The Dollar AND Difference Show

Be sure to take notes as you listen to Diana Sierra share how she used her background in product design to start the social enterprise Be Girl Pads.  As the first in a series of intervie

Listen in as we hear from the founder of MADI Apparel and native Kansas Citian, Hayley Beshee.  

Join us this week as Josh shares an 'open letter' to Dr. Dre this week's recap podcast. The letter is used as a way to hopefully get Dr. Dre thinking - but mainly for us as a community to think about how our businesses can use their power and influence to transform systems for the better.  Take this interview with Bridget of LSTN headphones - she has a company similiar to Beats by Dr. Dre - only it has the incredible social mission of also helping the world to hear.  The photo above is of Bridget in Uganda as she is helping a child hear for the first time.  You think Dr. Dre's done anything like that???

So, tune in as we recap what we've found out about sustainable fashion, and us

Bridget Hilton, got her inspiration for LSTN Headphones after watching a viral y

Listen to David Dietz, founder of the sustainable fashion company Modavanti, share his story of harnessing fashion as a force for good.  David was a conflict journalist covering revolutions in the Middle East before he discovered the dirtiness of the textile industry and set out to start his own revolution.   
The fashion industry is one of the highest producers of waste and pollution, and is a vital component in the effort to change the current trends of global warming and climate change. Modavanti is completely dedicated to changing the world through sustainable fashion by selling clothes made by designers using sustainable practices and dedicated to a cause.  The company also donates 2 percent of all profits to organizations making an impact by supporting artisans and providing clean water in develop

Join us for this week's recap podcast as Josh chats about what social entrepreneurship really means, the lessons from our latest interviews on sustainable fashion, and other cause minded musings...

Key Takeaways

-Entrepreneur Magazine will be profiling a bunch of great social entrepreneurs here - I'd highly reccomend checking it out.

-We need ensembles, not soloists for social change.  Check here

WEBSITES OF SOCIAL BUSINESSES FROM THE WEEK:

Zac Holzapfel is the Co-founder of Mission Belt, a company whose mission is to help people around the world break out of the poverty cycle through their belt business.  Zac shares his inspiration and philosophy on Social Enterprises.  Zac believes in producing captial for change, and not merely asking for donations.  That is why Mission Belt is a for-profit company that produces and sells belts in order to have the means to change the lives of those living in poverty.  Mission Belts does this by funding Micro-Loans which are given to those in poverty to start a sustainable agricultural business.  Zac stresses that without sustainability, there is no mission.  As you listen to Zac, think about how you can produce your own change.  Young or old, we all have been given the opportunity to make money as an entrepreneurs and business professionals.  Why wait to give back?

Can fashion have a purpose?  Just ask Jessica of Jewelry for a Cause.  She's running a revolutionary Jewelry company that devotes itself to pulling guns off the streets and turning them into beautiful jewelry that starts conversations about how we can all work to reduce gun violence and restore our communities.

This is a MUST LISTEN interview - I was nearly moved to tears at several points with the moving stories Jessica shared.

What's more - Jessica sets an example for all of us about how to lead a movement in which we listen to the communities we serve and do what is best for them - all while running a highly sucessful business that raises awareness - or as Jessica might say - raises the cailber.  The cailber of our conversations, our service, a

Love Heals. That is Shana Goodwin’s overwhelming message as she tells her story and experience working with a non-profit and social enterprise.  Shana Goodwin is a Sales Representative for Thistle Farms which sells handmade and all natural bath and body products.  Thistle Farms is the Social Enterprise of Magdalene House, which provides housing, rehabilitation services, and opportunity to learn responsibility and valuable job skills to women living on the streets of Nashville, Tennessee.  All of the revenue from Thistle Farms goes towards funding the operations of Magdalene House.  Shana Goodwin speaks openly about her life being born into drug addiction and trafficking that left her living on the streets or in jail.  She was court appointed to live at the M

Social entrepreneur Vincent Ko shares about creating a clear vision for social change as the founder of Panda.  Vincent shares his inspiring story of starting a life changing fashion company despite not having any design background.  Panda sells high-end sunglasses handmade from sustainable bamboo and partners with Optometry Giving Sight to donate eye examinations to those in need.  Vincent shares how he used his passion for a cuase to grow his fashion company into a movement for social change.  

Vincent Ko and Panda design sustainable sunglasses to give sight to those in need. How will you be visionary?