Pioneers of Good

POG #40 Resource Futures paving the way for a sustainable world

Gareth is an author, speaker & an AMN practitioner. He specializes in getting people out of long-term pain, improving focus & cognitive function, & insomnia. His goal in life is to give as many people as possible the tools in life so that they

Women who have worked tirelessly to be professionally excellent but have neglected themselves in the process. Conquering frustration, guilt and time poverty to live truly prosperous, happy and fulfilled lives. Society is so formed on our assumptions of wh

Chris Walton MSc is an internationally recognised performance psychologist, consciousness researcher and the author of two best-selling books; The Gamma Mindset – Create World Champion Self-Belief in 5 Minutes Per Day. Peak Performance in 60 Seconds – The 4 Essentials to Maximise Your Energy, Resilience and Performance. The people the kept winning were the ones that bring that skill into the moment where pressure was on. The fitness is given, the skill is there with all the experience for elite athletes but the mindset that makes the difference Chris Walton 2:42 – Chris talks about his interest in the mental aspect of performance 6:12 – How one can reach its highest state of consciousness 7:30 – Why do people still feel a lack of accomplishment 9:22 – What convinced him to bring his work into the market 17:20 – Chris explains the preparations needed for Gamma Mindset 20:45 – How to align your body and mind 24:24 – What could be the side effects when applying the Gamma Mindset That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Joel Solomon is Co-Author of The Clean Money Revolution: Reinventing Power, Purpose, and Capitalism. As a Founding Partner of Renewal Funds, a $98 million mission venture capital firm, he has invested in over 100 early growth-stage companies in North America, delivering above market returns while catalyzing positive social and environmental change. Joel is a founding member of Social Venture Network, Businesses for Social Responsibility, Chair of Hollyhock, Co-Producer of RSF's “Integrated Capital Institute,” and serves on the University of British Columbia Board of Governors.   I believed that my money has my name on it and, when I make a choice about where to purchase something, where to save it, how to invest it, I’m affecting a whole series of things that we kind of given a pass card to ignore.   Joel Solomon   2:25 – Why does Joel consider our money not to be clean 5:38 – How do you consider spending your money into something clean 7:03 – How would the government impose on local people to be responsible for spending money 9:10 – What was his journey to write the book clean money revolution 15:33 – What are the morals we get from the money that we spent the right way 25:43 – How does Joel define spiritual and how it connects to the current situation of the world   That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates.   For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org  

Shawn Young is the CEO and co-founder of Classcraft, an award-winning Engagement Management System used by 5+ million students and educators in more than 160 countries. Classcraft uses the cultural phenomenon of video games to help educators drive measurable academic performance, non-cognitive skills development, and school climate. By blending students’ physical and virtual learning, the program reframes their progress in school as a game they play together throughout the year. ClassCraft isn’t a tech tool, it’s an approach that is facilitated by technology There is a lot of reason not to change, and there aren’t that many reasons to change other than hopefully we have a better outcome for kids. Shawn Young   1:56 – ClassCraft: How Gaming Concept (Esports) can be beneficial when applied as a method of teaching for students 3:20 – Gamify learning and how he started ClassCraft 6:30 – How do they make education a more engaging and intrinsic motivation 11:28 – Shawn’s advice for parents that have challenges in motivating their children to go to school 14:55 – Shawn talks about a school in Spain and how they were creative with ClassCraft 17:08 – What are the factors that made them grow and become more impactful 22:02 – Why his pricing starts at a minimum amount 22:47 – The most significant resistance for the next generation education 25:23 – What are the plans for education and ClassCraft That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates.   For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

POG #34 Talsom is looking at companies from a different digital perspective

Mike is the founder and Managing Partner of Active Impact Investments, an impact VC with $10M in assets under management. Active Impact exclusively supports small to medium sized purpose-driven ventures scale their impact and profit by providing funding and extensive capacity building services to the portfolio companies. Prior to this, Mike was a Top 40 under 40 with 20 years in the tech industry specializing in services companies and SaaS products. He worked for 14 years in various executive roles for award winning companies, most recently President of Traction Rec and COO at Traction on Demand. Prior to that President of Randstad Professionals running $300M in revenue. Mike's greatest expertise is in enterprise sales, building high performing teams, improving operational efficiency and execution. He serves on the board of directors at DSRF and is a mentor/EIR at NVBC, Founder Institute and Spring Activator. Mike has a Queen’s BSC, INSEAD exec MBA and got his board training through the Beedie Directors Education Program (DEP).   Our team is inspired by what positive impact would these companies succeeded; We look for the business model the way that makes their money to be intertwined with the benefit that they are creating for the society and the environment. Mike Winterfield   2:42 – Active Impact; small venture capitals, they invest in companies that are solving a social and environmental issue 5:02 – Why they choose to invest in companies that have a positive impact on the environment 8:55 – The reason behind he created Active Impact 12:10 – The experience that makes him in the top 40 under age 40 14:22 – How Mike's company differs from other venture capital companies through support and control standpoint 16:47 – Mike's future plans for the company 18:27 – Where is venture capital leading towards 24:00 – His advice to the people that want to scale their business, factors that are to be considered before seeking investments   That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates.   For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Martin Clermont, Eng., M.SC.Env., B. Tec.h Mec. is founder and CEO of Will Solutions. For more than 30 years, he has been involved in setting up and carrying out several major and innovative projects in the sustainable development sector, in Canada and around the world as a consultant and then as an entrepreneur. Mr. Clermont has, at the same time, carried out various mandates for the Basel Convention Secretariat in some 20 countries in Europe, Africa, Latin America and China. Since 2007, he is actively involved in carbon markets. He designed and led the development of a GHG emission reduction aggregation methodology for small emitters until it was accepted by the VCS certification program. It has filed, as project proponent, a first project in Quebec that has been validated by a recognized third party and whose offset credits are now available on the voluntary market. 2:24 – An introduction to Will Solutions 4:17 – Why is it necessary to work on both sides of the market 5:31 – Martin’s strategic plan of reaching out to the local people and the small and medium scale businesses in Quebec 7:37 – The early stages of Martin’s career that led him to start Will Solutions 9:39 – His advice as to when is the right time to start doing business 10:40 – How they become sustainable while giving most of the profits back to the people 12:22 – The challenges of getting clients to partner with them 15:35 – His perspective of staying in the middle, being neutral and convincing two different worlds of people and how it can impact in the long run 18:34 – Why Martin’s company is offering a franchise opportunity We have no frontier for a climate changed, but we have geopolitical considerations everywhere, in every nation, so the challenge is to be able to integrate all the stakeholders, civil society together to make them participate and face what we have right now with the climate. Martin Clermont That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Anahita Moghaddam is the founder of Neural Beings, and a coach, organizational trainer and International speaker. Her rigorous and experiential methodology is rooted in the Eastern contemplative traditions, and continuously refined under the mentorship of leading scientists and academics in the fields of psychology, neuroscience and the Eastern philosophical systems. Anahita is committed to serving organizations and individuals who aspire to have a substantial positive impact in the world. She is a coach to executives, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders, facilitates workshops and organizational trainings, and speaks at events around the world. She has been a student of the Eastern contemplative traditions for over a decade, primarily attending teachings with HH the 14th Dalai Lama, and has been trained in contemplative neuroscience and psychology at the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science in NY. Anahita received her BA in Marketing & Advertising at the London School of Communications and her MA in Social Anthropology at The School of Oriental and African Studies, London. Anahita is committed to a path of self-inquiry, combining analytic insight with experience-based practices. With an objective to refine methods that can unlock the upside of human potential, Anahita leverages her training in social anthropology and contemplative science. When you make the happiness and the flourishing of another person your priority and then you make that your life’s path and purpose, your opening yourself up to a lot of space and positivity. Anahita 1:57 – Anahita talks about the early stages of her life and how she overcomes those issues 6:47 – Why do people seek happiness 8:10 – The factors that led to her decision to help others 10:50 – She shares her experience in her first client and how she made an impact 14:06 – The things she’s doing for the benefit of her future 19:59 – Anahita explains how a person reacts to unhappiness and how one can calibrate the right way to perceived challenges 25:32 – How she combines science and her philosophy to ensure that an individual has an effective function of brain. That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

I am driven to advocate and pioneer sustainable and contextual projects that work towards individual motivation, community transformation, project innovation and business success. I am the Founding Director of Hodos Consultancy, a high impact communications firm; UK and Ireland Manager of the Salt Business Network, enabling positive social impact through empowering sustainable business practice; and Chair of the Festival of Transformation, an SDG/ Sustainability Conference. That is what life's about - finding your skillset and being able to use it for the best Samuel Williams That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org https://ph.linkedin.com/company/hodos-consultancy-co- https://twitter.com/hodoscc https://www.hodosconsultancyco.com/

After graduating from Delft University of Technology and after his time as officer of the Royal Dutch Navy, Bas had executive roles with Philips and IBM before he started his startup career. Bas has been in Asia for over 25 years and lived in Taiwan, Japan and Singapore before he moved to Hong Kong. In the next 5 years, the plan is to plant a billion trees Bas Frasner 2:19 – What EcoMatcher does and how it works 4:42 – Samples of products that they offer as an alternative gift 9:30 – How they track the growth of the tree 10:27 – How they handle larger companies and prove to them that each tree is genuine 13:03 – The strategy behind their huge impact and how they were able to sustain the increasing demand 14:09 – How Bas looks at sustainability as a business opportunity 17:23 – Bas shares his experience when he was starting his business That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/basfransenhk https://www.ecomatcher.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ecomatcher/

A whole is greater than the sum of its parts. And that's very true for openly when its Co-Founders Tanya and Lisa decided to drop their solopreneurs and team up to create this change making company. Within this interview, we learn how openly live to their values within the organization and ensure that the values are carried every single connection. All our work comes from relationships, we’ve been fortunate that it's through meeting people and from the very first conversation is always “the want to get to know the people” and being curious of what they do that often leads into things that we may be able to contribute to their journey. Tanya Darisi and Lisa Watson 2:22 – Tanya and Lisa talk about their professional background and how they collaborate to build their company, Openly. 5:56 – How they surpass challenges and keep their partnership business growing 9:54 – Their approach to clients in a way of applying their core values 14:57 – What would be their future plans for the company 20:36 - The difference in working with a nonprofit organization vs a for-profit organization 25:32 - Why connection is important as part of a relationship with clients http://changeopenly.com/ https://ca.linkedin.com/in/lisawatsonopenly https://ca.linkedin.com/in/tanya-darisi That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Business engineer specialised in environment managment, Carine worked in renewable energies, where she discovered cooperatives. Trained in deep democracy and coaching, Carine facilitates the participatory governance processes within Scale Up. She is also

Dr. Nicholas Charalambides, is a Director at Imani Development, an economic consultancy based in Cape Town South Africa. A specialist in trade and regional integration, Nick is very passionate about supporting women cross boarder traders across Africa thr

At the helm of ViRTUS is our fearless (and lovable) leader, Mike. Mike is a ray of sunshine while simultaneously embodying the rare intelligence and drive seen in leaders of his caliber. He is a master in the realm of strategy and development. A graduate of UBC’s Sauder School of Business with a Bachelors of Commerce, Mike has spent the past two decades transforming businesses. From entrepreneurial business to large public companies and public-sector organizations, Mike has focused on driving a return on investment in every client engagement. In June 2002, Mike was invited to join the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and was President of the Vancouver Chapter for 2007/8. In January 2006, Mike was the recipient of the BIV Top 40 Under 40 Award. From 2010-2016, Mike sat on the board of directors of Human Resource Management Association of BC (HRMA). Mike focuses on strategy, growth, and the quest to continually improve every aspect of ViRTUS. He balances this ingenuity with a deep love of his team, mentoring and inspiring both personally and professionally. Mike is passionate about skiing, yoga, running, CrossFit, and anything in the self-improvement bucket. In his community, his focus is on what he can do for others, and he loves nothing more than spending time with his daughter and wife. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Angus Gastle is the CEO of CleanNow, Canada’s first truly app-powered, on-demand home cleaning service. Angus joined CleanNow with more than 10 years in the marketing, innovation and entrepreneurial spaces, leading technology projects for both small bus

André is the founder of Ecolution Consulting, a sustainability and green building consulting firm based in Cape Town. André is an electro-mechanical engineer and qualified Renewable Energy Professional with extensive experience in design, project manage

Gillian has 18 years of experience in strategic planning, cross-sector partnership development, and program management. Founder and CEO of Pearl Consulting, she leads the team to conceptualize and deliver social impact programs and services. Gillian previ

Paul is a 4-time TEDx speaker. He is a Senior Fellow in one of the World’s Leading Think Tanks and consults to and mentors leading-edge businesses around the world. He was honoured as a Social Innovation Fellow in his new home of Singapore; something he shares with film-star and philanthropist Jet Li and Walmart Chairman, Rob Walton. He was one of the first 10 people in Hewlett Packard in Australia. He then created one of Australia’s first computer companies and then The Results Corporation where he helped develop and grow 23,000 small and medium scale business enterprises. His training programs are used by an estimated 226,000 companies around the world and he continues to push the boundaries. He featured in Forbes Magazine alongside Sir Richard Branson in a global piece on ‘disrupters’ in business. He is Chairman of the B1G1: Business for Good, the Global Giving Initiative that’s already enabled businesses to create over 176 Million giving impacts globally. He travels close to 800,000 miles each year speaking around the world ……. and he tells us his baggage goes twice as far.

POG #20 Round Table Companies tells the story behind the brand and person Corey has spent 12 years helping business leaders use storytelling to transform themselves and their organizations. He pioneered the business comic book, packaging and publishing do

Sue Miller is the founder of Miller Green, Bristol's first vegan supper delivery service. A former lawyer, Sue became a vegan four years ago when you either learned to cook for yourself in a completely new way or you went hungry and under-nourished. Learning vegan cooking skills and using and honing them in what is now her day job has been one of the most rewarding things she has done. She spends her days with her small team in a waft of delicious aromas of herbs and spices concocting delicious, healthy dishes to rival any meat or dairy-based meals. Cooking vegan food for yourself is time consuming, it needs to be satisfying and tasty to compensate with not having a meat and so if I can do it for myself then why not do it to other people. That’s how I came up with Miller Green Sue Miller In This Episode, We Talked About: 1:35 – Why she shifted career from law firm into her own business delivery service 2:14 – How she came up with Miller Green as the first vegan supper delivery service 7:14 – Her thoughts with customers both vegan and non-vegan 11:44 – How she develop her business model 15:54 – One thing that makes her stand out from any other food businesses 17:18 – Future events for Miller Green 19:41 – Her tips to everyone who wants to start a business in the food industry That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Matt Callanan is a former worldwide DJ and musician, turned filmmaker. He also runs the kindness project We Make Good Happen (which was kickstarted after he met his hero Bill Murray when he was filming in George Clooney’s house!). He likes to bring people together to do good for other people – which saw him being included in The Independent’s Happy List “50 inspirational heroes whose kindness, courage and selflessness make our country a better place to live.” He’s also been included in The Sunday Times Alternative Rich List for “His mission to spread happiness through We Make Good Happen.” His #Tenner4Good good deed went viral (where he hid envelopes with £10 in, around the UK and encouraged the finders to do good with it) The idea trended on twitter, was on the front page of BBC News and he was featured in a BBC documentary which has had over 3 million views. With his video production company We Make Film Happen based in Cardiff, they've filmed with George Clooney through to Richard Branson. Documented adventurers up volcanoes and created music videos of bands on top of igloos in Lapland. They've followed Porsches with drones in the Welsh mountains and speedboats in the lochs of Scotland. Bringing the two brands together (Film and Good) they've been able to donate a number of films for free for charities that need it and help tell their story. As a direct result of those films, it's helped the charities raise over £500k. I hid a number of envelopes with 10 £ in with 2 simple instructions, don’t spend it on yourself and second, go and do something good deed with it Matt Callanan In This Episode, We Talked About: 1:05 - Matt talks about how it all started at George Clooney’s house 4:10 - How he ended up with 403 good deeds and impact 12 thousand people 7:47 - The purpose of we make good happen 9:25 - His marketing strategy that went viral 14:20 - How he brings together two different brands - the one that is for free and the other is for business 19:20 - His bigger purpose and influencing his employees 21:40 - How he manages to balance and keep moving between two different brands - just make it happen 22:50 - Doing kindness to others and being a role model for his child 26:15 - Simple things can be beneficial to others That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Ron Carucci is co-founder and managing partner at Navalent, working with CEOs and executives pursuing transformational change. He has impact on what is like to be an entrepreneur, how to lead with an organization with the word we don’t necessarily hear in regular board meetings such as honesty, trust, and communication. Ron’s wealth of knowledge is very apparent as he shares what it takes to be that leader and create transformational change for your business and employees. The one thing that I will never let a leader be confused by, is how much I care for the business organization. Whenever I need to say something hard it is because I care and they will never doubt that. Ron Carucci   In This Episode, We Talked About: 1:36 – Ron’s early days that led him into a consulting career path 4:12 – Perspective of a business that stands for something instead of against something 5:24 – His discovery of people who competes for something versus the ones who compete against something 6:47 – Ron’s advice for a transformational change 8:55 – How he makes the first step of getting the exact and honest information 10:30 – Executing an honest conversation between leaders and followers 11:40 – Transparency is the key to success 14:50 – The difference between power and empowerment 18:20 – Unethical behavior that leads to self-sufficient 20:00 – Four patterns that will shape up a person to withhold nor tell the truth 25:57 – It’s a matter of a choice for the leaders either they choose to follow or not 27:59 – Ron’s advice to young and aspiring advisers 29:40 – How to instill honesty with communication with startup entrepreneurs   That’s all for today and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Driven by her passions for health and food, Elspeth created Elspeth's Kitchen in 2016 creating raw plant-based cheesecakes that has become synonymous with bites of pure, delicious bliss. The plant-based creations have won Elspeth’s Kitchen huge popularity on social media, as well as at Food Festivals and events, showing the nation that “you can have your cake and eat it, too”. Wanting to take her love of wholesome, nutritious and vegan cakes to the next level and to fill that healthy-and-vegan-dessert-shaped gap in the ‘Free From’ aisle, Elspeth’s Kitchen have been creating something very delicious. Introducing three brand new retail pudding pots – Norty Puds. Single-serve, nutritionally balanced and mouth-watering little pots of heaven launched in 2018. I want to make stuff that people enjoy but not harming their body Elspeth Humm In This Episode, We Talked About: 1:23 The story behind Elspeth’s Kitchen and Norty 2:02 What makes it Norty 3:15 How she manage and launch her own brand 5:12 Attracting customers as a startup 6:20 Elspeth’s strategy in business and getting into the big market 8:35 Norty small cakes and its packaging 11:39 Using of raw ingredients for Norty 12:20 Benefits of eating raw 14:20 Trends arising after she launches Elspeth’s Kitchen 16:08 Crowdfunding food trucks for food festivals and events 18:40 Her vision for Elspeth’s Kitchen and Norty There is no set ingredient to success as what Elspeth have accomplished. I hope you’ve learned something from this episode. Don’t forget to subscribe for further updates and future episodes of the Pioneers of Good. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

In this interview, Blué opens up about what he went through. He shared his journey to building King's grooming ethical aftershaves and grooming products for men. It is a product that empowers men to own their humanity, letting them live a healthier, happier, and smelling nicer life.   I think it’s all about balance because you do have to get stuff done but at the same time not burning out and still have time for your family.   Blué O’Connor In This Episode, We Talked About: 1:21– What Blue was doing before Kings Grooming 7:40 – How he dealt with his friends about his new life as a vegan 9:45 – The deeper meaning of “Kings Grooming” and his philosophy 13:30 – Giving back to charity: helping men and young men overcome challenges 16:00 – How to be successful in a business 20:16 – The difference of Kings Grooming with its competitors 23:58 – His perception of work and life balance   That’s all for today. It was a pleasure to hear Blue’s thoughts on how to handle a business while keeping his work and life balance. As you all know it’s not the time that you take, it’s what you do with the time. See you on our next episode!   For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Would you ever put the words entrepreneurial and lawyer in the same sentence? I caught up with Allison from Stephenson Law who has decided to put these two words finally together and why not, nearly every single startup needs the resources from a legal team. It makes sense for her to offer services that are not legally binding and ticking the boxes that we all need but also personable and satisfying. “We speak as “non-legally” as possible; they find that approach quite refreshing” Alice Stephenson In This Episode, We Talked About: (1:38) – How Allison created Stephenson law from consultancy firm and then transitioned into a law firm (3:17) – Large firms vs. small firms - Advantage of being a small firm (4:04) – How she creates an impact at the very beginning that stands out from the crowd (6:28) – How they become in demand with startup entrepreneurs (7:20) – Starting up as a solo and growing up as a team (11:30) – Being a single mom at age 18 and still manage to be successful (13:07) – Tips on keeping work and life balance (14:04) – Her vision and how she manages her team For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

I went to a conference in Istanbul for sustainable brands and in the corner there was a stand with a guy promoting subscription boxes for artwork. His name was Sarp. His story inspired me. He was endeavoring to bring art to the masses in Turkey where subscription boxes actually aren't that well known. He was really tackling the creativity challenge as well as how to get it to markets to make sure customers and people kept being creative in every area of their life and at every artistic level. I invited him to do a podcast with me to listen to his story. He is absolutely inspirational on many levels. He's not only pioneering in the artwork but he's also introducing a new business model subscription boxes as well as tackling this huge creativity deficit that he's seen in his own country. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

What do you think the average person spends the most time doing? Are they scrolling through their social media timeline or connecting with friends and family? Helpful Peeps is on a mission to bring back community spirit in an increasingly disconnected world. Saf Nazeer shared how they came about this idea how they've created an online community that actually works as well offline. For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Walking down the aisle of a supermarket do you stop and look at where your lettuce came from? How about your broccoli? Or even your avocados. Consumers today are very disconnected from where their food comes from, and we’re also very interested in saving our environment. Today, I sat down with Sandi Kronick, CEO, and co-founder of Eastern Carolina Organics. She opens up the conversation and shared the wealth of knowledge that she has amassed over decades of working within this industry.   I want people to eat better in an industrial framework Sandi Kronick   2:28 – Starting as a local food’s coordinator in her college days that led her to start her own business ECO 5:05 – The benefits of buying food directly from a farmer’s market versus brick and mortar store 9:21 – The inspiration behind her company “ECO” 14:40 – How she convinced farmers to get back to the farm and make a good living out of it 17:24 – Why she needs to connect consumers with the local farmers    19:09 – Embracing innovation through a rebranding 23:36 – Reproducing the system with another neighboring region 26:44 – How one can benefit from eating seasonal and flavored food rather than food from a fast-food chain     For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Do you have a dream to one day become an author or share story that is burning inside of you? At 30 years old, Ana Levley, did just that. She quit her corporate job and became a sci-fi dystopian author, releasing her first book entitled Beasts. It’s a series of books that she’s aiming massively high from day one. She hopes to inspire her audience while taking them on one great adventure. Listen to how Anna did it and became an author as well as how she wrote her book.   My real passion was doing something creatively and artistically and connecting to the world that's why I became an author Ana Levley   1:29 – Ana talks about the Sci-Fi Dystopian 2:15 – What prompted her to pursue and become an author 3:24 – The first book she wrote - Beasts: Beginning of the End 4:38 – Where does she get her inspiration to write 7:38 – How did she tell her family that she would quit her business and start her passion for writing 8:18 – Marketing your book as an Independent writer versus working with a publisher 12:50 – Her target readers for the genre that she has 15:21 – Her advice to listeners who were stagnant now of creativity   For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

Kirsty from Island Spirits has a lot of spirit in her. She's bubbly. Her passion for travel is infectious and she is a living example that it is possible to have a great company that gives you a really good quality of life was also positively contributing to the communities that she works in. Kirsty shares in this very frank conversation, her life journey of how she came upon the idea of setting up an eco-travel agency when it wasn't that fashionable to do. And what eco actually means to her and to the people she works with, the people who work for her, the communities she visits as well as the people who travel with her. So, sit back and get affected by this amazing story of Kirsty about how she created Island Spirits and what's in store for her as well. It’s about transparency, I built my website, I ran my business from a very authentic, clear, transparent, parity and clarity for a place of complete truth. Kirsty Barnby In This Episode, We Talked About:​ 1:40 – What it’s like to run a business Island Spirit and how she came up with it 2:47 – The decision that led her to take a step and start doing business 7:40 – Charity versus Limited Company 9:40 – How it affects the lives of people in Fiji from volunteering and now into a business model 12:57 – The challenges and how she adapts to continue and grow her business 16:17 – Some of the things that she wants to improve 19:48 – Teaching locals the right way to earn and spend their own money 21:57 – The reason behind she built eco-tourism in Fiji 23:07 – How she finds people to work with her 27:34 – Her future plans for Island Spirit   For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org   Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-barnby https://island-spirit.org/ https://twitter.com/kirstybarnby?lang=en

Want to be the pioneer of a tribe of change-makers? Matthew Glover may not have set out to be such a Pioneer, but when he created the platform Veganuary, helping individuals and businesses transition towards a plant-based lifestyle, he became a key person within this growing movement. Matthew shares in this interview his background as a butcher’s son, and why he chose a non-profit Business Model over a Limited Coproration. His passion and deep love for this topic is evident, yet most of Veganuary’s decisions are based upon data analysis, market trends and keeping a keen eye on innovations within the food industry: It’s a science how to build a tribe of well in excess of 600,000 individuals!   Get connected: https://veganuary.com/ Twitter: @weareveganuary   Connect with us: hello@pioneersofgood.org Twitter: @pioneersofgood Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pioneersofgood/

Tim isn't someone you forget quickly - he's eccentric, full of energy and has a natural charm that draws you to him. Tim lives life the way that works for him - and is all about promoting freedom in everything he does. Working in finance by day, Tim balances this very numbers-orientated career with activities (such as ice baths!) to awaken our potential and allow us to achieve everything that our heart wants! No business plan, no marketing strategy, just a love for life and "going with the flow", he's created a purposeful and profitable business - something quite a few of us entrepreneurs could learn about! In this episode you will learn: What is the Wim Hof Method and how did it help Tim Discover the three ways of using your breath consciously Find out the three health benefits of The Wim Hof Method How your body can benefit from cold baths Tim’s future forecast of humanity Mentioned in the episode: Wim Hof Method Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience Contact details for Tim: Website Social Media Fb Fan Page (for events) Twitter Instagram Youtube My channel on the Wim Hof website

In this episode, I caught up with the Founder and Managing Director of Forward Thinking Design. Vanessa Cullen created this business twelve years ago because of a frustration. She was working in the interior design industry and too many colleagues suffered from burn out. She also sees inefficacy business practices around not respecting IP intellectual property as well as always focusing on the cheapest products to offer the customer, the cheapest price. Realizing that this was not sustainable for the employees and the end consumers that other companies who use these businesses will also go bankrupt. Because they were all focusing on the cheapest products, not the best quality. She put where her money was and started her own business. Twelve years later, most interior design companies implemented what she did. Twelve years ago she was the only one talking about environmental, ethical, and social responsibilities for designers. She is a true pioneer in this industry. So, sit back and listen to Vanessa Cullen's story.

In this episode, we speak to Paul Hellier an entrepreneur and Founder of Fair Food Forager. He quit his day job as an Australian lifeguard to create this platform, ensuring that wherever we eat, every single meal is sustainably sourced and reducing waste.

Teaming up with elite universities across to world, Genashtim offers online education that is parallel to what we experience in a bricks & mortar building: community, camaraderie and cultural diversification. Having online courses is not unique, but having online classes with international students present is, as well as having 90% of its employees with a disability. He believes that every person has a right to receive education and also employment. And with Genashtim, he’s succeeded in both within one company. To sign up to a course, or learn more about his company, visit http://www.genashtim.com/ And to contact me, drop me an email hello@pioneersofgood.org  

How the world will look in 2050 is shaped from today's actions - and especially the actions of large companies.   TwentyFifty is a company that is changing the way businesses do business. Focusing on the rights of humans and offering cultural sensitivity to all employees, they have worked with international companies to ensure people are getting what they deserve - as well as what they want. For more information, visit: http://www.twentyfifty.co.uk/en/ And, as always, if you want to contact me, my email is hello@pioneersofgood.org   

POG #2 Neighbourly: Connecting the Big with the small Meet Nick Davies who created a platform bringing together local community projects and international corporations. This formidable mix fuels meaningful movements with much-needed volunteers & funding with the motto “Profit on Purpose”! “You can make a big difference in just an hour” Nick Davies In This Episode, We Talked About: 1:54 – Nicks’s journey 3 years ago and how he created Neighbourly 5:05 – How he expands Neighbourly’s presence across the community 8:06 – How philosophy of activism as a way of Neighbourly’s campaign strategy 12:40 – Getting in touch with the people in the neighborhood 14:40 – His advice to people on getting their first volunteer job and what could benefit them from doing so 16:25 – How to educate people to be a conscious consumer 18:55 – How did he get his first client Marks and Spencer 29:30 – His long term ambition for business 34:50 – What can benefit you from doing micro-contribution   For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

POG #1 Payactiv: From Space Engineer to Zero Debt Pioneer Payactiv’s founder, Safwan Shah, had too much time on his hands and decided to forgo his golf in place of questioning how society functions, and what he could offer to the world. In this interview, Shah breaks down how he discovered a need society didn’t know it had, eradicating debt and also removing the shame attached to money (and lack of it). Shah’s combination of observing how people spend – and save – as well as questioning everything, he has produced a company that is not only profitable but is also contributing to employees being able to save and eradicate unnecessary debt.   “Security, dignity and savings is a basic human rights of a working person and employers have the responsibility to understand that.” Safwan Shah In This Episode, We Talked About: (1:23) - Safwan Shah’s 10 year plan to eradicate debt over 90M working people (4:47) – What fintech is all about for low wage income earners (15:45) - His solution to low wage income earners (17:30) – Payactiv’s business model (19:54) – Financial stress from employees impacts the company (20:50) – Employees ability to access on their money and savings (32:15) – Shah sets examples of how time should be spent as a financial wellness (34:38) – How he earned his first customer (36:40) – An alternative way instead of opening a bank account as a requirement (40:11) – Lessons learned to improve more Payactiv’s platform (45:36) – New product rolling out with Payactiv (46:27) – His tips for everyone on how to get out of unnecessary debt (48:15) – Two things that empowering people with security and dignity   That is all for today’s episode. I hope you learned something about saving money and getting out of debt.   For show notes and resources visit: http://pioneersofgood.org/ And, as always, if you want to get in touch with me, email me at: hello@pioneersofgood.org

In this episode, Kate Strong tells you what this show is all about. Subscribe to Pioneers of Good and hear how entrepreneurs created a profitable business and also positively contributed to people and the planet. More information on Kate can be found at: www.katestrong.co To join our Facebook community, click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pioneersofgood/