Joel Harrison Podcast

Pallet loads, truckloads, warehouse loads full of excess inventory get thrown out or liquidated every day. After 20 years brokering liquidation deals, Dave Rolleston was looking for more - more than squeezing the cheapest purchase and the highest bidder. That's when he started turning the process into a charitable donation, with about 75% of his profit going directly to charities. In this conversation, we talk about the size of the excess inventory problem, how sometimes the innovation is not that much different than your current model, finding a renewed sense of impact, and how brokering for impact is an opportunity for so many. Find more information, links and resources at https://joelmharrison.com/podcast

Moving from a corporate career to founding a nonprofit is not an easy feat. However, moving an in-person nonprofit or business solely online in a matter of months is even harder. Leah Coss is the co-founder of Build a Biz Kids and the founder of BBK Network, organizations teaching youth and kids hard and soft skills through entrepreneurship - and she did just that. In this conversation, we talk about how they quickly adapted during the pandemic, and how it opened their eyes to the impact that's possible through digital connections. But also the inherent issues with digital connections and constant Zoom calls. We talk about how to inspire your volunteers and employees, work remotely, and actually build connections online. View more at joelmharrison.com/podcast

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Aaron Friedland, the CEO of The Walking School Bus and SiMBi, has a passion for change that is powerful and inspiring. From struggling to learn because of his own Dyslexia to studying economic development to creating solar-powered classrooms and literacy software, Aaron's journey is one we can all learn from. In this interview we talk about the journey to creating impact halfway around the world, the struggle of doing too many things, and how we can create solutions from empathy, that are accepted and have a lasting effect. This chat isn't necessarily about education, it's about social entrepreneurship and how you can take the right approach for observing a problem and creating solutions.

I haven't felt so inspired to be an entrepreneur more before this episode, and not just because my guest today, Justin Bedard started a global organization (JUMP! Foundation) that inspires youth to make a difference. It's because he opens up about his failures, owns it, and learns from it. I don't hear this enough from social entrepreneurs. We see too much polished fetishizing of being an entrepreneur, and it doesn't usually match our own experience. In this episode we talk about everything from how nonprofits are struggling to find a social enterprise model, what being a nonprofit social enterprise even means, how JUMP! Foundation provides experiential learning to merge with a standard curriculum, the failures that shocked Justin into starting over, and the changes he made in leading his organization that launched them into their current success.

Whether you're looking for impact investments now, in the future, or never, there is a mindset here that all change makers needs to take note of. This episode I sat down with Mike Winterfield, Managing Partner of Active Impact Investments. They've been instrumental in deploying over $10 million in capital to businesses that create social or environmental impact. We dive into everything from how they define impact companies, what it's like starting a venture capital firm, how their model is different and allows impact investors to get more involved, and 3 big mistakes that people make when raising money.

When you start a company for the sole purpose of funding tree planting, and it takes off as a fashion brand, you see how it would be hard to stay focused. But through rebrands, viral social media hits, and an evolving fashion landscape, tentree hasn’t strayed from their mission. In this episode of the podcast, I get the absolute pleasure of speaking with Arthur Kononuk, Creative Director and Co-founders of tentree. To give some context, tentree plants 10 trees for every item purchased, and we dive into their audacious goal of planting 1 billion trees by 2030. We talk about their experience of going viral on Instagram, why they did a rebrand, the state of the textiles industry and sustainable fashion, and why selling more clothing might not be the best way to reach their new goal.

This conversation with Patrick Nangle, CEO of Modo opened my eyes entirely to a lot of subjects. I had no idea that car share programs, companies like Modo, were indeed thinking about impact. That they were created to solve the problem of environmental impact AND the financial impact of vehicle ownership. We talk about car share programs and community impact. We talk about co-op models and how they differ from standard corporations or nonprofits. We talk about collaboration and an openness to realize you can’t solve anything on your own. It truly was a pleasure, and if you’re living in BC, I hope you have a chance to try out Modo’s car share program.

So I’m not exactly the mompreneur that this episode is about, but I’m thrilled to talk with Mona Tavassoli of Mompreneurs Worldwide in this episode about everything from starting a business as a mom, managing your energy, culture and starting a business around the world, and how she’s teaching other mom’s how to excel at business. In this conversation, we dive into her work to empower women, and with her new foundation, to empower women refugees through educating them on entrepreneurship.

I sincerely didn’t understand how ignorant I was about the disability community until I read Al Etmanski’s new book and had him on the podcast. Al Etmanski is a long-time social entrepreneur, four-time author, and father to a daughter with down syndrome, which was the catalyst to his work. In this interview, we dive deep into Al’s new book, The Power of Disability and the stories and lessons that we can all learn as social entrepreneurs from people with a disability. We talk about language and labels, we talk about the way the landscape has changed over the years, we talk about why “the systems” are being created and modified by the wrong people. It was an inspiring conversation, and I truly believe that there is something for everyone in this book.

Josh Myers has wisdom that is far beyond his years as a leader in a nonprofit. As the executive director of the BC Centre for Ability, facilitating programs and assistance to people, young and old, with disabilities, he’s already taken the organization through significant transformations. In this episode we discuss Josh’s journey into becoming an executive director (hint: he worked there for 5 years first!), the organization changes they’ve been making in the past year, building leadership teams, being a leader through the tough times, and so much more. This episode truly is for all of us in a change-maker and leadership capacity - and Josh shares some very practical ideas on how to perceive your role and humbly come to serve others to get the best out of everyone.

The work that Nejeed Kassam does is an incredible example of how the nonprofit and for-profit worlds will continue to excel together. As the founder and CEO of Keela, a nonprofit software company based out of Vancouver, he’s using his wealth of knowledge from starting nonprofits, practicing law, and running businesses to create a company with real impact. In this episode, we talk about Nejeed’s experiences that led him to create the work that he does. We talk about the role that law plays in making change, the struggles and stresses of starting a tech company, hiring and managing people that align with your company, and the role of capitalism in innovation and philanthropy.

Steve Petterson jumped straight out of school and dove into impact investing. Not long after, he started his own nonprofit, the National Social Value Fund, to give students the experience and exposure to impact he wishes he had. This conversation (and everything Steve is doing) got me fired up and inspired because I came from a similar situation. I too was introduced to the world of social enterprises from a wonderful teacher who went out of her way to mention it outside of the normal class. In this interview, we talk about the inspiration for the program, the experience of going through that beta test in the first year, the incredible impact that it can have on student empowerment, as well as amazing impact. We also talk about why they became a nonprofit, and how their model for impact investing is slightly different than a “traditional” investment fund.

When Brian Smith set out to start Persephone, he knew it was going to be a social enterprise. But it’s astounding at just how much impact it’s been able to make. From community to environmental footprint, Persephone is one of very few breweries that actually farms its own ingredients and is also a B Corporation.  I was absolutely thrilled to be able to interview Brian, and of his many experiences, nonprofits, and for profits, we got to dive into what community involvement really means. We talk about Brian’s tense introduction into activism, the earlier mistakes, and the successful partnerships and community that they’ve been able to build with their farm.

When your life changes in an instant, you have a decision, do you spend your time wishing it was the same, or do you keep moving? Do you see limitations, medical system failures, and culture, and push to make things better from every angle? That is the attitude that Tanelle Bolt continues with. She is the founder of RAD Recreation Adapted Society, is an interior designer and accessibility consultant, and is an outdoor athlete all without any movement from her chest down. Through this episode, we talk about her journey, her experiences with the medical system, the lack of support, and the plethora of barriers built into everyday life because of a lack of forethought for people with disabilities. We also discuss the various ways she’s working to solve these problems through awareness, consulting, and her nonprofit. Full notes: https://joelmharrison.com/episode8/

Keith Ippel is legendary in Vancouver, and he’s going that way globally as well. Keith is the Co-founder and CEO of Spring Activator, a startup accelerator. His background in startups, advising, investing, education, and ecosystem development (all centred around social impact) means he has no shortage of incredible insights for anyone in their journey. In this episode we discuss everything from the state of social entrepreneurship, particularly across geographies, how we’re educating the next generation of entrepreneurs, what makes a successful social enterprise, and building ecosystems within cities to foster innovation. So go right ahead and bookmark this episode, share it, and come back to it again and again, it’s incredible.

From ethical to organic, and fair-trade to inclusive employment, Mara Mennicken is molding the way businesses look at community impact through her example. Mara is the owner and chocolate making master at The Good Chocolatier, a Vancouver company. While previously reluctant to even run a business (because of her distaste for the negative impact of how businesses are often run), after a couple of years of volunteering with a friend, she eventually took over his business. And turned up the temperature on its community impact. The Good Chocolatier employs several people with autism by partnering with the PALS Autism Society. In this episode, we dive into how she made this happen, how it’s essential to how she does business now, and how you can also find ways to partner with marginalized communities or people with employment barriers.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the waste produced when making beer? Maybe you haven’t. Maybe you didn’t know that 650,000 kilos of spent grain are produced each day in Canada. That’s a LOT.  Today we’re talking with Clinton Bishop, Co-founder and COO of Susgrainable. They using a circular economy business model and are turning this beer waste into baked goods. By processing the spent grain, they’re able to produce a flour that has tons of fibre and plant protein, way better that traditional flour. Their signature cookies even have up to 7 grams of fibre in a single cookie! We talk about circular economy, we talk about supply chain, we talk about how they are getting interest from people, and what some of the hurdles of this business model are.

My guest on the podcast today is Braden Ricketts, co-founder of Build a Biz Kids. Find out how their programs are teaching entrepreneurship to the next generation of change makers, starting for kids as young as age seven. Build a Biz Kids doesn't focus on tech, but rather the fundamentals and the soft-skills associated with business to fulfill their mission of “Kids Taking Action”, and in the words of Braden, challenging them, not just cheerleading. We discuss the state of education, how we can teach and support our own kids to problem solve, and the skills required in the future, not just what's required today. We also get into how we're introducing young people to the idea of social entrepreneurship, nonprofits, and philanthropy. Join an in-depth discussion, with two dad's, wanting the best for the next generation.

In this episode you’ll find out how Felix Bӧck and his team at ChopValue have recycled nearly 25 million used chopsticks into decor, furniture, and high-end custom products. Creating a truly carbon negative business that is leading others to consider circular economy solutions. Join us for a discussion on how this business came to be, the impact it has, and how ChopValue plans to scale a very local business model. We discuss how other manufacturing industries should be paying more attention, and how the real success comes from adding enough value to the end product.

It was really eye opening to understand not only the immense determination and perseverance that someone like Aidan Scott (CEO of Speakbox) has had throughout his life, but the reality of mental health for all entrepreneurs. We talk about topics like Aidan’s upbringing, and how the system had failed throughout his experience with mental health, how Speakbox is ultimately helping people to access and control their care, and how entrepreneurs should take note of how real this can be for us.

How are regular, everyday businesses transforming the way they work by redefining their purpose? Mary Ellen Schaafsma, Director of the Social Purpose Institute (of United Way) explains how to define your social purpose and make it active in your business.

Welcome to the podcast! This is a quick introduction to what we'll be exploring throughout this podcast and why it even exists. If you're interested in social entrepreneurship or nonprofit work, this is the podcast for you! Learn more at joelmharrison.com