#plugintodevin - Your Mark on the World with Devin Thorpe

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin.

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2dq9Wmp.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher.

--------------------------

Kindness. You’ve probably thought of kindness as a key to good personal relationships. You may have even applied kindness to your daily interactions with coworkers. Have you ever thought kindness was the key to success in business?

Westminster College professor Dr. Vicki Whiting says it is. In a powerful TEDx talk at her college, she makes the case that WalMart may one day cease to exist because it lacks the kindness its founder once imbued into the organization.

1. Kindness is powerful.

Kindness is the most powerful tool leaders have at their disposal if they desire to create the connection and commitment necessary to afford long term success. Leaders as far back as Aristotle teach us that kindness sits at the heart of meaningful relationships. It is through meaningful relationship that customers are loyal to an organization, that employees are committed to an organization’s vision, that co-workers trust one another to work productively to achieve an organization’s goals. Success is predicated on meaningful relationships, and meaningful relationships are based on the principles of kindness.

--------------------------

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2dq9Wmp.

Need a corporate social responsibility speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://devinthorpe.com.

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin.

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2dtMa9b.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher.

---------------------

Sana Butler, founder of Transformative Tourism, wants wealthy tourists to travel with her to Africa to drive positive impact. Her innovative model for tourism is intended to help protect UNESCO World Heritage sites that are underfunded, to protect the environment and to help low-income people and communities lift themselves out of poverty.

There is a fundamental flaw in the existing tourism model in Africa; most of the money that goes in flows out, she says.

Sana says, “The problem is that visitors spend about $40 billion a year in Sub-Saharan Africa; as much as 90% of it ‘leaks out’ to bank accounts of multi-national companies.”

This isn’t just a problem that slows economic growth-though it is that, too, she says. “As a result, significant local sustainable tourism development options like UNESCO World Heritage sites are left to deteriorate due to lack of investment funds; locals living in poverty in and around sites are left out of an opportunity to bring in as much as $100 million in annual visitor revenue. The base of the pyramid continues to suffer and grow in the region not because money doesn’t flow into host communities; everyday Africans remain poor because the money never stays.”

Sana’s model for Transformative Tourism is to cater to small numbers of high income travelers, providing them with luxury experiences, provided by local communities.

---------------------

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2dtMa9b.

Need a corporate social responsibility speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://devinthorpe.com.

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin.

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2du5pPL.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher.

---------------------

Many people are looking for practical ways to participate in the booming solar energy industry. Clean Energy Advisors, our sponsor, offers a way for accredited investors to participate in solar energy projects.

---------------------

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2du5pPL.

Need a corporate social responsibility speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://devinthorpe.com.

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin.

Read the full GoodCrowdinfo article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2dusYYO.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher.

------------------

Ordinary investors can now invest in startups as a result of the belated implementation of the JOBS Act in May. As you start thinking about investing in startups, one key is to identify an entrepreneur you can back.

Todd Crosland, CEO of our sponsor Seed Equity Ventures, invests in startups along with investors who use the platform. He is an accomplished entrepreneur himself. He recently wrote a blog post about the five key attributes to look for in a startup founder. I’m sharing them here with permission.

1. Passion

When an entrepreneur is pitching you his or her business, their passion for the venture should be apparent from the time they open their mouth. They need to be fully committed to the mission and exemplify that they will do whatever it takes to see it succeed.

2. Experience

Has the founder started a company before? How successful was it? If he or she was able to grow a successful business prior to this venture, they know the ropes better than a first-time founder and have proven they have the dedication it takes to see a company endure.

3. Adaptability

Plans and challenges change frequently while building a company. Someone who can adapt and focus on the need of the customer, rather than refuse to abandon the original idea, will be more suited to build a winning company.

------------------

Read the full GoodCrowdinfo article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2dusYYO.

Need a crowdfunding speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://devinthorpe.com.

Never miss another story! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher.

----------------------

Vivienne Harr, age 9:

“I saw a picture of two boys with big rocks strapped across their heads.

To feel better, they were holding hands. I learned that these boys are brothers… and slaves.

I thought slavery ended with Abraham Lincoln.

But it still happens.

I wanted to do something about it, because compassion is not compassion without action.”

“We need to help these boys,” she told her parents.

Vivienne set up a lemonade stand to raise money to end slavery.

She earned so much money for the fight that she wanted to do it again.

And then again and again.

“I want to help a lot of these kids. I want to raise a whole $100,000.”

Then Vivienne hit upon a new pricing strategy.

“Why not let people pay what’s in their hearts?”

From then on, her lemonade was officially “free because every child should be free.”

The average amount collected for the lemonade jumped from $2 to $18 per cup.

One person even paid $1,000.

On day #173, Vivienne reached her goal and wrote a check to Not For Sale for $101,320.

“You don’t have to be big or powerful to change the world. You can be just like me.”

----------------------

Need a corporate social responsibility speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://devinthorpe.com.

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin.

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2cRKsyo.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher.

----------------------

Have you ever conducted a toy drive, trying to gather items for a cause? The logistics of such an effort can be overwhelming. Lisa Tomasi has created a way that removes most of the logistical challenges for the nonprofit and makes donating new items easier for the giver as well. Her company YouGiveGoods allows the donor to buy products for a drive and have them delivered directly to the charity.

Lisa says, “By removing the cumbersome logistics of a typical, collection box drive, more people can donate and get more goods into the hands of those who need them. Our business directly helps more people receive tangible aid and support when they need it most.”

It’s easy, she says. “Our work at YouGiveGoods is simple – people use our platform to start a charity drive (toy drive, school supply drive, food drive, animal shelter drive…and many more), supporters of these drives buy needed products (actual items – not a cash donation) from us as an online retailer and then we ship those goods directly to the charity.”

It’s also free! “Our service and platform is free to use — it does not cost the charity or the drive organizer anything to have friends, family, and coworkers help a charity in need.”

----------------------

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2cRKsyo.

Need a corporate social responsibility speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://devinthorpe.com.

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin.

Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2czVfcP.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher.

-----------------------

“Somebody ought to do something about that.” If you’re like me, you’ve said that–if only to yourself–on occasion. The most successful people in the world seem to be the ones who don’t. Instead, they do something.

Most of us aren’t willing to give up our careers to “do something” to solve a social problem, especially if there is no good answer to the partner question, “What’s in it for me?” Mellanie True Hills, a professional speaker who has earned the National Speakers Association’s Certified Speaking Professional designation, recognized a problem and created a nonprofit to address it without giving up her career.

Hills launched her nonprofit, American Foundation for Women’s Health, which in turn runs StopAfib.org, after having a near-death experience resulting from atrial fibrillation or “Afib.” StopAfib.org is a patient-to-patient organization that works to help those experiencing Afib to advocate for themselves with the healthcare community to get the best possible outcomes.

StopAfib.org operates on an annual budget of approximately $500,000, she says. The revenue comes from donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. With a small staff, the organization has been able to drive significant impact by partnering with other organizations and advocating at the national level. For instance, Hills was a driving force in the creating and national recognition of Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month.

-----------------------

Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2czVfcP.

Need a corporate social responsibility speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://devinthorpe.com.

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin.

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2cRS6sK.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher.

-----------------------

Improving public health in the developing world faces seemingly insurmountable odds. The Task Force for Global Health, or TFGH, is working to change those odds. Last month, CEO Dave Ross accepted on behalf of the organization a $2 million prize from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for its annual Humanitarian Prize.

“The Task Force is about compassion, collaboration, and smart solutions,” said Hilton Foundation CEO Peter Laugharn upon granting the award. “The organization and its partners roll up their sleeves and solve massive global health problems, and they do it without fanfare. This is an organization that, with its partners, is on track to help eliminate three diseases in the next decade. That is something we should all celebrate.”

Dave frames the problem this way: “People who live in extreme poverty survive on less than $1.25 a day and lack access to food, clean water, and basic health services, including immunizations and medicines. Because of their impoverished status, they also are preferentially targeted by infectious diseases that cause blindness, disfigurement, impaired cognition, stunted growth, paralysis, and even death.”

-----------------------

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2cRS6sK.

Need a corporate social responsibility speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://devinthorpe.com.

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin.

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2cdJf3L.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher.

-----------------

Bobbi Rebell, Reuters financial news television anchor and author of the new book How to Be a Financial Grownup, is launching the book with a fully funded crowdfunding campaign for teachers and students via DonorsChoose. You get to give without giving!

Here’s how it works. 1) You buy a copy of the book. 2) You post about it the purchase on social media including a link to the crowdfunding campaign on DonorsChoose. 3) Send screen grabs of your receipt and your post to Bobbie here. 4) You will receive a gift code for $18 allowing you to back a teacher’s project to benefit students without using any of your own money! (Of course, there are some teachers who are hoping you might add a few bucks of your own.) See complete rules here.

Bobbi wrote her new book to be of help to more than just teachers and their students. As a financial news reporter, she sees a crisis brewing in America.

“We are in an economic crisis because so few of us know the basics about how to manage our financial lives as adults. Americans want to get better at paying attention to—and managing—their money, but with a lack of financial literacy education and information overload thanks to the internet, it has become a daunting and overwhelming task. We need to make financial education accessible, compelling and inviting so we can finally start acting like financial grownups,” she says.

It was important to her that her book be accessible to readers. “I wrote How to Be a Financial Grownup specifically as a book people would actually read. It is fun. At first it even might be mistaken for a personal finance ‘beach read,’ but it is anything but. The advice is serious and specific.”

-----------------

Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2cdJf3L.

Need a crowdfunding speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://devinthorpe.com.

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin.

Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2cjbQ4r.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher.

--------------------

Laura Dunn, who reports being a victim of sexual assault by two men from her University of Wisconsin-Madison crew team, was fueled by her experience to not only earn a JD but also to launch SurvJustice, a national organization working to support other victims of campus rape. Dunn is an accidental social entrepreneur driven by a passion to make America’s campuses safer.

The scale of the operation at SurvJustice, with just three people on staff, doesn’t do justice to the work of the organization. Operating on a shoe-string budget, the nonprofit has impact beyond what you’d expect.

Dunn leverages volunteer interns and a small but impressive board to expand the organization’s reach.

Board member Lilibet Hagel, wife of the former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, says she was impressed by Laura and SurvJustice. “I was impressed that SurvJustice offers valuable ‘nuts and bolts’ legal assistance to survivors and good, well-informed advice on how to navigate the crazy campus landscapes, none of which seem to be the same.”

--------------------

Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2cjbQ4r.

Need a corporate social responsibility speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://devinthorpe.com.