The Beyond Capital Podcast

Dive back in and hear from the purpose-driven CEOs we highlighted in Season 1 of the Beyond Capital Podcast. Your host Eva Yazhari was inspired by Dan's story, and wrote about his work at Gravity Payments in her new book, The Good Your Money Can Do. Click here to learn more and get your copy.Hear from Dan Price, CEO of Gravity Payments. Many people know him for his decision to give up most of his own salary so that everyone at his company would make a minimum wage of $70,000. Gravity Payments is a credit card and payment processing company catering to small businesses. Dan is publishing a book, "Worth It," about his experiences.Despite productivity in the United States rising by 70% over the last 40 years, the hourly pay of most workers has stagnated, increasing only 11.6% over that same time period. The median household annual income today is approximately $55,000 (pre-Covid-19). "Small businesses unquestionably make our lives better, make our communities better," says Dan. "When I announced I was taking a $1 million pay cut to pay everyone $70,000 a year, the situation was that I was now in a community where everybody could meet their needs. And Gravity Payments became more about the people and the principles behind the company."

Dive back in and hear from the purpose-driven CEOs we highlighted in Season 1 of the Beyond Capital Podcast. Your host Eva Yazhari was inspired by Kristin's story, and wrote about her work at Revolution Foods in her new book, The Good Your Money Can Do. Click here to learn more and get your copy.Can money buy happiness? According to a Princeton University study, there is  a correlation between happiness and wealth, up to a point of about $75,000 per year. After that, happiness is not correlated with increased money. Hear from Seth Streeter about wealth consciousness. Seth is the founder and CEO of Mission Wealth, a wealth management firm that specializes in guiding clients through major life events, and helping people find - and fund - their purpose. Seth is also the Founder of Sustainable Future, a technology platform providing campaigns and resources to affect change for a cleaner, safer planet. "The CEO to me is the Chief Energy Officer," says Seth. "I find that culturally, if people can feel like they are cared for and that they have a purpose beyond themselves, that can add tremendous fuel and resiliency, even during the challenging times we're under today."

Dive back in and hear from the purpose-driven CEOs we highlighted in Season 1 of the Beyond Capital Podcast. Your host Eva Yazhari was inspired by Kristin's story, and wrote about her work at Revolution Foods in her new book, The Good Your Money Can Do. Click here to learn more and get your copy.12 million children in the U.S. lack access to healthy food, leading to childhood obesity doubling in the last 30 years. On top of that, providing healthy school meals has a positive correlation to students' academic outcomes. Learn about Kristin Richmond, the co-founder and CEO of Revolution Foods, a school lunch provider serving over 2.5 million meals a week! Revolution Foods is ranked as one of the healthiest school meal providers in the U.S., directly addressing food insecurity for low-income students with after-school programs, community cooking classes, and nutrition education. With their "kid-inspired, chef-crafted" meals, Revolution Foods emphasizes sustainable supply chains, healthy eating habits, and reducing food waste - all while serving 1.2 million servings of fruit per week in more than 400 cities! "The link between what I'm doing as a parent, as a community member, and as a CEO is a real honor," says Kristin. "Despite the challenges, purpose and a bigger belief in what I am doing has fueled me to stay in the game." 

Dive back in and hear from the purpose-driven CEOs we highlighted in Season 1 of the Beyond Capital Podcast. Your host Eva Yazhari was inspired by Ajaita's story, and wrote about her work at Frontier Markets in her new book, The Good Your Money Can Do. Click here to learn more and get your copy.70% of women in rural India still have no access to capital or financial institutions. According to some estimates, this lack of access causes rural Indian women to only contribute 2% of India's GDP.Learn about how one company is tackling this issue in this week's episode, featuring Ajaita Shah, the founder and CEO of Frontier Markets. She has over 15 years of experience working on business in rural India. Her company, Frontier Markets, has built a scalable distribution model that works with 10,000 female entrepreneurs that are helping 700,000 households in India's last-mile get access to safe, affordable clean energy products and other household goods. Ajaita is working to create a sustainable supply channel for a wide range of products for low-income households in rural India.  Beyond Capital Fund is proud to have invested in Frontier Markets in 2013!"Frontier Markets' first level of impact comes from the core belief that the rural household deserves to be treated with dignity," says Ajaita. "But as a founder, it took me 15 years, frankly, to have a clear understanding and a blended vision that doesn't force me to pick between profit and impact."

Dive back in and hear from the purpose-driven CEOs we highlighted in Season 1 of the Beyond Capital Podcast. Your host Eva Yazhari was inspired by Ian's story, and wrote about his work at Left Coast Naturals in her new book, The Good Your Money Can Do. Click here to learn more and get your copy.Organic farming is important, both for the environment and for our health. Natural, organic foods are generally produced using sustainable agricultural practices, and contain fewer harmful pesticides, chemicals, and synthetic hormones. But according to the USDA, organic products constitute only about 4% of total food sales.In this episode, we hear from Ian Walker, the founder and President of Left Coast Naturals, an organic food manufacturer and distributor based in Western Canada. Ian is the brains behind a number of healthy food brands, including “Hippie Snacks,” that focus on natural, plant-based, non-GMO products - from peanut butter, to granola, to cauliflower crisps. He started his business when he was 24. Today, Left Coast Naturals distributes products in more than 500 stores, and has developed a unique company culture with highly progressive perks, all around one mission: sustainability. "We want to have a company that treats people well, and that people are excited to be a part of," says Ian. "We asked ourselves, what's stopping our employees from making positive changes in their life? So we put our money where our mouth is."

According to a 2016 study, 58% of Americans' calorie intake, on average, comes from ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed foods account for 90% of the added sugars Americans eat. In this episode, learn from Katlin Smith. Katlin is the founder and CEO of Simple Mills, a food company that focuses on nutritious baked goods, like crackers, baking mixes, and more and distributes in more than 20,000 stores. Kaitlin previously worked in consulting. "When you extract too much from your team or from the land, it has long-term downstream implications," says Katlin. "I think about us as advancing the holistic health of the people on this planet as well as the planet itself. We do that by changing the food that people eat."

In Uganda, the average person earns less than a $1.90 per day.  This week, we speak with Sheeba Philip, the CEO of Akola. Akola is a retail social venture and jewelry/ lifestyle brand with a mission to empower women in Eastern Africa. Sheeba was previously the Vice-President of Marketing & Communications at JCPenney, a Vice-President at International Justice Mission, an anti-slavery organization, and was the Global Director for the Oreo brand at parent company Mondelez International.  "We really want this jewelry to unlock something in the person who's buying it," says Sheeba. "I think consumers want to be part of retail experiences that benefit them in a deeper way than just the product itself, and allow them to have an impact with their purchasing power."

According to a Stanford study, stressors related to our jobs make the workplace the 5th leading cause of death in the United States. 80% of chronic diseases can be addressed through diet alone. In this episode, we speak with Michael Heinrich, the founder and CEO of Garten. Garten, previously known as “Oh My Green,” is a platform bringing nutritious food, healthy snacks, drinks, and wellness practices to the workplace. Michael is also a Venture Partner at Pioneer Fund, and an instructor at Stanford University. "How can the workplace - a place we're supposed to find meaning, a place we're supposed to do our best - lead to death? To me that's totally backwards," says Michael. "My desire is to make preventative health the standard modality of healthcare. When employers invest in the well-being and health of employees, financial results are a natural course of action."

Approximately 14,000 tons of sunscreen washes into coral reef environments each year. Up to 10% of the world's coral reefs may be threatened by certain chemicals found in most sunscreens. This week, hear from Caroline Duell, the founder and CEO of All Good. All Good is a company that makes organic and environmentally-friendly bodycare products, including skincare, sunscreen, and deodorant. "We need to move beyond the mentality of extraction and destruction as a form of gaining wealth and making business function," says Caroline. "I've surprised a lot of investors when they ask: 'are you out for profit or to do something good?', and I answer the question: 'yes.'"

We are bringing you an exclusive look at your co-host Eva Yazhari's new book, The Good Your Money Can Do: Becoming a Conscious Investor., joined by our producer, Mathilde Beniflah. Eva Yazhari is a seasoned investor, entrepreneur, and CEO with 16 years of experience working in the venture capital and asset management industries. She is the co-founder and CEO of Beyond Capital Fund, and launched her weekly magazine, The Conscious Investor, in 2019.  In this episode, we speak with Eva about her guide to finding meaning and purpose with our money. In The Good Your Money Can Do, Eva shows readers that your money has more potential than you ever thought possible. "As an impact investor, the minute we put our money into a company, the impact starts then," says Eva. "I think one of the key ingredients of being a conscious investor is having an abundance mindset. It's knowing that the pie is not finite."

In the United States, there is one doctor for every five patients. But in rural India, there is one doctor for every 50,000 patients.   In this episode, we speak with Anurag Jain. Anurag is the Chairman and CEO of Access Healthcare, which has over 13,000 employees in India, the US, and the Philippines. He is also the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Perot Jain, a venture capital firm. Anurag is on the Board of several companies, global think tanks, and nonprofit organizations. He was previously a Vice-President at Dell. "Understanding local cultural nuances is extremely important - it's why the United Nations of the world can do big things in some places, but get it very wrong in others," says Anurag. "The more you have, the more responsibility you have to the rest of the world."

The global kombucha market size was estimated at $1.67 billion in 2019 and roughly $2.02 billion in 2020. This week, learn from Daina Trout, the co-founder and CEO of Health-Ade. Health-Ade is a kombucha company based in Los Angeles whose products are sold in over 26,000 stores nationwide. Daina previously worked in pharmaceuticals and nutrition. "Health-Ade has evolved in how it makes kombucha - and part of that evolution is investing a lot more in science," says Daina. "I look at it as a continuous improvement process: where can we do better this year than we did last year? Let's push ourselves a bit!"

Every year, 450,000,000 condoms are sold in the United States.  In this episode, we speak with Meika Hollender, the creator of the "world's most sustainable condom", and the founder and CEO of Sustain. Sustain is a line of all-natural sexual wellness products. Meika is on the Board of Net Impact, and is also the author of “Get On Top,” a guide to reproductive and sexual health. "In the consumer products space, the idea is that you're going to reinvent the product, make it more sustainable and healthier. That's what consumers are demanding today," says Meika. "We built a movement and a conversation. In reflecting, we built a sexual wellness category."

Greenhouses use 90% less land and water than field grown greens. To learn more about greenhouses and more, hear from Brian Cook. Brian is the CEO of Pete's, a company that specializes in greenhouse-grown lettuce and produce, with a special focus on reducing packaging and food waste. Pete's distributes at major supermarkets including Walmart, Kroger, Target, and more. Brian is also the Chairman of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, and was previously the Director of Sales at San Miguel Produce. "Taking care of your people is a lifestyle. It's not a project. If you tackle it as a project, you lose authenticity. This has to be something you live every day," says Brian. "A lot of times, doing good does come at a cost. But ultimately, there is a way profit and purpose are built and grow together."

Americans use about 50 billion plastic water bottles per year. However, the recycling rate for plastic is only 9%, which means that 40+ billion water bottles – more than $1 billion worth of plastic – are wasted each year. In this episode, learn from Shadi Bakour, the founder and CEO of PathWater, a  company that manufactures reusable, refillable water bottles, with the mission of ending single use plastic in the industry. Shadi previously founded Exumme, a technology hardware company, and has held positions at Booz Allen and The Abraaj Group. "What we're doing is much bigger than Pathwater. There is a movement against single-use plastic, and we are really proud of leading that movement within our space," says Shadi. "We need to build the infrastructure on a global scale to create access to clean water in places where it's not as accessible."

Approximately 430 million people work in fashion and textile production; this means that one in eight workers around the world is involved in the fashion industry.  This week, we speak with Ian Bentley, the founder and CEO of Parker Clay, a fashion company that creates premium leather goods sourced from Ethiopia, with a special focus on hiring women. Ian previously served as President of Zia Group, a real estate developer, and has experience in marketing, sales, and business operations.  "The generations that are rising up think it's no longer an option to not know how things are made and how people are treated. We're here because we want to create opportunities for women to not just survive, but to thrive," says Ian. "If we're not having an impact, we don't exist. It's that simple." 

The number of babies born in the U.S. hit the lowest level in more than three decades in 2019, continuing a five-year downward trend, according to a new federal report.In this episode, we speak with Caroline Noublanche. Caroline is the co-founder and CEO of Apricity, a company that is disrupting the fertility clinic and treatment industries, to improve the experiences and outcomes for women and couples who are struggling to conceive. Caroline was previously the CEO of Prylos, a business she sold in 2011, and Vice President at Doro AB, a Swedish technology company."We want to change the way fertility treatments are provided to patients, with treatment that is tailored to your specific needs, preferences and location," says Caroline. "Women are often told how not to become pregnant; but rarely have they been told how they should."

According to McKinsey research, the fashion industry emits the same quantity of greenhouse gases per year as the entire economies of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom combined. Under the current trajectory, the fashion industry misses the 1.5ºC pathway set by the Paris Climate Accords by 50%. This week, we are thrilled to learn from Marci Zaroff. Marci is the Founder and CEO of ECOfashion Corp's “Greenhouse of Brands,” that include MetaWear, Yes And, and Farm to Home. Marci is a serial entrepreneur who has also founded Under the Canopy, a sustainable fashion company, Beyond Brands, Good Catch Foods, a plant-based fish product brand, and The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Marci serves as an Advisor and Board member to many companies. She also helped to define the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the first USA Fair Trade Textile Certification. "When I coined and trademarked the term "ecofashion" in 1995, people thought I was crazy," says Marci. "The current system with fast fashion has crammed farmers and factory workers down to levels that are inhumane. We now have a standard that focuses on renewable energy, social justice, water stewardship, as well as material health and material re-use."

On average, 85% of high school students graduate within four years in the U.S. However, the average for white public high school students (89%) was 10% higher than the average for Black and Latino students (79%) in the 2017–18 school year. In this episode, we speak with Howard Bell, the CEO of Abl Schools. Abl is an education software company that is aiming to improve education equity across districts. Abl focuses on understanding student access and enrollment in courses, and the distribution of teacher load, through a master schedule. Howard previously held leadership positions in the education sector, including at Hobsons, Study Group, Kaplan, and Scholastic.  "The key is to not let biases become unchecked in the educational process, because that's when systemic barriers come into play," says Howard. "We are here to help illustrate all the imbalances present in school systems, so that you can understand from an equity perspective which student groups are getting access to rigorous courses necessary for college eligibility."

In the United States, less than 20% of senior positions in Real Estate companies are held by women. This week, meet Tammy Jones. Tammy is the founder and CEO of Basis Investment Group, a commercial real estate firm that has closed $4 billion in real estate investments across the United States. Tammy has held numerous executive positions at real estate investment companies including CWCapital LLC and Equitable Real Estate, and has invested capital for more than 14 public pension plans. Tammy is also a Trustee for Georgia State University. "Investing with diverse managers and owners in and of itself has social impact, because we invest together and we hire each other," says Tammy. "No one can do everything across the diversity spectrum. You have to figure out what your area is, to be able to create and affect  change."

We are excited to bring you a Special Episode: Getting Started in Impact Investing. This week, join our hosts for an invigorating discussion with our producer Mathilde Beniflah, a Director at Beyond Capital Fund. We unpack: what are accessible opportunities for anyone to become an impact investor? How and where do you get started? Tune in to understand what impact investing is, and how it differs from Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing or philanthropy. Together, we will share practical examples in public and private markets and tips for you to be a successful impact investor."If you care at all about making a difference, then impact investing is for you," says Mathilde. "A lot of what has contributed to the growth of impact investing is financial advisors trying to respond to questions from their clients that they can't answer."At The Beyond Capital Podcast, it is our goal to shed light on topics that we find interesting, inspirational, and educational. Therefore, this podcast episode is strictly for inspirational and informational purposes only. It is in no way intended to substitute for professional investment advice, professional financial advice, or general counsel. To the extent that an episode features the insight, opinions, or advice of an expert or company, the expressed views are those of the cited person or company and do not necessarily represent The Beyond Capital Podcast and its employees or affiliates.

Packaging waste represents one-third of all municipal trash. Scientists estimate that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in Earth's oceans. Hear from Brian Powers, the co-founder and CEO of TemperPack, a company that is innovating in the logistics and packaging space by creating sustainable, functional packaging products. Brian previously worked in investment banking. "I think within 10 years, we will have virtually eradicated Styrofoam coolers, and massively reduced the burden on landfills," says Brian. "There's a huge opportunity here. Styrofoam is a 70-year-old material, and in the last 10 years, people have realized it's just not good enough."

The Federal Reserve estimated that there were 55 million unbanked or underbanked adult Americans in 2018, which account for 22% of U.S. households. This week, learn from Michael Pugh, the President and CEO of Carver Federal Savings Bank. Carver is a New York-based bank founded in 1948 to serve primarily black communities, and today is the largest publicly-traded, black-operated bank in the United States. Michael has previously held executive positions at financial institutions like Capital One and Citizens Bank. "Financial health and wellness is a critical part of our overall being that has to be nurtured," says Michael. "Banking is about the relationship you have at a financial institution that can participate in helping you construct solutions for you and your business."

The legal services industry in the United States generated approximately $288 billion in revenue in 2018. Over 1.1 million people are employed in legal occupations in the U.S.  In this episode, hear from Chintan Panchal, a Founding Partner of RPCK Rastegar Panchal, a specialized law firm focused on serving mostly impact investors and social entrepreneurs. Chintan was previously an attorney at Allen & Overy, and currently serves as a Board Member at Camelback Ventures. "We are really trying to work with people who are moving the needle on things that are important to them," says Chintan. "But sometimes I worry that the point of impact may be getting lost, as the industry is evolving."

Despite increased conversations to improve representation, the fund industry has made no progress in 20 years according to a report by Morningstar. Only 11% of U.S. fund managers were women in 2019, down from 13.8% in 2000. Tracy Gray is the Founder and Managing Partner of The 22 Fund, a venture capital firm that focuses on increasing the export capacity of U.S. companies and creating jobs, with an emphasis on women and minority-owned companies. Tracy is also the founder of We Are Enough, a nonprofit educating people on why and how to invest with a gender lens. She has extensive experience working across venture capital, the Mayor's Office in Los Angeles, and the music and aerospace industries.  "We are in a decisive decade. We don't have time to only focus on one issue," says Tracy. "Because we are holistic investors, if we invest in a manufacturing firm, we will help them become more clean. We are trying to create the clean, quality jobs of the future."

Impact investing has grown to be a $500 billion industry. In a recent GIIN survey, 80% of impact investors said that more transparency around impact investing results would help reduce "impact washing" and “industry-mission drift.” This week, we speak with Fleur Heyns. Fleur is the co-founder of Proof of Impact, a technology company that enables the tracking, measurement, and verification of the impact of investments. Fleur was previously the founder and CEO of Global Trader, now the largest online stockbroker and trading platform in South Africa. She has been an investor, advisor, and founding shareholder of many initiatives across South Africa and Europe including Emerge Education, ClearlySo, and Ardmore Design. "If you were able to make impact visible, and every single company were completely transparent, it is totally obvious that only the companies that have positive impact would thrive and be financially successful," says Fleur. "It's not what you do but how you do it that matters."

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Clinical Laboratory Services was estimated at US$96.8 Billion for 2020, and is projected to reach US$135.5 Billion by 2027. In this episode, we speak with Alain Chetrit, the co-founder and Chairman of LabConnect, a centralized laboratory services provider. He is also the Managing Partner of The Knowledge Pledge, a nonprofit encouraging purpose-driven leaders to share their time and expertise with social entrepreneurs. Alain was previously the CEO of Hugo Boss, the founder of First Regional Telecom, and has held numerous positions at financial services and advisory firms.  "Knowledge, when you start sharing it, multiplies by itself," says Alain. "The knowledge you've given is like a seed that someone else can water and grow."

During the Covid-19 pandemic, about 8.5% of renters in the United States, or 2.82 million households, missed, delayed or made reduced payments.In this episode, hear from Gino Borges, a Partner at OpenPath Investments, a social impact real estate company that acquires under-performing multi-family properties and transforms them into vibrant communities. Gino was previously a principal at the Impact Capital Group, an incubator for mission-driven entrepreneurs. Gino is also an experienced real estate investor, a frequent speaker and host of the Journey to Impact podcast."There's a deeper opportunity to connect people to their micro-communities," says Gino. "We see a lot more people collaborating, which is really where the beauty and resilience of a program is."

According to a CNBC report, as of the end of the second quarter 2020, 534 index funds focused on sustainability, overseeing a combined $250 billion. In the U.S., assets in sustainable index funds have quadrupled in the last three years and now represent 20% of the total. In this episode, we speak with Jennifer Kenning, the co-founder and CEO of Align Impact, an independent fiduciary and impact specialist that works with clients to help them integrate impact strategies and investments into their broader wealth management strategy. Jenn was previously a Partner and Board Member at Aspiriant, a wealth management firm, before leaving to start Align.  "I believe measuring and reporting should inspire a change in behavior, an a-ha moment," says Jenn. "Knowing what you own and educating yourself on what's out there - that is power."

Approximately 63% of materials used in fashion production are synthetic, like polyester or nylon. These materials are produced from crude oil, and are not biodegradable. Thus, most of the fashion industry is reliant on fossil fuels for their production. Desiree Buchanan is the founder of Poplinen, an online collection of eco-friendly, size inclusive clothing for women. Previously, Desiree was a Senior Communications Manager at The Black Tux, and has held positions at Warby Parker and Conde Nast. "When you learn about these fabrics that don't have longevity and are cheaper quality, you start to really think about what's in your closet and what you're contributing to," says Desiree. "At the end of the day, we have to grow. The tension of that is: how do I make my business move forward in a healthy way?"

In the U.S., 17 billion pounds of office furniture end up in landfills each year. The average desk chair generates approximately 72kg of carbon dioxide equivalents. Richard Shirtcliffe is the co-founder and CEO of noho, a furniture company creating earth-friendly designs, comprised mainly of up-cycled plastic waste. Richard is a serial entrepreneur, who began his career by starting a marketing company. He was previously the CEO of Tuatara Brewery, New Zealand's largest independent brewery, and the CEO of Coffee Supreme. He has served as an advisor and Board member to many growth companies in New Zealand, including the Wellington Chocolate Factory! "Great companies that are truly wanting to be sustainable are thinking in terms of their people, their planet, and their profit," says Richard. "I think this is an opportunity for us as a brand to transform the way in which people think about furniture experiences in the home; thinking about them in terms of delivering well-being to themselves, their family, and their planet."

Tune in to the last episode of Season 1 of the Beyond Capital Podcast! 13% of the world's population - 940 million people - still do not have access to electricity. 3 billion people around the world still do not have access to clean fuels or energy sources. Mansoor Hamayun is the co-founder and CEO of BBOXX, a company that develops, manufactures and distributes solar energy solutions to countries across Africa and Asia, bringing electricity to over 1.3 million people. Mansoor previously worked in engineering and aviation at Rolls Royce.  "In a period of uncertainty, electricity is comforting. Access to electricity is fundamental to ensuring an acceptable quality of life," says Mansoor. "Through my business, I realized that bringing electricity actually has an impact on self-dignity. I had never thought about 'access' like that before."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

In this week's episode, we speak with Dennis Barsema, a founding Investor at Impact Engine and the Chairman of Northern Illinois University. He is a former Fortune 500 CEO, having led several companies in the telecommunications and technology space. He has also been a Director at many nonprofits and organizations, including Carpenter's Place, Opportunity International, Collaborative Group, and several microfinance organizations. We also recently interviewed his son, Jason Barsema. "I don't think any business can survive right now without having some kind of social purpose," says Dennis. "I think big business has an absolute ability to move the needle on social issues."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website. 

According to the USDA, in 2018, Americans consumed a near-record 220 pounds of red meat and poultry per capita — in 1960, that figure was just 167 pounds. Domestic production of meat hit a record high of more than 100 billion pounds.In this episode, meet Paul Shapiro. Paul is the CEO of The Better Meat Co., a business-to-business company that produces plant-based proteins and sells them to institutional food sellers and meat processors. Paul previously worked in animal rights advocacy at The Humane Society, and is the host of the Business for Good podcast. He is also the author of “Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World.”"Beyond the health benefits, I believe our strategy will reduce the number of animals needed for food production, faster than anything else," says Paul. "Better Meat Co. is not trying to compete against anyone in the marketplace. We're trying to help food companies do better."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

Almost 18% of girls and women missed out on school and work last year in Rwanda because they lacked access menstrual pads. These absences amount to a potential GDP loss of $115 million in Rwanda alone. This week, hear from Joanna Bichsel, the founder and CEO of Kasha. Kasha is an e-commerce and consumer insights platform providing women in East Africa with health and personal care products, in an accessible and discrete way. Joanna previously worked for the Gates Foundation and Microsoft. "The truth is, you often hear that women are very influential in economies and society. But when you look at how we build solutions, women are massively underserved," says Joanna. "I want Kasha to make sure that no woman ever has a difficult time in getting the self-care products she needs to live her best life."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website. 

Since 1950, the S&P 500 has undergone 37 separate stock market corrections of at least 10%. Stock market corrections occur, on average, every 1.87 years. Jason Barsema is the co-founder and President of Halo Investing, a technology platform that makes structured financial products more accessible. Halo lets you customize the return, protection, maturity and underlying exposure of your investments. "The problem we saw is that most investors have access to stocks and bonds, but nothing in between. Halo is about bringing investment protection to the masses," says Jason. "We want to provide this important concept to investors of all wallet sizes across the world, particularly during these difficult times."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

During 2014, American K-12 schools will spend an estimated $9.94 billion on educational technology. U.S. schools alone purchased approximately 3.5 million tablets in 2014. Today, we speak with Nick Kind, Senior Director of Tyton Partners, for a special episode on the future of education. Tyton Partners is an advisory and strategy consulting firm specializing in education. Nick focuses on impact investment, venture philanthropy and other investment projects in education and the “Future of Work.” He previously ran an education software company, worked in publishing at the Holtzbrinck Group, and was a Senior Vice President at Area9, a personalized learning platform. "What's happening now is not online learning. It's emergency remote learning," says Nick. "Technology is just a tool to deliver an outcome. It's the way you use those tools that matters."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

Every year, an estimated 20 billion pounds of cosmetically imperfect or unharvested food are wasted. This week, hear from someone directly tackling this issue: Christine Moseley. Christine is the founder and CEO of Full Harvest, a business-to-business marketplace for ugly and surplus produce. Full Harvest helps farms sell oddly-shaped & surplus produce that would otherwise go to waste, through a marketplace where food & beverage companies purchase and save money. "One third of all edible produce does not even leave farms in the US. That's a staggering number, especially when people are going hungry and there is even more food waste downstream in the supply chain," says Christine. "Farms have completely changed their agricultural practices to harvest for perfection. Now is the time to urgently come together and work aggressively on solutions across the supply chain to solve food waste."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

The United Nations estimates that sub-Saharan Africa loses 40 billion work hours per year collecting water; the equivalent to an entire year's worth of labour in France! In this episode, we speak with Sunil Lalvani, the founder and CEO of Project Maji. Project Maji is a nonprofit that leverages solar technology to bring access to clean water across rural Africa. Previously, Sunil was a Director at his family business Binatone, a consumer electronics company, working around the world. "Does a social enterprise have to be a for-profit or a not-for-profit? I don't think it matters. I prefer the phrase 'not-for-dividend,'" says Sunil. "In the not-for-profit world, you use the word 'surplus' instead of 'profit.' The difference is that I'm not going to dividend that out - it's just going to stay in the organization. The terminology is antiquated. It shouldn't be what holds people back."

Can money buy happiness? According to a Princeton University study, there is  a correlation between happiness and wealth, up to a point of about $75,000 per year. After that, happiness is not correlated with increased money. This week, we hear from Seth Streeter about wealth consciousness. Seth is the founder and CEO of Mission Wealth, a wealth management firm that specializes in guiding clients through major life events, and helping people find - and fund - their purpose. Seth is also the Founder of Sustainable Future, a technology platform providing campaigns and resources to affect change for a cleaner, safer planet. "The CEO to me is the Chief Energy Officer," says Seth. "I find that culturally, if people can feel like they are cared for and that they have a purpose beyond themselves, that can add tremendous fuel and resiliency, even during the challenging times we're under today."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

According to a 2016 survey, 44% of new managers felt unprepared for their role. 87% wished they'd had more training before becoming a manager. This week, hear from Abilash Jaikumar, co-founder and Managing Director of TresVista. TresVista provides financial services, research, and data analytics support for organizations in the finance industry. He has worked in both the investment banking and private equity industries and has been involved in more than $20 billion of financing and M&A activity. "There's a misalignment of interest in being good at managing, and therefore most organizations don't actually train you on how to be a manager of people," says Abilash. "Years ago, we were taught that management's job is to increase shareholder value. Over time, that's now changed to stakeholder. So our job as managers is to look after our stakeholders, which are primarily our employees, our customers and our community."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website. 

In this special episode, your hosts Eva Yazhari and Ed Stevens have a frank conversation about what the post-pandemic world could look like. More than ever before, people have extremely divergent views on what the future holds. Eva and Ed unpack the questions many of us have, and offer insight on what trends may be here to stay.Where is purpose-driven business headed in the post-Covid economy? Where is the economy headed? How are geographies affected differently? What opportunities exist for conscious businesses, investors, and consumers? What is the key to being successful during this time?All this and more on this week's episode of the Beyond Capital Podcast.

In 2019, women-owned companies represented 42% of all American businesses. Additionally, the number of women-owned businesses increased by 21%, while all businesses increased by 9%.  In this episode, we speak with Suzanne Lerner, the co-founder and President of Michael Stars, a fashion brand based out of Los Angeles. She is an activist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, serving on several nonprofit boards including the ACLU of Southern California, the ERA Coalition, and the Ms. Foundation. "Social impact was always in our DNA. We were like a mini B Corp: we cared about our employees, we cared about paying a living wage. We cared about paying their health insurance and sick days. We really were walking the walk," says Suzanne. "Looking at my investments, I wanted to start using my voice. It just can't be about only making money an investing in things  you don't agree with."

This week, hear from Dan Price, CEO of Gravity Payments. Many people know him for his decision to give up most of his own salary so that everyone at his company would make a minimum wage of $70,000. Gravity Payments is a credit card and payment processing company catering to small businesses. Dan is publishing a book, "Worth It," about his experiences. Despite productivity in the United States rising by 70% over the last 40 years, the hourly pay of most workers has stagnated, increasing only 11.6% over that same time period. The median household annual income today is approximately $55,000 (pre-Covid-19).  "Small businesses unquestionably make our lives better, make our communities better," says Dan. "When I announced I was taking a $1 million pay cut to pay everyone $70,000 a year, the situation was that I was now in a community where everybody could meet their needs. And Gravity Payments became more about the people and the principles behind the company."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

This episode was recorded before Covid-19 changed all of our lives. Visit United by Blue's Instagram page for the most updated information about how they are responding to the pandemic.Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions. While people bought 60% more garments in 2014 than in 2000, they only kept the clothes for half as long. Brian Linton is the founder and CEO of United by Blue, an outdoor brand focused on conservation and sustainable supply chains. United by Blue clothing and accessory products can be found in 1,300 stores around the country. Brian was previously the founder of Sand Shack, a beachwear company, and is an advocate for ocean clean-up efforts. "When I started my first business as a 19-year-old, I thought the only way to do good was to give money away," says Brian. "As I thought about the brand I wanted to start, I realized that I wanted to have a physical impact. Not a donation-based model, but an activism and community-based model."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 could unlock $12 trillion in market value and help create 350 million jobs worldwide. This week, we hear from Florian Kemmerich, the Managing Partner of Bamboo Capital Partners. Bamboo is a private equity impact investing firm, focusing primarily in financial services, energy, agriculture and healthcare in emerging markets around the world. Florian was previously an executive in biotech and medical device companies around the world, and is the Chairman of LIFNano Technologies, a company seeking treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. "Doing good is not a trade off - even though a lot of people psychologically believe that either you make money or you do good," says Florian. "In my experience, it's  more of a risk-reward scenario. At the end of the day, due diligence always includes an emotional bet on a perceived value of an entrepreneur or business you believe in."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

In the United States, it is estimated that more than 30 million women suffer from low libido.In this episode, meet Dr. Lyndsey Harper, the founder and CEO of Rosy. Rosy is a sexual wellness platform connecting women with low libido to resources and community. Lyndsey is also a Board certified practicing Ob/Gyn and a professor at Texas A&M. Forbes has named her as one of the Top 50 Women Disrupting Healthcare."We - especially women - don't talk enough about sexual health. In my private practice, patients come in on a daily basis and each one would feel like she's the only one with this problem," says Lyndsey. "I became passionate about creating a platform that physicians could recommend, and where patients could find answers for their problems. And that's what Rosy is!"For more on the podcast, visit the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

The hospitality sector is the 3rd largest private sector employer in the UK, providing livelihood to 2.9 million people and generating £130bn in economic activity.  This week, hear from Paul van Zyl about how he is thinking of gathering people for good in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul is the co-founder of The Conduit, a membership community of people passionate about social change. Previously, Paul served in South Africa's post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and co-founded the International Centre for Transitional Justice, a nonprofit that works in countries that have endured human rights violations in conflict. Paul is also a co-founder and CEO of Maiyet, an ethical luxury fashion brand. "I started a non-profit that went from zero to raising $20 million a year. I realized I was only dealing with philanthropic capital, deploying the 2-4% of what people give away," says Paul. "But I thought: what about the other 96-98%? How do we orient that capital to achieve good in the world? And that's how I tripped over into social entrepreneurship." For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

According to a State Street Global Investor's report, almost 70% of investors stated that their ESG investments help manage portfolio volatility.  In this episode, we interview Sunny Vanderbeck, the Managing Partner of Satori Capital. Satori is an investment firm founded on the principles of conscious capitalism. They focus on businesses that operate with a long-term perspective, commit to their mission, and create value for stakeholders, not just shareholders. Previously, Sunny was the CEO of Data Return, now part of Verizon, and served in the U.S. Army. "It's your job as the CEO to figure out what you care about and who you care about," says Sunny. "And like the entrepreneurs that we are, at some point, we just said: perhaps we'll stop complaining about it and see if we can go fix it."For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

"As you work from home or shelter in place, if cleaning out your closet is one of the tasks you decide to tackle, folks can donate their used shoes and clothes to Soles4Souls and our amazing partner Zappos will pay for the shipping! Just visit this link to learn more and get a pre-printed shipping label. We believe generosity is good for the soul, especially if you're social distancing!” -- Soles4Souls One in five children in developing countries survive on $1.90/day. That's nearly 385 million girls and boys living in extreme poverty worldwide, who often lack access to basic goods and services - including shoes. This week, hear from Buddy Teaster, the CEO of Soles4Souls, a nonprofit committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing. Buddy is a serial entrepreneur, having founded and run a number of companies, including ClickPatrol, an online advertising company, and RTM, a professional development network for university alumni and membership organizations. "Economic impact is just another way to think about business," says Buddy. "To me, the biggest difference is finding the right way to have a North Star. A way to evaluate every decision that allows you to balance the mission and the financial performance.For more on the podcast, see the Beyond Capital Podcast website.

There are more than 2 million companies in the U.S. alone that have at least five employees. That means there are 2 million CEOs in this country, and that you have a 1 in 50 chance of becoming one yourself!Hooman Yazhari is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board at Beyond Capital Fund. He is a CEO with international experience and serves on several Boards including Bristow Group and Voyager Aviation. He focuses on change management through the life cycles of distressed companies undergoing transformation. Hooman was previously the CEO of Waypoint, a helicopter-leasing business, and served as General Counsel at CHC Helicopter, the world's largest helicopter operator. And he happens to be the husband of our co-host, Eva Yazhari!"If a leader is only thinking 'what's in it for me,' that's not a sustainable way to lead," says Hooman. "Rather, if a leader thinks: how can I get the best out of this team of people? How can I help them succeed? Well then, the team works like a Swiss watch and the leader looks like an absolute genius."Books mentioned: "Great by Choice" by Jim Collins, and "The Trillion Dollar Coach" by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, Alan Eagle.Read Hooman's article in The Conscious Investor!For more on the podcast, visit The Beyond Capital Podcast website.