Are you an entrepreneur seeking to create something that transcends merely selling a product or service? What if community as a business model could help you grow a purpose-driven, sustainable business from the ground up?

In this episode of the DO GOOD X Podcast, hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis are joined by Bri Leever, founder of Ember Consulting, to explore how community as a business model creates a lasting impact, not just profit. Bri shares how she helps entrepreneurs build and grow online communities that align with their values and drive meaningful results.

Bri delves into what it takes to build a thriving community the right way, beginning with clarity, intentionality, and a solid foundation that supports a sustainable business. She warns against a common mistake many entrepreneurs make: trying to launch multiple community types at once. Instead, she emphasizes the power of focus and simplicity when getting started. With clear strategies, real-world examples, and a practical mindset, Bri helps show why community as a business model is more than a trend—it's a long-term path to purpose and profit. Listen now and visit DO GOOD X for resources to help you grow your impact-driven community.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• (00:00) Intro: Meet Bri Leever
• (04:30) How to build a community as a business model the right way, starting with clarity and alignment
• (08:18) Approaching the launch with confidence and delivering what you promise to secure a sustainable business model
• (18:20) The significant change in online communities has been technology and discussion of the challenges, creating multiple community types at once
• (25:11)  Bri differentiates between ROI and impact as two key outcomes of a community
• (30:10) Bri shares her process and the platforms she uses
• (34:37) Bri discusses best practices entrepreneurs should employ to grow their community 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Community can be more than just a marketing tool—it can be the business model. Rather than solely focusing on profit, this model centers on building trust, loyalty, and impact, creating long-term sustainable business value.
• To build a thriving community, the entrepreneur must start with a clear understanding of what kind of community best serves their business goals and what value they can consistently provide to members. There’s no one-size-fits-all; communities can vary in structure, purpose, and engagement style.
• One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is trying to build multiple types of communities simultaneously. Instead, they should choose one community type that best serves their business and focus on doing it well before layering in complexity.

RESOURCES:  

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X -  Instagram

Dear Bri Podcast - Marjorie Anderson

Bri Leever - YouTube Channel

About Bri Leever | Ember

Bri Leever - LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHY:

Bri got her start building a community and growing it to a multi-million dollar revenue stream for a brand in Portland, OR. Now, she helps coaches, consultants, and creators build thriving online paid communities for their business. She's a Community Strategist by day and a Campervan host by night on the Big Island of Hawaii, and you'll usually find her on, in, or under the water.

KEYWORDS: Entrepreneurs, Community As A Business Model, Sustainable Business, Bri Leever, Community Strategy, Online Communities, Purpose-Driven Business, Business Growth, Brand Loyalty, Relationship Building, Reciprocity, LinkedIn, Customer Transformation, Community, Selling a Product, Selling a Service, Business Model, Ember Consulting, Lasting Impact, Profit, Revenue, Thriving Community, Types of Community, Strategies, real-world examples, focus, simplicity, practical mindset, Purpose, Clarity, Alignment, AI, Technology, ROI, Return of Investment, Key Outcomes, Best Practices, Marketing Tools, Trust, Loyalty, Impact, Engagement, sustainable business model, building trust, multi-million dollar revenue, coaches, consultants, creators, reciprocity