In today’s very special episode of the Give Back Model podcast, Christine speaks with Meg Stevens, the founder of Tree of Hope Creations, a company dedicated to creating motherhood keepsake and memorial pieces. During their conversation, Meg shares some of her background, how she came to be involved in her current work, and the boundaries she has developed for herself as she creates pieces for her customers using ashes, hair, burial dirt, clothing and more. She also shares her emotional connection to each and every precious shipment she receives, and her experience going viral on TikTok for her compassion and vulnerability. Please note that this episode does contain some sensitive conversation around loss of a child and miscarriages.Meg explains how her business began as a way to help others through their grief and motherhood journeys, and then goes on to address the importance of building a platform, particularly in the context of running a business. Her experiences with using social media to promote her work are recounted, including  dealing with negative comments and criticism and the importance of just diving in and starting to use social media, even if it is intimidating or scary. Meg also describes her experience with breastfeeding, and  highlights the incredible support she receives from her husband, including a particularly meaningful plaque he has created for her. Listen in today to learn more about Meg's remarkable story, the beautiful, meaningful pieces she creates for her customers, and the emotional weight that accompanies this important work.For more information and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. Episode Highlights:Meg’s work with Tree of Hope Creations and how it beganMeg’s emotional connections to each and every shipment she receivesHer TikTok experienceMeg’s personal and professional historyHer experience with breastfeeding and her husband’s amazing supportThe emotional weight of handling such precious cargo Creating something so personal and meaningful for her customersDealing with negativity onlineBeing vulnerable and showing real feelings and passion in her workQuotes:"Hundreds of customers trust Meg and her team to create these gifts from their loved ones’ ashes, hair, burial dirt, clothing, and so much more.""I feel like I got lucky. I got very lucky in the growth and being able to be part of so many different people's journeys and even helping people through their grief and through motherhood""He wanted to make me something that would mean the world, that would say, ‘Thank you for taking care of our kids. Thank you for nursing our kids.’""He was amazing and supportive, and I honestly couldn't ask for better.""I'm so afraid I'm going to screw it up. I'm so afraid that I'm going to mess up and not touch someone's loved one.""I remember getting the package and just holding my breath because I had someone's daughter in my hands.""I was making something that she would be able to hold of her actual child.""I get a whole lot of crap on social media, whether it be people like making fun of us for breast milk because they don't understand, or just that emotional side of it.”"If you're scared, just do it. It can change your life.""Those ten people that are liking your post, that's ten people that love you.""It's worth it, it's worth it. I would do it a million times over."Links:The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.comFollow The Give Back Model on Instagram

Welcome to the podcast! Today's guest is Samantha Weckesser, the founder and CEO of Mama Hen Media, a boutique agency that helps women-owned businesses achieve their marketing goals through Pinterest blogging and Plan Ahead content distribution. Samantha also runs a giveback program through the sponsorship of Girls on the Run, a nonprofit organization that helps girls strengthen their confidence, minds, and bodies through a positive youth development program centered around running. In this episode, Christine and Samantha discuss the story behind Mama Hen Media, the importance of mental health and self-care, and how Mama Hen Media's giveback program helps inspire and empower women and girls.For more information and other episodes on companies and entrepreneurs who give back, please visit TheGiveBackModel.com. Episode Highlights:-The story behind Mama Hen Media-Importance of mental health and self-care-Mama Hen Media's giveback program-Inspiring and empowering women and girls-Girls on the Run program-Importance of positive role models and mentors-The power of running and exercise for mental health-Combining personal and professional passions-The value of community involvement and giving back-The future of Mama Hen Media and its missionQuotes:"I started as a virtual assistant and was working under the business name Just Ask For Sam. Kind of fell into it organically through people that I met online and started working, helping business owners and just sort of grew and grew and grew.""I loved it because I could work the hours that I wanted to and be home with my family. I have four children, ten and under, so being available for them was really important to me.""As my business grew and my client base grew, I needed to bring on more team members and decided that the name Just Ask For Sam makes it sound like it's just me, when in fact I have now a team to support me.""I really believe in the power of mental health and self-care and the importance of it. And so I really wanted to make sure that we were incorporating that into our business model.""I really believe in the power of running and exercise for mental health and just the overall well-being of a person.""So I wanted to combine my personal passion with my professional passion and be able to give back to a cause that I really believe in.""I think it's really important for businesses to be involved in their community and give back in some way.""I just love the fact that we are able to inspire and empower women and girls through our giveback program and through the work that we do.""I'm really excited about the future of Mama Hen Media and just continuing to grow and make an impact in the world and help as many women-owned businesses as possible achieve their goals."Links:The Give Back Model website TheGiveBackModel.comFollow The Give Back Model on Instagram @thegivebackmodelMama Hen MediaGirls On The Run

Filling the Gratitude Gap with Group Greeting Founder Anthony DoctoleroToday’s guest on The Give Back Model is Anthony Doctolero, founder of GroupGreeting, an online digital card provider used by over ten thousand workplaces, including 80% of the Fortune 500 list. Anthony wanted his company to stand for making a difference, so a portion of each GroupGreeting card sent is put toward planting trees in areas hit hard by deforestation and wildfires. Anthony opens the episode by sharing the inspiration for GroupGreeting—a photo album sent all over the country and filled by many friends before being presented as a birthday gift. While it was an awesome idea, Anthony wondered if there was a more efficient way to do it digitally, which led to the creation of GroupGreeting. However, between starting a family and needing a steady income, it took nine years for Anthony to start running the site full-time, growing it month over month until the COVID pandemic hit, at which point the business really took offGroupGreeting’s year-over-year percentage growth in 2020 was 4,000%, which Anthony credits to the desire for remote workers to maintain their work relationships and still celebrate events together. He discusses the importance of expressing gratitude and appreciation in corporate environments and the challenge of maintaining that as remote working became the norm, with his company helping huge corporations fill the gratitude gap and maintain social connections within their teams. Anthony then talks about GroupGreeting’s give-back partnership with One Tree Planted, why he wanted to give back to the environment, and the success of the model so far, with over 125,000 trees planted and counting. And he finishes the episode by sharing his biggest challenges and most fulfilling achievements over the thirteen years he’s been cultivating GroupGreeting, including the satisfaction of facilitating one-on-one moments of appreciation and gratitude between people.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 non-profit organizations. Thanks for listening!Episode Highlights:Anthony’s journey to going all-in on GroupGreeting The impact of remote working on work relationshipsGroupGreeting’s give-back partnership with One Tree PlantedAnthony’s plans for growth and his biggest challengeAnthony’s most fulfilling achievementsQuotes:“I was one of those kids that would buy candy at a discount at Costco and sell it on the playground, or in high school, we would do fundraisers and car washes, but I kind of treated it like a business. And there was always this thing in me that, like, had this business entrepreneurial aspect.”“All those people were at home, not connected to the people they’re seeing every day. And at the same time, there’s birthdays, there’s things that were going on, and work anniversaries, so they still wanted to celebrate. So they searched out on the search engines and found us, and we were only one of only maybe three or four people who are offering it. And it just kind of took off from there.”“We thought, as business owners, this really is our chance to make a company whatever we want. And we wanted to stand for making a difference, not only in the lives of the companies and the customers we work with but also the environment. So we were like, let’s just do it, who cares whether we succeed or we don’t succeed, at least we tried, and we tried to help the environment.”“It’s kind of like planting a tree, you know, you put the seed in...

Challenging Norms and Finding Your Own Path with Miriam HaartJoining Christine on today’s episode is entrepreneur, engineer, and designer Miriam Haart. Miriam’s a content creator who continues to empower women to be their true selves while learning new skills and using their voices. She’s also one of the stars of the Netflix series My Unorthodox Life, and she opens the episode by discussing becoming a public figure, the positive feedback that motivates her, and the impact of having an audience. She also shares her journey from a childhood spent in a fundamentalist Orthodox Jewish community to the transformative moment of questioning her religion to leaving the community, studying at Stanford, and getting into the tech world.Next, Christine asks Miriam for advice on how to get into crypto as a woman, for whom the industry can often be intimidating. Miriam speaks to the inequality in the tech space and the importance of encouraging women and other minorities to get involved, so they’re not excluded from the technology that shapes the world. She also has some advice on how to get started with crypto and points out that the technology isn’t just good for making money but also has the potential to do real good in the world. For example, Miriam points out her own NFT, which donates 100% of its profits—almost a million dollars—to reproductive rights organizations. She also shares how learning to code when she was a teenager empowered her and can do the same for women by giving them a way to build the world they want to be part of. And Miriam closes the show by discussing some of her next projects, including her new podcast, and sharing her message to the world—to throw off societal pressures and find your own path to happiness.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:Becoming a public figure with 'My Unorthodox Life' on NetflixMiriam’s journey through religion and toward StanfordThe importance of creating equitable techHow women can be empowered by the tech industryMiriam’s next projects, including new podcast 'Faking It'Quotes:“Getting to Stanford from that background and that lack of knowledge of Math, Science, English, critical reading, critical writing, was really hard. It was really, really hard. I studied three hours every day for two years to get to Stanford, to build my score because I needed at least a thirty-one on the ACT’s because that was their minimum.”“I think it’s so important for women to get involved in the space because if we’re not involved, we will be excluded from these very deep, underlying technologies that will change the way of how we interact with each other over the next hundred years.”“A lot of the time, we think that tech just grows, and it’s like the innovation just happens. But really, there’s people who are creating these innovations. And there’s a lot of systems in which the thought happens that excludes a lot of people or promotes others. And so we have to find a way to create equitable technology.”“For women, who oftentimes don’t feel like they can just be loud and be outspoken, technology’s a way to do that and to create products and things that you wish existed for yourself. And so also, that’s one thing that I think is so beautiful about women getting into technology, it’s kind of that they get to create things that they wish existed, they get to feel empowered by being able to actually build the world they want...

On this episode of Give Back Model, Christine Petrella welcomes Filly Bellette to the podcast.  As a cofounder of Chris and Filly Functional Medicine, a mother, and giver, she begins this week’s episode by talking about the farm she was raised on in Tasmania.  She notes that her family heavily valued giving back, and this led her to volunteer to teach English alone in Kenya.  While she was there, she quickly came to the realization that she was vastly ignorant of her privilege, and likewise, how she could use that privilege for good.  She decided to get her PhD in Human Rights and was granted her degree the day she gave birth to her first child, an experience that would transform the rest of her life.  After going through a rather traumatic birth, Filly suffered months of poor gut and mental health.  It was this journey that led her to start Chris and Filly Functional Medicine, an organization that helps parents improve their own and their children’s health. Her company partners with Free to Shine, an organization based in Cambodia that educates and prevents young Cambodian girls from entering the sex trafficking ring.  Through her work with Free to Shine, Filly has not only learned that you don’t need a lot of money to give back, but she also learned the importance of self worth.  She draws this episode to a rather fitting close by coming to proper terms with her self worth - no longer does she believe that her worth is dependent upon her work.  Filly knows now that she is enough.  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!The Finer Details of This Episode:Filly grew up on a farm in Tasmania with a family who valued giving back.She volunteered in Kenya alone and came face to face with her own ignorance.Filly got her PhD in Human Rights after realizing that she didn’t have the right tools to help others.Her experience on antibiotics after giving birth introduced her to common problems with gut health.When Filly started functional medicine, she felt like she’d finally found her calling helping high strung parents find their footing again.  She and her family participate in a child protection organization, Free To Shine, that supports Cambodian girls to educate and save them from human sex trafficking.Through her work with Free To Shine, Filly learned that you don’t need a lot of money to give back. Filly recalls feeling like her self worth depended on her productivity before realizing that she was enough.Quotes:“Their goal is to help high achieving parents with energy, mood and gut issues to end their body burnout for good.”“Our family culture was very much about giving back to others, and service and showing compassion for other people without really expecting anything in return. So I kind of feel like that was built into our family values.”“So for the next four months after I had Poppy, I had no sensation to pee. So I was using a catheter to urinate. Because I was prone to getting UTI infections, because I had this internal catheter in 2007, I was on loads of antibiotics, in and out of hospital, catching all the infections still and then going on more antibiotics. So my gut health was kind of ripped raw.”“I called myself the ‘dragon mom’, I was just screaming all the time, like, the anxiety for me...

Nina Rauch is Social Impact Lead at insurance company Lemonade, a certified B Corporation available in the US, Germany, the Netherlands, and France. Lemonade aims to change the way people think about insurance by focusing on strong values and charitable contributions instead of profit. Nina joins Christine today to talk about Lemonade’s groundbreaking business model, her journey to becoming Social Impact Lead, and the impressive amount of money the company has donated since 2017.Nina explains the Lemonade Giveback, the charitable core of the company, which means Lemonade annually donates its leftover dollars to a range of nonprofit partners. She discusses how this process was built into Lemonade from the beginning and describes the huge impact the program has had on organizations working with such causes as climate issues, racial justice, support for veterans, and LGBTQ+ issues. Nina goes on to describe her journey from fundraising in high school to working for Lemonade and discusses a few of the organizations that have stuck with her over the years, as well as the challenges and inspirations she’s experienced along the way. To finish up, Nina shares what’s coming up for Lemonade, including their new venture into car insurance and how to balance its environmental impact, and her plans to increase the strength of Lemonade’s voice in the climate space and ensure the company stays transparent and authentic as it continues to grow.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:·   Nina Rauch is Social Impact Lead at Lemonade.·   Lemonade is an insurance company that tries to connect its policyholders with nonprofits as a means of making charitable contributions rather than profit.·   Nina was featured in Forbes magazine this year, something that’s always been a goal of hers.·   Lemonade is trying to reshape how people think about insurance, primarily through an element of their product called the Lemonade GiveBack.·   Traditional insurance works through pooling small amounts of money by taking premiums from a large number of people to pay for those who need to make claims. This generally leaves money left over at the end of the year (because the amount needed can’t be predicted, so people are asked to pay higher premiums than what winds up being needed), which the insurer keeps as profit.·   Lemonade wanted to differentiate itself from this model, so it created the Lemonade Giveback, which means that, once a year, the company donates its leftover dollars to its nonprofit partners.·   The first Giveback in 2017 donated $53,000 to 14 different charities; in 2021, over $2.3 million went to 65 different organizations.·   The best way to use Lemonade is through their app (though you can use their website as well!).·   From the beginning, you choose the cause you want to Giveback to, and that cause will stay with you unless you want to make a change (which is really easy to facilitate).·   The Giveback was built into Lemonade’s product from the very beginning—without it, the product couldn’t exist. It was a B Corp before its first policy was sold.·   Lemonade wants to make the process of claiming insurance as simple and supportive as possible, from minimizing paperwork to making sure you can talk to a real person or get on their Slack channel when you need help.·   Lemonade works with a wide range of nonprofit organizations, and Nina ensures that their values align...

Molly Trerotola is the Head of Social Impact at ShoppingGives, a certified B Corporation and an award-winning technology startup focused on building an economy of giving by creating a positive impact through everyday purchases. Today, Molly joins Christine to discuss giving back involving small businesses, shoppers, and nonprofits highlighting the potential roadblocks that may arise and how ShoppingGives can help overcome them. Molly begins by discussing her passion for philanthropy work and fundraising, and the journey she has taken that has ignited this passion. She goes on to offer extensive details about the work that ShoppingGives does, how they do it, and the hugely beneficial impact is has, as well as her experiences working with Give Lively, a free fundraising platform for nonprofits. Molly concludes by sharing her wish to see more brand values front and center and actions taken by the companies to fulfill their commitments to nonprofits that their customers care about. 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: ·   Molly Trerotola is the Head of Social Impact at ShoppingGives. ·   ShoppingGives is an e-commerce platform that powers brands to give donations to nonprofits.·   She has always been passionate about philanthropy work, fundraising, and giving.·   She started at a global public health nonprofit in Peru, where she worked in the communications department helping to develop digital stories around their initiatives to generate more fundraising support.·   Molly has committed wholeheartedly to social impact work, and when she moved to New York, she had the opportunity to dive headfirst into corporate social responsibility.·   ShoppingGives helps a small business accomplish corporate social responsibility of giving philanthropy fundraising by basically providing a tech solution for brands to scale their philanthropy efforts and embed social impact within their e-commerce journey·   It allows companies to give back to causes they're passionate about and lets customers choose a cause they're passionate about as part of their purchase.·   A critical core component of the platform is compliance and regulation. ShoppingGives covers brands from a compliance standpoint, and gives them access to a database of 1.8 million nonprofits.·   Brands donate to the ShoppingGives Foundation, a US-registered nonprofit, under section 501(c)(3), and then the foundation grants those funds to the organizations that the brands pledged the funds to.·   Nonprofit organizations have challenges where they get requests, and they want to be able to support them, but they need to focus on their programmatic work. Technology like ShoppingGives, or any other innovative third-party fundraising platforms that can alleviate some of those challenges, and streamline fundraising efforts for nonprofits, is necessary.·   ShoppingGives also plays a matchmaker role between brands and nonprofits.·   This is Molly's third social impact tech organization that provides technology to nonprofits at no cost.·   ShoppingGives is a certified B Corporation. These companies go through a rigorous assessment process to prove their positive impact in their external and external communities.·   ShoppingGives contributes to or answers recurring fundraising, subscription-based giving.·  ...

JD Dilks is a writer, podcaster, and founder of a non-profit mental health meeting center in Bloomsburg, PA. Today he joins Christine to discuss his experience with mental health and addiction issues, and they begin their conversation with a trigger warning for anyone who may not be prepared to hear stories of suicide, child abuse, and addiction. JD talks about experimenting with drugs and alcohol at the age of 11, then spiralling into alcoholism after a traumatic life event at age 12. He opens up about the shame that often comes with addiction, finding closure after the death of his fiancée, and supporting others who are on the path to sobriety.JD tells Christine about creating a community of support for LGBTQ+ youth in particular and leaving toxic masculinity behind as a culture, then shares a powerful story about sex trafficking that was featured on his podcast. You’ll also hear why the 12-Step program is so crucial to recovery, which step was the most challenging for JD, why people need to realize they want help on their own, and what you can do if you know someone who’s facing addiction. Today’s conversation highlights the importance of educating ourselves about mental illness and addiction, recognizing the warning signs, and spreading more love through the world as we hold a supportive and welcoming space for those who may be struggling. You can learn more about MJs Progress Not Perfection here. 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:JD Dilks is a writer, podcaster and founder of a non-profit mental health meeting centerHe shares his experience with mental health and addiction issues, as well as his recoveryStigma around mental illness and addictionJD and his wife opened their mental health facility in May 2021They host AA meetings, NA meetings, trauma meetings, LGBTQ+, medical marijuana meetings, tarot meetings and much moreImportance of meeting in person when going through recoveryJD began experimenting with drugs and alcohol at age 11 and spiralled into alcoholism after a traumatic event at age 12Pressure on men and boys to push down their feelings and not show their emotionsHow his center is building a community of support, especially for young peopleBeing open about the shame that often comes with addiction JD’s important dates along his journey to sobrietyFinding closure after losing his fiancéeSupporting others through sobriety and accepting that he cannot save everyoneTime managementNicole’s story of sex trafficking as shared on JD’s podcastSocially acceptable stereotype of moms drinking wine after a hard day needs to changeEveryone’s speed bumps are different, but rock bottom is always getting to the point where you know you need to changeWhy the 12-Step program is so crucial to recovery and how it can apply to any issue that makes your life unmanageableStep 3 (turning over to a higher power) was the most challenging for JDJD’s comedy career According to drugabusestatistics.org, 19.4% of people have used illicit drugs at least once  You can check out JD’s podcasts and support MJs Progress Not Perfection

On today’s episode, Christine welcomes Robin Peters, the Executive Director of Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. In 2005, the Firehouse Sub founders established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The charity provides lifesaving equipment, prevention, education, scholarships, and continued education and disaster relief for first responders and public safety organizations, as well as support for members of the military. Since its inception, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has awarded more than $62.5 million dollars to Hometown Heroes in 49 states, Puerto Rico, and now in Canada.Today, Robin discusses her personal journey into the giving space, and about how the two brothers, Chris and Robin Sorensen, came together in 1994 to start Firehouse Subs and subsequently Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.  She also talks about the foundation’s locations and its expansion, and shares ways you can support the nonprofit and save lives, which includes buying from the food chain and providing equipment to fire departments through the Book of Giving program. She goes on to discuss the expensive cost of equipment, the impact of COVID, and the challenges she faces in her position. Robin concludes with the stories that have been brought to her from first responders and the most fulfilling aspect of being a part of this foundation.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:·   Robin Peters is the executive director of Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.·   She started out in the nonprofit sector when she started in advertising.·   When she moved to Jacksonville, she started working for social service agencies, and that led her to Firehouse Subs because they were one of the companies that was so philanthropic and so supportive of anything any Jacksonville nonprofit was doing.·   Firehouse Subs was started as a restaurant company in 1994 by two brothers, Chris and Robin Sorenson, who were former firefighters.·   The inspiration to start Firehouse Subs Public Safety was born from the two founders being former firefighters, who had already given back to the community and were supporting whatever local activities that were going on.·   The founders became involved in service during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 through providing food and other volunteer services to survivors and first responders, which focused them on how they could impact communities across the country, especially as the restaurant brand was growing, therefore establishing Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation as a nonprofit.·   Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is a separate 501 (c)(3) which provides the ability to do a lot of giving back with Firehouse Subs as a corporate donor.·   Firehouse Subs and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation are located in 49 states and its expansion to Canada.·   They deal with different governments and rules in Canada, as well as great opportunities, raising funds, and impacting first responders on both sides of the border.·   Peopke can support the Foundation through purchasing from the food chain, donations, and the Book of Giving program.·   Rounding up your purchase to the nearest dollar to donate to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is another wayt o wupport it.·   Fundraising campaigns are valuable to the foundation.·   The Book of Giving program provides fire departments the equipment...

On today’s episode, host Christine Petrella welcomes Masami Sato, the founder of B1G1: Business for Good. B1G1 is a global giving initiative that’s quickly grown into a global movement. B1G1 helps businesses embed giving right into the heart of their everyday activities. B1G1 makes business giving easy, effective and meaningful. It focuses on connecting small-to-medium-size businesses with more than 500 carefully selected, high-impact giving projects. Since 2007, B1G1 has come together with more than 3,000 businesses from all industries around the world, creating over 250 million giving impacts, just by doing what they normally do.Today Masami joins the show from Singapore to discuss the goal and mission behind B1G1, her story of founding the company 14 years ago, and how her team decides which worthy causes to work with. Masami explains how even the tiniest donation can make an impact with B1G1. She also expands on the spirit of giving that drives the B1G1 initiative, describes their annual “study tours” to projects they support, and shares her inspiring thoughts on seeing people come together to transform the world, one small step at a time. To learn more about B1G1 and their focus on creating a world that’s full of giving, visit B1G1.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 aboutcompanies 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: ●  Masami Sato is the founder and CEO of B1G1: Business for Good ●  She is a 2-time TedX speaker, an AMAZON best-selling author, and winner of the Sustainable Business Award ●  The goal of B1G1 is simply to create a world that’s full of giving by turning everyday activities, like getting a cup of coffee or reading an inspiring book, into something that can create a positive impact ●  They have worked with thousands of businesses who have embedded giving in what they do, and together created just over 250 million giving impacts around the world ●  B1G1 began in 2007 ●  The idea behind B1G1 started while Masami was running a previous business that focused on access to healthy eating and nutrition for families in her community ●  She began by giving a small percentage for every frozen meal sold to help a child in need ●  B1G1 was borne out of a desire to help other small businesses do the same ●  How her team fully vets which “worthy causes” to work with ●  Part of their criteria is finding companies that can break down their activities into small units of impact ●  Their goal is to make it easy for even small businesses to give back ●  With B1G1, the tiniest of donations still make an impact ●  For each guest booked and each podcast episode released, Christine is donating towardaccess to a safe house for children saved from sexual abuse in Nepal, and shelterprovided for a night for homeless children through B1G1 ●  There are many unique ways that business owners can give back, and a variety ofdifferent causes they can give toward, depending on what they are most passionate about ●  How Global Goals has impacted the B1G1 model ●  If we all give just a little bit, together we can make a massive difference ●  Having common goals helps bring us together as well ●...

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 earthHe also has a background in marketing; he redirected his life and focus on sustainability in 2014AMARUMAYU is the real name of the Amazon - it means the “river serpent,” and the serpent represents life and wisdomThe 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 beverageSuperfruits have a much higher concentration of vitamins and minerals than other fruits like orangesThe new Natural Revolution aims to shift the way people consume, and transform them into more conscious usersThe 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 customersWith the new Natural Revolution, companies also need to satisfy the needs of Mother EarthAMARUMAYU superfruit juices are good for the earth and good for you - no sugar or artificial colorsThey buy directly from Indigeneous communities who harvest these superfruits in the middle of the AmazonIt’s not agriculture, it’s wild harvestingIt’s important for younger generations to know that the actions of one single person can have an impactUse your purchasing power to give back

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 companyDo Good Points started as a side hustle, and felt like answering a calling to give backHe noticed big companies incorporated giving back during the holidays, and started to wonder why they couldn’t do this on a regular basisOne of the main goals of Do Good Points is to break down the barriers between intention and action when it comes to doing goodEveryone 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 todayMembers 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 GoalsThis allows you to make a charitable donation without spending a single dollarCOVID presented many challenges to the nonprofit space, including Do Good Points and the causes they supportNow that we are finally easing out of “Survival Mode,” we can start to focus elsewhere and help those who are really in needWe can all take small steps to help solve problems in the world - micro actions add up to something biggerAndy 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...

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 throughbreakups and divorces by their mid- to late-20s● They noticed that these couples did not have models or tools for how to have a healthyrelationship● They found plenty of resources for how to find a partner and mend your relationshipafter 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...

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 bagsold● Business was launched in 2008 after Mary Lynn moved from Chicago and left her job inthe 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 - theyhave 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 creatingconsistent 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 backmodel 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,...

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 replacementswere 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 orstroke● There was a huge demand for this life-changing therapy, but American College ofOBGYN 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 facialprocedures like what Dr. Green offers● Rejuvenate was in the red for 4 years before turning a profit, but Dr. Green alwaysincluded giving back as part of their mission● Their goal is simply to help...

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 ModelThey have given away over $570 million to great causes all over the worldMiriam shares the history of this extraordinary organizationPaul Newman, the actor, philanthropist, racecar driver and advocate created this salad dressing with his best friend in 1982Loved 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 profitsThey have given away 100% of their profits since day oneFounder Paul Newman was passionate about using the power of a company to do good in the worldMiriam shares her academic background, work around nutrition, and how she got involved with Newman’s OwnShe began as a recipient of their funding during her time at Tufts UniversityHole in the Wall Gang Camp gives children who are seriously ill the chance to experience summer camp togetherSeriousFun Children’s Network also delivers unforgettable camp experiences that have a life-changing impact for sick childrenNewman’s Own works with...

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 stateCame up with the design of a state with the word “Home” written on itDonated 10% of profits to Multiple Sclerosis research from Day OneRyan began with a table at a street fair in Williamsburg, BrooklynSales took off instantly, and celebrities like Hilary Duff were photographed wearing his shirtsImpact of what they have been able to donate as a small company - over half a million dollarsNew t-shirt designs and expanding their catalogueNot being able to give back to every cause he would like to and feeling like he could always do moreHow his professional background in Marketing helped him prepare to launch his own business, but learning along the way by trial and fire as wellRyan appeared on ‘Shark Tank,’ but due to network commitment to promote another charity that month, his repeated mentions of MS research were edited outRaising awareness for other foundations as well (Alzheimers and breast cancer)The constant chase of being an entrepreneur, always wanting to do moreThe 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...

Corporate Culture of Giving Back with Kevin Wilson of Dominion PayrollShow 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 backHis strategies for encouraging employees to get involved with their communities as much as possibleSixteen hours of community Paid Time Off (PTO)Half-day of volunteer engagement every quarter, as well as a volunteer collection driveIncorporating community involvement into the corporate culture of Dominion PayrollWorking with the Gallagher Foundation to reduce the stigma of teenage mental health issuesConsistently supporting other nonprofit organizations through annual races and eventsThe challenges he has faced during the pandemic – continuing to support charities while keeping employees safeProfessional benefits of giving back in terms of client and employee satisfactionWhat’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...

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 pantriesChoosing granola as the first product to launch into the marketUsing her home kitchen to develop recipes, and being able to accommodate soy-free and gluten-free requirementsMaking recipes as a family and having her kids as taste testersTop seller is currently Maple Pecan DateDistribution as the largest hurdle in starting her businessFinding retailers first to gauge interest before developing the productRochester’s poverty rate of 32% (double the national average) and low graduation ratesMichele’s work with the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection to encourage at-risk youth to graduate high schoolPartnerships with House of Mercy and Food Link in RochesterMission to create systemic change in the fight against poverty and hungerHow to raise awareness, stay informed, and get involvedWorking with Pepsico ‘Food For Good’ Initiative to make sure children and families have access to food throughout the yearProtocols to keep recipes completely allergen-freeHer plans to continue growing Perfect Granola and giving back to homeless shelters, outreach centers, and food banksThe importance of school nutritionHer advice for entrepreneurs whose heart is with the cause - never let your mission take a back seatQuotes:“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

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 teamOne-Year Anniversary and launching a business at the beginning of the pandemicEvolution 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 foodOrganizations that Anj is currently working withChristmas and Thanksgiving donation drivesStories of how they have been able to help their communityJim’s creative chef skills and the team effort to come up with new menu items regularlyThe need for better quality donations at food pantries and the larger issue of povertyTheir 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...