March 07, 2025

323. Unlocking the Entrepreneurial Genius of Mother Teresa with her lawyer and friend Jim Towey

37 minutes

SHOW NOTES:

323: Unlocking the Entrepreneurial Genius of Mother Teresa

Guest: Jim Towey, author, friend, and counselor to the late Mother Teresa

How did a woman with no business training, no fundraising strategy, and no venture capital build a global organization spanning 120 countries with over 600 locations?

In this eye-opening Women’s History Month episode, we are breaking with tradition by welcoming the podcast’s first-ever male guest, Jim Towey – the personal lawyer and confidant to one of history’s most admired but perhaps least understood leadership geniuses: Mother Teresa.

Most of us know Mother Teresa as a humanitarian and Saint, but Jim reveals her incredible business acumen that allowed her to scale from one woman with a mission to nearly 4,000 women serving worldwide. All without ever conducting a single fundraiser! As Mother Teresa herself put it: “I prefer the insecurity of divine providence” over traditional funding models.

This conversation will challenge your understanding of what makes an extraordinary leader and entrepreneur. It’s packed with insights on building influence, navigating challenges, and creating global impact with limited resources – lessons any modern leader can apply.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

Jim Towey served as Mother Teresa’s personal legal advisor and confidant for more than a decade. What began as a congressional staffer’s attempt to make himself “more interesting at cocktail parties” (by meeting Mother Teresa), transformed into a life-altering relationship that redirected his entire future. Jim is the author of “To Love and Be Loved” and founder of Aging with Dignity, where he continues Mother Teresa’s legacy of compassionate care.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

THE ACCIDENTAL ENTREPRENEUR: Discover how Mother Teresa built her “startup” one person at a time (or as she would say in Bengali: “ek, ek, ek” – 1, 1, 1) and the unconventional governance structure she created to manage global expansion

FEARLESS LEADERSHIP: Learn how Mother Teresa inspired women to work in the world’s most dangerous regions – including present-day conflict zones — without salaries, health insurance, or pensions

BUILDING WITHOUT FUNDRAISING: Understand the counterintuitive financial philosophy that allowed her organization to thrive while refusing multiple six-figure donation offers

THE HUMAN BEHIND THE ICON: Jim reveals Mother Teresa’s fierce determination, remarkable sense of humor, stubborn streak, and how she maintained balance despite her grueling schedule, age, and health challenges

TRANSFORMATIONAL SERVICE: Hear how Jim’s reluctant first experience caring for patients in Mother Teresa’s home for the dying changed his perspective forever and eventually led him to meet his wife.

OPERATIONAL GENIUS: Explore how Mother Teresa managed complex global logistics, cultural differences, and organizational challenges while staying true to her mission

This rare insider’s view of Mother Teresa’s leadership style offers lessons that apply whether you’re running a startup, managing a team, or seeking to make positive change in your community.

We would love to hear what surprised you most about Mother Teresa’s entrepreneurial approach! Share your thoughts and any great stories you’re reading about trailblazing women during Women’s History Month.

CONNECT WITH LAURA:

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LinkedIn: Laura Cox Kaplan

Email: [email protected]

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She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media.

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