The Social Impact Startup

Elizabeth Yarnell creates products that help people live better lives.The daughter of two doctors, health and wellness was always a topic of conversation in her household growing up. However, the importance of personal wellness wasn’t fully solidified until just before her 30th birthday when she woke up one morning and had gone completely blind in her right eye. The diagnosis? Multiple sclerosis. At the time, there were limited options. After having created a career path in video production and journalism, the sudden loss of eyesight made the prospect of her future uncertain. At the time, the data showed that 80% of MS patients would experience significant disability within 10 years of the diagnosis. A diagnosis that many could view as daunting, Elizabeth used it as her motivation towards a healthier life. Her then fiancé, who was a competitive athlete, suggested that what she was eating could have something to do with how her body was reacting. She started experimenting with cooking and strategizing ways to make healthy meals more convenient. After years of trial and successes with her friends and local community, she self-published Glorious One Pot Meals and ended up selling over 15,000 copies herself before selling to Randomhouse. Her second business, Digistars, is an e-learning portal to help strengthen 21st century skills for kids. Our world connects through visual media, and the intention behind Digistars is to equip today’s kids to be successful in their careers as adults. Elizabeth’s life story is inspiring in that it shows how thinking outside the box can get you farther than any box others try to put you in. We discuss the importance of innovative thinking, how technology can positively impact our future and why even when you are passionate about what you’re doing you shouldn’t submerge your whole identity into your work. We also discuss the most common ailment of our time and why sugar isn’t the main culprit. A story of innovation and defying the odds,  Elizabeth’s story will inspire you to take the best care of yourself as you build your social enterprise.

https://digistarsworkshop.com/

https://elizabethyarnell.com/glorious-one-pot-meals-recipe-videos/

Our podcast theme song is "Pico & Westwood" by Esbie Fonte. For more info, visit https://www.esbiefonte.com/

Jovana Mullins is the founder of Alivia, a contemporary women’s brand with a unique social impact model. They work directly with artists with developmental disabilities to design collections,  showcasing their work while giving back to the community - 10% of the proceeds go directly back to the Center of All Abilities in NYC where the creator receives art therapy. Their mission is to give purpose and voice to the previously unheard while showcasing their talents. They also hope to encourage a larger social movement of inclusivity and acceptance within the fashion industry.

Originally from Kansas, Jovana’s love for art,  fashion and social impact started at a young age. She was taught by her grandmother how to sew in 3rd grade, started her own non-profit dedicated to at risk youth in 8th grade, and used her yearly fashion shows in high school as a way to raise even more money for that cause. She went to the Parsons School of Design and her career launched after working for some of the biggest names in fashion, like Diane Von Furstenberg and Matthew Williamson. After working in fashion for over 10 years between London and NYC, Jovana felt that there was a bigger calling for her - she wanted to give back to the community. She started volunteering with Gifted Hands, a place where they conducted art therapy programs for underserved groups. When that non-profit shut down, Jovana took her fashion focused art therapy program to the Center of All Abilities in NYC and the rest is history. From there, Alivia was created. Jovana is truly making waves in the social impact space, from sustainable fabrics and environmentally friendly printing processes to supporting conscious consumers who invest in fashion for more than just a statement piece, but to be a part of a social movement. Jovana’s business model is truly emblematic of what an impact business should look like and any entrepreneur will be inspired by what she is building.

For 10% off use the code TYPACO10

https://www.shopalivia.com/discount/TYPACO10

https://www.instagram.com/alivia__brand/?hl=en

https://www.allabilities.org

Our podcast theme song is "Pico & Westwood" by Esbie Fonte. For more info, visit https://www.esbiefonte.com/

Kala Maxyn is the perfect example of both an artist & entrepreneur. She is the founder of Five Senses Tastings, an events company that brings the five senses into harmony with one another. Growing up in a classical household that valued music and travel, Kala always had an inherent sense of freedom which allowed her to easily accept the concept of change. A trained opera singer, she actually went to school to study political science which lead to a job with the US Department of Justice in which she assisted with the modernization of legal systems in Latin America. Consistently walking the line between the intellectual and artistic worlds, her experiences eventually culminated into curating the ultimate experiences for people through her company.  In our conversation we discuss the importance of being present, how to convince others that what you are doing has value - especially when it hasn’t been done before, and why as an entrepreneur it’s important to take risks, say yes and it figure it out along the way. We also discuss what wellness looks like for an artistic entrepreneur, how she’s had to pivot during this pandemic and why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. This conversation is filled with helpful tidbits for artists and entrepreneurs alike who aspire to create better experiences for people and who want to be innovative within their industry. Her advice to founders? Be willing to embrace change, get comfortable with pivoting and most importantly, stay humble even when pursuing big ventures.

https://www.fivesensestastings.com/

https://www.instagram.com/fivesensestastings/

Our podcast theme song is "Pico & Westwood" by Esbie Fonte. For more info, visit https://www.esbiefonte.com/

Laura Winberry has been a trailblazer in male dominated spaces for her entire life. She is the founder of Gold Snow, a centralized gear review site for women, by women, and a published author of her book of poetry, Bell Lap. Growing up in a household that supported creativity and freedom, Laura was never told she couldn’t do something because she was a girl - and so she did it all. With no concept of gender constructs to hold her back, Laura was empowered at a young age to take up space in typically male-dominated spaces: snowboarding, cycling, skateboarding and even writing. Laura is ambitious, athletic and emblematic of the kind of leader this world needs: humble, grateful, and overall a badass. Her mission with Gold Snow is to diversify and amplify voices by creating content that speaks to a more inclusive audience. In regards to monetization, profit without purpose doesn't fit into her vision in the slightest. She is inspired by impact and hopes to authentically make a difference without compromising integrity in all of her endeavors moving forward.  A true impact entrepreneur, she is paving the way for others while simultaneously having gratitude for all of those who came before her. Laura is the inspiration we all need to help us awaken our inner goddess and to show us that we are ALL meant take up space  - in every industry.

https://www.eatgoldsnow.com/

https://www.indolentbooks.com/bell-lap-by-laura-winberry/

https://www.instagram.com/eatgoldsnow/

Our podcast theme song is "Pico & Westwood" by Esbie Fonte. For more info, visit https://www.esbiefonte.com/

Amy Powell wants to empower individuals to make better choices today so that our planet can have a healthy tomorrow. Raised in Santa Cruz, CA and having grown up in a mindful household, the roots of sustainability were planted early but came to fruition later in her career. Working in the events world for over a decade, she was all too familiar with the cost efficiency of having “disposable events” and the waste they produced. Like the straw that broke the camel’s back, Amy’s inertia for the planet came unexpectedly one day when seeing a trash can that had been knocked over on a walk. Seeing trash everywhere, she vowed then and there to take action. Amy created Attainable in order to empower everyone to take action and recognize that we are all in this together.  In order to understand how to move forward, she had to learn how we became a “disposable society” in the first place and how that has perpetuated a lack of value for the things that we have. We discuss sustainability as a three-tiered system, how we can create a new normal post COVID-19, and how we can reconnect with nature and our communities. We also discuss the logistics of being a founder, why taking space can be the most helpful thing when you’re building something bigger than yourself, and why we should approach the world, and ourselves, with more empathy.

If you are interested in learning more about sustainability,  Attainable or Earth Day, Amy wrote a great article highlighting our current environmental predicament and how we can initiate change.

https://medium.com/the-quilt-thread/the-planets-sigh-unexpected-lessons-of-social-distancing-2ba78d910399

https://www.attainable-af.com/

https://www.instagram.com/attainable_af/

Earth Day Resources

https://www.earthday.org

https://www.wedonthavetime.org/event/

Our podcast theme song is "Pico & Westwood" by Esbie Fonte. For more info, visit https://www.esbiefonte.com/

Priyanka Varzirani is the co-founder of not one, but two socially impactful companies. She was born and raised in India but received her bachelor’s in the United States and her Master’s in England. Although she started her first job in asset management, she did not curate her career with the idea of “how can I make money”, but rather “how can I help people”. Help, in her case, refers to changing the way in which people perceive the world around them. Finance served its purpose by enriching her research and analytical skills, which were the backbone to both of her companies. Benefactory is a social enterprise that raises awareness to global crises as they happen to increase the impact consumers can have. Her research demonstrated that consumers are more willing to donate to a cause if it 1) more closely impacts them and 2) if it is a current crisis. Most donations come within the first four weeks and so by recognizing the need for streamlining the process, Benefactory was born. However, Priyanka also recognized that the way in which you are being informed on certain topics will always play a vital role in the actions that you take. With the influx of fake news and fiction being presented as fact, Priyanka created Volv - a revolutionary news app that delivers unbiased news in 9 second story bits. How are they different than other media sources? They are currently building the AI software that detects opinion and bias by recognizing patterns in writing from both sides of the political spectrum. This results in concentrated, factual news that allows you to form your own opinions and perspectives, instead of blindly adopting those from others. Her two companies go hand in hand as Volv, through its efficiency and concentrated nature, forces users to think critically, develop opinions, and support the causes that are important and current in the world while Benefactory delivers the place that makes it easier to have an impact. In our conversation we discuss the development and interrelation of her two companies, how she manages her daily schedule and her grassroots approach to building partnerships when just starting out. We also discuss the advice she has for social impact entrepreneurs and how ambition and altruism are inherently building the future models of business.

Follow along @

https://www.volvmedia.com/

https://www.benefactory.live

Our podcast theme song is "Pico & Westwood" by Esbie Fonte. For more info, visit https://www.esbiefonte.com/

Claire A. Pettibone has always prioritized doing what is best for the group instead of solely thinking about the self, a concept our world is beginning to recognize amidst our global pandemic. As a 1st generation Filipino American, she saw the hard work and sacrifice that it takes to be a leader and put it upon herself to fill the hole that exists within the online fashion space. As a consumer, Claire was always intrigued by ethical and purposeful business and this inspiration served as the model from which the Madison Grace Boutique was founded upon. Madison Grace exists to inspire women to give-a-care and to prove that you can be ethical and sustainable in your choices - while still looking effortlessly chic. Claire’s journey towards becoming a founder was unconventional and painful, but she chose to take the lemons life had handed her and create socially-impactful lemonade. Her objective with Madison Grace is to be a part of the movement of impact entrepreneurs who are helping to restore a broken system, redeem marginalized communities and create a better future. In our conversation we discuss the five G’s that are the foundation of her business model, how to cultivate successful business partnerships, and why it’s important to do your own due diligence when setting new standards in any industry. We also discuss the future of fashion and how self-care can look different each day - and why that is okay. Claire’s insight is beneficial to both new and seasoned impact entrepreneurs and her efforts remind us of the good we can do both as consumers and business owners.

Embrace your inner Madison Grace girl and enter promo code “typaco” for 10% all purchases.

Visit https://sh2915.ositracker.com/151322/10820 for more information.

Follow along @

https://www.claireapettibone.com/

https://www.madisongrace.co/

https://www.instagram.com/madisongraceco/?hl=en

Amy Giddon wants to redefine how our society engages with social media. Amy started her career with a completely different trajectory than being a founder. She went between management consulting, finance and even dabbled in women’s leadership before she gave up the stability of the jobs that played to her strengths in order to pursue the job that played to her passion. Amy’s initial inspiration for Daily Haloha came from the Sticky Note Project that was focused on spreading positivity after the presidential election of 2016. She saw what positivity and support could do for human kind and decided instead of the polarization and dehumanization that was perpetuated at that time, she wanted to recreate that experience of positivity, affirmations and overall love for other human beings evident during the length of the project. Daily Haloha in 2019 launched as an unbiased safe space where people can connect and replace reactivity with reflection and support. Basically, she is creating what social media was meant to do before becoming convoluted with competition, judgment and comparison. In our conversation we discuss her journey creating tech as a non-technical founder, her dedication to ambition womxn in their careers, and overall her desire to help rekindle empathy. We also discuss the importance of self care and how tech can serve a bigger purpose beyond ourselves. A two minute daily ritual that is meditative, though provoking and refreshing, Amy is at the forefront of the mindful tech movement.

https://dailyhaloha.com

Our podcast theme song is "Pico & Westwood" by Esbie Fonte. For more info, visit https://www.esbiefonte.com/

Kemi is the Cofounder of Alveo Creative, a digital community for artists that provides resources for both creativity and business.  With a diverse background as a vocal artist and a lawyer, Kemi defies the antiquated idea that you have to ‘choose’ one path: either you are a creative or you are an intellectual. She has been able to balance the two worlds throughout her career, not by giving up one or the other, but by ‘shifting percentages’. Our lives are multifaceted and Kemi is exemplary of how to embrace variety in a way that facilitates continuous learning and growth. She has been a long-time impact entrepreneur, starting with the launch of her production company and leading up to the founding of Alveo Creative. Their mission is to be a resource where artists can learn how to be savvy business people without losing their heart and vulnerability. In our conversation we discuss why it’s always important to put in the work, that you must hold yourself to higher standards each day and why boundaries are important for facilitating growth and self care. Kemi also elaborates on the concept of payment in exposure, the opportunity cost of every experience, and why overall the goal is be happy and enjoy your life. “The two most valuable currencies in the world are time and money. Out of the two, time is more valuable because that’s the one you can never get back”. As a true business woman and artist, it is inspiring to see someone who lives by those values and inspires others to do so as well.

https://alveocreative.co/

https://www.instagram.com/alveocreative/?hl=af

Our podcast theme song is "Pico & Westwood" by Esbie Fonte. For more info, visit https://www.esbiefonte.com/

Hannah Austin wants sustainability to be more accessible for all audiences. Her passion about the environment came to fruition in college when she became more aware of climate change and of the responsibility each individual has in making a difference. With a BFA in graphic design, she decided to create a database curated with the products that are essential to living a lower waste lifestyle. As the founder of Earthical, she wanted this to be the starting point for people who are looking to take action, but don’t know where to start. In our conversation we discuss small changes you can make to be more sustainable, staggering statistics about the reality of recycling, and how companies can mislead consumers by ‘greenwashing’ their products. We also discuss the privilege of consuming more intentionally and that ideally better products made by more ethical companies will become the societal norm. As a young entrepreneur, Hannah’s vision for the future is both inspirational and tangible. By making it easier for consumers to take action and be more accountable for their everyday choices, larger scale impact is undeniable.

Our podcast theme song is "Pico & Westwood" by Esbie Fonte. For more info, visit https://www.esbiefonte.com/