed. When she joined him at the hospital, they learned a large mass had been discovered in his brain. The timing was even more terrifying considering she had just left her full-time teaching job. Amazingly, everything turned out wonderfully. The mass turned out not to be cancerous, and they count themselves to be extremely lucky. However, it was a huge wake-up call that she needed to make this business profitable so if anything ever did happen, they would be okay. Their health became their top priority, and her passion for her business was turned up a notch. She began networking, emailing, and teaching herself how to do everything necessary to run a business--turning it into the successful, sustainable company it is today. About Michelle Smith, Founder & CEO of MamaSuds: Researching and learning is at the core of Michelle's soul and after learning about the ingredients in products she used on her family and home, Michelle taught herself how to make liquid soap. This new addiction turned into formulating a laundry soap that would clean her daughter's cloth diapers. Friends, family, and co-workers enjoyed her soaps so much her husband built her a website and kept encouraging her to make it a business. Officially opening in January 2012, Michelle spent the next year and a half working full time as a teacher and making/selling her products in her spare time. After a life-altering health scare with her husband, who had a large brain tumor removed in August 2013, Michelle decided to stay home with her family and concentrate on MamaSuds; something that made her happy and fulfilled. This is when MamaSuds really started gaining traction. Michelle created lines of products that had simple ingredients that were safe and made from scratch in small batches. Today MamaSuds has been sold to customers in all 50 states, and over 9 countries. CONNECT WITH MICHELLE Website: www.MamaSuds.com - use code SBM15 for 15% off Facebook: /mamasuds Twitter: @mamasuds Instagram: @mamasudsllc Email: [email protected] Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Visit htt

Visit http://stillbeingmolly.com/giftguide to get all the shownotes and details on all the products and coupon codes mentioned in the episode! Thank you to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this episode. Thank you to Emily Sexton of The Flourish Market for being my co-host!

When I open up an episode, my goal is to give you a personal connection--some type of fact or interesting tidbit--that is kind of a general statement, but is loosely or directly related to the upcoming conversation. But this week, as I sat down to work on the post-production for this episode, there was not a phrase or a catchy saying or a fact (or anything like that), that could really put into perspective the conversation that I had with my guest today. No fancy intro or statement of facts, could possibly give you any real indication as to what today's episode is about. So I'm doing things a little differently, and we're just going to dive right in. My guest this week is Antonio T. Smith, Jr.. He is a self-made millionaire who started off as a 6-year-old homeless kid, living in a dumpster, and is now a celebrity business advisor, running several multi-million dollar businesses. You heard that right. He's a self-made millionaire, who was homeless, as a six-year-old, living in a dumpster. Antonio is also the business advisor to Les Brown, the Les Brown. Antonio an entrepreneur, he's a business consultant, a 3-time best-selling author, and has 4 top-ranked podcasts in the top 30 on iTunes and is also ranked in the top on podomatic. Antonio travels the country helping celebrities and businesses develop multi-million dollar companies using the system that took him years to master. Not only that, he has given away hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of information and product because he genuinely desires to help others grow personally and financially. A TOUGH BEGINNING + A DUMPSTER Antonio grew up in a difficult situation, to say the least. His parents did the very best with what they had. However, when Antonio was 6-years-old, they became addicted to the drugs that plagued their urban projects neighborhood. One year later, in 1987, his parents were no longer able to keep him--legally or financially. They gave Antonio up with good intentions but each situation proved more toxic than the last. He started suffering--wondering who would love him if his own parents didn't love him. This is where his story really began. He found a dumpster outside of a paper company, which became his home from ages 6 to 14. He put himself through school by forging his mother's signature, subsisting on four bags of chips per day and a public water fountain. Despite failing twice due to lack of resources and support, he kept going back. Antonio became a powerful prose and poetry speaker, recognized state-wide. This qualified him for every single school in Texas, but he decided to enlist in the army instead. His testing for the army came back off-the-charts, with his IQ coming in at 134. Antonio was told he would be a spy for the US Army. ADJUSTING TO CIVILIAN LIFE Antonio spent 95% of his 4-year military career in the field. After returning home, he had a very difficult time returning to civilian life. After many psychotherapy sessions, he asked himself what he knew how to do well, and two things came to mind: he knew how to program people in the masses (through marketing and public relations) and he knew how to speak. He thus started a lot of businesses to keep himself speaking, and now does marketing and public relations all over the world. INCORPORATING CULTURE & FAMILY INTO BUSINESS Today, Antonio helps celebrities understand how to make money in the digital age. First, by finding their "congregation"--people who have an important thing in common. Second, by finding their congregation's attention, following that attention, and then jumping in front of it. Last, by converting their energy into income. Antonio also started the ATS Business University, which is his pride and joy. He takes lower-class to middle-class people, wherever they are, and he teaches them how to become millionaires. The university does 9 trainings a week--from business, to marketing, to sales, to cold-calls. He helps these individuals grow their companies and has created 8 millionaires so far. Antonio believes that abundance is meant to be shared, and he is a shining example of how exactly to do that. About Antonio T. Smith, Jr.: Antonio T. Smith, Jr. is the C.E.O. of The ATS JR Companies, a top personal development and training company that offers people from small business owners, to managers, to entrepreneurs, to stay-at-home moms, and college students reliable, high-quality resources through coaching, motivational speaking, and free and paid resources, and the active CEO of The ATS JR Business University, a university developed to guide you through broke to profitable. In the early 2000's, after identifying "the internet" as a land-grab opportunity, Antonio studied and master the trade of Business to build his businesses and moving to help other businesses in dying markets revive themselves. During his growth season and learning and mastering the art of Business, he started several podcasts to share his wealth of knowledge to help others master the art o

Whether we realize it or not, our culture, our background, our upbringing, our childhood, the way we have lived our life up until this point, influences how we make choices on a daily basis. Maybe we realize it--or not, maybe it is conscious--or not, but those things that we have experienced in our life, they impact the decisions that we make today, and tomorrow, and going forward. I love when I connect with a business that has used their culture, or their family, or something in their belief system, to influence how they run their business. I love hearing inspiration from stories of generations past, that have helped to influence decision making, or design, or branding, or intentionality, or even something just as simple as the name of a business. I love how those factors play into how a business moves forward. Today, my guest took her passion for art, and culture, and fashion, and a great pair of shoes, and she created something incredible. My guest this week is Bebe Mehr, the founder of Cult of Coquette, a vegan and cruelty-free ethical shoe brand that creates gorgeous, designer-like shoes for women. Bebe was so much fun to chat with and it really was just like sitting down and chatting with a best girlfriend about life, work, and so much more. TWO PASSIONS, ONE PATH Bebe's father is an entrepreneur and her mother is an artist, so she has always had equal parts business and design in her. She always had a sense of fashion and dreamed of one day working for Versace when she was a kid. At the same time, Bebe also always had an interest in business--as a child she would make and sell things on the side of the street. She even had her own cash register! She always knew that she wanted to marry these two passions and go into a field related to both fashion and business. Eventually, she went to the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied fashion merchandising. She lasted two winters in New York before the cold weather steered her back to warmer parts of the country. This led her to opening a boutique in Arizona. She ran the boutique for 8 years, and then moved back to LA (where she was born) to start her line of vegan, cruelty-free footwear: Cult of Coquette. OPERATING BY A MORAL COMPASS Often, the definition of "ethical" can be very blurry. Vegan goods can be made of cruelty-free materials, while still being hard on the planet or people who made them. Bebe has been building her company by following her moral compass. She tries to do as much good as she can, but simultaneously recognizes that making these changes is a process. As a relatively new company, they are still learning and making improvements all of the time. A perfect example can be seen in their new factory, which in contrast to their first, is fully female-owned. Bebe also works to employ women whenever she can because she believes that women working together is important. INCORPORATING CULTURE & FAMILY INTO BUSINESS Bebe has always drawn from her Persian culture and what her family has taught her. Honesty and her strong moral compass are two things that she attributes to her father--a selfless man who always stops to help others. She also seeks to honor the women who have inspired her--family members, celebrities, and even historical figures--by naming her shoes after them. Bebe hopes this will lead her customers to look into these inspiring women's legacies. The name of her business, Cult of Coquette, is tied to her passion for French culture, which is largely entwined with her own Persian culture. Coquette means a flirty, sexy woman--a strong woman--and this word choice is a testament to the strong women who have inspired Bebe along the way. About Bebe Mehr, Founder of Cult of Coquette: By combining designs that are fashion forward with materials that are cruelty free, Cult of Coquette is filling the void in a market that provides few options for the growing number of women who are both socially conscious and stylish. Started in late 2013 by Bebe Mehr, Cult of Coquette was born out her frustrations in finding the perfect Louboutin style pumps in animal friendly materials. She found that either the design was wrong or the quality was poor, or what she calls "unintentionally vegan". Having just launched the second collection in August, Cult of Coquette has built a strong "cult" following through social media and among vegan celebs. The third collection is already in the early stages of design, and will be launched before the end of the year! Use the code "PURPOSE" for 20% off at http://www.cultofcoquette.com/! CONNECT WITH BEBE MEHR Website: http://www.cultofcoquette.com/ - Use promo code PURPOSE for 20% off! Instagram: @cultofcoquette Facebook: Cult of Coquette Twitter: @cultofcoquette Pinterest: Cult of Coquette Youtube: Cult of Coquette Email: [email protected] Special thanks to Cultivate What Matters for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Visit http://www.stillbeingmolly.com/cultivate to shop! Join my Purc

Global poverty is at the root of so many things. So many things. From hunger, to the orphan crisis, to human trafficking, to drug trafficking, to homelessness, to disease and HIV/AIDS - global poverty is at the root. Reducing or even eliminating global poverty is the key to reducing and eliminating so much hurt and pain in the world. But this issue is so complicated, as most issues are. But it is one that is incredibly important. My guest today left a life of comfort and security, working in the area of technology startups, to pursue a deeper calling. My guest this week is Ann Mei Chang, the Executive Director of Lean Impact at the Lean Startup Company and author of the book Lean Startup that will be released soon! Previously, she was the Chief Innovation Officer USAID and Mercy Corps, and served the U.S. Department of State as Senior Advisor for Women in Technology in the office of Global Women's Issues. Prior to her pivot to the public sector, Ann Mei had more than 20 years experience as a technology executive at leading companies such as, you know, Google and Apple. Heard of them? This was such an incredible and interesting conversation and I learned so much from it! SILICON VALLEY & A QUEST FOR DEEPER MEANING From early on, Ann Mei was fascinated by computers. When they first came out when she was 12-years-old, she taught herself how to program and went she went to college in California, she studied computer science. Her career for the first 23 years after college was in Silicon Valley in the tech industry working for both big and small companies, and having a lot of fun with it. At the same time, she always felt a yearning to do something more meaningful. Ann Mei donated and volunteered, but her work was very consuming at there were limits to how much she was able to do on the side. She was inspired by the idea of spending the first half of her career in Silicon Valley and the second half of her career in the public or social sector - trying to find some way to do some good in the world. It was in her early 40's during her time at Google that she decided to make that shift. Ann Mei decided to take a leave of absence from Google and she ended up going to the State Department through a fellowship program. She calls it her "custom Masters in Public Policy." Rather than going back to school and spending her time in the classroom, she learned by doing. AT THE ROOT OF IT ALL: GLOBAL POVERTY Ann Mei realized during her time at the State Department that Global Poverty was at the root of the majority of the issues she cared about. She firmly believes that talent is evenly distributed and opportunity is not - that many of the ills in the world arise because people do not have better options. The good news is that we have made dramatic progress in global poverty - the number of people in extreme poverty has been cut almost in half. The bad news is that where poverty remains, it is becoming even more entrenched. LOVING EVERY SECOND Michelle went back to school to focus on communications and public relations. As an extroverted and analytical individual, she excelled and fell in love with the industry. Upon graduating, she worked at a major PR firm and spent time in the nonprofit world. She began searching for what kind of business she could create where she could do what she loved, while escaping the 9-5 work life. It was during a midnight breastfeeding session that, while on Instagram, she first stumbled upon the world of business coaching. She was incredibly inspired by this concept, and pulled on all of her past experiences in deciding what the business would look like. Today, Brandmerry is a business that is all about branding and business mentoring. Michelle works with female entrepreneurs at every stage of the business, from coming up with the idea and launching, to running and scaling it successfully--and she loves every second of it. About Ann Mei Chang, Executive Director at Lean Impact: Ann Mei Chang is a leading advocate for social innovation and author of LEAN IMPACT: How to Innovate for Radically Greater Social Good (Wiley, Oct. 30, 2018). As Chief Innovation Officer at USAID, Ann Mei served as the first Executive Director of the US Global Development Lab, engaging the best practices for innovation from Silicon Valley to accelerate the impact and scale of solutions to the world's most intractable challenges. She was previously the Chief Innovation Officer at Mercy Corps and served the US Department of State as Senior Advisor for Women and Technology in the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues. Prior to her pivot to the public and social sector, Ann Mei was a seasoned technology executive, with more than 20 years' experience at such leading companies as Google, Apple, and Intuit, as well as at a range of startups. As Senior Engineering Director at Google, she led worldwide engineering for mobile applications and services, delivering 20x growth to $1 billion in annual revenues in just three years.

We know life is short. We say life is short but, do we really believe it? Do we live that out? Do we make the most of every single day? You know, that cliché? For many of us, we go through the motions--we go through the daily grind of life, not realizing what's happening. Then, when all of a sudden we are struck with a tragedy or hardship, we're reminded of the preciousness of life. Those moments are often when we stop to take inventory of our lives and we decide if we're going to pursue that dream, or go for that goal, or spend more meaningful time with our friends and family. Whatever it is, my guest today took her own experience with loss and used it as fuel, to go after her dream. My guest this week is Michelle Knight, the founder of Brandmerry, a branding and business consulting business that she started after a tragic loss she experienced. WANDERING Michelle has always been a super driven person. She was graduated second in her class and considered herself a perfectionist. It therefore threw her friends and family for a loop when she decided not to go to college, and instead to move to California to join a performing arts group. She subsequently traveled the world, and the combination of these "wandering" experiences opened her up to tons of possibilities aside from the routine of college and a 9-5 job. TRAGIC LOSS, TRANSFORMATION & THE MEANING OF IT ALL Tragically, her life changed nearly overnight when her younger brother was diagnosed with cancer. She moved home and stayed with her family for about a year-and-a-half while her brother battled this terrible disease. 9 years ago, her brother passed away. She realized from this tragedy that our time is incredibly limited. Michelle began looking at what she loved, who she wanted to be around, and who it was that she truly wanted to be. She subsequently got married, went into public relations/communications, and began a family. Right after her baby was born, she decided to go all-in on creating a career that she loved. She became an entrepreneur. LOVING EVERY SECOND Michelle went back to school to focus on communications and public relations. As an extroverted and analytical individual, she excelled and fell in love with the industry. Upon graduating, she worked at a major PR firm and spent time in the nonprofit world. She began searching for what kind of business she could create where she could do what she loved, while escaping the 9-5 work life. It was during a midnight breastfeeding session that, while on Instagram, she first stumbled upon the world of business coaching. She was incredibly inspired by this concept, and pulled on all of her past experiences in deciding what the business would look like. Today, Brandmerry is a business that is all about branding and business mentoring. Michelle works with female entrepreneurs at every stage of the business, from coming up with the idea and launching, to running and scaling it successfully--and she loves every second of it. About Michelle Knight, Founder of Brandmerry: Michelle Knight is a mother, wife, world traveler and storyteller. She is also a Branding and Business Mentor and the founder of Brandmerry.com and The Free to Be Podcast. She works with female entrepreneurs to create an authentic, captivating and money-making brand through the power of story. Michelle supports women at various stages of their business who share one common goal - creating an authentic brand that allows them to show up as they are, build a loyal community and experience time, financial and location freedom as a result of their work. In just 9 months, Michelle launched her freedom-based business and left her 9 to 5, while raising a new baby. Just one year into her coaching business, Michelle created a 6-figure business and thriving community of women ready to share their story. Now she spends her time supporting women to achieve time, financial and location freedom while traveling the world with her little family of three and exploring life with her son. CONNECT WITH Michelle Website: https://www.brandmerry.com/ Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching Facebook: Brandmerry Email: [email protected] Youtube: Brandmerry Pinterest: Michelle Knight | Branding & Business Coach The Free to Be Podcast: http://brandmerry.com/podcast Roadmap to Freedom: http://brandmerry.com/freedom Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search

We love rags-to-riches Cinderella stories. They inspire us. Personally, I love learning about people. I mean really learning about them. What makes them tick? What drives them? What fuels their fire? What's their why? What's their reason for doing what they do? How do they work so hard to get where they are? Are they an actual overnight success or are they an overnight success that actually took like 10-15-25-35 years of hard work to become an overnight success? Have they left behind a faster-paced, all-about-profit lifestyle to pursue a dream that impacts the world in a positive way? That's what I love to hear about, and today's guest is the epitome of that. My guest this week is Susan Correa, the founder of art & eden--a remarkable, organic kids clothing line that is made responsibly. It's eco-friendly, ethically-made, and affordable. Susan's passion for what she does and her backstory for how she got started and how she overcame incredible odds had me, honestly, nearly in tears. This is an incredible episode, friend, and I cannot wait for you to hear it. MORE THAN A CAREER - A CALLING Throughout Susan's journey, she has had the joy of living out more than just a career. She has been able to live out her calling. She got her start in fashion, but began looking for deeper meaning in her life--searching for a way to bring in more purpose. She was deeply moved by the work of her friends and family who worked in impact, and she began questioning whether success should be measured monetarily, or by the amount of good a person does in their life. All of this questioning culminated when she was introduced to a school in Bangalore through a blog post. This school was nestled in a densely-populated slum district. The school served a hot, nutritious meal to the children, and for most of the kids, it was the only meal they would eat all day. Within 23 days of reading this blog post, Susan had signed all of the papers with Hope Foundation India. She was there to launch and support that meal program, and for every garment that was sold in one of their businesses, one meal was given out. Susan and her team helped provide nearly 200,000 meals. August 18, 2014, Susan went into the school fired-up to make a difference for the kids, but the day ended with her life changing. She recognized the power of business to be used as a force for good. She began to wonder how we could move from business being transactional to transformative. AN ORIGIN STORY - The "Art" and The "Eden" Fashion is a $2.4 trillion industry. It touches every human's life. When you think of fashion, you think of beauty and perfection. Susan conducted her whole career loving every moment she experienced in the business of fashion, but never once stopping to think at what cost this beauty was coming at and what burden it was placing on the earth. The whole journey started from a book was ready on her way to India--Linchpin by Seth Godin. This book wanted people to use art in a way that asks nothing in return. She began to wonder what was best for the world in the business of fashion? 'Art' is thus where art & eden's journey began. 'Eden,' then is a reflection of Susan's quest to leave the world as a sustainable place that our children can enjoy and thrive in. 'Art' is where she started, and 'Eden' is the intended destination. ICE CREAM & WHAT IS BEST FOR THE WORLD: FROM SEED TO SHELF Susan spent the first two years immersed in documents and research papers and libraries, trying to understand the impact of fashion from seed to shelf. She wanted to understand how we choose the seeds to grow our crops to make the fabric, how we treat the farmers that harvest them, how we dye the fabric, and how we care for the communities we work in. She tried to look at business wholistically--not just looking product, but also at purpose. Susan became enamored with Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and how they do business in the world. She decided to reach out to the CEO on Linkedin and explained what she was trying to do. She was so surprised when he got back to her! He made time to see her in person and walked her through the story. It was a beautiful unfolding of a business model that cares for everyone and everything along the product's process. Susan was incredibly inspired and committed herself to slowing down--focusing on building a better business with art & eden, and she has succeeded wildly. About Susan Correa, Founder of Art & Eden: There are two ways to tell my story. One: This is a story about a startup. It's about using business for good. It's about revolutionizing the fashion industry. It's about an underdog, a woman of color founding and pioneering ways forward. It's about a business built in response to urgent social and environmental crises. Two: This is a story about radical internal change. It's about deeply personal transformation that could not be contained to the personal. It's about culturally indoctrinated world views shattering open and an irrevocable commitm

April 24, 2013. That's the day that the Rana Plaza Building in Bangladesh collapsed. 1,138 people died and another 2,500 were injured. It was the fourth-largest industrial disaster in history. There were actually five garment factories in the Rana Plaza--all manufacturing clothing for big, global brands, and the victims were mostly young women. The thing is, is that the fashion industry is actually the second-largest global industry after oil. People and the environment are suffering as a result of the way that fashion is made, sourced, and consumed. So back in the '40s and '50s and '60s, back when our parents, or our grandparents, or maybe you listening--when you were growing up, you owned maybe 20 to 30 articles of clothing. There were 4 seasons of clothing: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Brands that were manufacturing (and 98% of clothing was made here in the United States at that time) were coming out with new things once a season. Well sometime in the '90s, let's say early to mid '90s, that began to change. Over time, brands started coming out with 52 seasons of clothing. Yes, that is new clothing every single week. When you think about it, when you go from 4 seasons of clothing to 52 seasons of clothing, obviously the amount of clothing that is being produced every year, is a whole lot more than it used to be. Then on January 1, 1994, NAFTA, or the North American Free Trade Agreement, came into effect, and that basically began an outflux (if you will) of production of our clothing leaving the United States. So it kind of reversed, where as 98% of our clothing was made here in the United States, it flipped and now about 90-98% of our clothing is now made overseas. I'm not going to get political, I'm not going to go too much into the whether I think NAFTA was good or bad or anything like that, but, these are just facts. These are just facts about our clothing production and how it's impacted people and the environment. Because let's think about it, the way our society is now, we want fast, cheap fashion. And that comes at a price. That comes at a price of the people who make it, and the environment that it's made in. This week is a little different. This is something that I am introducing to the podcast: Solo Episodes! This week your host and guest is, me. No, I'm not going to be weird and interview myself. After my 100th episode, I got a lot of questions. As a result, every 10 episodes I will be doing a solo episode: content you really want to hear and things you really want to know. For this first episode, I wanted to answer the most common questions I get from bloggers and readers: Why I started shopping ethically? Why I think shopping ethically is important? And how do I make the choice to purchase from a brand (how can I tell if a brand is ethical or not)? A GATEWAY TO ETHICAL FASHION In 2011, I took my first trip to Kenya for a missions trip. As an activity, the group I was with stopped at the Kazuri Bead Factory for a tour. It was here that I was able to see firsthand what stable employment could do for a community and for a person. This group works to hire primarily single mothers--a group that really struggles, everywhere, but even more so in the developing word. It was really eye-opening for me. I started to think more about where the things I bought were made, so I started to do research. I had heard the term "fair trade" before but had only thought of it in the context of coffee or tea--not in terms of anything else. That was the catalyst that got me interested in ethical fashion. MY CONSCIOUS CHECKLIST -Are they a member of the Fair Trade Federation? The Fair Trade Federation has a set of standards and requirements that their member companies must meet. You can pretty much guarantee that if they are a member, this is a company you want to buy from. -Are they a Certified B Corporation? These are socially conscious, social good organizations that have, again, met a set of standards and requirements. -Do they have their Global Organic Textile Standard certification? This means that their fabric is composed of at least 70% organic fibers. -Do they market themselves as an ethical brand? Here, you have to use your judgement! Some smaller ethical brands choose not to be members of these groups or receive these certifications because of the fees involved. One great example is Elegantees. At the smaller level, these businesses will take the expense they would be putting towards these memberships and certifications, and they'll invest it back into their business and their makers. -Are they a small business? I love to support small businesses! It helps lift up local employees and economies. -Are they manufactured in the USA? This doesn't necessarily mean that they are an ethical company, but it is a good indicator. Look at their costs and how they are marketing themselves! -Do they state anywhere on their website about their manufacturing company? Is this something that they are proud of? I don't f

We all love a deal. You know what I'm talking about. When you walk into a store, and you see something on sale, and you're like "It's only $4.50! Yes! What a deal!" Or if you're in a thrift shop and you find a designer handbag, or a pair of designer shoes for like, $3.00, you think you won the lottery. We get a thrill out of a deal. It's that hit of adrenaline. It's exciting. But for others, maybe the idea of second-hand shopping is overwhelming and taxing. Maybe you just like the idea of it, but actually doing it? Not so much. My guest today took her passion for finding a deal, and made it into a sustainable business. Liz Funk is the co-founder of And We Evolve, a subscription box styling service for shopping high-quality, second-hand clothing. ANSWERING A NEED WITH EXISTING RESOURCES: A FLASHBULB IDEA Liz loves a phrase that her co-founder coined: "The world does not need another dress." She was inspired by the book "Overdressed" and recognized that every woman has clothes in her closet that she doesn't wear, but at the same time, also would like to freshen-up her wardrobe. It was then that she became what she calls a "want-trepreneur"--she found herself waiting to feel ready and waiting to have the idea for her business crystalized. Liz moved to Philadelphia from New York City and took a visual design class where she shared her idea. In this class, Liz met her co-founder and business partner, Alisha. She finally felt she had the support system she needed to launch their venture--And We Evolve. THE SUBSCRIPTION BOX MODEL Liz and Alisha recognized that there were plenty of second-hand clothing websites, and there were subscription boxes, but there were no existing second-hand clothing subscription boxes. They decided to close the gap. Liz asked her network to share their gently-used clothing and was overwhelmed by the response. Today, And We Evolve still operates on the donation model. This allows women to have an alternate option to dropping their clothes off at Goodwill--ultimately a pit stop on their clothing's journey to a landfill. Liz and Alisha work to salvage and repair pieces that are in need of some love, and reuse them to their full potential. A DREAM JOB, AN ARTFORM If Liz had to choose one word to describe her job, it would be "FUN!" If she had to decide what to do with a free Saturday, this would be it. Her job allows her to help women to approach their wardrobe as a design challenge--not anonymous things bought, but a collection that is curated. She believes that there should be a relationship with every item in your wardrobe. As And We Evolve grows, the company strives to pour as much intimate attention into each box as they have since the very beginning, ensuring that those relationships happen. About Liz Funk, Co-Founder of And We Evolve: Liz Funk is the co-founder of And We Evolve, a style club and subscription box service for secondhand clothing in like-new condition. She lives in Philadelphia, PA-- a city that is great for growing companies, with its low rents for big warehouse lofts and tight-knit startup scene. Before launching And We Evolve, she wrote about entrepreneurship, business, and women's issues for publications like Fast Company, the Washington Post, USA Today, Newsday, and the Economist. CONNECT WITH SYDNEY Website: And We Evolve Instagram: @andweevolveco Facebook: And We Evolve Pinterest: @andweeevolveco Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: And We Evolve | Liz Funk Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

When you hear the term "ethical," what does it mean to you? When I ask different people, different people give me different definitions. I think everyone's idea of "ethical company" may mean something different, like maybe how they treat animals, or the materials they use and how it impacts the planet, or maybe it's about how they treat the people that work for them. I think that the definition of "ethical" is ever-changing and ever-evolving, and I think that's a good thing! My guest this week is Sydney Sherman, the founder of Faire--an online marketplace that connects conscious consumers with ethical brands and artisans. I loved hearing Sydney's story and I can't wait for you to dive in with us. HEARTSTRINGS, TRAVEL, AND A BRIGHT IDEA Sydney had always wanted to travel (she has now been to over 40 countries!), and simultaneously had always felt her heartstrings pulled by impoverished individuals. It was during an around-the-world trip that she really felt herself come into her own and become who she is today. She was so interested in learning about other cultures and meeting people from the countries she visited. Of all the places she toured, it was India that struck her most. The level of poverty was incredibly disturbing to her. It was so pervasive and unlike any poverty she had ever seen. At the same time, she saw so many beautiful crafts. It struck her that there must be a more sustainable way to eradicate extreme poverty. She knew then that she wanted to use business as the tool to uplift these impoverished individuals and help them take back their own destinies. After tossing around a lot of ideas, Sydney settled on the idea of creating an ethical marketplace. WHAT ETHICAL MEANS TO ME: WRITE IT DOWN AND THEN SHARE IT Safe working conditions, fair wages, and environmentally sustainable: that is how Sydney defines the term "ethical." While coming up with her business plan after crafting her definition of "ethical," she realized the difficulty and enormity of the task at hand. She decided to write everything down, and then share it. Every individual that she spoke with helped shape her business plan, and helped increase her confidence--something that is so crucial for new entrepreneurs. THE TARGET APPROACH: NOT ABOUT PERFECTION Sydney believes that the key to becoming ethically-minded--both as a business and as a person--is not about perfection, it is about trying your best, committing, and starting small. These are the changes that count, and becoming "ethical" does not have to be a complete transformation overnight. The way to bring people into the "ethical" fold is to be compassionate, rather than judgemental. We are all on the same team as long as we are supportive and caring about one another. The definition of ethical will continue to evolve and change, and that is a good thing. She plans to help individuals achieve this by expanding their offerings on their website, allowing customers to purchase everything from toothpaste to homewares. About Sydney Sherman, Founder of Faire: Before starting Faire, Sydney built and ran a small business that linked administrative assistants with local start-ups, nonprofits and other clients in the Austin, Texas area. Before that, Sydney worked for a small advertising company, and ran Monty & Joie, a dress company she started in college. Sydney has volunteered doing environmental/wildlife conservation in Cambodia, and throughout Texas, with organizations like Refugee Services of Texas. She also mentors high school girls through ChickTech, an Austin non-profit dedicated to retaining women in the technology workforce and increasing the number of women and girls pursuing technology-based careers. Sydney earned her BS in Advertising and Business Foundations at UT-Austin, and studied Media and Global Change at the Salzburg Academy in Austria. She earned her MBA from the Acton School of Business. CONNECT WITH SYDNEY Website: https://faire.shop/ Instagram: @faire.shop Facebook: Faire Twitter: @faire_shop LinkedIn: Faire | Sydney Sherman Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

I talk all the time about the importance of having a "why" in your business. Having a "why" is that foundation that every business owner should build their business upon. Simply because, when the rough patches come (which they will) and when the business gets hard (which it will), having a strong "why" behind what you do helps push past those challenges. A lot of businesses can struggle with this, or maybe, the "why" gets lost in the "what"--the "what they are doing." But today's guest is helping businesses, and people, get back to their "why," so that they can do better at doing their "what." My guest this week is Ryan McCarty, the co-founder of Culture of Good, a program that teaches other businesses to increase employee engagement, by encouraging employees to bring their souls to work. But let me tell you, Culture of Good is about so much more, and I can't possibly sum it up in just a blurb, so you're going to have to listen to the show. FINDING MEANING IN TRAGEDY Ryan's story has a very tragic beginning. As a child, he was faced with the reality of how broken our world is. His mother was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, while his father--a Vietnam veteran--was a heroin addict. When Ryan was six years old, his mother committed suicide. Following that tragedy, his father got clean, re-married, and found sanctuary in his faith. Ryan began to discover that a lot of purpose came from the pain he had experienced as a young child. From that point forward, he was led to church and doing meaningful work. His family was always giving back and doing good--from collecting food and clothes for the needy, to volunteering their time. He felt this was his full-time purpose, and he went into ministry. Ryan became a pastor and worked to tie his life into the notion that you can find a sense of meaning behind your life, and leverage your work in that way. He knew what he wanted to do with his life, and threw his entire life into that space. BUSINESS WITH PURPOSE Ryan's philosophy is that we find meaning in our own lives when we do good for others. While his career began with ministry, he now finds himself in the corporate world--in the "Business with Purpose" sector. It all began one day, when Ryan was giving a sermon on the importance of finding your "why." Unbenounced to him, a very important businessman was in the audience. He came up to Ryan afterwards and said that he wanted to learn more, because he felt that his employees needed to know their "why". They sat down over chips and salsa and talked about this man's exponentially-growing business. One of the large risks of a growing business is that you lose what made you special when you started: culture. This businessman wanted to give his employees a sense of purpose, so his company could rediscover its culture. During their conversation, Ryan surprised himself, by asking the businessman to hire him to help his employees connect to their "why," and Culture of Good was born. BRING YOUR SOUL TO WORK: WHAT IS YOUR 'WHY'? Ryan was looking for a way to connect employees on an emotional level, so he began working with what he knew best: giving back. He sought to create an emotional disruption in the workplace. It needed to be more than a typical corporate day of service, it needed to be driven into the DNA of the business: the culture. His experience with this first company was incredibly successful. It was results-based and had a huge return on investment. Ryan wanted to replicate this success with other companies, and wrote a book with the aim of creating a replicable structure for this "culture of good." Ryan wants companies to encourage employees to bring their souls to work--their "why's". He has launched an incredible number of tools for companies, with the aim of helping them reshape and redefine their company's culture--into a culture of good. About Ryan McCarty, Co-Founder of Culture of Good: Ryan McCarty is an author, speaker, storyteller and the co-founder of Culture of Good, Inc. His book, Build A Culture of Good, teaches companies how to unleash results by letting their employees bring their souls to work. Ryan's work has been featured in Huffington Post, Inc.com, People, Forbes and more. He is also featured on podcasts regularly for his profound message on operating your business and living your life with a soul. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in full-time ministry and nonprofit work, Ryan helps guide for-profit companies how to lead their businesses with a meaningful "why." He has experienced that with the right attitude and passion, businesses can be profitable and have a purpose. Ryan believes every leader and employee can leverage their daily work to discover their life calling by building their own culture of good and making the world a better place. CONNECT WITH RYAN Website: http://cultureofgood.com/ Instagram: @cultureofgood Facebook: Culture of Good Twitter: @cultureofgood LinkedIn: Culture of Good | Ryan McCarty Youtube: Cult

A common thread I've discovered through interviewing so many social entrepreneurs is that they worked at a particular field that isn't inherently social conscious and they realized, something had to be done to change it or make it better. They weren't just going to sit back and say, "Oh that's a terrible problem, someone should really do something about that." So, more often than not, they left that job to do something and be a part of the solution. My guest this week is Mary Sue Papale, the founder of Ashbury Skies. Mary's upbringing and career background have greatly influenced the way she runs her business today and she has now developed a brand new shoe called the Bendy Shoe. It's an athleisure shoe that is adorable, but it is completely ethical from start to finish. All the materials, the people that make the shoes - everything from start to finish is completely ethical. She shares all about her story today and I can't wait for you to hear this conversation. A COG IN THE WHEEL Mary Sue Papale got her beginnings working for a fast fashion company - first in manufacturing and then on the buying side of things. She felt like she was a cog in the wheel of fast fashion, even in a time before the faults of fast fashion were truly realized. During her time working for this fast fashion company, she visited a tannery making kidskin leather. She was lead into the back of the tannery building, where she saw a small pond. She noticed that the pond was purple. They were dumping waste into a pond behind the building, and her employer went so far as to laugh about the situation. Mary Sue knew that she needed to be a part of the solution. MADE TO ORDER Mary Sue decided she no longer wanted to be a part of fast fashion. She had a sinking spell about the kind of work she was doing, and how unsustainable it was. She decided to step aside, even without an alternate plan in place. After much thought, she created Ashbury Skies - a small online shoe store for independent shoe designers. Most of her goods were made to order, rather than made in mass quantities. She sought to take part in the changing tides of ecommerce - taking advantage of the fact that a beautiful online shoe store could compete with larger retailers. AMERICAN SOURCING FOR A MODERN SHOE She eventually sought out to find a shoe that was great-looking, comfortable, flexible, and could be made in the US. In the last year she has been working incredibly hard on a major project - The Bendy Shoe - a shoe with a conscious. The Bendy Shoe is entirely ethically crafted in Los Angeles. Ashbury Skies wants their company to be authentic, and to be real. They are keeping production right in their backyard, making it kinder and gentler on the planet. About Mary Sue Papale, Founder of Ashbury Skies: Mary Sue is co-founder of Ashbury Skies and the Bendy: A shoe with a conscience. Prior to this she held senior management positions in Footwear and Accessories in buying and production for Esprit, Red Envelope and Bebe. Her fascinating story is about how unknowingly she played a part in the explosion of fast fashion and mass consumerism, as we know it today. After finally reconciling that she was a cog in the wheel for these reckless business practices, she stepped aside and launched her own shoe business in 2011. Ashbury Skies is a unique curated assortment of shoes for small independent designers. Most recently she created a modern comfort shoe, made in California, that is launching this summer. She now invites women to join in the revolution of rethinking fast fashion. CONNECT WITH SABRINA Website: https://www.ashburyskies.com/ Instagram: @ashburyskies Facebook: Ashbury Skies Twitter: @ashburyskies LinkedIn: Ashbury Skies | Mary Sue Papale Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

I love cultural history. I love it. I soak up details and facts and information about the history of different cultures anytime I can. I listen to podcasts, I read blogs, watch documentaries, and when I meet someone from a different culture--especially if they are a seasoned person, if you know what I mean--I ask questions. Or if I meet an older person, from my own culture--I ask questions. I think that's why I loved volunteering in a nursing home when I was in college. I love hearing stories and details about people's lives, especially when it comes to their culture. Now this is especially true when it comes to food. Every culture, every family, has that recipe, or that dish, or that particular food that has been passed down for generations. You know exactly what I am talking about. There's been a movement recently, of younger generations wanting to make sure that the trades and tricks and techniques and such from different cultures are being carried on or passed down. There's even a whole Youtube channel now, of Italian grandmas sharing their signature pasta recipes because their grandchildren don't want the techniques to get lost.Now today's guest is not only carrying on the traditions of her family and her culture, but she is doing it in such a way that it is impacting the next generation to come, in a way you'd never imagine. My guest this week is Cecilia Polanco, the founder of local Durham food truck, So Good Pupusas, and its non-profit partner, Pupusas for Education. Now, if you're not local to the Raleigh/Durham area, you are probably wondering, why would I bring on a local food truck owner onto the show? While Cecilia's story of how she went from a university scholar to the owner of a food truck with a mission is absolutely incredible. I told her this during our interview, that I want to be her when I grow up--and I'm older than her so--without further ado, onto my chat with Cecilia. What is a Pupusa? They are the staple Salvadorian food--a thick tortilla with stuffing on the inside--often eaten on special occasions. For Cecilia, they represent nostalgia and connection to home. They are a way to keep Salvadorian culture alive through culinary tradition. A Family Affair Cecilia is part of a very special family community in Durham, North Carolina. She credits the success of her business to this network, and is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to spend so much time with her mother through her work--learning and sharing these family recipes. EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION Her senior year of high school, Cecilia applied for college and scholarships. She took part in a program for students of color at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and wound up receiving a full, hugely prestigious scholarship. At school, she started to hear a different narrative surrounding herself--one that was positive and uplifting. This was a stark contrast to the mixed messaging she received throughout her grade school education. She adored her heritage-speaker Spanish classes, and was especially enthralled with seeing a Latina at the head of the classroom. Her Spanish professor became a huge source of inspiration, and she learned to believe in her own wonderful capabilities. BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS IN THE KITCHEN The idea of starting a food truck began as a family joke between sisters. However, when Cecilia began dreaming of creating a scholarship fund (to allow students her age to experience the same opportunities she was afforded during her college career) this joke took on an incredible life of its own. So Good Pupusas was launched as a means to an end, but it became so much more than that. It became a way to connect with her culture, family, and culinary traditions that have been passed down for generations. About Cecilia Polanco, Founder of So Good Pupusas: Born in Los Angeles, California to Salvadoran immigrant parents, raised in Durham, NC along with her three older sisters, Cecilia is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was a Morehead-Cain Scholars and a Global Gap Year Fellow through the Campus Y. She started So Good Pupusas with her family while she was in undergrad in 2015 and the non-profit Pupusas for Education in 2016. She majored in Global Studies with a minor in Geography, received a Business Essentials certificate from Kenan Flagler, and is currently working on a certificate in Non-Profit Management from UNC. She believes business can be a force for good and that pupusas can change the world. CONNECT WITH SABRINA Website: http://www.sogoodpupusas.com/ Instagram: @sogoodpupusas Facebook: So Good Pupusas Twitter: So Good Pupusas LinkedIn: So Good Pupusas | Cecilia Polanco Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast

You may be one type of person. You may be the type of person who, you are currently working in a job and you have that side hustle that you really enjoy, but it just kind of supplements whatever you do for a living right now, and you're happy where you are. Or, you might be the person who is currently working a job and you have that side hustle, but you have a bigger dream, and you are pushing towards that bigger dream, and you just want that bigger dream to come true, and you are just paralyze. Maybe it's by fear, or by second guessing your talents or yourself, and you're just not quite there yet. You're not quite at the point where you feel like you can take that leap, to pursue that dream full time. At what point do you think you'll be ready? At what point do you feel like, 'yes, this is the time, this is the day that I'm going to take my dream full-time, I'm going to turn my side hustle, into my main hustle,'? My guest this week is Kelly Parker Smith. She is the Founder of Hello World Paper Company. She is a rubber stamp designer, and manufacturer, who lives just outside of St. Louis in Belleville, Illinois with her husband, three boys, and rescue kitten Katniss. She has grown her shop, Hello World Paper Company, with the idea that great products become even better when paired with top notch customer service, a little surprise and delight, and of course the perfect packaging. But here's why I loved Kelly's story so much: she had a dream, and she set out with a goal to build a school with Pencils of Promise, a school through her business. Today we're going to dive into her business, and her purpose behind her business, which is building this school and providing education for other kids. ON GIVING BACK FROM THE BEGINNING From Kelly's own wedding gifts, to her very first client's charity of choice, giving back has been a foundation of Kelly's business from the very beginning. However, it was her career as a teacher that truly sparked her love for providing education to all children. Hello Paper Company has pledged to build a school with Pencils of Promise, donating a percentage of profits every month. ON BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR FULL TIME Kelly talks the difficulties of balancing a full time career, while having such a passion for her side hustle. Taking a leap of faith in making her business full-time allowed her to make more time for her family, while also making an impact. However, becoming an entrepreneur did not come without sacrifice, hard work, and a lot of faith in the vision for her company. ON CREATING QUALITY OF LIFE Sometimes it's worth sacrificing a higher paying salary to have better quality of life. Kelly talks the importance of examining your happiness and well-being to decide if your career path is truly benefitting you. Investing in others to bring onto your team, others who may do certain tasks better than yourself, not only frees up space in your day, but also in your mind. ON BUILDING A SCHOOL WITH PENCILS OF PROMISE Pencils of Promise is an organization that builds, and staffs schools, in third world countries. Hello World Paper Company has pledged to raise $35,000 to build and staff a full school. Kelly talks about her passion for Pencils of Promise and how children in these countries are craving the education that we often take for granted. About Kelly Smith, Founder of Purpose Generation: Kelly Parker Smith is a rubber stamp designer and manufacturer living just outside St. Louis in Belleville, IL with her husband, her three boys and their rescue kitten Katniss. You can also find Kelly co-hosting the Creative Biz Rebellion podcast where she and Caroline Hull show other product based business owners how to build, maintain, and grow a profitable product based business through their podcast and online courses. Kelly has been interviewed on The Strategy Hour, All Up In Your Lady Business, Positively Creative and more. Hello World Paper Co products have been featured in Town & Country, Southern Weddings, and Saint Louis Magazine. CONNECT WITH KELLY Website: https://www.helloworldpaperco.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helloworldpaperco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helloworldpaperco/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/helloworldpaper/ Podcast: https://www.creativebizrebellion.com Courses: http://www.creativerebelbase.com Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Se

The term millennial gets a bad rap these days. Millennials are thought to be entitled, lazy, self-serving, wasteful, but here's the thing, let's be honest: those types of people exist in every generation, ever. That is not a new trait that's unique to the millennial generation. In fact, the more I learn from and speak with people in the millennial generation, the more I'm finding the opposite to be the case. Millennials care about their impact, millennials want to buck the status quo, and rally for change, and improve their communities, and be active and involved in the process. They are do-ers, they're the next generation, and it's time that we start partnering with them to make stuff happen. But interestingly enough, some of our cultures most iconic brands and companies have zero clue how to interact with, or market to millennials. When it comes to millennials, they are out of touch. My guest today saw an opportunity to fix that. Alexandra Douwes is the founder of Purpose Generation, a millennial strategy and insights company, that helps large iconic brands better understand and engage the next generation of consumers and talent. This is one of the most unique companies I've ever had on the show, and I loved, loved, loved everything about this conversation. I wanted to let you know that there is something we talk about in the show that Alexandra is launching next month, and we have a unique coupon code and opportunity for you to participate in it. ON THE IMPACT OF MILLENNIALS The importance of researching the consumer trends of millennials is really vital for businesses in the modern age. On top of this, really understanding the fact that millennials are searching for deeper meaning in their everyday, from their work, to their purchases, this sets the trend for companies to implement meaning and impact into their business models. ON FINDING PURPOSE Wouldn't it be incredible, at 24 or 25, to have a clear map of your passions and aspirations, that can then lead you in your life direction? Alexandra talks about the concept behind The Purpose Playbook, a collection of resources, content, and inspiration to help millennials live on purpose. SCALING IMPACT Sometimes making true impact requires both a mental and physical shift. Beginning to invest in making a difference at a younger age has proven the millennial generation to have a leg up on impact, allowing them to be the perfect consumer market to educate businesses on how to follow suit. About Alexandra Douwes, Founder of Purpose Generation: Alexandra is the cofounder of Purpose Generation and Purpose Playbook, two companies committed to discovering the "why" behind people and businesses. Purpose Generation is a millennial insights and strategy firm that helps iconic brands better understand and engage the next generation of consumers and talent. In her role as Head of Strategy & Operations, she helps the old guard navigate a new world of on-demand technologies, innovative work environments, triple bottom lines, portfolio careers and fostering intrapreneurship. Purpose Playbook is a digital destination for inspirational content and tactical resources to help people live more purposeful, purpose-filled lives. CONNECT WITH ALEXANDRA Website: http://www.purposeplaybook.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purpose_playbook/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepurposeplaybook Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/purposeplaybook/ For the Purpose Playbook, use the coupon code "MOLLY" for 25% off the Find Your Purpose Course. Find Your Purpose by Purpose Playbook is an 11-module course that offers you a roadmap to living a more purposeful, purpose-filled life. Whether you feel stuck and uninspired, or are simply struggling to choose where to invest your time and energy, this course will help you identify what matters most and how to build a life around that. Head to www.findyourpurposecourse.com for more information. The course will open for pre-enrollment on August 21st and course materials will become available on September 10th. Enrollment closes on September 14th. If you use the coupon code before September 10th, you can take advantage of early bird pricing which is an ADDITIONAL discount (just $59 total). Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a

For years, the downtown area of Harrisonburg, Virginia had an eyesore that its residents had to drive past each and every day. It was a run down, bright pink pornography shop in disrepair. It was a place of hurt and pain and despair. It was a place of so much darkness. It was a place that once closed down, no one thought anything good could ever come of that building. The residents of Harrisonburg thought this old, worn down pornography shop would always be an ugly worthless building taking up space. But today, that's not the case! Someone saw something in that broken building that no one else saw: hope and healing. My guest this week is Sabrina Dorman-Andrew, the founder of New Creation, a Harrisonburg, Virginia-based nonprofit counteracting human trafficking through education, awareness, design, and hope of Christ. I laughed and I cried in this episode! In fact, the story of New Creation is one the the most powerful stories of redemption I have ever heard. You guys, I'm not kidding - this is a powerful, powerful episode. New Creation also has an incredible online store where you can shop from dozens of brands that are fighting human trafficking. Sabrina gave you guys an exclusive coupon code that is MOLLY for 20% off your purchase now through the end of September. Go to newcreationva.org to shop! This was such an amazing episode and I hope my talk with Sabrina impacts you as much as it impacted me! A GOD STORY Starting a business leads to many challenges and one of the first challenges Sabrina faced was legitimizing New Creations. As her brand grew, selling jewelry out of her dining room just wasn't going to cut it any more. But when Sabrina picked an old pornography shop for the location of her non profit, she faced a whole new set challenges, including figuring out how to pay for this old building. Sabrina and I chat about the her call from God to buy this old pornography store and her amazing community that helped make it happen. BECOMING VIRGINIA'S CHIP & JOANNA GAINES Turning the abandoned pornography shop into the beautiful space that it is now took a lot of persistence and hard work. What was supposed to be a 6 to 8 week project turned into a 14 month project and created many high and low moments. Turning the space from something dark and oppressive into something light and good was no small feat, and I talk with Sabrina about what it took to renovate the building into something wonderful. THE NEXT STEP New Creation turned 5 years old this spring and they've worked with 40 groups that combat human trafficking or are involved in the cause of stopping human trafficking. Human trafficking is an overwhelming and daunting issue and Sabrina is continuing to focus of creating an atmosphere where people can feel like they can join in and do something. Sabrina and I talk about educating students about domestic sex trafficking and why she wants to expand New Creation's online presence. About Sabrina Dorman-Andrew, Founder of New Creation: Sabrina hails from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Her passion for fighting human trafficking quickly developed after volunteering stateside with The Zion Project, and she made it her mission to learn about this issue on a local and global scale. In 2012, she and her husband, Steven had the vision of New Creation. To date they have partnered with over 40 organizations to help create jobs and empower those vulnerable to and rescued from sex trafficking. She believes we are all called to eradicating modern day slavery, so she continues to develop concepts that will invite others to join in and make a lasting impact. When not working you will find her spending time with her husband + their children, drinking coffee, thrifting, or snuggling with one of her beloved cats… Nehemiah, Willow, and Oliver. CONNECT WITH SABRINA Website: http://newcreationva.org use code MOLLY for 20% off Instagram: @newcreationva | @sabrina.dorman.andrew Facebook: New Creation | Sabrina Dorman-Andrew Pinterest: New Creation VA Youtube: Sabrina Dorman-Andrew LinkedIn: Sabrina Dorman-Andrew Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

It's a fact - when the unemployment rate is high, the first people to be hit are women and children. Whether it's in a developing nation or here in the United States, women and children are the first ones affected by any type of unemployment. I have talked about this before, but when a woman is provided a job in a developing nation, she invests about 80-90% of her income back into her community. When a man in a developing nation is provided a job, he only invests about 30-40% back into his community. The fact is, giving a woman a job changes lives! My guest this week is Barrett Ward, founder and CEO of ABLE. ABLE is an incredible fashion and accessory company that I've been a fan of for years and to finally hear the origin story behind this company I love so much was such a joy for me! ABLE is paving the way for other purpose-filled brands to step up their game and continue to impact lives in incredible ways. I also wanted to let you know the team at ABLE was so generous to give you an exclusive coupon code for 20% off your purchase from ABLE by using the code MOLLY. Go to stillbeingmolly.com/able to shop. This was a really fun conversation and I just loved my time with Barrett, and I know you will too! THE CALL TO ETHIOPIA Life after just getting married can be hard, and Barrett and his wife Rachel decided to make it just a little bit harder. When Rachel got a job offer in Ethiopia, the couple packed up their things and went over to Ethiopia. Moving to a foreign country took a lot of adjusting but eventually Ethiopia became a place that they loved. Barrett talks about his libtime in Ethiopia and how this time led him to the idea for ABLE. THOSE WHO HAVE OVERCOME When Barrett thought about expanding in the early days of ABLE, he realized he couldn't just help one group of women, he had to help many. By making a mission to create jobs for women who have overcome, Barrett was able to turn ABLE into the company we know today. On top of that, ABLE allows women to invest back into their communities in Ethiopia, Peru, and Mexico. Barrett and I chat about combating poverty and a woman's impact on her community. ACCOUNTABLE One of the biggest things Barrett strives to do is making sure that ABLE can prove the impact it's making. As a social impact business, Barrett recognizes he has a responsibility to measure his work and prove the impact ABLE is making. Because he aims to be as transparent as possible, this led Barrett to create the new program accountABLE. Barrett and I talk about starting accountABLE and how they hope to make an impact in the future. About Barrett Ward, Founder and CEO of ABLE: Leading a fashion lifestyle brand might be an unlikely role for someone self-described as "not a fashion guy," but that's exactly where ABLE founder and CEO Barrett Ward finds himself. As the visionary behind the rapidly growing Nashville-based company disrupting the fashion industry with a social conscience, Ward was inspired to start ABLE with the mission of creating sustainable business opportunities for women. While living in Ethiopia, Ward and wife Rachel saw firsthand how extreme poverty forced many young women to make difficult choices for money. They wanted to give women the chance to earn a living with dignity. In 2010, they began ABLE by employing women who had overcome the sex industry to make handmade scarves. ABLE has since grown into a lifestyle brand carrying beautiful leather bags, jewelry, denim, apparel, and shoes with a primary focus on empowering disadvantaged women. Now, the company employs more than 300 women in Ethiopia, Peru, Mexico, and Nashville – home of ABLE's Headquarters and Flagship store. As fans of ABLE's classic styles grow, Ward ensures he and his team always remember why ABLE was founded: to provide opportunities to women who have overcome some of life's most challenging obstacles. CONNECT WITH BARRETT Website: https://www.livefashionable.com Instagram: @livefashionable | @barrettward Twitter: @livefashionable Facebook: fashionABLE | Barrett Ward Pinterest: ABLE Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

Alright guys…. I'm shaking things up this week for the 100th episode extravaganza! My executive producer, also known as my husband John, is here to help me co-host and we're talking about basically everything you could imagine. Getting to this 100th episode has been such a journey and to celebrate this milestone, we're showing you John and Molly like you've never seen us before! Like I said, we talked about almost everything under the sun. We get personal, talking about how we met and answering questions from friends and listeners alike, and we talk all things professional, going over common themes found in the previous 99 episodes and John gives his advice on how to get out and stay out of debt. We are also sharing the top 10 episodes from the first 99! You'll also find out how John picks the infamous sound effects that you hear at the end of every show! We had a lot of laughs doing this episode, so I hope you have as much fun listening to it as we did recording it. I'm so proud of these 100 episodes and I'm excited for the next 100 episodes to come, so buckle up and help us celebrate the 100th episode of Business with Purpose! Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.

One of the things I talk about a lot is the fact that there are a lot of layers to the ethical and fair trade fashion world. It's not just about pretty, handmade clothes. There are so many complex issues that really hide beneath the surface, or sometimes maybe they're brought to the surface. Everything from the orphan crisis to human trafficking to child and slave labor, all those types of things really are there hiding beneath the surface and it's time that we talk about those issues so that people can understand why ethical and fair trade fashion is so important and why it's important to be purchasing from companies and brands that you know the practices behind the things that they make. And it's time, in my opinion, that we talk about those things and we bring them to the surface and we make it not scary anymore to have difficult conversations! My guest this week is Carly Burson, the founder of Tribe Alive. Tribe Alive is one of my favorite ethical fashion brands. They employ and empower artisans in 6 countries around the world and they are the epitome of a brand that's changing communities, countries, and people's lives. This was such a fun conversation and we talk about just about everything. I know you're going to love it! WHEN ORPHANS AREN'T REALLY ORPHANS The inspiration behind Tribe Alive came from the adoption of of Carly's daughter when Carly and her husband went to Ethiopia to finalize the adoption. Carly had no idea just how life-changing this trip would be. After spending time in their daughter's orphanage, she realized that many of these orphans weren't actually orphans at all. Carly and I chat about parents not given the choice or the chance to raise their kids and how this trip inspired her to make a change in her professional life. TEACH A PERSON TO FISH Carly knew from the very beginning that Tribe Alive wasn't going to be based of a give-back model. While charity is important, many people don't realize how charity can hurt a community. Carly never wanted to give anything away, she wanted to create opportunity for people to earn for themselves and stand on their own two feet. Carly and I talk about helping others live successfully and why Africa is fed up with the West's hand-me-downs. ETHICAL NOT EXCLUSIVE Joining the ethical and fair trade fashion can be very intimidating. Many people established in this community often take the 'all or nothing' view, which honestly isn't realistic for most people and sometimes even makes me feel like a little bit of an outsider. At the end of the day, it's important to recognize that there is right and wrong, but that it should be all or nothing. Carly and I discuss the importance of being accepting and accessible and how to make changes over time. About Carly Burson, Founder of Tribe Alive: Carly Burson is the founder and CEO of lifestyle brand Tribe Alive. The name Tribe Alive came from her ambition to build more than just a company but rather her desire to build a movement. When Carly Burson began her adoption journey, she knew that becoming a mother would profoundly impact her life. She never imagined that it would alter the course of her life's work. Although adoption presents an opportunity to support an individual child, Carly was struck by the desire to address the core issue of child relinquishment on a global scale: namely, the economic insecurity facing women in the developing world. Tribe Alive was born from Carly's decision to utilize her years of experience in the fashion industry as a platform to alleviate poverty among people in the developing world. Carly believes that ethical fashion has the power to change lives, and it is her hope that Tribe Alive's artisans will be empowered with the means to care for their families. Carly has been interviewed and featured by Darling Magazine, The Good Trade, The Bump, and Pop Sugar to name a few and is admired nationally and internationally for her work and inspiring story. Carly lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband Kyle, 7 year old daughter Elie, 18 year old daughter Pricila, 3 year old granddaughter Flory, and four-legged soulmate, Remy Dog. "I loved the challenge of competing with brands that cause poverty through their production while our platform alleviates it. It's our way of exposing the fact that you do not need to compromise the human factor of business in order to succeed." - Carly Burson CONNECT WITH CARLY: Website: https://tribealive.com Instagram: @tribealive | @carlyrburson Twitter: @tribealive Facebook: Tribe Alive | Carly Burson Pinterest: Tribe Alive LinkedIn: Carly Burson Poshmark: Tribe Alive Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe

I believe in my heart of hearts that everyone, yes, everyone, is born with a gift. Now, I don't know what your gift may be, but you, listening right now, you have a gift that was given to you at birth. Maybe you can sing, or dance, or you love to organize, or you really love spreadsheets (that's my husband), or you love to cook. Maybe you're good at math. Maybe you're a good writer, or you love to fix things and you just have a knack for it. Maybe you're artistic. Whatever it is, you have it! One of the things I love to see is when people take that gift that they were given (or passion or hobby), and they say "I'm going to find a way to use this gift to help somebody else." That is when your gift becomes a gift to someone else! My guest this week is Nathan Thomas, the founder and executive director of All We Are. All We Are blossomed out of a personal initiative of Nathan's in 2009 after working in the New ABC Divine Boarding School in Kampala, Uganda. He is so passionate about empowering young leaders around the world and working to help people realize their potential. This was a really fun conversation; he actually got to join me live in the studio and I loved, loved, loved my time with Nathan. I know you will, too! AVOCADO TOAST & CHANGING THE WORLD Nathan and I have many things in common, including a love of avocado toast and a passion to change the world. Nathan uses this passion to make a difference in Uganda by empowering communities in a multitude of ways. From computers to clean water to women's empowerment to a goal to electrify 50 schools by 2025, Nathan and his All We Are team hopes to tackle problems big and small to help the communities he considers family. THE POWER OF MONEY From natural disasters to health and financial crises, there is always a way for people to get involved and make a difference. Sometimes, though, people's help can actually not be helpful at all. For example, often times after a natural disaster, people donate stuff rather than money because it feels more personal. Nathan and I talk about how giving clothes and other things is great, but not when people don't have a use for the stuff or don't have a place to put these things. Sometimes, the best way to help is just to donate your money. THE LEARNING CURVE Whenever you start a business or an organization or whatever it may be, the first few years are so key in learning what works for you and what doesn't, and Nathan knows this well. These days, Nathan doesn't ship anything out to Uganda, he buys everything locally. However, this wasn't the case at the start of All We Are. As Nathan and I talk about the growth of All We Are, you'll find out why Nathan chooses to skip the shipping. About Nathan Thomas, Founder & Executive Director of All We Are: Nathan is the Founder and Executive Director of All We Are. AWA blossomed out of a personal initiative started in 2009 after working with the New ABC Divine Boarding School in Kampala, Uganda. Nathan graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2015 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and now works as a Resident Engineer for Leoni Wiring Systems in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nathan is passionate about empowering young leaders and works to help people realize their potential. Nathan has served as President of the Rotary Club of Raleigh Midtown as well as Strategic Advisor for the 91Four project. CONNECT WITH NATHAN: Website: https://allweare.org Instagram: @awanonprofit Twitter: @awanonprofit Facebook: All We Are Youtube: All We Are LinkedIn: Nathan Thomas Special thanks to CAUSEBOX for sponsoring this week's Business with Purpose podcast. Use coupon code MOLLY for $15 off! Join my Purchase with Purpose Facebook group and let's continue the conversation! https://www.facebook.com/groups/purchasewithpurpose/ Subscribe to the Business with Purpose podcast (and I'd love it if you left a review** on iTunes!) Subscribe on iTunes** Subscribe on Google Play Subscribe on Radio Public Subscribe via Podcast RSS Feed **Want to know how to leave a review of the Business with Purpose Podcast on iTunes from your iPhone or iPad? Launch Apple's Podcast app. Tap the Search tab. Enter "Business with Purpose" Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right. Tap the Blue album art for the podcast. Tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom. Enter your iTunes password to login. Tap the Stars to leave a rating. Enter title text and content to leave a review. Tap Send.