The Bonfires of Social Enterprise with Romy of Gingras Global | Social Enterprise | Entrepreneurship in Detroit
Romy Kochan | Gingras Global | Social Enterprise | Detroit Entrepreneurs
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Aug 21, 2018
S3: Sheri Lozano of Link2Lift #99
Sheri Lozano of Link2Lift
We had some fun jumping over to the west coast to talk with Sheri Lozano of Link2Lift. Sheri discusses her innovative and collaborative idea to use unused spaces for lifting others.
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Jul 24, 2018
S3: Kate Hayes EchoingGreen- Board Health #98
Kate Hayes EchoingGreen- Board Health
Back for another conversation this time with a very inspiring woman, Kate Hayes of Echoing Green. Kate discusses her incredibly interesting journey and love for health human interactions and support. She is a current leader in the impact investing and social enterprise development space.
For the full transcript click below
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Welcome, welcome, welcome, to the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. Romy here back for another conversation with a very inspiring woman, Kate Hayes of Echoing Green. Kate discusses her incredibly interesting journey and love for health human interactions and support.
First, let’s see what Natalie has prepared for our Fun Fuel for this episode.
I’m Natalie Hazen and I am bringing you this episode’s Fun Fuel
Leadership takes all kinds of forms and has many different styles. After all, we are all uniquely made and don’t respond the same way to things.
Let’s take a listen to some top leader’s motivational quotes of all time according to Inc. Magazine because according to them, “Sometimes the most powerful and meaningful things come from words that touch our heart and lead us forward to our potential.”
So Author Ernest Hemingway kicks us off with his quote: "When people talk, listen completely." --Ernest Hemingway
I need to work on that one myself!
Retired four-star general in the United States Army, Colin Powell said, "Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand." --Colin Powell
But I will wrap up with a motivational leadership quote from Harold R. McAlindon. He said,
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." --Harold R. McAlindon
Let’s tune in with Romy as she interviews this episode’s latest trailblazer.
Thanks, Natalie! So many great leaders have gone before us in history. Let’s turn our...
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Jul 11, 2018
S3: Genusee #97
Genusee
Wow, what a really great episode on a social enterprise called Genusee. Creatively designing eyewear out of recycled single-use plastic water bottles out of Flint, Michigan. Many of you may have heard some tough stories coming out of Flint. Specific to the water crisis over these past few years. You will meet the founders and designers, Ali Rose Van Overbeke and Jack Burns. They will discuss their journey in Flint and the whole launch process to date.
For the full transcript click below
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Welcome to episode 97 of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and I am your host for this episode on a really great social enterprise called Genusee. They are out of Flint, Michigan. Many of you may have heard some tough stories coming out of Flint, Michigan specific to the water crisis over these past few years. You will meet the founders and designers, Ali Rose Van Overbeke and Jack Burns. They discuss their journey in Flint and the whole launch process to date.
Oh, it feels good to be back after a mini-hiatus. Thanks for hanging in there while we made some new shows!
By the way, we have some great episodes coming up next from the east and west coasts culminating with a finale for Season 3 and our episode 100 which will be some interviews from the recent GUS awards held in Detroit.
So subscribe and stay tuned.
Now, let’s see what Natalie has in store for us on the Fun Fuel. What do you have for us, Natalie?
I’m Natalie Hazen and I am bringing you this episode’s Fun Fuel.
In today’s world, you see so many people wearing eyeglasses and on a super bright sunny day they most certainly break out their sunglasses. Glasses have become ultra-fashionable and why shouldn’t they? They most certainly are the very first thing people see when they look at your face unless they aren’t wearing theirs and they just can’t see you.
According to the website lenspick.com, the first vision correction device was invented in 1000 AD and called a reading stone. As you can imagine, it was for farsighted folk who couldn’t read properly and was basically a glass sphere used as a magnifying glass.
Now fast forward to 12th century China and you have the creation of Sunglasses. People back then used flat crystals of smoky quartz that were mounted for personal use to reduce the glare from the sun.
It is also said that these ‘sunglasses’ were used by judges while presiding cases, so as not to give away their emotions. Very interesting.
So, throughout history, mankind has made some very unique and purposeful inventions, including eyeglasses, that truly make our lives easier.
Thanks for listening and now on to the episode.
Fascinating that the first pair of eyeglasses was documented to be in 1000 AD. Thank you, Natalie, your fun fuels are always so interesting!
Let’s jump on in for a listen now to my conversation with Ali Rose Van Overbeke and Jack Burns and their really great company, Genusee.
Romy: So let's tell the listeners about Genusee.
Ali Rose: So Genusee is making eyewear in Flint, Michigan from recycled single-use plastic water bottles that were a result of the Flint water crisis.
Romy: So is it just the eyeglass frames, or are you putting the lenses in and all that?
Ali Rose: Yeah, we're doing everything. The frames are specifically what's made from the recycled water bottles, but we are working with an optical lab, so we do prescription eyeglasses as well as sunglasses.
Romy: So how did you make
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Apr 3, 2018
S3: Plum Health DPC with Dr. Paul Thomas #96
Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
We’re back with another episode here on social enterprise. We have a doctor on this show who has been making a big impact in Detroit. It is Dr. Paul Thomas of Plum Health Care DPC. He has a dream of changing the notion of health care from a plastic card in your wallet to true healing from a healing doctor! What a concept!
For the full transcript click below
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Hi Everyone, this is Romy, and we’re back with another episode here on social enterprise. We have a doctor on this show who has been making a big impact in Detroit. It is Dr. Paul Thomas of Plum Health Care DPC. He has a dream of changing the notion of health care from a plastic card in your wallet to true healing from a healing doctor! What a concept!
Before we get going here, I want to give a big hello and thanks to our listeners in Japan, we appreciate you!
Now, let’s see what Natalie has today for us on the Fun Fuel….
I’m Natalie Hazen and I am bringing you this episode’s Fun Fuel.
The Medicine Ball isn’t usually the hottest topic of conversation.
If you like to exercise and are a gym goer, you may incorporate the medicine ball into your routine. Or perhaps this little dynamo isn’t a part of your repertoire and you pass by, leaving it sitting on the rack wondering what to do with it.
While there are many ways to use the medicine ball in strength training, according to the website, azcentral.com,
One of the early uses of medicine balls was around 1,000 B.C. where Persian soldiers used round bladders filled with sand as part of their resistance training.
Later on, Navy doctors would tell sailors to throw the balls around the decks of the ships to reduce boredom, avoid seasickness and improve the overall health of the enlisted men.
But it was the United States President Herbert Hoover who brought the medicine ball to the attention of the rest of society in 1931 with his new sport called Hoover-Ball.
When the president’s personal physician noticed the president’s sedentary lifestyle he developed a medicine ball throwing game to get him up and moving around. The president and members of his team would...
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Feb 11, 2018
S3: PalmEraMia #95
PalmEraMia
Thanks for tuning in for this great episode on a social enterprise out of Miami! Our guest is Andres Restrepo, one of the founders of PalmEraMia, which is a fashion design company for athletic wear. Through their product sales, they support clean water efforts in Colombia. We learn why they chose Colombia and how they became so convicted about clean water for those without access. Stay tuned until the end of the show because we have our first Spanish rapper as our closing song on this episode.
For the full transcript click below
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Thanks for tuning in for this great episode on a social enterprise out of Miami! This is Romy, and I am honored to be your host. Our guest is Andres Restrepo, one of the founders of PalmEraMia, which is a fashion design company for athletic wear. Through their product sales, they support clean water efforts in Colombia. We learn why they chose Colombia and how they became so convicted about clean water for those without access. We have our first Spanish rapper as our closing song on this episode.
I want to take a moment to thank our listeners. Our team has grown over here at the Bonfires of Social Enterprise, and it is really about you, as our listeners, continuing to tune in. Thank you, thank you, thank you. By the way, don’t be shy! Reach out to us! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram which are all at bonfires podcast or you can jump to the website and email us or put a note in the mailbag. The website is www.bonfiresofsocialenterprise.com We respond quickly, and we love to talk to you!
So, back to our topic of business and social good. I think Natalie has something about water for us in our Fun Fuel……
I’m Natalie Hazen and I am bringing you this episodes’ Fun Fuel.
Many people have taken to the longstanding sport of surfing, riding amazing ocean waves. But did you know that you can surf the Great Lakes?
Now it is different than surfing in the ocean, mainly because nothing will eat you in the great lakes which to me is a huge bonus! According to Third Coast Surf Shops website,
Waves on the great lakes are caused by the transfer of energy from the wind blowing over the surface of the water. Whereas ocean waves are primarily created by offshore storms far from the beach, waves on the Lakes are produced by localized winds associated with various weather systems in and near the Great Lakes region. The great lakes have plenty of wind year-round to generate some huge waves. Waves on the great lakes have been documented at over 30 feet in height. Unfortunately, these conditions have been known to be brutal and have sunk many ships over the years. So while the Great Lakes can produce very large waves perfect for surfing, keep in mind you may find those perfect waves in the harsh cold of winter.
So bring a good wetsuit,...
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Jan 24, 2018
S3: Kathleen Kelly Janus – Stanford, Book #93
Kathleen Kelly Janus
Back for another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. Kathleen Kelly Janus is our guest discussing her new book, Social Startup Success, How the Best Nonprofits Launch, Scale Up and Make a Difference. Kathleen is an award-winning social entrepreneur, lawyer, and lecturer at Stanford University, where she teaches social entrepreneurship. And, as usual, we have a great Detroit artist playing a full song at the end of the episode so stay tuned.
For the full transcript click below
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Hello there, this is Romy back for another episode on the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. We have author, Kathleen Kelly Janus, as our guest discussing her new book, Social Startup Success, How the Best Nonprofits Launch, Scale Up and Make a Difference. Kathleen is an award-winning social entrepreneur, lawyer, and lecturer at Stanford University, where she teaches social entrepreneurship. And, as usual, we have a great Detroit artist playing a full song at the end of the episode so stay tuned.
Before we get rolling down the lane with good advice from Kathleen, let’s see what Natalie has come up with for our Fun Fuel for this episode.
I’m Natalie Hazen and I am bringing you this episode’s Fun Fuel.
Since this episode talks about Non-profits not operating on survival mode, I started thinking about what survival mode really means and I my mind drifted to cool animal survival instincts.
Survival instincts are inherent to all creatures great and small. I often wonder how animals survive natural disasters such as wildfires and tornados. I think of the birds being whipped around by such high winds and wonder if they get swooped up in the turbulence or soar higher.
According to TuftsNow.com, birds can ride out intense storms by taking advantage of microhabitats. Gale force winds can knock even the sturdiest of tv weatherman off their gait, but birds can seek shelter on the lee side of trees or deep inside thick hedges. The decrease in wind speed in these microhabitats can be huge, and as long as they stay put, they are not actually buffeted much by the wind. Now they do need to find food to last...
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Jan 3, 2018
S3: Our Common Future Conference – Oct. 27, 2017 – PART TWO #92
Our Common Future Conference – Oct. 27, 2017 Part Two
Our Common Future conference was held in Detroit, Michigan at the end of October 2017. We have a Part One and a Part Two to give you the top ten. We will interview several guest speakers that help shape our community. They give us some insight into the work that they do to empower entrepreneurship and Impact Investing.
For the full transcript click below
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Welcome Back to the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. On this episode, we continue with part two of the Our Common Futures conference. On this episode, Jennifer and Natalie, catch up with conference attendees Melanie Audette with the Mission Investors Exchange, Brenda Hunt with the Battle Creek Community Foundation, Amy Peterson of Rebel Nell, David Contorer with Hebrew Free Loans, and Jason Paulateer with PNC Bank and Foundation.
To kick of Part Two, Jennifer sits down with Melanie Audette of the Mission Investors Exchange…..
Jennifer: What I'd like to start off today, during our talk is to have you tell me a little bit about yourself and your organization and then we'll go from there.
Melanie: Well, I'm the Senior Vice President at Mission Investor's Exchange. I am based in Seattle and Mission Investor's Exchange is a 12 year old organization with offices in New York and San Francisco and then we have some staff in Seattle, but we're a very small but mighty team that has a membership consisting of mainly foundations of all types and sizes across the US who are either building or expanding an impact investing program. And we started out as the PRI Makers Network 12 years ago, when foundations were really focused mainly on doing program-related investments, and about five years ago we merged with The More Formation Campaign, which was a campaign to encourage foundations to devote two percent of their endowments to invest for a mission.
Jennifer: I love that. So here at the conference so far, what are your impressions then of how it works and how it applies to your mission through Mission Investor's Exchange?
Melanie: Well the independent sector conference as well as the Council of Michigan Foundation's Conference, where we are today, represents two things for me specifically. First, the independent sector has a very much more broad attendance and participation than a lot of the conferences that we attend and that includes the foundations who are at the heart of our network, but also those who play a very important role in the ecosystem around impact investing. And that includes non-profit organizations who oftentimes have social entrepreneurial goals and projects and so, therefore can be investees of impact investment's five foundations as well as those who support them in the field, so investment advisors, philanthropic advisors, attorneys, and accountants. All of those participants really play an incredibly important part helping foundations to identify who investees can be and to be able to do the work efficiently and within the law and correctly and responsibly.
The second part is the Council of Michigan Foundations, Mission Investor's Exchange has had a five-year partnership with CMF, and we've worked together over the years to provide education first for those foundations who are interested in learning about impact investing. Through this partnership, Michigan has become the model, really for the whole country informing what's now an infrastructure within that association to help foundations not only to learn about impact investing, but to...
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Jan 3, 2018
S3: Our Common Future Conference – Oct. 27, 2017 – PART ONE #91
Our Common Future Conference – Oct. 27, 2017 Part One
Our Common Future conference was held in Detroit, Michigan at the end of October 2017. We have a Part One and a Part Two to give you the top ten. We will interview several guest speakers that help shape our community. They give us some insight into the work that they do to empower entrepreneurship and Impact Investing.
For the full transcript click below
Read Full Transcript__
Welcome to the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and we have something very special for you on this episode. Our Bonfires team was invited to podcast from the Our Common Futures conference which was held in Detroit at the end of October 2017. I was not able to attend but two of our very experienced colleagues, Jennifer Davis-Papa and Natalie Hazen, caught up with some very high profile attendees and speakers at the conference. They came back with so many great discussions that we had to do a Part 1 and a Part 2 to give you the top ten.
So, on Part 1, you will hear interviews with Dan Cardinali, President, and CEO of Independent Sector, Joyce Cade-Hitchye from the organization, Of Impact, Angela Barbash from the financial firm, Revalue Aaron Seybert of Kresge, and Angela Rogensues of the non-profit, Playworks.
Let’s get started with Dan Cardinelli of Independent Sector. He begins by answering Natalie with some organization history.
Dan Cardinali: Well, first of all, Independent Sector is a 38-year-old organization that is founded with two very simple principles; that our goal is to bring the sector, the whole sector together. Grant seeking, foundations, corporate foundations, and ... Excuse me. Can I start that again?
Natalie: Mm-hmm.
Dan Cardinali: Independent Sector was founded 38 years ago with two very simple purposes; to bring the sector together, sector spanning, so we have grant seeking organizations, nonprofits, and grant-making organizations like philanthropy and corporate foundations.
The goal of this gathering is for the community to come together in a non-transactional way. Not to cut deals, but to collectively take stock in what's going well and what's not, and how we as a sector can come together, catalyze activity, and be part of accelerating social change. That's what Independent Sector does.
And then we learn from that conversation, and we translate that into our public policy work. Primarily in Washington, but increasingly we partner with state organizations to make sure we're aligned with the policies that are really going to strengthen the sector.
Every year we gather, historically every year we gather the sector together in this vital meeting ground, this conference. We realize collaboration is the way of the future. Early on as were designing for this, we said, "Look, who are the strongest sector spanning organizations we can partner with." The Council of Michigan Foundations is one of the strongest state level, regional association working in philanthropy. The Michigan Nonprofit Association is a similar; it's one of the strongest nonprofit association.
It made perfect sense to say, "Hey! Let's put our heads together, and let's design together." And that's what we did. It's been a phenomenal experience.
Natalie: Wow. That's fantastic. I like how you're getting everybody together in the sandbox to play well together, in essence.
Dan Cardinali: Right. Well, the goal I think is playing well together. I think also means struggling to do what we hope happens here. Which is to push...
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Dec 18, 2017
S3: Because of a Case #90
Because of a Case
Hear from Jamie and Sean Strasberger talking about their business, Because of a Case. Because of a Case is a mobile phone case design company contributing to our favorite special causes. And, of course, we have a great song at the end by a Detroit artist for your listening pleasure.
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Dec 14, 2017
S3: Douglas Bitonti Stewart #89
Douglas Bitonti Stewart
Today we head over to the Impact Investing Inglenook to chat with Douglas Bitonti Stewart about his recent article titled ‘Impact Investing and the Development Professional: Learning to Ride the Wave’. You can find this published article in the Fall 2017 Issue of Advancing Philanthropy Magazine. Doug shares his very unique perspective on fundraising in the philanthropic space and how that relates to impact investing. Stay tuned until the very end for a special song from a Detroit artist.
For the full transcript click below
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Welcome to another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy and today we head over to the Impact Investing Inglenook to chat with Douglas Bitonti Stewart about his recent article titled ‘Impact Investing and the Development Professional: Learning to Ride the Wave’. You can find this published article in the Fall 2017 Issue of Advancing Philanthropy Magazine. By the way, we have a lot of links in our show notes for this episode if you want to learn more, which, I am certain, you will after hearing from our guest. Doug shares his very unique perspective on fundraising in the philanthropic space and how that relates to impact investing. Stay tuned until the very end for a special song from a Detroit artist.
Let’s jump right in to the conversation with Doug.
Romy: Well, welcome to the podcast. We're going to talk today about the article you wrote, Impact Investing and the Development Professional. I love that we're going to talk about this from the framing of a development professional because it's rarely discussed, and you have a lot of experience with it. So we'll give links at the end of where this article can be found, and so let's dive right in and talk about the overview of the article first.
Douglas Stewart: Sure. So thank you for thinking enough of the article to have a podcast about it. I love your podcast, and I think everybody should be listening to this, and I'm also really hopeful that development officers will start listening to your podcast because this is really important stuff.
To start with the why that I felt this article was even necessary. For me, having spent 20 years as a development guy, working for mostly children's hospitals, I loved that work. And after doing that for 20 years, I was just lucky enough to be asked by a family to help run their family foundation.
I never thought I was going to do that. Didn't design my career for that but was found myself ... When you've done development long enough, you start to see your role not as raising money, but you see yourself as helping people change the world. And some people do that by contributing money. Other people do that by contributing their careers.
And so I had a chance to work up alongside a family, and so, I ended up becoming a foundation person, but not because that was my goal. So in my role as a foundation person, I was seeing donors, foundation staff all learning about impact investing. And it was really exciting, and then when I looked back at my peers in the fundraising field, I looked at their training sessions, and I didn't see anything there.
And there was one article in this publication of the Association of Fundraising Professionals a couple of summers ago. It was a cover article, and it talked about impact investing, but there hasn't been anything in there since or before. And I felt like, "Okay, I'm going to pull the curtain back about what foundations are learning and put it in the...
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Dec 7, 2017
S3: DIME Detroit #88
DIME Detroit
Time for another episode of the bonfires of social enterprise. Hear from the founders who took a chance, traded London for Detroit and began to engage with the young music talent of Detroit and then Denver. As usual, stay to the end and enjoy a full song from one of the student artists from DIME.
For the Full Transcript click below
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Oct 26, 2017
S3: Stephen of Charity Charge #87
Stephen of Charity Charge
Welcome back to another episode of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise. My name is Romy and I’m your host and guide here. This time, we hear from Stephen Garten, the founder and CEO of Charity Charge in Austin Texas. Stephen discusses the moment the idea came together along with the current and I guess, ongoing issues of a social enterprise today. As we do over here, there’s a great song at the end of this episode, so stay tuned all the way to the end.
For the full transcript – click below
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Welcome back to another episode of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise. My name is Romy and I'm your host and guide here. This time, we hear from Stephen Garten, the founder and CEO of Charity Charge in Austin Texas. Stephen discusses the moment the idea...
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Oct 17, 2017
S3: Detroit Mushroom Factory: Deana Wojcik & Chris Carrier #86
Detroit Mushroom Factory with Deana & Chris
Hello out there in listener land, this is Romy bringing you another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This episode is all about mushrooms! Did you know there are all different types of mushrooms that can be grown indoors, and, that there is a mushroom factory in Detroit? Well, you will meet Deana and Chris and hear all about their story from concept to now. As customary, I also like to introduce a song from a Detroit artist at the end of each episode so stay tuned to the end.
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Oct 6, 2017
S3: Detroit S.O.A.R. – Sisters On A Roll, Mobile Cafe’ #85
Detroit S.O.A.R. – Sisters On A Roll, Mobile Cafe’
Hey there, I am back with another guest from the great city of Detroit. This is Romy, and I have the pleasure of introducing you to Chef Bee and Jasmine of social enterprise Detroit S.O.A.R! They have an inspiring story of joining together around health food for some very interesting reasons. This is a true story of how we are better together! Stay tuned at the end for a really fun song by a Detroit artist. As a matter of fact, you might want to find your dancin’ shoes while you are listening, so you are ready.
...
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Sep 28, 2017
S3: Latrice McClendon of Impact Community Health #84
Latrice McClendon of Impact Community Health
Thanks for tuning in to the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and I have a friend of mine on the episode today. Latrice McClendon is quite an entrepreneur and just an all around amazing person. On this episode, we will hear about one of her businesses. She has at least one other venture with her husband. And, of course, you know I love music around here, so we will hear from another Detroit artist and their full song at the end of the episode so stay tuned!
For the Full Transcript – Click below
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Thanks for tuning in to the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and I have a friend of mine on the episode today. Latrice McClendon is quite an entrepreneur and just an all around amazing person. On this episode, we will hear about one of her businesses. She has at least one other venture with her husband. And, of course, you know I love music around here, so we will hear from another Detroit a…
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Sep 20, 2017
S3: Bogobrush: Heather and John McDougall #83
Bogobrush: Heather and John McDougall
Hey there! This is Romy here for another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise! On this episode, we are going to hear from a creative brother and sister team making toothbrushes for some good causes. Fun! And, of course, at the end, we have a great song from a Detroit artist….always one of my favorite parts of the episode.
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Sep 11, 2017
S3: Hamilton Perkins Bags and Recycled Plastic #82
Hamilton Perkins
Hamilton and his team are working with Thread International to make bags and other accessories from some of the recycled plastics in Haiti. He has very interesting story. Be sure to stay tuned for a great Detroit artist group called The Infatuations. You will feel like you are transported back in time with their great song.
For the full transcript – click below
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Jul 24, 2017
S3: Mile High Expansion in Denver Manufacturing Workshop – Episode #81
Mile High Workshop
What’s going on in Denver social enterprise manufacturing these days?!
Romy catches up with Andy Magel of the Mile High Workshop manufacturer in Denver, Colorado.
Great song the end!
For Full Transcript Read Full Transcript__
Introduction
Hi there! This is Romy and welcome back to another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. I want to give a shout-out to our friends in Haiti, France, and Canada. Please reach out to us on the website. We would love to hear what is happening in your communities, and, maybe even tell your story on our show.
So, on this episode, we catch back up with Andy Magel in Denver, Colorado and the Mile High Workshop. Many of you may remember that Denver is known as the Mile High city as it is one mile above sea level. There is a vibrant community of social enterprise in Denver, and Andy is leading the way with his amazing maker space and job creation. Stay tuned at the end for a song from a Detroit artist.
Let’s,...
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Jul 12, 2017
S3: Job Creation & Impact Investing with Don Lee #80
Job Creation & Impact Investing with Don Lee
Today, we are moving to the Impact Investing Inglenook to talk to Don Lee. Don has been quite a visionary around social enterprise local investing and has begun to change the way many people are investing in the Detroit area. His has passionate rationale and incredible enthusiasm – It is quite contagious actually. We have a very special surprise artist at the end of this episode for your listening pleasure so stay tuned! Full Transcript – click below
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Introduction
Hi there! This is Romy and welcome back to another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. Today, we are moving to the Impact Investing Inglenook to talk to Don Lee. Don has been quite a visionary around social enterprise local investing and has begun to change the way many people are investing in the Detroit area. His has passionate rationale and incredible enthusiasm – It is quite contagious actually. We have a very special surprise artist…
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Jul 6, 2017
S3: Nique Love Rhodes #79
Nique Love Rhodes
We have a social entrepreneur of a different kind, she is a rapper! You will have an opportunity to learn how the social and business sides come together for impact with Nique Love Rhodes! We featured her once before on one of the other episodes, Bags to Butterflies, I think. You will have to check it out. And, since she is an artist herself, we will get to hear TWO songs today, one of which is an exclusive debut before her album even releases!
For the full transcript of the episode click below:
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Introduction
Welcome to another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise! This is Romy and we have something new for you today! We have a social entrepreneur of a different kind, she is a rapper! You will have an opportunity to learn how the social and business sides come together for impact with Nique Love Rhodes! We featured her once before on one of the other episodes, Bags to Butterflies, I think. You will have to check it out. And, since…
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Jun 29, 2017
S3: Basil and Investing at Artesian Farms #78
Jeff Adams of Artesian Farms
On this episode, Romy catches back up with Jeff Adams of Artesian Farms in Detroit. She interviewed him in Season 1, and his hydroponics facility has changed immensely. Jeff has had a lot of investor engagement. He has taken on program-related investments, loans, and direct equity. It has been an interesting journey. Great song by Astray at the end.
Full Transcript
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Introduction
Hello, everyone, this is Romy on with you for another interview about social enterprise and the fires that keep it burning! On this episode, we catch back up with Jeff Adams of Artesian Farms in Detroit. We interviewed him in Season 1, and his hydroponics facility has changed immensely. Jeff has had a lot of investor engagement. He has taken on program-related investments, loans, and direct equity. It has been an interesting journey. And, as usual, we have a song for you at the end by a Detroit artist. Let’s jump over to Luke to see what he has for ou…
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Jun 21, 2017
S3: Pingree Manufacturing of Detroit #77
Pingree Manufacturing of Detroit
It is all about veterans on this episode! We hear from Jarret Alan Schlaff who is the founder and the main visionary over at Pingree. He shares how the whole idea began and, even, how the name came to be near the end. You won’t want to miss it! Stay tuned until the end when we share another great Detroit artist with you.
For the full transcript – Click below
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Introduction
Welcome everyone, this is Romy, and I am excited to tell you about Pingree Manufacturing today! It is all about veterans on this episode! So, we will hear from Jarret Alan Sheff who is the founder and, I would surmise, the main visionary over at Pingree. He shares how the whole idea began and, even, how the name came to be near the end. You won’t want to miss it! Stay tuned until the end when we share another great Detroit artist with you.
What is happening in our Fun Fuel for today? Luke, what do you have for us?
Fun Fuel
Hi! This is Luke Tromble…
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Jun 14, 2017
S3: Jay Rayford of Social Sushi #76
Jay Rayford of Social Sushi
Jay Rayford of Social Sushi catches us up on all of the changes in his social enterprise. He and his bigger team of four have been the champions of proving out your product through pop-ups! You will hear how they really built a large following before even opening their restaurant. And, after our interview, Social Sushi went on to win $150,000 toward their restaurant because the community was so inspired! And, as usual, we have a great song and Detroit artist for you to close out the show.
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Jun 7, 2017
S3: Motown Rising Jacob de Golish #75
Motown Rising with Jacob de Golish!
This episode has a lot to do with building, construction, restoration and the skilled trades. Jacob walks us through a large part of his journey, how he arrived in Detroit from Los Angeles and how he was inspired to hire men from the neighborhood for the transformation of homes. We had a chance to visit some of the Airbnb’s and man; you have to come and visit at stay at some of the places whenever you get the chance!
More Before and After Photos of the work of Motown Rising!
For the full transcript- click below
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Introduction
Welcome to another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and we have Jacob De Golish from Motown Rising today! We have Luke Trombley on with a fun fuel and SleepyWondr with their song ‘Loving You’ at the end. A talented line-up to be sure. This episode has a lot to do with building, construction, restoration and the skilled trades. Jacob will walk us through a large part…
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May 30, 2017
S3: Keep Up with the ‘Jones’s with Jonezie- Episode #74
Check out the creative solution to community renting of personal items with the guys from Jonezie of Ferndale, Michigan
Check out what these guys have come up with to help keep up with the ‘Jones’ by building a community rental program for all of our stuff! What do you want to rent for the summer!!!
For the full transcript, click the button below: Read Full Transcript__
Romy: Welcome to the Bonfires of Social Enterprise with me! Romy. Yup, you have me again for another conversation with an innovative social enterprise.
On this episode, we talk with Matt and Lenny from a new platform called Jonezie. They have moved back to Michigan from other experiences in social enterprise around the globe to create this great community rental program.
Let's drop in now on the entire conversation....
Romy: Okay. So we've got Lenny and Matt here, guys, on the show with us.
So let's talk about what's Jonezie?
Matthew: Good question, take it away Len.
Zachary: Well Jonezie is a pl…
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May 26, 2017
S3: Hip Co-Working Spaces of Bamboo Detroit- Episode #73
Bamboo Detroit Update with Amanda Lewan
Romy catches up with co-founder, Amanda Lewan to hear about the most recent expansion of one of Detroit’s hottest hippest co-working spaces. Listen in to some of the secrets of the success including the special nature of the diversity in members and programming.
Full Transcript
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Romy: Thanks for joining me for another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise! This is Romy and I want to thank you for your loyalty and following. It keeps us all going around here!
This time, we follow up with Amanda Lewan of Bamboo Detroit. Bamboo is a co-working space that has some very special characteristics… it is very diversified and full of energy. Not to mention that it is one of the ‘hippest’ places in town. Is that even a word? ‘Hippest?’ Oh well, you know what I mean. People want to be there! We did an interview with Amanda back in Season 1. She is one of the owners and visionaries of this space. We will ca…
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May 16, 2017
S3: Detroit Horse Power Rides Empowerment – Episode #72
Detroit Horse Power lifts, heals, and empowers!
David Silver shares an update on all of their expansion in the hearts and minds of the Detroit Youth!
Community partners make his organization strong and talent-rich. Great song by a Detroit artist!
Kids and horses are a great match.
Full Transcript Read Full Transcript__
Romy: Hi everyone, this is Romy and I would like to extend a warm welcome for tuning back into the Bonfires of Social Enterprise! We catch up with David Silver of Detroit Horse Power on this episode. David shares how he has benefited from using community partners and some strategies on how he selects talent for his team. And, of course, we have a wonderful song for you to debut from a Detroit artist at the end of this episode.
Now, let’s see about our Fun Fuel for this episode…we have Hudson Robertson of Traverse City Michigan. Let’s see what Hudson has for us…
Hudson: My name is Hudson Robertson and I am bringing the Fun Fuel for this episode.
Thes…
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May 10, 2017
S3: Up-Cycling Fire Hoses with Kresse- Episode #71
Kresse Wesling updates us on up-cycling used fire hoses and discarded leather for luxury use!
Romy catches up with Kresse Wesling. Kresse shares intimate insights on thoughtful expansion and overcoming those times when other’s minimize your work. Great new product line and authentic conversations on social enterprise.
Song included by Detroit artist at end. Fun Fuel by Reece Robertson in Traverse City, Michigan
For the Full Transcript
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Romy: Welcome to another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and I am excited to catch back up with Kresse Wesling on this episode! We spoke with Kresse about 18 months ago. She and her husband, Elvis, have a social enterprise in London called Elvis & Kresse. They upcycle discarded fire hoses and make them into gorgeous bags and belts. In just a little bit, we will hear about some of their new product additions along with some amazing insight on how they keep up their energy for high-level systemic…
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May 2, 2017
S3: City Girls Farm: Let the Goat Scaping Begin! Episode #70
City Girls Soap becomes a Farm: Let the Goat Scaping begin!
Amy McIntire joins Romy for an update on the goat farm. Amy shares how the business has evolved from just making soaps and lotions to conservation ‘scaping’. Join in to learn how she is putting ‘Kids on the Bus’ in this great catch up. Great music from another Detroit artist at the end.
For the full transcript, click here Read Full Transcript__
Romy: Thanks for tuning into this episode on City Girls Farm. This is Romy, and I am your host for this episode. We have lots of good stuff for you here. Our main guest is Amy McIntyre of City Girls Farm; she is one of the owners with her husband, John. We did a fun interview back in Season 1, and this is a great update! They went from three goats to eleven! One of the most interesting developments you will hear about is the new service line, goat scaping!
But first, let’s check out our Fun Fuel with Jentzen.
Jentzen: Goats were introduced to North America in th…
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Apr 26, 2017
S3: Bags to Butterflies of Detroit – Episode #69
Michelle Smart of Bags to Butterflies in Detroit!
Romy interviews Michelle Smart, founder and creator of Bags to Butterflies. Learn how Michelle is empowering women returning from the prison systems to be all that they can be. Transformation and incredible business ideas are moving this social enterprise into possibility.
Don’t miss the great Detroit artist and their new song at the end of the episode!
For the Full Transcript – Click Here Read Full Transcript__
Romy: Hey there! Thanks for tuning-in to another great episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and I have the honor of hosting. Some of you may not remember why this show has this name...Bonfires of Social Enterprise. The word 'Bonfires' was used originally by our team to help social entrepreneurs that the bonfires represented the business enterprise portion of their organization. The warmth the bonfires put off represented the social impact for people. We still use the bonfires analogy today to…
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Apr 17, 2017
S3: Khali Sweeney of the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program- Episode #68
Khali Sweeney of the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program in Detroit
Listen in to the powerful testimony of a great leader, his overcoming a poor education and his will to push for experiences for the kids in the neighborhoods of Detroit. Hear why Khali has adopted the phrase ‘books before boxing.’ This is an incredible story of a true change maker.
Introduction
Transcript
Romy: Welcome back to the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and we have a real treat for you. We are joined by Khali Sweeney of the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program in Detroit. Khali does not usually do interviews, and he granted us a favor and let’s us in on some of his passion for the kids and the big why’ for the boxing gym. And let me give you a little hint, his why has to do with his incredible testimony that he so humbly discusses.
Stay tuned to the end for a great Detroit artist and song.
Now, on this episode, we are changing it up a little bit. We have some new voices of the youth…
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Apr 10, 2017
S3: Overflow Coffee Bar of Chicago – Episode #67
Overflow Coffee Bar – Brandon & Amanda Neely – Chicago
Season 3 kicks of with a great social enterprise out of Chicago’s South Loop. Get to know owners Amanda and Brandon Neely and listen how they overcame fears, built community, and decided that free is no good! As they sourced ethical coffee, they built a business and even took on a PRI!
Romy: Welcome everyone to our official kick-off of Season three! This is Romy, and I want to thank you for hanging in there with us while we worked to prepare some episodes ahead of time. We have about 20 good episodes lined up for you this season. And today, we are starting off with a bang!
You will meet Brandon and Amanda Neely, the owners of the Overflow Coffee Bar in Chicago’s South Loop. They share some candid thoughts on overcoming fears such as public speaking and perfectionism along with great ideas for community and customer engagement. They even give some of their definitions of ethical sourcing and why ‘free is not okay!…
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Feb 14, 2017
S3: Impact Crushin’ – Top Six Countdown #66
Season 3: Top Six Impact Crushin’ BEhaviors
Welcome to Season Three of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise!
This is Romy, and I am the host of today’s episode that we are calling ‘Impact Crush!’ We are doing a Top 6 countdown on behaviors we are crushin’ on. And, at the end, we are going to leave you with the most popular artist and song from Season 2- a real crowd favorite!
You might be wondering who ‘WE’ is….The WE is me, Romy, and my partner, Natalie Hazen. Welcome Natalie!
Romy: Natalie, what do you say, we move into the Top 6 countdown?
Natalie: Let’s do it!
Romy: Okay, here we go…
Romy: Here is the Impact Crush Countdown- Top 6 Impact BE-haviors we have a Crush on over here.
Natalie: Number 6! BE HAPPY for others. Their success does not leave less room for yours.
Romy: lots of room for all of us to be successful!
Natalie: Number 5! BE AUTHENTIC.
Romy: The world is full of copies! Your originality and unique purpose are critical to the…
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Dec 15, 2016
S2: Henry Le of Imagtor in Vietnam #65
Henry Le of Imagtor in Hanoi, Vietnam
Romy interviews Henry Le, co-founder of Imagtor, a professional photo editing service in Vietnam that is employing people with disabilities. At the end of the episode, listen for another great new song by Detroit artist, Grace Elizabeth Lee!
Imagtor Staff in Vietnam
Henry Le of Imagtor
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FULL TRANSCRIPT
Introduction
Romy:
Welcome and thanks for tuning in. This is Romy, and I will be your host for another great episode here at Bonfires. You will meet the courageous Henry Le and hear about Imagtor in Vietnam. And, of course, we have a talented Detroit artist. Grace Elizabeth Lee joins us for the second time with her song, Like a Bird so stay tuned until the end!
Before we meet Henry, let's check out what Jentzen came up with for this episode's fun fuel.
Fun Fuel
Jentzen:
Photography is a word derived from the Greek words photos (light) and graphien (to draw). In 1827 Joseph Niepce created the first photographic i…
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Dec 1, 2016
S2: Life Remodeled, Chris Lambert #64
Chris Lambert of Life Remodeled in Detroit
LIFE:Remodeled 2016
Romy interviews Chris Lambert of Life Remodeled in Detroit – incredible passion, boldness, humility, and steadfastness all rolled into one mission. Hear about the incredible neighborhood transformations. Also meet Grace Elizabeth Lee as the featured artist at the end of the episode and her new song ‘Darling.’
Intro to Life Remodeled of Detroit
Romy: Hello, everyone, this is Romy, and we are here with another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. We have a very special artist, Grace Elizabeth Lee, at the end of this episode and an incredibly inspiring interview with Chris Lambert of Life Remodeled in Detroit. This guy and his team are pulling off miraculous transformation in the neighborhoods. Before we tune into the interview, let’s find out what Jentzen has prepared for our Fun Fuel today. Read Full Transcript__
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Intro to Life Remodeled of Detroit
Romy: Hello, everyone, this is Rom…
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Nov 3, 2016
S2: Ivan Gonzalez in Humboldt Park, Chicago #63
Ivan Gonzalez of Humboldt Park, Chicago – Social Enterprise Coach, Mentor, and Cross-Sector Facilitator
Romy interviews Ivan and learns about how his faith anchors and propels him to engage sectors and cultures for the common good. Great song at the end by Chicago artist, Aaron Eddy!
Introduction
Thanks for tuning in the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy and we hve something different for you on this episode. You will meet Ivan Gonzalez and you will learn about his specialty, cross-sector collaboration. Ivan has a business called Coach for Social Enterprise. He obviously coaches, convenes, and patiently mentors people individually and in large groups around social enterprise and impact investing in communities. I think you will understand why he is so successful locally and nationally when you listen to how open and heartfelt he is about his faith.
This is our first guest that has been so open about their faith and I really began to see the ‘why’ behind everythin…
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Oct 20, 2016
S2: Playground Detroit with Paulina Petkoski #62
Season 2: Playground Detroit with Paulina Petkoski
Romy interviews dynamo Paulina Petkowski, co-owner and co-founder of Playground Detroit! Learn about the multi-faceted organization and the exciting empowerment for artists and creatives. What talent!
Intro
Romy: Hello there, this is Romy and I am excited to share another episode with you. We have Paulina Petkoski on the show today talking about a really fun and hop organization called Playground Detroit. At the end of the episode one of our Detroit artists, Valley Hush, debuts a new song. You don’t want to miss it!
I would like to give a shout out to our listeners in the Washington DC and Virginia area. We appreciate you!
Let’s see what Jentzen has for us for fun fuel for today.
Read Full Transcript__
Full Transcript
Romy: Hello there, this is Romy and I am excited to hsare another episode with you. We have Paulina Petkoski on the show today taling about a really fun and hop organization called Playground Detroit.…
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Oct 6, 2016
S2: Lisa Johanon of Central Detroit Christian #61
Lisa Johanon of Central Detroit Christian
Listen and Learn from the great Lisa Johanon, for 22 years she has led Central Detroit Christian to large-scale community change by building social enterprises, baking pies, and loving others.
Introduction
Romy: Hey Everyone, my name is Romy, and I am your host for another episode of Bonfires of Social Enterprise. We have the incredible Lisa Johanon of Central Detroit Christian with us. Lisa gives us a brief overview of the ten social enterprises and how they have all held a role in the renovation of their neighborhood. At the end of the episode, we have a great song for you from Detroit artist, Malaya. Before we move further, let’s see what Jentzen has for us in the fun fuel Read Full Transcript__
Full Transcription
Romy: Hey Everyone, my name is Romy, and I am your host for another episode of Bonfires of Social Enterprise. We have the incredible Lisa Johanon of Central Detroit Christian with us. Lisa gives us a brief overview…
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Sep 23, 2016
S2: Scott Tallenger of Left-Handed Branded and the Detroit Mula #60
Scott Tallenger of Left-handed Branded and the Detroit Mula!
Romy and Scott discuss his inspired left-handed functional design, how he loves Detroit and loves to manufacture locally!
Introduction
Romy: Welcome to another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and it is great to share another interview with you. You listeners have been so supportive!
On this episode, you will drop in on my conversation with Scott Tallenger of Left-Handed Branded. You will hear about how he began his left-handed fashion design and, this
My clothing website is: Left-handedbranded.com
Then, @lefthandedbranded on Instagram.
@lefthandedbrand on Twitter.
And, lefthandedbranded on Pinterest.
We’re on all of them.
More Links ...
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Aug 25, 2016
S2: Amy Kaherl of Detroit Soup #59
Amy Kaherl of Detroit Soup!
Romy interviews Amy Kaherl of the now famous Detroit Soup! Amy shares about how she started Detroit Soup, some of the barriers to success and grand plans for the people of Detroit. Amy is a visionary catalyst and passionate about people. Great song at the end by Tim Schumack of Assemble Sound.
Full Transcript
Romy: Welcome to the Bonfires of Social Enterprise, This is Romy and I am your host for this episode on Detroit Soup! You will meet Amy Kaherl, Executive Director of Detroit Soup. Amy shares her very intimate thoughts and strong opinions about the kind of help Detroit entrepreneurs need. At the end, of course, you will hear a full song by an artist curated by Detroit’s Assemble Sound.
Romy: Okay, before you meet Amy, I want to welcome Jentzen back. He has been away for about 3 months and I have certainly missed his fun facts. I think he has a little something about Soup…
Jentzen: Hey Guys, here with this episode’s fun fuel!
1) In 201…
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Jul 28, 2016
S2: Ginny Fischbach of Impact100 on Impact Investing Inglenook #58
Ginny Fischbach of Impact100 on Impact Investing Inglenook
Romy interviews the founder of Impact 100 Oakland County (Michigan), Ginny Fischbach. What happens when 100 women put $1000 each together for a community good?
Full transcription
Romy: Welcome to the Impact Investing Inglenook of Bonfires of Social Enterprise. You will meet Ginny Fischbach of a women’s funding group named Impact 100. Now there are Impact 100 groups all over the world. You will learn more about these groups in just one minute.
First, I want to give a shout out to our listeners and fans in Australia. I want to thank you for your support of our show. And, I know you guys have an Impact 100 group! Very cool. Okay, let me turn our attention to my interview with Ginny
Romy: Welcome, Ginny.
Ginny: Well, thank you, glad to be here.
Romy: I’m excited to interview you for our Impact Investing segment of Bonfires of Social Enterprise. Let’s jump right to it, what is Impact100?
Ginny: Well, Impact100 is…
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Jul 21, 2016
S2: Noam Kimelman of Fresh Corner Cafe#57
Detroit-based founder, Noam Kimelman of Fresh Corner Cafe
Romy interviews Noam Kimelman on his venture Fresh Corner Cafe in Detroit. They also discuss his non-profit partner, Detroit Food Academy, and the motivation of the youth in the city of Detroit! Noam is a very intelligent and engaging guest. Great Detroit artist at the end of the episode to round out another great show!
Full Transcript:
Romy: Welcome to the Bonfires of Social Enterprise show! This is Romy, and I hope this interview inspires you. I interviewed Noam Kimelman from Fresh Corner Cafe and Detroit Food Academy. Noam shares about the genesis of Fresh Corner Cafe and what is moving his heart these days. I want to get right to is because it is busting with wisdom. He has a soft-spoken nature and a big giant heart for the kids of Detroit. Be sure to stay tuned to end so you can enjoy another great song by Detroit artist, Griz.
Okay, here is a portion of my interview with Noam Kimelman.
Romy: Noam, let’s talk…
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Jun 30, 2016
S2: Chelsea Koglmeier of O.R.O. – Jessica Robinson of Bonfires on the Move! #56
Chelsea Koglmeier of O.R.O. on Bonfires on the Move
Jessica Robinson, our mobility expert, interviews Chelsea Koglmeier of Bicycles O.R.O.
Chelsea Koglmeier, founder of Bikes ORO, joins us on this episode for a conversation about bicycles as a vehicle for social change. Her own product is a bicycle that’s thoughtfully designed with inspired simplicity and beautiful utility to make riding simple and fun. By partnering with World Bicycle Relief, she has also built a social mission into the core of the company, proving that bikes can be engines of social and economic change for people globally, enabling kids to get to school, families to access professional opportunities, and anyone to reach quality health clinics.
*Program Links*
* Bikes ORO: http://www.bikesoro.com/
* World Bicycle Relief: http://www.worldbicyclerelief.org/
United Nations Girl Up SchoolCycle: https://girlup.org/schoolcycle/
More Links
Jump over to the website for the podcast at www.bonfi…
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Jun 23, 2016
S2: Impact Investing Inglenook with Tom Doescher #55
Season 2: Impact Investing Inglenook with Tom Doescher #55
Romy catches Impact Investor, Tom Doescher, for an interesting conversation on how he thinks about laser outcomes of creating and keeping jobs, the opportunity for impact in Flint and why advisor support is so critical in impact investing. Tom leaves the conversation with great advice for people transitioning from traditional careers to supporting impact investing as a second stage career. Listen to the great artist, Eryn Allen Kane, and her song, Sunday, to close the episode.
Barbara & Tom Doescher
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Full transcription
Romy: Welcome to the Impact Investing Inglenook of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise Show. This is our first Impact Investing segment of Season 2, and we plan to publish monthly.
Now, I am going to be a little disruptive here to some of the impact investing conversations. While financial capital is critical in impact investing, it is certainly not the end all and be all soluti…
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Jun 16, 2016
S2: Kari Hughes of Buy The Change in Detroit #54
Buy The Change
Romy Kochan interviews Kari Hughes of Buy The Change in Detroit, Michigan. Listen and learn about what inspired Kari to begin making a market for women entrepreneurs around the world. Kari discusses why she wanted to become a B Corporation and remain a for-profit company. She discusses the importance of acknowledging your successes over your gaps. Kari is a woman on a mission to help make markets for inspiring women and mothers who are overcoming around the globe. A for-profit example of great social enterprise.
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Jun 9, 2016
S2: Vostel of Berlin #53
Season 2: Vostel of Berlin with Hanna Lutz
Romy interviews Hanna Lutz of social enterprise Vostel in Berlin. Vostel is an online platform matching volunteers with Berlin organizations. Hear about how they found a way to engage tourists, refugees, and everyday talented people to help their city.
Hanna Lutz and Stefanie Frost of Vostel
Transcript
Romy: Welcome to this episode of Bonfires of Social Enterprise . This is Romy and I had a chance to interview Hanna Lutz in Berlin, Germany. Vostel is an online platform designed to match up volunteers with the serving needs of some of the organizations in Berlin.
I found it interesting that Vostel was created out of an idea to help tourists engage in a healthier manner with the beautiful city of Berlin. As you will learn, Vostel now engages many of the refugees as volunteers.
Prior to the interview, Hanna and I had a chance to talk about the fact that everyone from the locals to the government officials were attempting to figure out h…
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May 19, 2016
S2: Mailbag! #52
Mailbag for May 19, 2016
Time for the Mailbag!
Romy answers three great listener questions followed by a light-hearted full song by Tim Schumack of Detroit.
Full Transcript
Thanks for tuning into our mailbag episode. This is Romy and I will answer three of our listener questions. Let’s get right to it… Question #1
From: Melissa
Question: How do you pick your guests?
Answer: Our guest selection is somewhat process and somewhat random!
We are looking for primarily for guests that are social entrepreneurs but we also like to talk to those that are connected in some way.
If they are a social entrepreneur, we then look for a couple of things such as:
1- Do they have an enterprise going (selling some type of product or service) or plan to do so in the near future?
2- Is their social mission focused?
3- Are they willing to talk about what challenges they are or have faced (along with the good stuff). We are trying to have real issues and stories discussed so we can all…
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May 13, 2016
S2: Scott Francisco & Jessica Robinson, Green Garages #51
Scott Francisco & Jessica Robinson discuss Pilot Project’s Green Garage Hub – Bonfires on the Move
In this episode, Jessica and Scott Francisco, Director of Pilot Projects, discover a mutual fascination with the unloved city parking garage and explore what a current design for today’s urban neighborhood might look like. Pilot Projects’ Green Hub concept is an adaptive reuse that reimagines parking structures as vibrant community spaces with parking for bicycles, coworking space, a cafe, and even a rooftop garden with solar panels. Scott and the team partnered closely with a number of community organizations in New York to put this design together, and we hope that a network of parking garages like the Green Hub will eventually be built.
Full Transcription:
Jessica: Scott, it is so good to talk to you this morning. I have to confess that we are about to dig into one of my favorite topics but it’s an obscure one for sure, and that’s parking garages. Welcome, and th…
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May 5, 2016
S2: Southwest Solutions of Detroit#50
Southwest Solutions of Detroit
Romy interviews John Van Kamp of Southwest Solutions. John has been the leader and visionary of Southwest Solutions since 1973 and has successfully established a village of partners to address mental health issues. The incredible collaboration and partnering led initiatives into entrepreneurship and other related systemic change. This is an incredible story of community partnering and change!
John Van Kamp, Southwest Solutions
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Full transcription
Romy: We are here with John Van Kamp at Southwest Solutions in Detroit, welcome John.
John: Well, I’m very pleased to be here, thanks very much for coming here.
John: And for this interview, I really appreciate.
Romy: So, let's first give a feel of what Southwest solutions is.
John: Sure, at this point and time we would see that we are a family of agencies that are in partnerships with others, working in Detroit’s neighborhoods. Both at the people level and at the plac…
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Apr 21, 2016
S2: Better Life Bags#49
Season 2 – Better Life Bags Social Enterprise
Romy interviews Rebecca Smith with Better Life Bags in Hamtramck of Detroit. Hear the incredible story of how she launched a business of making custom handbags hand-sewn by local women who had previously had cultural barriers to employment. Rebecca shares how she grew, used social media, and created dynamic relationships with her now 16 employees~
Rebecca Smith of Better Life Bags
Transcription beginning with Fun Fuel:
Jentzen:
Hey, guys. This is Jentzen with your fun fuel for this episode. Now, today’s fun fuel is going to be about Coach Handbags and the history behind them. The Coach Company was originally created in 1941 by the Coach family out of a small shop in Manhattan. The Coach family had a small team of six, and they were making wallets and billfolds out of leather, and they were doing all these by hand.
Five years after the company was created in 1946, the Coach family joined up with a man named Miles Cahn and his w…
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Apr 7, 2016
S2: Detroit Horse Power#48
Detroit Horse Power founder and equestrian, David Silver, is interviewed by Romy. Learn about the passion for children behind the vision and the expansive potential impact of this great social enterprise!
Full transcript
Romy: Let’s get started. David, will you first tell us about Detroit Horse Power? Then, we’ll dive back into the history.
David: Sure. Detroit Horse Power is a nonprofit I started to expand opportunities for kids who live in the City of Detroit by teaching them valuable life lessons through riding and caring for horses. Our long-term goal is to combine this powerful youth development opportunity with vacant land revitalization by building a new urban riding center on some of Detroit’s vacant land, the unused space in the city. We’ve experienced significant population decline over many decades, and it’s left a real burden on communities and turning that burden into a community asset. It’s a really exciting opportunity for our long-term plans.
Romy: T…
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Mar 31, 2016
S2: Eastern Market in Detroit#47
Eastern Market Corporation in Detroit interviewed by Romy on location! Learn about one of the oldest open-air farm markets in the United States and discover the grand plans for the expansion of food entrepreneurialism from start to scale! Romy speaks with Christine Quane about the history and expansion efforts that will sustainably serve a community!
Full transcript
Romy: Welcome to another episode of Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy and today we will be listening to my interview with Christine Quane of the Eastern Market Corporation.
The Eastern Market is one of the oldest open-air farm markets in the United States. Actually, it may be the oldest, but it’s so much more than that. They’ve been incredibly innovative and observant to the needs of the neighborhood and the entrepreneurial vendors that set up shop there. As you will learn they’re building out and entire food business ecosystem that will really help the food entrepreneurs move from concept to micro-bu…
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Mar 24, 2016
S2: Assemble Sound of Detroit Artist Collaboration#46
Assemble Sound with Garret Koehler
Listen in as Romy interviews Garret Koehler about newly launched Assemble Sound in Detroit. Garret and his founder team share how they began to catalog music and how they created a central collaboration space in an old abandoned church.
Full transcript here:
Romy: Welcome to another episode of Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This episode is another inspiring story of someone identifying a need and doing something about it. Today you’ll meet Garret Koehler of Assemble Sound. As you will learn, Garret observed that the local music artists of Detroit were not easily collaborating, and in many cases leaving town to find places to produce music elsewhere.
He discovered quickly that there’s an enormous amount of talent in the Detroit market, and was able to come up with a concept to bring them all together. By the way, all of the music you hear on this podcast show, from the openers, all the transition sounds, and the songs we play at the end are all…
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Mar 11, 2016
S2: Jessica Robinson Intro: Bonfires on the Move#45
Bonfires on the Move! Technology solving mobility issues!
Meet the new host of Bonfires on the Move, Jessica Robinson. Jessica and Romy discuss her new segment and the types of guests she will be interviewing. As technology is used to solve mobility issues, Jessica will be bringing front-line trends and fresh ideas to our listeners. Social Enterprise has technology all over it!
Full transcript
Romy: So I’m talking today with Jessica Robinson for the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. It looks like we’ve had such popularity with some of the guests that she’s identified, that we’re going to start a regular segment with you, Jessica. That’s what we’re talking about today.
Jessica: Yeah, I’m so excited, Romy. I can’t wait to do this.
Romy: (Laughs) I know. Me, too. Hey, I just thought, we’d let the listeners know how we connected. You and I were guest judges at an event around social enterprise, and we connected there. And then you introduced me to one of our very po…
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Mar 10, 2016
S2: Hopeful Harvest with Chris Nemeth serving Detroit Food Manufacturing#44
Chris Nemeth of Hopeful Harvest
Romy interviews Chris Nemeth of social enterprise Hopeful Harvest on Season 2 episode. Chris gives an important look inside his operation and openly discusses the challenges of launching this type of endeavor and the challenges that arrive when growth happens quickly. Learn about his grand plans, the broader partnership with Forgotten Harvest, and how he has overcome by serving the food entrepreneurs in Detroit.
Full transcript:
Romy: Hey, thanks for tuning in. This is Romy. I’ll be your host for this episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. Today, I’m interviewing Chris Nemeth in Oak Park, Michigan, which is just outside the border of Detroit. Hopeful Harvest is a food manufacturing company that helps food entrepreneurs with some of the “bottlenecks” to production when you’re just starting out. You’ll learn how Chris came up with the idea to begin to use the facility and how he grew so quickly and what some of the barriers ar…
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Mar 3, 2016
S2: Mile High Workshop in Denver, Colorado#43
Social Enterprise manufacturing in Denver, Colorado
Incredible interview by Romy with Jeremy Katz and Andy Magel of the Mile High Workshop in Denver Colorado. Listen in on how Jeremy and Andy are provided jobs to those with barriers to employment all while providing critical manufacturing services to the social entrepreneurial community. The Mile High Workshop has already assisted several businesses with their production and continues to change lives. Be Inspired!
Full transcription of the interview: Romy:
Hey, thanks for tuning in, this is Romy and I’ll be your host for this episode on the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. Today I’m interviewing Andy Magel and Jeremy Katz of the Mile High Workshop in Denver Colorado. Andy and Jeremy started Mile High Workshop to provide two things…manufacturing for social enterprises and create some employment for those with barriers to the employment. They do woodworking, glass etching and sewing all for the social entrepreneurs in t…
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Feb 25, 2016
S2: Veronika Scott of The Empowerment Plan Detroit #42
Veronika Scott
Veronika Scott of The Empowerment Plan shares her missional journey of discovering her passion for creating employment for the homeless. She courageously dives into human dignity issues and leads the way for many social entrepreneurs. Get inspired! Read Full Transcript__
Full transcript of show here:
Romy: Hey there. This is Romy, and I'll be your host for this episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. Welcome, today you will hear from the amazing Veronika Scott, who is the founder, CEO, and overall visionary of the Empowerment plan of Detroit. The Empowerment plan is an organization that employs single parents primarily, out of the homeless shelters, to sew and produce the coats that turn into sleeping bags for the homeless. She both has a product that helps the homeless, and hires the homeless. I would truly say, she does far more than just hire. She really pours into their lives. They become family there at the Empowerment plan. Now, before we get too far, le…
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Feb 16, 2016
S2 – Announcement #41
Season Two Announcement for the Bonfires of Social Enterprise Podcast!
Listen in and hear about the upcoming changes and guests for Season Two.
Lots of fun!
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Sep 25, 2015
Season 1: Robert Egger + LA Kitchen#40
For The Love of Social Enterprises!
Bonfires Got a Boost from Robert Egger
The Bonfires of Social Enterprise concludes its series of stories inspired by Romy’s recent trip to Los Angeles, and her visit with attorney Cecily Jackson-Zapata, of the Sustainable Law Group.
This, the final of three episodes, is about the LA Kitchen, which is founded and led by Social Enterprise cheerleader, and community kitchen pioneer, Robert Eggerr. Egger ran the DC Central Kitchen for 24 years.
“Neither Food Nor People Should Ever Go To Waste.”
Egger discusses California being a central hub for food, with a rich resource of people whose talents are going to waste. Egger is passionate about the LA Kitchen being a place where people of all ages and food get second chances. He and Cecily Zapata, who is co-chair of the Board of Directors of the LA Kitchen, say that the doors are open to training the culinary arts and food preparation to those who society would rather not talk about that include,…
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Sep 17, 2015
Season 1: A Visit to LA’s Downtown Women’s Center#39
Bonfires LA-Downtown Women’s Center
Made by DWC – A Few Steps off Skid Row
The Bonfires of Social Enterprise continues its series of stories inspired by Romy’s recent visit to LA, and her visit with attorney Cecily Jackson-Zapata, of the Sustainable Law Group.
Joe Altepeter, Director of Vocational Education and Social Enterprise at the Downtown Women’s Center, or DWC, explains how the Downtown Women’s Center is helping Los Angeles’ homeless women and explains why the organization set up workshops and numerous vocational, medical and mental health programs, and housing operations in Skid Row. Skid Row is one of the most famous neighborhoods in the world as it has one of the largest populations of impoverished persons, in the world, and many movies and TV shows have been made there or have depicted the life of people who live there.
In this episode of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise with Romy Gingras of Gingras Global, Joe provides extensive descriptions of the social e…
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Sep 12, 2015
Season 1: Urbane + Gallant, Bonfires, L.A.#38
Combating Human Trafficking Through Jobs at Urbane + Gallant
Bonfires of Social Enterprise podcaster Romy Gingras and Cecily Jackson-Zapata, Of Counsel with Sustainable Law Group, P.C. and Secretary of the Board of Directors of Social Enterprise Alliance, visited with the co-founder of men’s apparel company, Andrew Park of Urbane + Gallant . This men’s apparel company’s mission is to inspire men to combat global human trafficking. Urbane + Gallant is found on the web at www.urbaneandgallant.com
Park talks about why modern-day slavery became his cause, and what it has to do with defining masculinity. As you listen to his conversation with Gingras and Jackson-Zapata, you’ll hear him express how he wants to atone for other men’s complicity and profiteering in human trafficking.
Jackson-Zapata is of counsel with the law firm that helps Urbane + Galant with a variety of legal issues. She is currently serving as secretary of the Social Enterprise Alliance. Romy Gingras is the CE…
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Sep 9, 2015
Season 1: Downtown Youth Boxing Gym Detroit#37
Detroit’s Place For Champion Kids
The Downtown Youth Boxing Gym
On this episode of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise with Romy Gingras, of Gingras Global we visit the Downtown Youth Boxing Gym in Detroit, Michigan. Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program executive director Jessica Hauser tells the story of the program. She tells why founder, Coach Kahli Sweeney started the boxing gym and chronicles its incredible growth in popularity and its move to much bigger facilities in downtown Detroit. The program has its fans and supporters including athletes like Tahir Whitehead of the Detroit Lions, and a couple of “stars” and Detroit natives, Madonna, and Eminem.
Romy and Jessica also explore why Kahli decided that boxing was the best way to attract kids, from the ages of 7 through 18, to his gym. They also discuss how the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program helps boys and girls achieve academically and learn life skills. Much to the delight of Romy Gingras, she also learns about the busine…
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Sep 4, 2015
Season 1: Marion Janner United Kingdom#36
Marion who has mental illness and her support dog Buddy
Founder of Star Wards and Wardepedia
The Bonfires of Social Enterprise talked to the North London based, one-woman dynamo, behind the social enterprise called Star Wards. Marion Janner and Bonfires-lady Romy Gingras, talk about how mental healthcare providers throughout the United Kingdom have come to embrace Star Wards as a benchmark for creating positive workplaces for health care practitioners, and patients.
Currently, Star Wards is funded by a group of charities that are devoted to its mission. They include British-based Comic Relief, The Allen Lane Foundation, London’s Department of Health, to name but a few.
Marion Janner says she’s in debt to The Guardian Newspaper, which, last year, named it as one of nine mental health-related charities in its annual Christmas charity appeal.
Listen in as Romy and Marion talk about a Guardian article, “The Buddy Effect, Improving mental health treatment, one pet at a time.…
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Sep 2, 2015
Season 1: Owen & Abbey#35
Creating Tables and Accessories from Reclaimed Lumber from Detroit and other Michigan Cities
Kimberly Watts shared her story that takes the phrase, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” to a whole new level. She explains how she added table maker and social entrepreneur to her impressive resume that includes more than 25 years in marketing, operations and financial development. She’s the owner and chief sander, wood carver and hole driller of Owen & Abbey. Watts tells Romy Gingras why she decided that she needed to take on the role of woodworker after an unhappy shopping experience for a table. Now she makes tables and an assortment of home furnishings from wood reclaimed from deconstructed homes in Detroit and Pontiac. Romy Gingras, of Gingras Global, sat across the very first table Watts created from reclaimed wood. She explained where the name Owen and Abbey came from, and the personal experiences that brought her to a new career as a social entrepreneur.
For m…
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Aug 27, 2015
Season 1: Catherine Johnson#34
Catherine Johnson, Assistant Director of the University of Michigan Center for Social Impact
Catherine Johnson came home to Michigan, from Portland, Oregon, to take an important job. She’s the assistant director of the University of Michigan’s Center for Social Impact, which is “housed” at the Ross School of Business. This episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise, with Romy Gingras, of Gingras Global, explores the campus-wide interest in businesses that have a social impact.
Johnson and Romy discuss how Michigan graduate students, who are getting degrees in a wide variety of disciplines, participate in the Center for Social Impact programs and competitions. The concept of social impact is attractive to those pursuing degrees in law, social work as well as an MBA at the world famous Ross School of Business in Ann Arbor.
Catherine Johnson and Romy Gingras also briefly touch on what it’s like to be working within the realm of Social Enterprise, even though many of their c…
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Aug 22, 2015
Season 1: Buckets of Rain Detroit#33
Feeding Detroit’s Food Deserts and Shelters
Find out about Nine-year-Old non-profit organization Buckets of Rain. Its home base is Traverse City, Michigan. From August 20th through Sunday, August 23rd downtown Traverse City is flooded with voices, all singing one song for the benefit of Buckets of Rain, This Land is Your Land. Skellenger is leading the sing-a-long. He told Romy that after singing the same song, for about 1,000 times, he can hardly see straight.
Skellenger and Romy met at a Buckets for Rain urban garden in the Highland neighborhood of Detroit, earlier this summer. If you listen carefully, you may hear the sound of the intermittent windshield wipers going across the glass of Skellenger’s truck. Romy and Chris had to dash into it during a summer storm, as they were talking amongst the raised bed vegetable garden, planted in what was the parking lot of an abandoned building.
Skellenger started Buckets of Rain as part of his mission work to feed hungry people in Afri…
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Aug 18, 2015
Season 1: Give Lyrics#32
Dig the Music.Support a Movement.
Make Money 24/7.
April Woodard is the winner of this summer’s Start Up Weekend in Detroit, where she met Bonfires host Romy Gingras.
Woodard won for presenting her latest business enterprise, called Give Lyrics.
Native Detroiter, Woodard has been a part of the urban music scene for many years, as a promoter, marketing strategist and an artist representative. She’s the founder of the company, Digital Lungz and is an expert in audio and video technology.
April shares with Romy the genesis of her idea for Give Lyrics. April says she created it because she’s a music fan. One of the first things she does when she goes to a concert is look for “the merch,” the T-shirts, posters, and other swag, that she can buy. But, Woodard saw a need for fans to express themselves with unique art on their apparel, and she also saw a great way to give back to the community as a whole. Give Lyrics will partner with the social-responsibility programs of music l…
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Aug 12, 2015
Season 1: Pivot Point#31
Upcycling People and Things
Romy Gingras, the host of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise podcast, visited Tim Adams, in Midland, Michigan. Midland is the home of a new program of the 1016 Recovery Network, called Pivot Point. Adams is 1016’s director of recovery enterprises. He and Romy talk about all the services Pivot Point provides those who want to recover from substance and alcohol abuse.
Pivot Point provides classroom training, peer support and job-skills training. The job training comes from a shop that accepts donations of used washing machines, clothes dryers and other household appliances.
That’s the social enterprise portion of Pivot Point —
Upcycling stuff and keeping them out of landfills, or the side of the road and helping to train people who are considered unemployable.
One can say that this Midland, Michigan storefront is “upcycling” both people and things.
You can find out more about the Pivot Point via the organization’s Facebook page, or by visitin…
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Aug 7, 2015
Season 1: Garage Bands – Field Notes#30
Field Notes and Tips – A Series of Special Lessons from The Bonfires of Social Enterprise
This is another of an occasional podcast by the Bonfires of Social Enterprise, and Romy Gingras of Gingras Global, that’s filed under Field Notes and Tips.
In this episode, Romy talks to social enterprise owners who worry about being a small enterprise and wonder when they can take off and grow their business, and hire more people.
In previous Field Notes and Tips, Romy discusses the perils of wanting to do too much of the social part of your business and not enough of the enterprise, in Bait of the New Grape. What Are Bonfires, and why collecting data isn’t scary.
We encourage you to please listen to this episode and share it, and, when you have the chance, please take some time to fill out the short survey found on the Bonfires Website
Get Social with the Bonfires of Social Enterprise crew here:
Facebook at Bonfires Facebook Page
Twitter @BonfiresPodcast
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Aug 5, 2015
Season 1: Bonfires-Los Angeles, A Preview#29
A Short Podcast to Preview Upcoming Episodes Recorded in L.A.
This is a short podcast from The Bonfires of Social Enterprise, a preview of upcoming episodes about Romy Gingras’ visit to Los Angeles.
Romy discusses the inspiring social entrepreneurs whom she met at the invitation of Cecily Jackson-Zapata of the Sustainable Law Group. Jackson-Zapata is the a director of the L.A. Kitchen, and Vice Chair of the Sustainable Enterprise Alliance of Los Angeles.
Romy also had the chance to talk with Andrew Park of men’s clothier Urbane and Gallant as well as L.A. Kitchen founder and director Robert Egger.
Be sure to check out our updated podcast feeds! Listen to Romy and Cecily co-interviewing Andrew Park of Urbane + Gallant, and talk about their experiences visiting Skid Row and the Downtown Women’s Center. Hear their conversation with the L-A Kitchen’s Robert Eggers.
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Jul 28, 2015
Season 1: Cecily Jackson-Zapata#28
Two Sustainable Business Consultants Rapping About Social Enterprise
Los Angeles Attorney Cecily Jackson-Zapata Joins Romy Gingras on Bonfires
In This Episode of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise Romy Gingras and Los Angeles based attorney Cecily Jackson-Zapata rap about the business of consulting and advising social enterprise businesses. You’ll be able to listen into a conversation between two colleagues and hear them compare notes about the struggles and scenearios that they share.
Romy explains that this was supposed to be a practice recording for upcoming podcast production sessons. But, we at Flatlands Avenue Productions enjoyed the banter so much we convinced her to let us share it with her podcast subscribers.
To find out more about Cecily Jackson – Zapata please click here.
To learn more about B-Corps please click here.
For more information on other podcasts please visit us on:
Bonfires Website
Facebook at Bonfires Facebook Page
Twitter @BonfiresPodcast
Check out…
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Jul 25, 2015
Season 1: Play-Place for Autistic Children#27
Sterling Heights, Michigan Non-Profit Brings Community Together
The Bonfires of Social Enterprise visited the non-profit social enterprise The Play-Place for Autistic Children. Host Romy Gingras talked with Shell Jones, who is President and CEO of this facility located in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Jones shared what inspired the idea for Play-Place and her goals for the future. The facility is meant to be a safe place where children and their parents are free to play, relax, and relate to those who understand the challenges of living with and raising a child on the Autism spectrum. Romy gained an understanding about the various revenue streams this social enterprise is developing, and the services they provide.
Shell Jones says she looked for a place that would encourage social involvement of her son who is on the Autism Spectrum near where she lives. But, she came to the realization that the teaching by play concept place that she desired wasn’t available. So, she set out to cre…
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Jul 21, 2015
Season 1: Elvis & Kresse, London#26
Elvis & Kresse Make Beautiful Things Out of Discarded Fire Hoses
The Bonfires of Social Enterprise with Romy Gingras talks with Kresse Wesling, who, with her love, Elvis (James) Henrit own Elvis & Kresse. Kresse says she upcycles instead of recycles. She and Romy talk about why she works with discarded fire hoses and where she first found them.
Elvis & Kresse has become well known for their sturdy belts, wallets, luggage and other products. The company donates 50% of their profits to fire fighter related charities in the UK. Romy and Kresse talk about the pros and cons of working with family; the tons and tons of fire hoses that get discarded and her hopes to expand her company, one day, to North America. They also touch briefly about how Kresse met Elvis in Hong Kong.
Kresse Wesling has been honored by the British monarchy for her work with social enterprises. In 2012 Kresse was awarded by Queen Elizabeth II the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire: an honor given to…
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Jul 16, 2015
Season 1: Detroit Ento#25
Don’t Step on That Bug! They’re Making Food & Medicine Out of Them!
Detroit Ento is a a research and development firm that is doing research on all the things humankind can do with bugs, from crickets to meely worms to maggots, and more. Really. It’s about creating protein rich powders and other products from insects. The Bonfire of Social Enterprise’s Romy Gingras visited Detroit Ento’s Anthony Hatinger, while he was working on the garden Detroit Ento created, smack-dabb in the middle of Detroit.
To quote insectsarefood.com “According to the Entomological Society of America insects generally contain more protein and are lower in fat than traditional meats. In addition they have about 20 times higher food conversion efficiency than traditional meats. In other words they have a better feed-to-meat ratio than beef, pork, lamb or chicken.”
Hatinger and Gingras discussed the potential for profit and the job creation aspects of Detrot Ento, while insect products for food…
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Jul 13, 2015
Season 1: Bamboo Detroit#24
Exploring a Collaborative Workspace In Downtown Detroit
The Bonfires of Social Enterprise visits with Bamboo Detroit,a business incubator site in a historic Detroit building. Romy talks about why this place has a more “homey” feel to it than other businesses like it, with Bamboo Detroit’s “Community Lady’ Amanda Lewan.
Despite it’s name, Detroit Bamboo isn’t an exotic Asian restaurant. It’s a L3C company, located at 1442 Brush St, Suite 200, in downtown Detroit near the corner of Gratiot and Brush. On the web Bamboo Detroit lives here.
According to the online sources there are many benefits to working in a business incubator, which started becoming prevalent in some areas of the country in the 1970s and 1980s. These benefits include sharing basic operating costs; administrative assitance; and least but not last, comradship amongst your fellows who work in the same space.
Romy Gingras finds out why Bamboo Detroit was born, and what inspired it to be open 24 hours/7…
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Jul 8, 2015
Season 1: SPLT Rideshare#23
Romy Gingras, host of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise, introduces us to the team behind a brand new app,SPLT Rideshare. Splitting Fares. She met them through an organization called Techstars Mobility, which is mentorship driven business incubator, with locations in cities throughout the U.S. Romy’s venture into the field found her in Ford Field, the Detroit home of Techstars, and SPLT Rideshare.
You can sign up for the app, which is available for both iOS and Android. here: It’s born from a handful of premises including: you want to know who you’ll be sharing the small space of a car ride with; you want them vetted; you want to avoid having to buy your own car in the future because you’re a millenial and you live in a city. We hope you enjoy Romy’s round table discussion with SPLT founder and CEO Anya Babbitt, co-founder and COO Matt Farris, CTO Yale Zhang and the director of product development Ben McMillan.
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Jul 2, 2015
Season 1: Field Notes- Taking The Bait#22
This is another podcast by the Bonfires of Social Enterprise, and Romy Gingras of Gingras Global, that’s filed under “Field Notes and Tips.” We hope you enjoy listening to Romy Gingras'”Bait of the New Grape.”
In this episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise Romy talks about business owners, who focus on social goals, trying to do too much with the resources they have. In the case of those who run social enterprises, the bait of doing even more “good” or fulfilling more of the needs of their clients, with the hours and money they already have can be irresistable. Unfortunately, spreading yourself too thin can be disasterous, and can bankrupt your business. Romy discusses how to stay focussed and organized as you work toward your primary objectivies, while acknowledging that creative people often get tempted to bite off more than they can chew.
Check out previous Field Notes:What Are Bonfires
She also explains the need for collecting data, and takes the fear out of…
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Jun 19, 2015
Season 1: City Girls Soap#21
Goat farming in Pontiac. It’s about making products with that milk, using the goats to eat the overgrowth of a previously vacant lot to restore the landscape to it’s native messa-plain state. But more importantly, it’s about building a social enterprise while cuddling up with a kid or two!
In this episode of Bonfires of Social Enterprise Romy Gingras visits with City Girls Soap and talks with co-founder Amy McIntire and one of her United Way funded summer interns at the urban goat farm and soap factory. This social enterprise aspires to not only provide training to urban area students about entrepreneurship,and raising farm animals, but ultimately the owners of City Girls Soaps want to raise a barn and make it an art and cultural center for Pontiac.
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Facebook at Bonfires Facebook Page
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For more information on Gingras Global please visit us at:
Gingras Global Websi…
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Jun 12, 2015
Season 1: Field Notes & Tips – Natural Data#20
logo for Bonfires of Social Enterprise’s Field Notes and Tips
This is the first of a series of “Field Notes & Tips,” from Romy Gingras, of Gingras Global Group, and the host of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise podcast.
In this episode Romy takes the stress out of gathering data that some impact investors and funders often request from social enterprises, and other types of businesses. Romy is developing this series of podcasts from a list of frequently asked questions that she answers over and over again. If you’re an entrepreneuer, a small business owner, or somebody considering changing your career path we encourage you to listen to this and all the episodes of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise. You’ll find that what you once felt was the intimidating details of business can be managed. Romy’s here to tell you that you can do it! If you’d like to read more about Romy’s Notes from the Field, buy her books!
For more information on other podcasts please visit us on:…
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Jun 3, 2015
Season 1: Kicks 4 Kids Foundation#19
How A Teacher Provides Athletic Shoes for Children
The Kicks for Kids Foundation
Romy visits her friend Chekeita Jones in Pontiac, Michigan. Ms. Jones is a teacher and talks about what inspired her to create the Kicks 4 Kids Foundation, which gives brand named sneakers for needy children. Romy and Chekeita talk about the impact this social enterprise makes on the children who get the sneakers. They also talk about the street sense of the kids and what this foundation needs to grow and expand its mission. It’s amazing what one teacher can do and how far reaching her efforts have been. Please share the link to this podcast to friends and family members, and to the teachers in your life.
To donate to the Kicks for Kids Foundation please go to http://www.kicks4kidsfoundation.org/
For more information on other episodes, or podcasts please visit us on:
Bonfires Website
Facebook at Bonfires Facebook Page
Twitter @BonfiresPodcast
Check out The Bonfire Lady Blog
Email us bonfires@gin…
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Jun 1, 2015
Season 1: Lips & Hips#18
A Place for and by the Sisters
From “Sista Suppers,” to business skills training, Romy Gingras, host of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise, talks about what inspired Lips & Hips founder, Detroit’s Yodit Mesfin Johnson, to roll up her sleeves and, “create a space where girls and women could dream, plan and do what they are supposed to do. Lips & Hips is a company focused on women’s personal leardership development.” This is part of a series of interviews produced by Flatlands Avenue Productions, LLC, with Gingras Global. Gingras Global is a Limited Liability Company located in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The company was formed in 2011 by founder and current Managing Partner, Romy Gingras. Gingras Global is a social enterprise reporting and standards development firm. All products and services are directed to sustainability and best practices.
Additionally, Gingras Global Groups, L3C was formed in 2014 to serve the Impact Investing Communities.
For more information on other po…
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May 29, 2015
Season 1: Karen Buscemi-Detroit Fashion#17
Creating the Building Blocks for Detroit’s First Fashion District
Thank you for listening to this fascinating story of a fashion writer turned job maker and social enterprise entrepreneuer trying to build a workforce pool for Detroit’s Garment and Fashion Industry. Meet Karen Buscemi, (boo-SHE-me) as she tells the story of the Detroit Garment Group. DGG is in the process of creating Detroit’s first-ever Garment District in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, The Governor’s Office, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, with DGG as the project lead.
Karen Buscemi is the founder of cut and sewn manufacturer Detroit Sewn She also wrote for the now defunction Styleline Magazine which celebrated Detroit fashion.
For more information on other podcasts please visit us on:
Bonfires Website
Facebook at Bonfires Facebook Page
Twitter @BonfiresPodcast
Check out The Bonfire Lady Blog
Email us bonfires@gingrasglobal.com
For more info…
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May 14, 2015
Season 1: Build Institute-Detroit#16
Training The Next Gen of Detroit’s Business Owners
The Build Institute of Detroit is the focus of this episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. Host Romy Gingras, of Gingras Global, talks about programs, that over 450 business owners have taken, at the Build Institute in Detroit. Institute co-founder April Jones Boyle serves on various advisory boards that work to bring business and jobs to Detroit. She’s also co-owner and investor in the restaurant Gold-Cash-Gold. Romy and April talk about the passion that Institute students have for their city. They speak of the value of the contacts that students make at Build, and the networking opportunities that they get access to when they enrol in Build Institute. To listen to a previous podcast featuring April Boyle from Gold Cash Gold, which is in a former pawn shop visit
bonfiresofsociaenterprise.com. Please also visit http://buildinstitute.org/ to find out more about signing up for the programs.
For more information on other po…
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May 11, 2015
Season 1: Welding Artisan Center Part 2#15
Bonfires of Social Enterprise host, Romy Gingras, of Gingras Global and Gary Hendrickson of the Welding Artisan Center discusses issues social enterprises and other businesses have when trying to get space in the city of Detroit including: mass transit; buying real estate in Detroit; reentry of released inmates to the workplace; the three tiered structure of Welding Artisan’s training program, and preserving the graffiti on the outside of the building. Find out more about this podcast by going to To inquire about opportunities for training at the Welding Artisan Center please visit their website here
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May 1, 2015
Season 1: Andrew Goldberg: Bonfires Need Attorneys#14
Every business needs an attorney, right? In this episode of Bonfires of Social Enterprise Romy Gingras hosts Detroit-based attorney Andrew Goldberg who has extensive experience working with entrepreneurs and small business owners. Romy and Goldberg discuss the qualities of the social impact investor and why so many are inspired by the resurgence of downtown Detroit. Romy also discusses how much work needs to be done in the outlying neighborhoods and communities of the Motor City, and why social enterprise businesses are trying to gain traction there.
Please tell a friend about www.bonfiresofsocialenterprise.com and Romy Gingras of Gingras Global
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Apr 30, 2015
Season 1: Impact3 Investment Co Talks With Romy in Detroit#13
Romy Gingras of Gingras Global, known throughout the Social Enterprise scene as “The Bonfire Lady” hosts Jeff Petherick, an impact investor, and partner of the Impact3 Investment Group. Learn more about Patherick’s mission to share Time, Treasure and Talent with Detroit entrepreneurs who are moving into communities that are hardest hit by the Motor City’s bankruptcy. Visit bonfiresofsocialenterprise.com for more stories and please share the link.
Romy and Jeff talk about the creation of Impact3s genesis and we find out more about Petherick’s background in the world of finance. For more information about Impact3 please go to the following URL: http://impactt3.strikingly.com/
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Apr 28, 2015
Season 1: Social-Sushi-Detroit#12
Jay Rayford's Enthusiastic About His Social Enterprise Being Housed in Shipping Containers in Corktown
Another in a series of great podcasts from Romy Gingras of Gingras Global that you can find at www.thebonfiresofsocialenterprise.com. Romy hears the story of a collaboration between a pop-up sushi caterer, called Social-Sushi, and the social networks that they created, with the goal of reinvigorating Detroit as it recovers from that city’s bankruptcy. A group of Lawrence Tech University and Western International High School students picked SocialSushi-Detroit to house, in part of its project to find inventive ways to reuse abandoned shipping containters, to house, the brick and mortar headquarter of this wandering-networking-bistro.
Social Sushi will be based near the historic, and currently, under utilized Roosevelt Park,in the Corktown section of Detroit. While the internal space of the restaurant is expected to be able to seat just 35, Rayford says that the city is allowing the…
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Apr 17, 2015
Season 1: His Hands Auto Care#11
Romy Gingras visits this unique garage in Midland, Michigan that is one of the ministries of the Messiah Church. She talks about the social impact of discounted auto service, and finding affordable vehicles for low-income community members. Romy surprises the managers of this garage by telling them that they are, indeed, a Social Enterprise business. Visit His Hands Auto Care on the web here.
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Mar 30, 2015
Season 1: Nate Griswold-Inhabitect#10
* Traverse City based Nate Griswold, owner of Inhabitect builds green roofs.Romy Gingras visited with Nate in a re-purposed Traverse City landmark to learn more social enterprise aspects of his small business. Social Enterprise is the most rapidly growing business sector in the United States. They are known for employing people who typically have a hard time finding work; educational programs; training programs; reinvesting profits within their communities; adding a new employer base to their regions and fulfilling other social needs.
* Whether you are looking to make your high rise LEED certified, or your home more energy efficient, you’ll want to know more about vegetation roofing ideas. If you’re a small business owner looking for an inspiring story about doing what you love, in a place you love, you’ll want to hear how Nate, who had an established green architect career in Chicago, made the brave move back to his hometown, Traverse City, Michigan. Find out more at http://in…
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Mar 25, 2015
Season 1: Gold Cash Gold Restaurant in Detroit#9
Gold Cash Gold Restarantula of Detroit
Romy shares a great discussion with Chef Josh Stockton and one of the owner/partners April Boyle of Gold Cash Gold, a Detroit restaurant that opened up in what was a vacant pawn shop in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood.
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Mar 16, 2015
Season 1: Vehicle City Tacos – Part 2#8
In part two of Romy’s talk with Vehicle City Tacos she finds out what gourmet dishes are being dispensed out of the food truck, in Flint, Michigan. VCT is owned by Flint enthusiasts who are getting people outdoors, away from their bar stools and TV sets and couches, and feeding them great, locally sourced food.
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Mar 6, 2015
Season 1: Welding Artisan Center of Detroit #7
Welding Artisan Center Interview with Gary Hendrickson
An introduction to the social enterprise by co-founder Gary Hendrickson. Businessman Gary Hendrickson and partner, Don Martin, decided to open up a welding training certification center in Detroit to find a way to help the at-risk urban youth gain skilled trade certifications. Learn about the center and gallery that will cater to hobbyists and create a welding pool of talent to support the local infrastructure growth of Detroit.
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Mar 2, 2015
Season 1: Vehicle City Tacos – Part 1#6
Vehicle City Tacos – Part 1
An introduction to the social enterprise and interview with the founder about his hip and energetic food truck renovating the community of Flint, Michigan. Dan discusses the origin of the idea and business model. This is part one of a two part introduction.
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Feb 28, 2015
Season 1: Bonfires of Social Enterprise Intro: Romy Gingras#5
Bonfires of Social Enterprise Intro: Romy Gingras
Storytelling by Romy Gingras about the Social Enterprise activity in Detroit and broader Michigan.
Romy Gingras, Managing Partner, of Gingras Global, LLC and Gingras Global Groups, L3C has been in the financial industry since 1988 and has a passion for efficient, profitable, social enterprises and the impact investors who support them. Listen in on the interesting interviews with some of the burgeoning social entrepreneurs. During many of the interviews Romy takes the time to highlight a concept or note from the field specific to social enterprise. Learn about all of the different elements of a social enterprise and connect to the front lines in this great show.
Visit www.gingrasglobal.com for more information.
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Feb 28, 2015
Season 1- Amy Peterson of Rebel Nell, L3C Detroit #1
Interview with Amy Peterson of Rebel Nell, L3C
An introduction to the social enterprise making jewelry from the fallen graffiti of Detroit and employing women from the homeless shelter. Learn how Amy began her business along with her grand plans to help homeless women learn the retail business and launch into their own endeavors.
www.gingrasglobal.com
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Feb 28, 2015
Season 1- Jeff Adams of Artesian Farms of Detroit #4
Interview with Jeff Adams of Artesian Farms of Detroit
An introduction to the social enterprise by farmer founder, Jeff Adams. The interview explores the rationale of the hydroponics business and the social impact of hiring within the local neighborhood of Brightmoor.
www.gingrasglobal.com
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Feb 28, 2015
Season 1: Josh York of York Project, LLC#3
Interview with founder Josh York of York Project, LLC
An introduction to the social enterprise and interview with the MSU junior on his hat making business and heart for the homeless. Josh explains his humble beginnings and growth plans to hire the homeless. Selling hats around the world.
www.gingrasglobal.com
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Feb 28, 2015
Season 1- Christian Birky of Lazlo, LLC Detroit #2
Interview with Founder Christian Birky of Lazlo, LLC
An introduction to the social enterprise and interview with the founder, designer, model, and Princeton grad, Christian Birky. Hear the story about the making of a high end men’s T-shirt and how he plans to bring fashion manufacturing to Detroit and reduce the mistreatment of human beings in sweatshops around the world. Learn the connection with returning men from the prison systems.
www.gingrasglobal.com
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