Shan Berries launched Shades by Shan to bring affordable high-performance cosmetics to the market – and to help single parents through her nonprofit.
Social Entrepreneurship
Her Club Gets Books into Prisons
Christine Calabrese’s EmBOSSed Book Club delivers self-development books to incarcerated readers.
Improving The Lives of Special-Needs Children Living in Orphanages
Maya Crauderueff started Maya’s Hope to help orphaned kids with special needs living in the Philippines and Ukraine.
Her Jewelry Company Hires and Trains Neurodivergent Artisans
Stephanie Choo’s jewelry line, Eden + Elie, provides individuals on the Autism spectrum with employment opportunities and craft skills.
She’s Empowering Tradeswomen in Kenya
Tatu Gatere offers training in carpentry, painting and tiling to women throughout the East African nation through her company, Buildher.
She’s Making Life Sweeter for Her Community
Olivia Carpenter’s cookie company, Via’s Cookies, offers treats for every diet, and donates a portion of its profits to marginalized students in need.
She Uses Plant Waste to Make Sustainable Fabrics
Cynthia Asije’s company, Adire Lounge, creates textiles out of surprising bits of agricultural waste.
She Uses Storytelling to Amplify Marginalized Voices
Catharine Montgomery is the founder of Better Together, a marketing agency that serves underrepresented communities.
Her Affordable Backpacks are Designed for Every Kind of Adventure
Matilda Sandstroem is the founder of Adventurist Backpack Co., which makes high-quality, affordable backpacks whose sales help feed families in need.
This Duo Helps Companies With Futuristic Ad Strategies
Fairlane Raymundo and Rebecca Binny’s agency, RayCo Media, incorporates Web3 expertise, from crypto to NFTs to the metaverse.
Her Fashion Brand Empowers Women in Guatemala
Ruth Alvarez-DeGolia helps women artisans tap international markets through her social enterprise, Mercado Global — allowing them to earn critical income.
On a 21-Year Mission in Minneapolis to Make ‘Beer That Gives Back’
Jacquie Berglund has steered Finnegans through the years – and more recently, the pandemic and social unrest – to sell craft beers that fight food insecurity.
Meet the Abortion Clinic Owner Who Took on Texas
For Amy Hagstrom Miller, providing high-quality reproductive care to women is a mission.
She’s Empowering Women Through Microfinance and Seamless Underwear
Renata Black is the founder of EBY, a social enterprise making seamless underwear and lifting women out of poverty.
She’s Running A Purpose-Driven Brand Behind Dozens Of Baby Products
Michelle Buelow is the founder of Bella Tunno, a baby brand designed to make parenting easier and more fun.
Her Fashion Brand Empowers Women in Guatemala. Now, She’s Fighting for Change at U.S. Border
After 15 years running Mercado Global, Ruth Álvarez-DeGolia is taking on a bigger role to aid immigrant families from Central America.
Revisiting ‘Instead of Building a Wall…’
Vice president Kamala Harris traveled to Guatemala and Mexico this week to better understand the migrant crisis. We’re re-releasing our 2019 podcast featuring Kate Curran, whose nonprofit gives families a reason to stay in Central America.
She Is Working To Fix Broken Philanthropic Systems
Alix Lebec is the founder of Lebec Consulting, a firm working to change the tides of inequality through impact investing.
She’s Helping the Homeless – And Inspiring Others To Do So As Well
Marisa Sheff is the founder of Sock Footage, a social enterprise that donates a pair of socks to the homeless with every pair purchased.
She Started an Initiative to Help Women in Domestic Violence Shelters — It Grew Into A Sustainable Apparel Business
Hayley Santell is the founder of MADI Apparel, a social enterprise fashion line that donates to a woman in need for every purchase made.
She’s Rescuing Stray Dogs and Providing Employment Opportunities to Underserved Women
Deb Jarrett is the founder of Dharamsala Animal Rescue, an India based dog shelter that’s tackling the country’s massive street dog problem while also employing local women.
Amid Pandemic Hunger Crisis, Entrepreneurial Women Work to Combat Food Insecurity
With a mix of savvy and compassion, these socially conscious women are lending a helping hand as more people go hungry during Covid-19.
Baby Horses Are Still Being Born: Running a Horse Sanctuary During Coronavirus
For Lynn Hummer, founder of Pregnant Mare Rescue, her work continues amidst shelter-in-place orders.
Ep. 41: Making Affordable Prosthetics for Amputees
Around the world, 45 million amputees lack access to a prosthetic limb. At UMass-Lowell, plastics engineer Erin Keaney is designing a solution.
She’s Helping Get Your Second Hand Clothes Straight onto The Backs of Those Who Need Them Most
Anushka Jain’s Share At Door Step collects second hand goods straight from your doorstep and gets them to NGOs across India.
3 Mission-Driven Women Entrepreneurs Share What Inspired Them to Start
The number of women-led social enterprises is growing. These female founders turned ideas into businesses that are getting results.
Ep. 35: A Podcast for Dog Lovers
Once upon a time, Sherri Franklin was a successful (but uninspired) hairstylist. To find purpose in life, she began volunteering at the SPCA…and an old dog named Heidi captured her heart. Today, Franklin runs Muttville, a $4 million social enterprise that specializes in rescuing senior dogs.
Her Business is Providing Adults With Developmental Challenges Employment and Independence – Through Slow Cooking
Meg Barnhart started Zen of Slow Cooking, a line of spice blends, to create social impact.
She’s Improving The Lives of Subsistence Farmers in The Himalayas
Ellie Skeele is helping Nepalese farmers supplement their income through her business Himalayan Wild Fibers.
Disrupting the Stereotype of ‘Scholarship Kids’
Cindy Laba and Marsha Feinberg of Beacon Academy want kids from low-income backgrounds to thrive at the best private high schools.
She’s Working to Make Africa a Healthier Place to Live
Irivwegu Imade Ovuakpor is promoting healthy living through her social enterprise Healthy Moms and Kids Africa.
How a ‘Champion of Change’ Stays Inspired, Even on Soul-Crushing Days
Deborah Shore of Sasha Bruce Youthwork has worked with homeless young people for 45 years. The work is not easy.
JJ Ramberg on the End of ‘Your Business’ and What’s Ahead
The former MSNBC TV host, who also runs socially conscious company Goodshop, talks about her career and what excites her.
Ep. 33: Instead of Building a Wall…
Lost in the politics of “build the wall” is how to help families in Central America. In this inspiring podcast, we talk to Kate Curran of Boston, whose School the World builds schoolhouses in Guatemala and Honduras.
This Oscar Winner Got Folks Talking About Period Stigma. These Women Have Fought it for Years
And the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short went to … “Period. End of Sentence,” a movie shining a light on the period stigma holding back girls the world over.
Why This $1 Million Beauty Startup Cares About African Shea Farmers
Shea Radiance founder Funlayo Alabi wants to help women farmers who create the raw African shea butter used in her company’s hair and skincare products.
How to Start a Socially Responsible Business
When it come to social entrepreneurship, successful startups Warby Parker, TOMS and Casper have proven that you can build good into your business model.
Starting Over In 2019? How To Overcome Painful Career Setbacks
There’s no reason to fear change. Laura Stachel of We Care Solar describes how a devastating disappointment led to the most fulfilling chapter of her life.
Ep. 31: The Happiness of Reading
Did you know that opening a book for the joy of it floods us with good feelings? Rana Dajani created We Love Reading to foster a love of reading in young people.
Ep. 30: All About Those Periods
In our latest podcast episode, we talk with Celeste Mergens, who created Days for Girls to empower girls and women around the world by providing reusable sanitary products and health education.
Tragedy Inspired This Mom to Start a Travel Safety Nonprofit
Sheryl Hill of Depart Smart says her 16-year-old son died a preventable death — and she wants other travelers to avoid the same fate.
How to Seriously Make a Difference Through Your Work
Sure, you could have a safe and secure job in any old profession. But if you’re looking to make an impact, consider starting a social enterprise.
Why This Nonprofit Cares About Periods. And How Meghan Markle Might Help
Around the world, girls miss school because of stigmas about menstruation, or because they don’t have feminine-hygiene supplies. Days for Girls wants to change that.
The Earth Is Covered With Garbage. This Woman’s 3-D Printed Robots Are Coming to the Rescue
Erin Kennedy wants to combat littering with 3D-printed robots — and she’s crowdfunding to test the trash-collecting machines created by her social enterprise, Robot Missions.
This Entrepreneur is Crowdfunding to Turn Her Humanitarian Nonprofit into a Business
Angela Luna is transforming Adiff, which makes coats for refugees that can turn into tents, into a for-profit venture with jackets for everyone.
This ‘Infamous Mother’ Wants Everyone to Know That ‘Bad’ Moms Do Extraordinary Things
Sagashus Levingston has launched a $250,000 crowdfunding campaign to get copies of her coffee-table book on urban black mothers to people who are struggling financially.
This London Startup is Tackling Period Problems
Affi Parvizi-Wayne aims to improve access to menstrual-hygiene products by sending boxes to subscribers’ doors and reaching out to women in need.
For This CEO, Volunteerism Is as Important as Her Work
Rebecca Thomley’s company offers its employees paid time-off to help in charitable efforts — especially disaster relief. And she’s often first to sign up for a mission.
Chrissy Houlahan
Angered by Trump’s election, this Pennsylvania business leader and U.S. Navy veteran challenged an incumbent Republican for a seat in the U.S. House. Then he dropped out.
This Former Military Officer Is Teaching Young Girls to Be Confident
Girl Smarts founder Dianna Flett hopes her leadership workshop series will empower elementary school girls.