Dolores Semeraro interviews Sarah Payne , Director of Impact at Untours Fundation - on her journey from an MBA in economic development to her current role, emphasizing the importance of impact with social, environmental and economical drive for entrepreneurs. 

An entrepreneur herself, Sarah believes passionately in using business as a force for good to create a more just, equitable, and regenerative world. She has also worked with a variety of nonprofits both in the United States and abroad to advance social change and alleviate poverty. Ever adventurous, Sarah loves to travel and enjoy the great outdoors. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in World History from Messiah University and a Master of Business Administration in Economic Development from Eastern University.

In this episode:

Impact as a Currency for Entrepreneurs

• Impact as a currency for entrepreneurs, and how stakeholders increasingly want to see positive impact from companies.
• Integrating an impact mindset from the beginning, considering social, environmental, and economic impacts which encopasses the value of authenticity and transparency
• Set realistic goals, start with one impact area, and build on the success as well as the importance of having a strong network and community support for entrepreneurs.

The Role of B Corps and the B Impact Assessment

• The Foundation owns the world's first B Corp, Untours, and loves working with B Corps due to their verified impact track records.
• Not all companies can or want to become B Corps but can still adopt impact-focused practices from the B Corp movement.
• Highlighting the Foundation's approach to underwriting loans and the importance of creating an ecosystem of interdependent businesses particularly community-driven businesses and smaller enterprises.
• Women are often more community-minded and impact-focused, balancing business demands with personal priorities.

Future Directions and Investments

• to direct more investments into the places where travelers are going, creating an ecosystem for travelers to engage with the Foundation's impact work.
• to provide accessible and flexible capital to small tourism businesses worldwide.

Host of Truth Behind Travel Podcast, Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional.

Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows.

As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainability in tourism, digital marketing and how to identify today’s traveler’s needs through technology and innovation.

5 years ago, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel.

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