Stories of challenge and success from small businesses that are a force for good.
There is a growing community of entrepreneurs that find inspiration, meaning and success by using business as a force for good. Many of them identify as impact, social ventures, or mission-driven business owners and they are out to build a better future for us all... and make a healthy living doing it. This podcast is a collection of interviews with small business owners sharing their stories of hard-won lessons, relatable inspiration and actionable insights.
In today’s episode you’ll meet Harmony Ziegler of Akoya Lifestyle & Wellness Therapy. Akoya offers an innovative therapeutic approach to online therapy, therapy & wellness outdoors, and personal luxury retreat therapy. Harmony is an accredited wilderness guide, and she’s also a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Science in Counselling. She specializes in therapy for leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and game changers to maximize their social impact. You’ll notice the cadence of this conversation with Harmony is a little slower and intentional than usual. I think this, in part, comes from the qualities, pace and presence that she has cultivated in order to create spaciousness for people and their stories to unfold. Harmony shares the journey she took so that she could Give From a Full Cup.
This week’s story is about Being on the bleeding edge of culture. At the age of twenty-five, Sandra Nomoto founded Conscious Public Relations Inc., an award-winning virtual agency that certified as a B Corporation. After a decade in business, she authored and self-published The Only Public Relations Guide You’ll Ever Need. Living vegan since 2018, Nomoto is now The Content Doctor, a content writer and editor for vegan businesses who also helps vegan and spiritual non-fiction authors. She recently released the world's first vegan marketing book titled, Vegan Marketing Success Stories, and aspires to eat vegan food around the world and blog about it. It’s clear that Sandra is passionate about systemic change, in particular the adoption of vegan business practices.
Sharon Marshall is helping Indigenous women to find their voice and better economic opportunities through virtual administration. Her company, DEVA Training & Staffing Solutions, trains and then contracts Indigenous women as virtual assistants. She talks about how her connection to the strands of "her braid," her strong alliance with PowHERhouse and ReGEN Impact Media. These companies and many others have been pivotal in her ability to gain traction. DEVA's emerging success is a testament to the value of embracing interdependence.
Cheryl LeBarr has had a lifelong obsession with high quality outdoor gear. Now, they are the operations anchor of the 3 member co-founding team at MADE Outdoor. Made Outdoor creates customized performance outerwear at the same price point as off the shelf equivalents. Then they take it a few steps further. They ignore gender by focusing on the perfect fit, and they create their products with a deep commitment to a more sustainable and socially responsible future. In this episode, Cheryl shares her experience of dancing with timing.
