Bianca Bartz, Editor-in-Chief of SocialBusiness.org (INTERVIEW)

Bianca Bartz

Bianca Bartz is both a member of my team here at SocialBusiness.org and my mentor so I'm thrilled to share her interview with our readers. Prior to her current role as Editor-in-Chief, this Royal Roads University Professional Communication graduate was TrendHunter.com's Senior Editor. She's been featured on Entertainment Tonight, profiled in Girlfriend magazine and published in the Financial Times, but her true passion is promoting social good.

Stay in touch with Bianca by following her super informative Twitter account where she tweets about everything from social media and productivity to yoga (she's an addict!) and social enterprise.

Three Questions with Bianca Bartz

1. How did you decide to join this sector?

While studying journalism in 2007, I knew I didn't want to add to the spread of negative news. Shortly after graduation, I'd landed my dream job as Trend Hunter's first employee. I was thrilled to immerse myself in positive innovation as a writer, editor and manager of a global community of writers.

In 2010 I launched a digital consulting business and had the opportunity to work with a range of business owners, including an audacious social entrepreneur who taught me about the restrictions of charity and vast potential of social enterprise, which uses business principles to create sustainable, scalable social change. I was hooked.

Grateful to be learning so much, and inspired by his crowd-sourced fundraising platform that lets anyone raise $10,000 in three hours, I nominated him for a TEDx Talk. After he received a standing ovation, I was excited to see how far I could spread his idea, so I began sharing the TEDx video online. The views rose quickly and within a month, 200 people had signed up to run their own $10,000 campaigns -- that's two MILLION dollars, for charity!

From that moment on, I knew I had to use my knowledge, skills and connections to promote positive businesses, ideas and the people behind them. I believe when we find what inspires us, that moment when we realize the direction of our fullest potential, we can't truly feel satisfied doing anything else.

2. How do you get your inspiration?

I find inspiration everywhere! From reading blogs and books to taking strolls through the city and just observing. And I love people -- I love listening to their stories and learning about the things that motivate them and how they view the world.

I'm particularly inspired by people who pursue the things that make them come alive, whether that be creating art or developing businesses to fulfill a purpose beyond profit.

3. How do you reset yourself to be creative? Do you have any rituals?

As an everyday ritual to keep creativity flowing, I practice yoga. I find when my body feels strong, flexible and energized, so does my mind.

That's an everyday ritual to keep creativity flowing, but for those moments when I'm feeling stuck and need a reset, I journal (whatever wants to come out, for as long as it takes) or walk along Vancouver's gorgeous sea wall.
Trend Themes
1. Positive Innovation - Opportunity to explore and promote positive innovative ideas and solutions that bring about social change and sustainability.
2. Social Enterprise - Potential for using business principles to create sustainable and scalable social change, transforming traditional charity restrictions.
3. Inspiration From Purpose-driven Businesses - Opportunity to draw inspiration from businesses that go beyond profit and have a clear purpose to make a positive impact on society.
Industry Implications
1. Digital Consulting - Disruptive innovation potential in providing consulting services to help businesses incorporate social enterprise principles into their strategies.
2. Crowd-sourced Fundraising - Opportunity to create and support platforms that enable people to raise substantial funds for charity using the power of crowds and social media.
3. Art and Creative Industries - Potential for supporting and promoting artists and creatives who pursue their passions and use their work to inspire positive change in society.

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