The Give Back Model

Today’s guest is Jorge Lopez-Doriga, Chief Sustainability Officer for AMARUMAYU, a movement born at the heart of the Amazon Jungle to protect its precious forest and empower its guardians through the commercialization of Amazonian superfruit juices. Jorge joins Christine from Lima, Peru to discuss his passion for protecting the earth, redirecting his life’s work and focus from marketing to sustainability in 2014, and the undeniable connection between our bodies and the universe - by protecting one, you are protecting the other.

Jorge explains the origins of the AMARUMAYU movement, the meaning behind its name, and the goals of the company. He details the four intricate symbols in their powerful logo, and how they come together to represent living in harmony with our environment. You’ll also hear about the extraordinary nutritional value of Amazonian superfruits, such as the Buriti and Camu Camu, the “ Natural Revolution,” which aims to transform people into more conscious consumers, and Jorge’s advice to help younger generations become more aware of how to protect Mother Nature. Christine asks Jorge about the important role women play as leaders in the Amazon community, how the evolution of technology is affecting its local workers, his biggest challenges coming from the Zen community and moving those values over to his mission with AMARUMAYU, as well as his most fulfilling moments on this journey.

If we could all bottle up just a speckle of Jorge's energy and dedication towards such an important cause, we would all be in a better place by putting our Mother Nature's needs first. To learn more about AMARUMAYU’s mission to protect biodiversity, empower Indigenous people, and restore equilibrium to our planet, visit AMARUMAYU.com.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back, and check out The Give Back Model merchandise, where $5 for every sale goes to charity. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Jorge has always been passionate about protecting the earth
• He also has a background in marketing; he redirected his life and focus on sustainability in 2014
• AMARUMAYU is the real name of the Amazon - it means the “river serpent,” and the serpent represents life and wisdom
• The logo includes an Indigeneous person (the true guardian of the Amazon), the fruits of the Amazon, a snake (again, life and wisdom), and a heart (the spirit of harmony and collaboration)
• Their product is a nonalcoholic superfruit beverage
• Superfruits have a much higher concentration of vitamins and minerals than other fruits like oranges
• The new Natural Revolution aims to shift the way people consume, and transform them into more conscious users
• The three questions conscious users ask themselves are: Is it good for me and my health? Is it good for the environment? Is it good for society?
• In the Industrial Revolution, companies were only concerned with whether they were satisfying the needs of their customers
• With the new Natural Revolution, companies also need to satisfy the needs of Mother Earth
• AMARUMAYU superfruit juices are good for the earth and good for you - no sugar or artificial colors
• They buy directly from Indigeneous communities who harvest these superfruits in the middle of the Amazon
• It’s not agriculture, it’s wild harvesting
• It’s important for younger generations to know that the actions of one single person can have an impact
• Use your purchasing power to give back and contribute
• Women have always been leaders in the Amazon community, and they are typically more connected to nature than men
• The market economy has arrived in the Amazon, and the workers there want to embrace technology and generate income, but still protect their precious natural resources
• It takes a great deal of time and care to build relationships with the Indigeneous communities
• It is also very fulfilling to be able to work with them, help bring a fair trade to the community, and provide a stable source of income
• AMARUMAYU is supported through the British government
• They make sure to only be involved with efforts that do not cut down trees, as the superfruit palm tree is the tree of life
• What we can expect to come from AMARUMAYU
• Remember that we can all have an impact, and to connect with nature on a daily basis 

Quotes:

“I’ve been fascinated by nature since I was a kid. I mean, it's always been my mission to protect this beautiful earth.”

“Marketing is very important for sustainability. Because if sustainability doesn't come with financial incentive behind it, then it is not sustainable. Everything needs to be economically reliable in order to be sustainable.”

“A very important thing you realize is that the whole universe is your body.”

“It is the goal of this company, it is to do what is in our hands to preserve this precious place on Earth.”

“In the Amazon, everything is about the spirit of collaboration. You have a community that is an Indigenous community, but the community extends to all plants and fish and all animals.”

“In the Amazon we have to convince the world that the green gold has much more value than the yellow gold or the black gold.” 

“That's why it's called a superfruit, because we got everything in one single fruit.”

 “The new natural revolution has a new type of relation to what people consume, and they become conscious users.”

“There are three questions: Is it good for me? Is it good for my health? Is it natural? Number two, is it good for the environment? And number three, is it good for society?”

“During the Industrial Revolution, the company's role was to satisfy the needs of the consumer. That was it. And in the Natural Revolution, it has to be to satisfy the needs of Mother Earth.”

“Our final stockholder is Mother Earth.”

“It is not agriculture, it is wild harvesting.”

“We are hooked to the artificial intelligence. And our source of information is artificial intelligence. But if the Indigenous community wants to know something about something, they ask the plants… They are hooked to natural intelligence.”

“It's a beautiful project because it has many challenges in all areas, in the supply and demand. And then also trying to tell the world about this new Natural Revolution, and try to change the habits of people about the way they consume things, and...their relationship with Mother Earth.”

“The most fulfilling part is to be able to contribute, to see how these communities are now having a fair trade, receiving this income in a continuous manner, improving the lifestyle.”

“It is also beautiful because it's not only the harvesting of the fruits - it is the transport of these fruits, and turning these into pulp. And all of this is done locally. And therefore you can see how all these communities are developed, they are becoming entrepreneurs of protecting the jungle.”

“Your impact is going to be big. Don't think your impact is small. Whatever you do is going to contribute. And be a conscious user and not a consumer.

“Try in your daily life, to connect to the natural intelligence, instead of the all the time in the artificial intelligence. Try to connect with yourself. Try to take three big breaths and look within.”

Links:

The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.com

 Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel

 AMARUMAYU website AMARUMAYU.com

Andy Choi is the founder and CEO of Do Good Points, a digital platform that's working to bridge the gap between nonprofits and individuals seeking to make a difference in the world. Andy never imagined starting a business in the social impact space, but starting Do Good Points felt like answering a calling to give back. Do Good Points is a loyalty program that allows members to earn points through small actions, like sharing information on social media, which then convert to monetary donations toward causes that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This helps to drive nonprofit growth while making it fun and easy for people to discover organizations and donate. 

Today Andy joins the show to discuss what inspired him to start a business in the nonprofit world, his intention to break down barriers between intention and action when it comes to doing good, and how we can support nonprofit organizations that are struggling due to the pandemic. Andy reflects on how micro actions and one-on-one conversations add up to create a collective impact, and using technology to help charities appeal to younger donors, as well as thrive in a bigger ecosystem together, rather than competing for limited grants and resources. You’ll hear about the ROG (Return on Giving) philosophy at Do Good Points, changing the narrative around doing good as a business, why mental health is a cause so near and dear to Andy’s heart, and his uplifting insights on redefining ourselves for the better as we re-enter the world following the pandemic. You can learn more about Do Good Points, and how they can help you give with the most impact, at DoGoodPoints.com.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back, and check out The Give Back Model merchandise, where $5 for every hoodie sold goes to charity. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Andy Choi was initially working in digital marketing at a big tech company
• Do Good Points started as a side hustle, and felt like answering a calling to give back
• He noticed big companies incorporated giving back during the holidays, and started to wonder why they couldn’t do this on a regular basis
• One of the main goals of Do Good Points is to break down the barriers between intention and action when it comes to doing good
• Everyone wants to do good, but tend to put it off until they have the time or money - Do Good Points removes those barriers and encourages people to give from what they have today
• Members earn “Good Points” through micro actions like learning or sharing on social media - once they earn enough Good Points, this converts into an actual cash donation toward causes that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
• This allows you to make a charitable donation without spending a single dollar
• COVID presented many challenges to the nonprofit space, including Do Good Points and the causes they support
• Now that we are finally easing out of “Survival Mode,” we can start to focus elsewhere and help those who are really in need
• We can all take small steps to help solve problems in the world - micro actions add up to something bigger
• Andy believes in effective altruism - How can we use our resources to make the most impact? 
• Scarcity mindset in the nonprofit world - organizations are competing for grants and a finite number of resources
• Andy believes the market is big enough so everyone can thrive rather than compete against each other
• Do Good Points uses technology to their advantage in helping to address this problem
• Also helps to appeal to younger population of donors
• “Return on Giving” is similar to the idea of “Return on Investment” - through Do Good Points, you can feel good knowing your donation is going to make the most impact
• Changing the narrative around doing good as a business - it’s necessary to spend money on marketing and other administrative costs so that charities can attract more donations and make a bigger impact
• Big change and social impact starts with one-to-one conversations
• This helps change the narrative around philanthropy
• Mental health and mental illness is a cause that is near and dear to Andy’s heart
• It’s important to check in with loved ones and ask how they’re really doing behind closed doors
• Don’t wait to have these conversations as you never know what someone’s going through, and it makes all the difference to show you care and support them
• As we re-enter the world following the pandemic, we can use this as an opportunity to redefine ourselves for the better and leave behind old patterns

Quotes:

“Honestly, Do Good Points wasn't a business that I pursued. It was more kind of a calling.”

“I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit.”

“I was like, Why do we...only do this during the holidays? Why can’t we support nonprofits regularly? And I had those resources. I had those connections.”

“The idea honestly was like, What can I do today? Why do I have to wait until the next holiday season? ...There was an opportunity here - I can do some good.”

“Nothing happens if nothing happens.”

“One of the central missions of Do Good Points is to really break down the barriers between intention and action. I inherently believe that everyone wants to do good, but it's just, When I have more time, or, When I have more money. But honest reality - there's never enough time and there's never enough money. How can we give from what we have today?”

“We're not defined by our intentions. We're defined by the choices and the actions that we take.”

“We want to be the starting place to doing good… Whether you want to connect to a social cause or organization, we want to be the largest database and marketplace where you can do that.”

“As you take actions, micro actions, like learning, sharing on social media, you earn what's called Good Points. Once you earn enough Good Points, the only thing you can do with it is convert them into an actual cash donation.”

“We’re the first platform where you don't have to spend a single dollar in order to make a charitable contribution. Just by engaging, just by learning and sharing, and helping spread the knowledge and doing good, you're able to participate in philanthropy, participate in social impact, or whatever else it might be that really speaks to your soul.”

“Our goal is not to just be another nonprofit or social enterprise, but really empower and serve the greater industry.”

“We're coming out of the pandemic. We're still fighting through it, but things are opening up. And now we’re looking into, How do we participate in the recovery? How do we serve the most vulnerable?”

“We don't need to wait for the holiday season, we don't need to wait for another social justice movement in order to get fired up. There are people that are in need on a daily basis.”

“All of us always assume that there needs to be this big act. But it's the small things mostly in life that add up to something bigger.”

“That's our approach - How do we create an ecosystem in an economy that really thrives, rather than compete against each other? Competition to some degree is always healthy, and it's great, but not when it's coming at the expense of doing good.”

“Over 50% of nonprofits do not have a marketing or a communication plan, meaning websites, Facebook pages, whatever. There is no system to manage that."

“It's kind of our secret sauce. But it's not a secret. It's Return on Giving, just like Return on Investment. How do we really change the narrative in regards to the business of doing good, because it is absolutely a business… I think the narrative behind money and nonprofits is just hugely out of context. People are like, Oh, they shouldn't spend money on marketing. It's absolutely necessary that you do that. It's just part of business - you invest money into growing more money or more market shares. It's just the objective is different. Instead of selling a product, like a t-shirt or whatever it is, it's social impact.”

“Return on Giving is literally investing into the future growth, and having compounded Return on Investment for nonprofit and social impact, rather than just the business model of, Spend everything and then just raise more money again.”

“What keeps me up at night is just there's just so much work to be done. There's so much work to be done. And I think conversations like this, I look forward to, because I believe in the one-to-one conversation. I believe that small movements and changing narratives - it starts with us having a simple sit-down conversation.”

“I think this next generation - there's a huge opportunity to really change the narrative in regards to philanthropy, in regards to social impact and how we give, and how we can make that a part of consumer behavior...and utilize technology and all of these resources that we have for good.”

“Mental illness is a silent killer. It's the one that we don't talk about.” 

“I think we can just start by asking people how they're really doing. Like, how are you really doing, behind closed doors? I'm part of this small group at my church… We have what's called a Small Group Check-In, and we ask each other, How goes it with your soul? It's not like, Hey, how you doing? It's like, Hey, how's your soul doing?”

“It's okay to have those conversations, especially with the people we love. Don't wait to have those conversations. Be proactive. Because we never know what someone's going through. We do know what it feels like to know that someone else cares. We're always longing for that.”

“I see what it took, the sacrifices that [my parents have] made. And it's kind of come full circle for me being in this industry.”

“Let’s participate together.”

“With the pandemic, as things open up, there's a window of opportunity to really define ourselves differently. The constant thing that I'm hearing is that people are like, Let's go back to what was normal. It’s like, let’s not. Let’s look forward to what’s next. Let’s change what we can change. Let’s be better. Let’s do good. Let’s be better, whatever that is for you. But to really challenge yourself to not go back to old ways or old patterns, but really define yourself and be excited for what lies ahead.”

 Links:

 The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.com

 Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel

 Do Good Points website DoGoodPoints.com

Sammi Jaeger is a creator, entrepreneur, and freelance integrator. She is the founder of Fuel Collective, which empowers couples to create thriving relationships, and co-host of the Date Forever podcast. She is borderline obsessed with the way the quality of our relationships impacts the quality of our lives, and she uses her unique blend of knowledge about business, relationships, and contribution to work, towards creating a better world. Sammy is a huge advocate of the UN Global Goals, and knows that the key to making true global progress starts with the quality of our relationships.

Today Sammi joins Christine to discuss her passion for giving couples the proactive tools and resources they need to keep their relationships fueled and prevent them from breaking down, rather than taking a reactive approach once your relationship is already experiencing difficulties. She talks about the stigma of seeking relationship guidance for married couples, the pressure to uphold the illusion of a perfect union on social media, and the marketing challenge of appealing to an audience who may not realize they have a problem yet. She details the experience of launching Fuel Collective with her husband, Nathan, starting their podcast to learn as much as possible from relationship experts and psychologists, and what it’s been like to live in lockdown and run a business together through the pandemic. Sammi encourages entrepreneurs who are working with their spouses to define their roles from the start. She also tells Christine about giving 20% of their profits to pre-vetted education projects through the B1G1 (Buy One, Give One) organization, as well as their involvement with The Global Goals initiative. Finally, Sammi reflects on how building better relationships can build a better world, and tells listeners about Fuel Collective’s exciting courses and products to come. To learn more about Fuel Collective’s movement toward better relationships, visit FuelCollective.com.au or listen to the Date Forever podcast.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back, and check out The Give Back Model merchandise, where $5 for every hoodie sold goes to charity. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• ● Sammi flips the model of Relationship Coaching from reactive to proactive
• ● Sammi and her husband noticed many of their close friends were already going through
• breakups and divorces by their mid- to late-20s
• ● They noticed that these couples did not have models or tools for how to have a healthy
• relationship
• ● They found plenty of resources for how to find a partner and mend your relationship
• after it’s already hit a rough patch, but they noticed a lack of information for couples who wanted to keep their relationship fueled and prevent it from breaking down in the first place
• ● There is still a stigma around seeking relationship guidance for married couples
• ● People still believe that you meet ‘the one’ and love is all you need

• ● Couples try to uphold the illusion that they have a perfect relationship and do not admit to hardship or seek support
• ● Sammi’s metaphor about calling the fire brigade - you call them as soon as the fire starts, not after it’s already engulfed half your house in flames
• ● Marketing challenge of appealing to an audience who may not realize there is an issue in their relationship yet
• ● The Date Forever podcast is all about making time to date yourself and your chosen person forever, through all of life’s big events and commitments
• ● John and Julie Gottman of the Gottman Institute emphasize the importance of quality time with your partner, and creating new and exciting experiences together
• ● The idea for Fuel Collective came first
• ● They launched the podcast so they could speak to experts in the field and learn as much
• as they could, as their professional backgrounds are not in psychology or relationship
• counseling
• ● They have a membership model community full of people who are actively living the
• methodology of refueling their relationships with intention
• ● Their business offers guidance for all different facets of relationships that do not
• necessarily fall under ‘Relationship Coaching,’ including having difficult conversations,
• creating a household budget together, and navigating relationships with in-laws
• ● They launched their business just before the pandemic and have also been living in
• lockdown together through this entire experience
• ● It allowed them to acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses as individuals, which has
• had a beautiful impact on their relationship
• ● Her advice to entrepreneurs who may be working with their spouse - make sure you
• define the roles and responsibilities based on your individual strengths from the start
• ● Sammi and Nathan are also open to delegating and have a small team of 5 to help
• ● They have built giving back into their business model from Day One
• ● B1G1 (Buy One, Give One) is their preferred giving platform
• ● B1G1 helps small- and medium-sized businesses achieve more social impact by
• embedding giving activities into everyday business operations
• ● Business pay a membership fee which covers administrative costs, then 100% of their
• contributions go toward a pre-vetted charitable project
• ● Fuel Collective donates 20% of their profits to support education projects, as they believe
• access to education is a basic human right
• ● According to ConcernUSA.org, barriers to education include lack of toilets, harvest and
• market days, child marriage, conflict and war, climate change and unpaid teachers
• ● It’s a very complex global issue
• ● Fuel Collective is also involved with The Global Goals, which highlights 17 worldwide
• issues
• ● Having better relationships means we can focus our energy out and dedicate more time
• to helping these 17 global issues

Quotes:

“My husband and I were in our mid- to late-20s, and we already had friends who had been through some pretty horrific breakups, and in some cases, divorce.”

“What we noticed in this pattern was that a lot of the people in these relationships had either come from family homes where they hadn't seen a healthy, happy, thriving relationship, or their parents were in some sort of relationship, but it wasn't necessarily what they were trying to model.”

“They'd gone about trying to make a relationship and a life together without the tools that they really needed to do that.”

“I kind of think of it the same way that you go to the gym to prevent a lot of health issues. We're thinking about Fuel Collective in that same way - What can couples do, day in day out, to keep their relationship fueled up so it doesn't break down?”

“We need love. [But we also] need aligned values. And we need a commitment to go in the same direction, all of those things. But these couples are trying to hold up the fairytale version or their social media presentation of their relationship. So they don't ask for help. And then when they do ask for help, they've already been in pain for a really long time.”

“This is the marketing challenge of trying to talk to an audience who maybe don't realize that they have a problem yet, or they've got an absence of conversations, which is hiding the problem.”

“The concept of the show, Date Forever - it's about dating yourself and your chosen person forever and ever. And it being an active and proactive intention to make room in your life, for your romantic partner, for the person that you've chosen to do life with, and actually making time for them.”

“John and Julie Gottman from the Gottman Institute have done so much research on relationships. And it's one of their fundamental bases of advice: Regular quality time... The idea of dating forever, and creating experiences and new experiences with your partner, and in turn, receiving new experiences from your partner is such a gift.”

“[Husband Nathan and I] started talking about this idea of being proactive. And, you know, you drive your car - and you can't expect to keep driving it and driving it and driving it and driving it without stopping to put fuel in. And the same for your body. It needs fuel to keep going. I thought that’s such a perfect analogy for our relationship.”

“To any couples who are looking at doing that, I think one of the best things I've learned from business and leading teams is that if everybody's accountable, nobody is accountable.”

“We thought, We're providing education, let's give to education .We know that that is one of the fastest ways we can get people up and above that poverty line. It has such an incredible return

on investment, for the money that goes in and the outcomes that you get when you spend it on education.”

“We want to see a world where nobody is without education - nobody is without the means to better themselves, and better their families, and their communities, and their networks. And when we start educating our citizens, incredible ripple effects happen.”

“One of the gifts of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals is that it provides an incredible framework for identifying the problems that we need to solve.”

“The [Global] Goals, I really feel, are a great way to rally people around a shared vision and a shared framework... There's something in that framework, in those 17 goals, for everyone to contribute to. We all have a responsibility to get behind these goals.”

“If you can solve those [problems related to unhappy relationships], you can direct your energy out. Having better relationships - it impacts workplaces, it impacts economies, impacts countries, and in turn the world. If we're busy solving problems in our home and our relationship, we can't dedicate energy to those 17 goals.”

“You can move through this course together, set some really big goals, understand each other's communication frameworks, figure out what teamwork looks like for the two of you, figure out the best way for the two of you to resolve conflict, identify what your big values are, which ones you share, and how you can just really design your life intentionally together.”

Links:

The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.com

Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel Sammi Jaeger website SammiJaeger.com

Fuel Collective website FuelCollective.com.au

The Date Forever Podcast FuelCollective.com.au/podcast

Today’s guest is Mary Lynn Schroder, the founder of In Blue Handmade, a leather and waxed canvas goods business out of Asheville, NC. In Blue Handmade has sold over 90,000 items and has a partnership with Feeding America, where they’re able to donate 50 meals for each bag sold. Mary Lynn chats with Christine about leaving her job in the music industry and finding her passion for sewing, which then evolved into working with leather. They talk about surpassing her earliest vision for In Blue Handmade, having her father as a mentor, the experience of growing her operation, and finding suppliers who share her value system.

Mary Lynn tells Christine how she came to partner with Feeding America in 2019, and decided to give back on a bigger scale once the pandemic began. She details her experience working with their philanthropic department to develop a give back model that incorporated every item sold, and how this endeavor has inspired her amazing team more than ever. They discuss the important work that Feeding America is doing to address food disparity in this country, how customers can harness their purchasing power to support small businesses who also give back, and Mary Lynn’s undeniable passion for designing and creating.

Mary Lynn encourages new entrepreneurs to build a business plan that is unique to their strengths, recognize where they need help, and delegate accordingly. You’ll also hear about relating to customers on a personal level, Mary Lynn’s work with Trauma Textiles to help Indigeneous female artisans in Central America to receive a fair wage, and what’s next for In Blue Handmade. To learn more about Mary Lynn’s inspiring story of giving back while doing what she loves, visit InBlueHandmade.com.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back, and check out The Give Back Model merchandise, where $5 for every hoodie sold goes to charity. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• ● In Blue Handmade is a leather and waxed canvas goods business in Asheville, NC
• ● They have sold over 90,000 items
• ● They have a partnership with Feeding America where they donate 50 meals for each bag
• sold
• ● Business was launched in 2008 after Mary Lynn moved from Chicago and left her job in
• the music industry
• ● She began sewing and making her own curtains - this evolved into working with leather
• ● She is self-taught
• ● She now has a 6500 square foot warehouse and 10 full-time employees
• ● In 2011, Mary Lynn’s goal was to sell 5,000 items on Etsy within the next 10 years - they
• have sold 90,000
• ● Her father works for the University of Illinois and is Mary Lynn’s business mentor
• ● Initially Mary Lynn only used recycled materials, but made the leap to creating
• consistent relationships with suppliers who shared the same values

• ● It’s a building process as you go, and knowing your trade inside out is hugely beneficial
• ● In Blue Handmade partnered with Feeding America in 2019
• ● COVID motivated Mary Lynn to kick up their contribution
• ● They worked with Feeding America’s philanthropic department to create a give back
• model that incorporated every item sold
• ● One in seven people face hunger, and one in six children face hunger
• ● Having a culture of giving back is very motivating for Mary Lynn’s team
• ● COVID has inspired Mary Lynn to design new items with a more utilitarian purpose
• ● They’re donating at least 50 meals for every item sold
• ● Feeding America story about Lamont, who became visually impaired after a devastating
• accident at his job and was unable to work - he went to Feeding America for support, and
• later volunteered there to reciprocate the help he had received
• ● Mary Lynn is able to do what she loves and also give back through her business
• ● Feeding America is helping address food disparity in this country
• ● Mary Lynn is helping raise awareness, and provide education and resources to help this
• cause
• ● Customers who choose to use their purchasing power to support small businesses who
• also give back make a huge difference
• ● Mary Lynn loves being on the production floor more than anything else, and has an
• undeniable passion for designing and making things
• ● Her advice for entrepreneurs who are just getting started
• ● Your business plan needs to be unique to you and what your strengths are
• ● It’s hard to let go, but it’s okay to admit you need help and delegate where necessary
• ● Remember to be patient when you’re supporting small businesses - they are not
• machines who can pump products out overnight
• ● Relating to customers on a personal level
• ● The pandemic has inspired people to have more patience and has taught the value of
• communication
• ● In Blue Handmade’s new lines and exciting events to come
• ● They have also partnered with Trauma Textiles, a Women’s Weaving Cooperative in the
• Guatemala Highlands
• Quotes:
• “In Blue Handmade is a handmade manufacturing project that I started in 2008. We specialize in leather goods and waxed canvas goods.”
• “I just started doing it! I was sewing recycled fabrics, corduroy patchwork bags, all very collegetown, hippie dippie. I was very young. That kind of morphed and transformed over time into leather.”
• “Now we have a 6500 square foot warehouse. We have 10 full-time living wage certified employees. And it's just turned into this career that I had no idea was coming.”

“I said I'd really love it to make 5000 sales on Etsy, in the next five to ten years. And it's been ten years and we've done 90,000 sales on Etsy.”

“As we built up consistent relationships with suppliers, as I was able to learn more actually about the raw materials I was using, that was a whole different ball game. We were able to sit down, take meetings with CEOs and negotiate and say, Hey, I want this made for me.”

“It's definitely a building process as you go, and it takes just knowing your trade inside and out.”

“I felt like with the employment crisis, that one of the main things that we could contribute to was food.”

“[Feeding America] has a whole philanthropic department. And so they worked with us on creating that business model, and creating the language around it, and making sure that we could enter into a contract that made sense for us.”

“It's a real motivator for my team. They're the best and kindest group of people in the world. I really just can't believe how lucky I am to be surrounded by these people. And they really want to give and I believe that it's motivating for everybody.”

“I think that we have more excitement and more drive in the room this year than we ever had before. And I think that a lot of that has to do with this philanthropic partnership.”

“My concept of just life in general has changed so much [since COVID]. I think that we've been able to create more durable and more useful items.”

“Of course, anytime we can give more, we will.”

“[Lamont] said the food pantry gave him a handup not a handout.”

“I'm not the only one on my team who has needed help in that way, too. And the fact that we're able to do this and give back feels really good. And that's just good karma.”

“Huge kudos to people who are comfortable and are able to harness that purchasing power towards buying from small businesses that support employees in the community. And were able to give back. That symbiotic relationship is really special, too.”

“To spend your hard earned money to make sure that you're also including your community, that you're supporting small businesses - you really are making a difference as you do that.”

“One of the main things I've learned is that you can't just follow what you think people expect you to do. You need to make rational smart choices, but your business plan has to be unique to you and what your strengths are.”

“You have to learn to let go and trust a little bit. And again, just hire people who are better than you at that job.”

“That's part of the reason that people want to buy from you, is that they're supporting a small business. They're supporting a human being. And they're not talking to a robot that's answering questions based on keywords that are generated on a website. You're talking to a person who's probably drinking their coffee, and there's a baby crying, and there's a lot of stuff going on. People will relate, and they will be kind and they will be patient.”

“We're also partnered with a weaving collective of 400 women in the Guatemalan Highlands called Trauma Textiles. We really love working with them.”

Links:

The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.com

Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel In Blue Handmade website InBlueHandmade.com

Feeding America website FeedingAmerica.org

Trauma Textiles website TramaTextiles.org

Dr. Lonny Green is the Medical Director at Rejuvenate MD Wellness Medspa in Richmond, VA. Dr. Green has been a practicing surgeon in Richmond for over 20 years, with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Stanford University, and a Medical Degree from the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Green has a passion for health and wellness, and today he joins Christine to talk about his medical journey, and the dedication that he and his all-star team have for giving back to their community.

Dr. Green tells Christine about his background working in Urology, Hormone Replacement Therapy, supervised weight loss, and Botox injections, as well as opening his own practice in July 2015. He credits his success to surrounding himself with strong, intelligent women, both personally and professionally, and explains how his incredible team worked together to overcome the challenges they faced due to COVID. Dr. Green explains how he got the nickname “Ninja Injector,” why he recently decided to focus solely on facial aesthetics, and his mission to help people become, not a different version of themselves, but their best selves naturally. He breaks down how his practice hosts parties and raffles to raise funds and awareness for several causes, including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. And he offers his advice to business owners who want to give back, but may not be able to due to financial strains during the pandemic.

When entrepreneurs find their true path, there comes a time when they need to decide whether to dive right in or walk away from the pool as a whole. Today Dr. Green shares his story of taking that leap, persevering through setbacks to build a thriving business, and using his platform to do good and give back to his community. To learn more about Dr. Green, his amazing team, and all the great work they do, visit Rejuvenate-MD.com.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back, and check out The Give Back Model merchandise, where $5 for every hoodie sold goes to charity. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• ● Dr. Green’s medical journey and background in Female Urology
• ● His work in Hormone Replacement Therapy for menopausal women
• ● Early backlash against Premarin and Provera - studies on these hormone replacements
• were stopped because of concerns that they caused breast cancer and stroke
• ● But these drugs were not derived from human compounds
• ● Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy replicates your own natural hormone level
• ● European studies that looked at this method found no increased risk of breast cancer or
• stroke
• ● There was a huge demand for this life-changing therapy, but American College of
• OBGYN did not yet approve of it

• ● Dr. Green went ahead and opened his own practice to help women and men with Hormone Replacement Therapy
• ● Started Rejuvenate in July 2015, but only began practicing there full-time one year ago
• ● His amazing team helped him deal with the challenges of COVID
• ● Recently shifted his practice to working solely on facial aesthetics (Botox injections,
• fillers, microneedling, etc.)
• ● His passion for helping people become the best version of themselves and keep it natural
• ● Everyone has the right to decide what will make them feel happy inside, including facial
• procedures like what Dr. Green offers
• ● Rejuvenate was in the red for 4 years before turning a profit, but Dr. Green always
• included giving back as part of their mission
• ● Their goal is simply to help others
• ● They don’t sell Botox or fillers - they sell confidence
• ● His support for the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, local homeless shelters, and Safe
• Harbor Shelter
• ● They use their annual Christmas party to hold raffles, and raise funds and awareness for victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking
• ● Every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted
• ● 1 out of 10 of those rape victims is a male
• ● Dr. Green offers advice for businesses who may not be able to give back due to financial
• strain of COVID - shut down for a morning and volunteer at an organization or raise
• awareness through social media
• ● The giving spirit has continued through COVID, even though they could not physically
• host their annual Christmas fundraiser
• Quotes:
• “I'm a really big believer in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. I think that Western medicine is great. But I also think that Eastern medicine and non-traditional medicine have a role.”
• “The whole issue of helping women with menopause was thrown out. But the stuff they were using (Premarin and Provera) was terrible stuff.”
• “So in the European study [with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy], there was no increased risk of breast cancer, there was no increased risk of stroke. And in fact, it was cardioprotective - less heart attacks.”
• “I was interested in trying to help these women because it was life changing. Same thing, I also got into helping men because I suffered from low [testosterone] myself, and I saw amazing change.”
• “It's really come a long way. And of course, we started out and then we went through COVID. So it was challenging. But we got through. I have a great team. And that's what makes us successful.”

“That's the only reason I'm here. My team is everything.”

“The secret to my success is to surround yourself with really strong, intelligent women and just get the hell out of the way. My personal life and my professional life - that is pretty much how I roll.”

“Basically, I'm a very hands-on medical director and I just could not manage everything. I felt like things were slipping through the cracks. I wanted it to be excellent. And if it's not 100% excellent, it's not going to be at Rejuvenate.”

“From the Renaissance artists on, from the Greeks and the Romans on...everyone was trying to figure out beauty. And there is a mathematical basis. So that means that we can use that to make people, not a different version of themselves, but the best version of themselves and keep it natural.”

“I have four words for what you described - the trolls and the haters and everything: It's not about you.”

“We don't sell Botox, and we don't sell fillers, and we don't sell laser services. We don't even sell CoolSculpting - we sell confidence.”

“We still got thousands of dollars for Safe Harbor at our Christmas party. We had a Christmas raffle. And even though we had nobody come into the lobby, people phoned in, we did it online, and we sold thousands of dollars of raffle tickets during a time when we didn't even have the party.”

Links:

The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.com

Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel Rejuvenate MD Wellness Medspa website Rejuvenate-MD.com

Miriam Nelson is the president and CEO of the Newman’s Own Foundation. She has held leadership roles at academic institutions, contributed to public policy initiatives, is a best-selling author, and is regularly featured in the press. Today she joins Christine to talk about the origins of the Newman’s Own Foundation, how it pioneered the cause-driven Give Back Model, and donates 100% of their profits to charities worldwide. Actor, philanthropist, race car driver, and advocate, Paul Newman, created his salad dressing with a friend in 1982, and agreed to sell it on the condition that he would never compromise the quality of his product, and he would give away all his profits. Newman’s Own has remained true to this mission since day one, and has given away over $570 million to great causes all over the world.

Miriam shares her academic background, her work around nutrition and women’s health, and how she got involved with the Newman’s Own Foundation. She talks about the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, which was founded by Paul Newman in 1988, and gives seriously ill children the opportunity to experience summer camp together. Christine asks Miriam how she decides which organizations Newman’s Own will work with, what makes their corporate culture unique, and why it’s important for Miriam to be heavily involved in the day-to-day operations as a leader. 

Miriam shares which organization she is most inspired by, her advice for girls and women who want to give back as an entrepreneur, and how to get our younger generation involved in giving back. Finally, Miriam discusses the important work that lies ahead in addressing food insecurity for children, and helping those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic, and she encourages listeners to spread the word that Newman’s Own gives away 100% of their profits. To learn more about this incredible organization and support their mission to “give it all away,” visit NewmansOwn.com.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back, and check out The Give Back Model merchandise, where $5 for every hoodie sold goes to charity. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Newman's Own pioneered the Give Back Model
• They have given away over $570 million to great causes all over the world
• Miriam shares the history of this extraordinary organization
• Paul Newman, the actor, philanthropist, racecar driver and advocate created this salad dressing with his best friend in 1982
• Loved ones encouraged him to sell it, and he agreed on the condition that he would never compromise the quality of his product, and he would give away all the profits
• They have given away 100% of their profits since day one
• Founder Paul Newman was passionate about using the power of a company to do good in the world
• Miriam shares her academic background, work around nutrition, and how she got involved with Newman’s Own
• She began as a recipient of their funding during her time at Tufts University
• Hole in the Wall Gang Camp gives children who are seriously ill the chance to experience summer camp together
• SeriousFun Children’s Network also delivers unforgettable camp experiences that have a life-changing impact for sick children
• Newman’s Own works with thousands of organizations, but is beginning to narrow their focus on working with children who are facing adversity - specifically children who are ill or experiencing food insecurity
• Their core value is to take their work seriously, but not themselves 
• Miriam is heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization
• She is deeply passionate about using the full power and resources of the foundation to have the greatest impact possible
• Miriam is inspired by Soul Fire Farm and Leah Penniman’s work around food sovereignty for Black and Indigenous farmers
• Her simple, but powerful advice for women and girls who want to give back as an entrepreneur: Show up!
• It’s important to model giving back for younger generations
• Running a food company during the pandemic has shown her the importance of providing good quality, reasonably priced, shelf-stable food
• Newman’s Own plans to do a better job of sharing their story through marketing, and making sure consumers are aware that 100% of profits are given away
• Miriam discusses their important work ahead in addressing food security for children and helping those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic
• She encourages listeners to get the word out that Newman’s Own gives away 100% of their profits

Quotes:

“Newman's Own is really an extraordinary organization. And it truly was the very first cause-driven give back organization.”

“Back in 1982, [founder Paul Newman] made the decision that all profits, 100% of the profits, would be given away to great causes. And that has happened since day one. And we've given over $570 million away to great causes all over the world, great individuals, social entrepreneurs.”

“The reason that we have this organization is to give it all away. We've remained true to that since the very, very beginning.”

“I'm the luckiest person in the world… My background is in public health and cause-based work, but starting as a grantee, and then as a board member, and then as the president and CEO, there's been a really interesting trajectory. So that was my sort of on-ramp into becoming the president and CEO of the foundation.

“We're beginning to narrow our focus and really...focus on children, really fighting for children, especially those who are facing adversity.”

“We're very careful about vetting and making sure they're very upstanding organizations, but it's really around betting on great people.”

“We take our work seriously, but not ourselves.”

“I think that really started with Paul Newman. He was very irreverent in the most wonderful way. He really showed up and he advocated for others. So you can have fun, enjoy each other's company, and be engaged and care about each other, and still have some fun, and raise a little hell, and be irreverent.”

“So that little dose of irreverence in the most respectful way is a good thing.”

“In my my life and my work through the last three and a half decades, I've always found that when you truly listen and understand the people that are at the front line, that are running the the local organizations and the other mid-sized organizations, if you know them, and you listen to them, you get the wisdom from them. And that informs the work.”

“I care deeply that we are using our full power and all of our resources wisely, and to the best use, and that we have the greatest impact possible.”

“How can we use the full power of the foundation to create the change in the world that we're working towards?”

“When there's an organization that's in need, or there's something in your community that needs some attention or a friend, you know, show up for them.”

“Show up! Literally show up.”

“Your whole life doesn't have to be about service. For some it is, but there are many ways to think about giving back.”

“Running a food company during the pandemic has been really, really an extraordinary time. But also, we felt the importance - there was a collective feeling of the importance of shelf-stable, reasonably priced, high quality food, and getting it out there.”

“I just know that we will continue to put out great quality food, great tasting food - and listen to our consumers and have the consumers help us decide also where to go. And making sure we give 100% of our profits away to great causes.”

“We will do even better with telling our story so that when you see that salad dressing, you know exactly, Oh my God, that's a brand that gives it all away! And that will make a bigger difference.”

Links:

The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.com

Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel

Newman’s Own Foundation website NewmansOwn.com

Ryan Shell is the founder of The Home T, a super soft and comfy t-shirt company with wildly creative styles and images. The cause at the heart of The Home T is what keeps pushing this entrepreneur to give back. Here today to talk about his journey, is entrepreneur and board member for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ryan Shell. From starting at a street fair in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to founding a hugely successful t-shirt business, Ryan never lost the core cause of giving back to MS research, a cause that is very near and dear to his heart. Today he joins Christine to discuss how his Give Back Model works at The Home T, the importance of pushing through setbacks, and never losing focus of your cause.

Ryan begins by sharing the inspiration behind The Home T, and explains how a bout of homesickness led him to develop the simple design of a state with the word “Home” written on it. He talks about his humble beginnings with a simple table at a street fair, his company’s quick success and celebrity exposure, and his commitment to donating 10% of their profits to MS research from Day One. Ryan opens up about not being able to give back to every cause he would like to, and struggling with the feeling that he could always be doing more. He tells Christine about learning by trial and fire on his journey to entrepreneurship, his experience appearing on ‘Shark Tank,’ the personal reason behind his Give Back Model, and other charitable causes he is hoping to raise awareness for. Today’s episode is an important reminder to stay focused and keep going no matter what setbacks you might incur, because you never want to look back and wish you had taken that leap to follow your passion. To support The Home T and learn more about their mission to help fund MS research, visit www.TheHomeT.com.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back, and check out The Give Back Model merchandise, where $5 for every hoodie sold goes to charity. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Idea for “Home T” started from the simple idea of being homesick for his home state
• Came up with the design of a state with the word “Home” written on it
• Donated 10% of profits to Multiple Sclerosis research from Day One
• Ryan began with a table at a street fair in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
• Sales took off instantly, and celebrities like Hilary Duff were photographed wearing his shirts
• Impact of what they have been able to donate as a small company - over half a million dollars
• New t-shirt designs and expanding their catalogue
• Not being able to give back to every cause he would like to and feeling like he could always do more
• How his professional background in Marketing helped him prepare to launch his own business, but learning along the way by trial and fire as well
• Ryan appeared on ‘Shark Tank,’ but due to network commitment to promote another charity that month, his repeated mentions of MS research were edited out
• Raising awareness for other foundations as well (Alzheimers and breast cancer)
• The constant chase of being an entrepreneur, always wanting to do more
• The personal reason for his Give Back, and also donating his time 
• Ryan’s advice for entrepreneurs who want to give back as part of their business - stay focused and keep going 

Quotes:

“We really put this very simple design together, which just had the shape of a state and the word Home on it. And it's one of those ideas, you're like, yeah, this is kind of cutesy - it's never going to become a thing.”

“From Day One, we donated 10% of profits to Multiple Sclerosis research. It's a cause that's near and dear to a number of friends that I have, and family members.”

“I think the hardest thing about giving back is not being able to give back to everything you want to give. To me, that is very hard.”

“I always, every day, think, I'm not doing enough. How can I do more? And I think companies like yours have recognized, you know, Well, we're going to help you do something. It might not be the greatest impact in the world. But it's going to have an impact. 

“I just learned really trial by fire, which is what I've kind of done, I think, with everything in my life.”

“Thankfully we got on the show. Fast forward - we got three offers. I turned them all down. It is a challenging life experience because it took me almost - from audition to air was one year. And so even after you tape, you don't know if you're going to air, so you're just constantly like, Is this going to happen?” 

“I kept plugging that 10% of profits is donated to Multiple Sclerosis research. And there's a point where one of the judges is like, Can you stop saying that? And I'm like, No, that's our thing. I'm not going to stop saying that.”

“Maybe that's what makes us entrepreneurs now is that you're always chasing something, or you're never satisfied with what is right there. But also kind of an interesting way to live life, because at some point, you need to be satisfied about something, right. But it's this constant chase.” 

“You meet a person in life. And it's like, you find out that they have this thing that you can't fix, you can't throw money at it, a band aid, whatever. And you do have this moment of like, Holy hell, how do I help you? What can I do? And giving back was that one little thing that we could do. 

“Stay focused and keep going.”

“You got to leap because I think the worst thing, and I would leave people with this, is the freaking unknown. That's what's going to drive you crazy. Just keep going.”

Links:

The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.com

 Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel

 The Home T website TheHomeT.com

 Ryan Shell website www.RyanShell.com

Ryan Shell on Facebook

Follow Ryan Shell on Twitter @ryanshell

Corporate Culture of Giving Back with Kevin Wilson of Dominion Payroll

Show Notes:

Today Christine chats with Kevin Wilson, Director of Community Engagement at Dominion Payroll, about the impact a company can have just by including a specialized position focused solely on giving back. Founder and CEO of Dominion Payroll, David Gallagher, always included community involvement in his entrepreneurial vision, but Kevin explains how his role provided the lens to focus that work and make it part of the company’s corporate culture. 

Kevin discusses the strategies he has used to encourage employees to make an impact in their communities without impacting their paychecks. He also shares the challenges he has faced in his charitable work during the pandemic, his optimism moving forward, and the professional benefits a position like his can bring in terms of long-term client and employee satisfaction. Kevin shares the most touching story of someone he has helped through his role at Dominion Payroll, and tells Christine which charitable causes he’ll be working with next.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit www.TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

Kevin’s role at Dominion Payroll and the decision to create a position focused solely on giving back

His strategies for encouraging employees to get involved with their communities as much as possible

Sixteen hours of community Paid Time Off (PTO)

Half-day of volunteer engagement every quarter, as well as a volunteer collection drive

Incorporating community involvement into the corporate culture of Dominion Payroll

Working with the Gallagher Foundation to reduce the stigma of teenage mental health issues

Consistently supporting other nonprofit organizations through annual races and events

The challenges he has faced during the pandemic – continuing to support charities while keeping employees safe

Professional benefits of giving back in terms of client and employee satisfaction

What’s next for Kevin and Dominion Payroll

Quotes:

 “In that middle market, there are not a lot of companies that invest in this, so I think that it's a unique space that I feel pretty privileged to occupy.”

“As we were growing, there was a real need to sort of fill the space, because it is core to who we are culturally, and we think that that we can make a pretty compelling business case for it.”

“We don't want to do it in a way that comes off as green washing or lip service to this type of work. We really do want to have an impact.”

“One of the first things that I did when I joined the company - I wanted to remove as much friction between employees and being able to give back as possible. So the first thing that I implemented was that all of our full-time employees get sixteen hours of community PTO (Paid Time Off).

“That is really important because I want people to feel comfortable making an impact, but I don't want to impact their paycheck.”

“I think that the real success is that, like I said, we don't define it on an individual event basis. It's like, How can we build this culture, how do we incorporate this into the fabric of who we are and what we're doing?”

“The benefit of sending our dollars, and our visibility, and that consistent support, is so critical.”

“The pandemic was disproportionately affecting lower wage earners, people of color. And there are families that, frankly, they had empty cupboards - and that is an image that is immediately accessible to everybody… So at that time, it was like, that's number one. Let's just make sure that our community is fed and then we can go from there.”

“The biggest challenge over the course of the last year is the fact that I would proactively reach out to some non-profits, and they’d say, Thanks so much. Keep us in mind. Maybe in six months, maybe a year, we can do a volunteer thing, but right now we can't run the risk of having in-person stuff. That's a bitter pill to swallow when you have a really active culture that is used to giving back on a regular basis.”

“As we look ahead, I really feel like the sky’s the limit. There's so much eagerness to get out there and to, as you said, give back.”

 “There is a huge benefit to this sort of work that I think should really be highlighted when you're talking to the more accountant-minded executives and saying, Yeah, you should have a C. S. R. person, you should have a community person, because the benefits are so huge in terms of attracting clients. People want to work with good companies. Clients stick around longer. And the same thing goes for employees. Folks want to work in places where they can bring their whole self, and they feel like their values align with the place that they work.”

“I can feel your excitement. I'm absolutely rooting on everything you're going to be doing - the planting of trees, the running teams, all of the organizations that you've mentioned… Dominion Payroll is so lucky to have you. As you guys grow, and become more successful, and take on more, it just means that you can do that much more for the community and you can give that much more back.” 

Links:

The Give Back Model website www.TheGiveBackModel.com

Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel

Dominion Payroll website www.DominionPayroll.com

Show Notes:

Michele Liddle, owner of Perfect Granola, is an entrepreneur who has a mission to end hunger and give people opportunities to get out of the cycle of poverty. Every year, her company is able to donate 5% of profits, and thousands of pounds of granola, to homeless shelters, outreach centers, and food banks nationwide. Today Michele speaks with Christine about her past volunteer experience, where she noticed a lack of healthy food pantry options, as well as allergy-free options, and how that inspired her to launch her company in 2016. Michele talks about using her own kitchen to develop recipes with her family, how she found nationwide distribution for her products, and her current top seller. 

Michele discusses the high poverty rates in Rochester, NY, and her mission to create systemic change in the fight against hunger. She tells Christine about her partnerships with the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection in Rochester, as well as House of Mercy, Food Link, and Pepsico’s ‘Food For Good’ Initiative. She explains the importance of school nutrition, and shares the most touching story of someone she has helped. Michele encourages entrepreneurs to stay the course with their Give Back mission, and tells Christine what’s next for Perfect Granola as they continue to grow and raise awareness for food insecurity. To learn more about Perfect Granola and the important work they are doing, please visit them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PerfectGranola.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit www.TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Michele’s volunteer experience and her mission to provide healthier, allergy-free options to food pantries
• Choosing granola as the first product to launch into the market
• Using her home kitchen to develop recipes, and being able to accommodate soy-free and gluten-free requirements
• Making recipes as a family and having her kids as taste testers
• Top seller is currently Maple Pecan Date
• Distribution as the largest hurdle in starting her business
• Finding retailers first to gauge interest before developing the product
• Rochester’s poverty rate of 32% (double the national average) and low graduation rates
• Michele’s work with the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection to encourage at-risk youth to graduate high school
• Partnerships with House of Mercy and Food Link in Rochester
• Mission to create systemic change in the fight against poverty and hunger
• How to raise awareness, stay informed, and get involved
• Working with Pepsico ‘Food For Good’ Initiative to make sure children and families have access to food throughout the year
• Protocols to keep recipes completely allergen-free
• Her plans to continue growing Perfect Granola and giving back to homeless shelters, outreach centers, and food banks
• The importance of school nutrition
• Her advice for entrepreneurs whose heart is with the cause - never let your mission take a back seat

Quotes:

“We really wanted to make sure that healthy products were getting on the shelf of the food pantries. Because I was volunteering at our local food pantry, I noticed that there was a lack of healthy food and also a lack of allergy-friendly foods.”

“[Granola] was our first product to launch into the market with the whole expectation that this would become a staple on the food pantry shelf, and then we could hire the people walking into the food pantries, and give them a living wage, job, and medical benefits, so then they didn't have to continue going to the pantry. They would actually get a paycheck and be able to go shopping.”

“We do make it all in my home kitchen first. It’s my test kitchen with my two young daughters. And they're all made with food that you would find in a normal kitchen, so when we create recipes, they’re things that I cook with, like coconut oil, and avocado oil, and flax meal, and things that are very nutrient dense.”

“We're making the recipes first as a family, and making sure they're healthy.” 

“Having my kids be my taste testers, I know that it's a good product because my kids are brutally honest with me and what they like and what their friends like.”

“Our biggest hurdle was distribution and how we were actually going to get the product to the stores.”

“In the city of Rochester, about half the kids are not graduating high school. But the graduation rate of the kids that go through Hillside is about 98 to 99%.”

“We launched in 2016, so to be able to start making that kind of impact right away [12,000 pounds of food donated], it was huge for our company and those numbers have just consistently grown throughout the years.”

“Our whole mission is not to put a bandaid on hunger. We do donations and we help out monetarily, but we actually want to create systematic change, and give people opportunities to get off the system and create better lifestyles for themselves.”

“It's really difficult for children that are out of school, whether due to the pandemic or even summer vacation...where they don't have access to healthy food. So we want to make sure that in these food deserts, children and families have access to food continuously throughout the year.”

“Nothing ever touches an allergen. We create new recipes with new equipment that's never been touched by any nuts or soy or anything, and we keep it completely sterile in that facility, and make sure that no allergens enter that room.”

“As we grow, we’re able to grow our mission. This truly is a company that was built by the community, for the community. And the more support we have, the more support we can give.”

“Never let your mission take a back seat.”

“I truly believe that if entrepreneurs have a cause in mind and a mission in mind, just continue to work that focus, no matter how small your give is or when it happens, stay the course, stay focused on your mission.”

Links:

The Give Back Model website www.TheGiveBackModel.com

Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel

Join Christine today as she talks with Mike and Anj, two of the three partners that make up Sous Casa, a delicious frozen food company that donates at least one meal per order to their nonprofit partners. Mike shares his long-standing passion for how bad frozen food tastes, how he developed the business idea with cofounder, Jim Hamilton, over tennis, and how the pandemic inspired them to actually launch their company. Anj talks about her background working with nonprofit organizations, and her experience serving as the initial conduit from kitchen to hungry families before being brought on to the Sous Casa team. Mike and Anj also discuss the food pantries they are currently partnering with, how their Give Back Model has evolved over the past year, and the collaborative process behind their gourmet recipes. They explain the need for more nutritious, quality food drive donations, and share their thoughts on the larger issues at hand, poverty and food insecurity. To order from their tasty menu, donate, or learn more about their mission to get well balanced, convenient, and nourishing food into everyone’s freezer, visit EatSousCasa.com.

For more information, and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit www.TheGiveBackModel.com. That’s where you can also let Christine know about companies you’ve found that give back. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

The idea for frozen, yet very tasty delivery food 

Anj’s experience working with local nonprofits, and serving as the initial conduit to get food where it was needed most, before being brought on to the team

One-Year Anniversary and launching a business at the beginning of the pandemic

Evolution of their Give Back Model from Buy One, Donate One, to donating one meal per order instead in order to maintain the quality of their food

Organizations that Anj is currently working with

Christmas and Thanksgiving donation drives

Stories of how they have been able to help their community

Jim’s creative chef skills and the team effort to come up with new menu items regularly

The need for better quality donations at food pantries and the larger issue of poverty

Their mission to spread the word about food insecurity 

Quotes:

“Our first iteration, our first test kitchen, included a one-to-one donation for anyone who would buy our frozen burritos. We just needed to get people to try them and figure out recipes, and see if it was worth doing it on a bigger scale.”

“I have been talking about how bad frozen burritos are for over a decade now.”

“Most nonprofits serving people living in poverty, especially people in public housing, were pivoting really quickly to get food to the door of the families they served.”

“Jim, as a touring musician with rock bands, was quickly not very busy [because of COVID]… My job involves travel as well, so I was grounded for a bit. We said, You know what? If we don’t do it now, we’re probably never going to do it, so let’s see what it looks like.”

“We’ve trimmed it down a bit, because the Buy One, Donate One is very unstainable with the quality of the food that we’re providing… We tried to figure out what would be a reasonable, viable donation ratio that we could keep up with. We commit to one per order - we donate a lot more than one per order.” 

“If you want to go above and beyond, you can buy a burrito pretty much at cost, and we’ll find someone that needs it in town.”

“One thing that has certainly become very evident in all of this is, the need far outweighs the supply that we have.”

“It’s a team effort from a creativity standpoint.” 

“Sometimes I think Jim’s favorite days in the kitchen are the days he gets to create a new recipe from what he has left over. And that’s the time I think he’s the most inspired.” 

“At that time, they were so isolated, so they were so excited to see us, and talk to us, and also to know that they were going to get a really exciting meal that night.”

“They were amazed that someone was thinking about them. Like it was such a personal touch that they don’t get… Just that in itself was so powerful.”

“Again, it’s not enough. We have a lot of food insecure people in the Richmond area, and it’s kind of a bandaid at this point - food pantries. We’re not really fixing the problem of poverty.”

“We’re not solving any problem. The nonprofits are the ones that are doing the hard work, for sure. We really have the easy job.”

 Links:

The Give Back Model website www.TheGiveBackModel.com

 Follow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodel

 Sous Casa website EatSousCasa.com