Starting the new year with a newsletter for inspiration and some uplifting ideas to take my mind off politics. Because great stuff is happening and I want to hear about it, and I suspect you do too.
[1] Currently Playing – Episode 39
After last year’s hiatus (we started a social enterprise of our own, called Wild Tiger Tees), we posted Episode 39, Investment Insight with Alan Grodin! With Wild Tiger Tees, we’re screen printing t-shirts with youth experiencing homelessness, and one thing I’m curious about is how people mentor youth, so I reached out to a long-time friend, Alan, whose career in financial services spans decades. He gives back to his community by sharing his insight into how to approach financial planning for retirement, and he shared this in detail on the podcast.
[2] Scaling a different wall
I saw the rise of impact investing this year – people were talking about it everywhere… because it makes sense. Grants have their place, but what if you could get your money back and you could give it again? 2018 was the Year Wall Street Got Sustainable Investing… and a lot of other people did too.
[3] The Girls’ Index
ROX, aka, Ruling Our eXperiences – took skills training from OSU research and launched a venture to give girls the skills they need to live healthy, independent, productive, and violence-free lives. Now they are expanding their impact nationwide helping girls find success. Here’s hoping they take over the world.
[4] Purposely Political
A Year in Purpose: The Top 10 Trends of 2018, highlights the growing trend for companies and employees to stand for something. I kept trying to stand for something, but it just looked like I was stomping my feet.
[5] Social Impact Spotlight
A trip to India last November took me to Madurai, and I couldn’t pass up seeing the Aravind Eye Hospital – they are one of the grandfathers of social enterprise, founded in 1976. They are the premier model for providing services to those who can’t afford by managing costs and subsidizing care with multiple price points. While they have slightly better amenities next door for the paying customers, the facilities for non-paying customers are beautiful, clean, and incredibly efficient.
[6] Start Some Good
Need some quick inspiration to Start Some Good? Because kids rock, and this looked like a fun way to make an impact, I gave to Learning through Social Circus and Play in Myanmar this week. Check ’em out!