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101 Interviews with Social Entrepreneurs

These Initiatives are Melding Business & Positive Change

— January 31, 2013 — Social Good
This list of interviews with social entrepreneurs is brought to you by SocialBusiness.org, a place to find ideas, people and businesses that are creating positive social change through innovative and novel ideas that meld business principles with a variety of other areas that are typically seen as separate such as philanthropy, charity, human rights, the environment and social justice.

From socially conscious and eco-friendly headphone companies to global maternal health initiatives that are creating and sustaining a marketplace that makes resources more accessible, the projects here have a breadth of people behind them but these interviews with social entrepreneurs get at the inspiration behind one single person. Sometimes it's something typical, say, a yoga cliche, but other times, it's going out in the rain and screaming or something as simple as taking a few deep breaths.
6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
99
Dwight Chestnut of the Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project (INTERVIEW)
Dwight Chestnut of the Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project (INTERVIEW)
<
98
David Robertson, CEO of Talk2One (INTERVIEW)
David Robertson, CEO of Talk2One (INTERVIEW)
Accessible Canadian Communication
<
97
Jes McKay Gilmore, Creator of Species Spectrum (INTERVIEW)
Jes McKay Gilmore, Creator of Species Spectrum (INTERVIEW)
Animal-Aware Greeting Card Company
<
96
Sam Rye, Community Connector at Bucky Box (INTERVIEW)
Sam Rye, Community Connector at Bucky Box (INTERVIEW)
Social Enterprise Supporting Organic Food
<
95
Madeleine Shaw, Founder of LunaPads (INTERVIEW)
Madeleine Shaw, Founder of LunaPads (INTERVIEW)
Creator of the Pads4Girls Initiative
<
94
Conchy Bretos, Company Principal and Founder of Mia Senior Living Solutions (INTERVIEW)
Conchy Bretos, Company Principal and Founder of Mia Senior Living Solutions (INTERVIEW)
<
93
Dan Gigante, Founder and President of You and Who (INTERVIEW)
Dan Gigante, Founder and President of You and Who (INTERVIEW)
Conscious Wearable Art
<
92
Dave Llorens, CEO of 1BOG (INTERVIEW)
Dave Llorens, CEO of 1BOG (INTERVIEW)
Making Home Solar Affordable
<
91
Al Harris, Founder of Blue Ventures (INTERVIEW)
Al Harris, Founder of Blue Ventures (INTERVIEW)
Marine Conservation Organization
<
90
CharitySub (INTERVIEW)
CharitySub (INTERVIEW)
An Online Platform for Simplified Giving
<
89
Samuel Miller of Bombastic Plastix (INTERVIEW)
Samuel Miller of Bombastic Plastix (INTERVIEW)
Upcycled Goods Made from Balian Plastic Bags
<
88
Kimberly Robertson, Chief Seed Sower at Light of Mine (INTERVIEW)
Kimberly Robertson, Chief Seed Sower at Light of Mine (INTERVIEW)
Tees Eradicating Global Hunger
<
87
Tyler Gage, President and Co-Founder of Runa (INTERVIEW)
Tyler Gage, President and Co-Founder of Runa (INTERVIEW)
Fair Trade Ecuadorian-Sourced Guayusa Tea
<
86
Peter Cousins, Founder of Brighter Future Workshop
Peter Cousins, Founder of Brighter Future Workshop
Teaching Tech Skills to Disabled Youth
<
85
Felix Cheung, Founder of DopeHut (INTERVIEW)
Felix Cheung, Founder of DopeHut (INTERVIEW)
Online Store for Socially Aware Streetwear
<
84
Dana Raviv, Service Officer at Catchafire (INTERVIEW)
Dana Raviv, Service Officer at Catchafire (INTERVIEW)
Connecting Nonprofits with Professionals
<
83
Meg Wirth, CEO of Maternova (INTERVIEW)
Meg Wirth, CEO of Maternova (INTERVIEW)
Linking Doctors & Midwives with Low-Cost Medical Supplies
<
82
Julie Leach, Member Coordinator of SolarShare (INTERVIEW)
Julie Leach, Member Coordinator of SolarShare (INTERVIEW)
Community Solar Bonds in Canada
<
81
Sarah Chayes, Founder of Arghand Cooperative (INTERVIEW)
Sarah Chayes, Founder of Arghand Cooperative (INTERVIEW)
Afghanistan-Sourced Materials
<
80
Lon Wong, Co-Founder of Unstash (INTERVIEW)
Lon Wong, Co-Founder of Unstash (INTERVIEW)
Collaborative Consumption Platform
<
79
Karyn Puller, Founder of Delicate Fortress Creations (INTERVIEW)
Karyn Puller, Founder of Delicate Fortress Creations (INTERVIEW)
Fighting Human Trafficking
<
78
Stacey Horowitz, Founder of Shopping for a Change (INTERVIEW)
Stacey Horowitz, Founder of Shopping for a Change (INTERVIEW)
Supporting Global Artisans
<
77
Founders of All of Us Revolution (INTERVIEW)
Founders of All of Us Revolution (INTERVIEW)
Shannon Whitehead and Kristin Glenn
<
76
Dr. Ashton Kaidi, Co-Founder of Marula Beauty (INTERVIEW)
Dr. Ashton Kaidi, Co-Founder of Marula Beauty (INTERVIEW)
A Cosmetic Product with Social Benefits
<
75
Nathan Rothstein, Marketing and Sales at Project Repat
Nathan Rothstein, Marketing and Sales at Project Repat
Artisan-Empowering Enterprise
<
74
Amanda Judge, Founder of The Andean Collection (INTERVIEW)
Amanda Judge, Founder of The Andean Collection (INTERVIEW)
Colorful Beads That Empower Women
<
73
Kelli Dunavant and Gaston Javurek, No One Without (INTERVIEW)
Kelli Dunavant and Gaston Javurek, No One Without (INTERVIEW)
For-Purpose Fashion Brand
<
72
Daniel Blake, Co-Founder and CEO of EcoScraps (INTERVIEW)
Daniel Blake, Co-Founder and CEO of EcoScraps (INTERVIEW)
Turning Old Food into Organic Fertilizer
<
71
James Murphy, Founder of KereKere (INTERVIEW)
James Murphy, Founder of KereKere (INTERVIEW)
An Aussie Social Enterprise Cafe With Heart
<
70
Joanne Gouaux, Founder and President of Penelope Poet (INTERVIEW)
Joanne Gouaux, Founder and President of Penelope Poet (INTERVIEW)
Socially Responsible Jewelry
<
69
Torkin Wakefield, Co-Founder of BeadforLife (INTERVIEW)
Torkin Wakefield, Co-Founder of BeadforLife (INTERVIEW)
A Fair Trade Non Profit in Uganda
<
68
Sayan Sarkar, CEO of InvigorateNOW (INTERVIEW)
Sayan Sarkar, CEO of InvigorateNOW (INTERVIEW)
Social Business Fighting Preventable Blindness
<
67
Emily Hill, Founder of Stop Traffick Fashion (INTERVIEW)
Emily Hill, Founder of Stop Traffick Fashion (INTERVIEW)
Empowering Employment for Women
<
66
Katie Jeanes, Founder of A Little More Good (INTERVIEW)
Katie Jeanes, Founder of A Little More Good (INTERVIEW)
Helping People in Vancouver Give Back
<
65
Eve Friedman, Founder of Eve Echo (INTERVIEW)
Eve Friedman, Founder of Eve Echo (INTERVIEW)
Beauty Products That Provide Microloans
<
64
Tara Rogerson, Director of Social Enterprise at Evergreen Brick Works (INTERVIEW)
Tara Rogerson, Director of Social Enterprise at Evergreen Brick Works (INTERVIEW)
<
63
Ann Skydell Harmon, Founder of Ann-Made, LLC (INTERVIEW)
Ann Skydell Harmon, Founder of Ann-Made, LLC (INTERVIEW)
Upcycled Social Cause Jewelry
<
62
Leslie Beasley, Co-Founder/Managing Director of The Open Arms Shop (INTERVIEW)
Leslie Beasley, Co-Founder/Managing Director of The Open Arms Shop (INTERVIEW)
<
61
Matt Keller, Founder of 1for1 Water (INTERVIEW)
Matt Keller, Founder of 1for1 Water (INTERVIEW)
For Each Bottle Sold They Give Clean H2O to Haiti
<
60
Alex Mark, Founder of One Hundred Apparel (INTERVIEW)
Alex Mark, Founder of One Hundred Apparel (INTERVIEW)
100% of Profits go to charity:water
<
59
Duncan So, Founder of Phinklife (INTERVIEW)
Duncan So, Founder of Phinklife (INTERVIEW)
Non-Profit Building Potential Through Community
<
58
Alicia Lai, Founder of Bourgeois Boheme (INTERVIEW)
Alicia Lai, Founder of Bourgeois Boheme (INTERVIEW)
Ethical Vegan Shoes
<
57
Amanda Fisher, Designer at Bachhara (INTERVIEW)
Amanda Fisher, Designer at Bachhara (INTERVIEW)
Beautiful, Ethical Fashion from Indian Slums
<
56
Marc Sachdev, Founder and CFO of Aquavation (INTERVIEW)
Marc Sachdev, Founder and CFO of Aquavation (INTERVIEW)
'Motivation Through Hydration'
<
55
Emily Holdridge, Co-Founder of Everything Happy (INTERVIEW)
Emily Holdridge, Co-Founder of Everything Happy (INTERVIEW)
Kid's One-for-One Blanket Business
<
54
Jill Doucette, Founder of Synergy Enterprises (INTERVIEW)
Jill Doucette, Founder of Synergy Enterprises (INTERVIEW)
Eco Business Consultant
<
53
Sarah Gross, Founder of Rescue Chocolate (INTERVIEW)
Sarah Gross, Founder of Rescue Chocolate (INTERVIEW)
100% of Profits go to Animal Shelters
<
52
Zack Rosenberg, Founder and CEO of DoGoodBuyUs (INTERVIEW)
Zack Rosenberg, Founder and CEO of DoGoodBuyUs (INTERVIEW)
'Marketplace for Social Good/s'
<
51
Tammy Allen, Founder/CEO of Do Good Get Rewards (INTERVIEW)
Tammy Allen, Founder/CEO of Do Good Get Rewards (INTERVIEW)
Platform to Encourage Volunteers
<
50
Greg Seaman, Founder of Eartheasy (INTERVIEW)
Greg Seaman, Founder of Eartheasy (INTERVIEW)
Family-Run Green Ecommerce Business
<
49
Edouard de Broglie, Founder of Dans Le Noir (INTERVIEW)
Edouard de Broglie, Founder of Dans Le Noir (INTERVIEW)
A Restaurant Where You Dine in the Dark
<
48
Dave Goodman, Founder of Collaborative World Brand (INTERVIEW)
Dave Goodman, Founder of Collaborative World Brand (INTERVIEW)
Co-Profit Fashion Business
<
47
John Paul de Silva, Founder and Managing Director of Social Focus Consulting (INTERVIEW)
John Paul de Silva, Founder and Managing Director of Social Focus Consulting (INTERVIEW)
<
46
Connie Duckworth, Founder of ARZU (INTERVIEW)
Connie Duckworth, Founder of ARZU (INTERVIEW)
Offering Employment to Weavers in Afghanistan
<
45
Adrien Edwards, Founder of The Naked Hippie (INTERVIEW)
Adrien Edwards, Founder of The Naked Hippie (INTERVIEW)
Microloans Through T-Shirts
<
44
Iman Fadaei, Founder of Ethical Art (INTERVIEW)
Iman Fadaei, Founder of Ethical Art (INTERVIEW)
Fair Trade Artwork Supporting Education
<
43
Alaina Paradise, Owner of One World Flowers (INTERVIEW)
Alaina Paradise, Owner of One World Flowers (INTERVIEW)
100% Fair Trade Certified
<
42
Worldstock (INTERVIEW)
Worldstock (INTERVIEW)
In Commemoration of the Passing of World Fair Trade Day
<
41
Anna Sidana, Founder of One Million Lights (INTERVIEW)
Anna Sidana, Founder of One Million Lights (INTERVIEW)
Replacing Kerosene Lamps with Solar Ones
<
40
Katie Harris, Co-Founder and Design Director of The Amazings (INTERVIEW)
Katie Harris, Co-Founder and Design Director of The Amazings (INTERVIEW)
Social Enterprise
<
39
Eric Cope, Founder of Smile Squared (INTERVIEW)
Eric Cope, Founder of Smile Squared (INTERVIEW)
One for One Toothbrushes
<
38
Mike Radparvar, Co-Founder of Holstee (INTERVIEW)
Mike Radparvar, Co-Founder of Holstee (INTERVIEW)
On Using a Manifesto, Not a Business Plan
<
37
Ajay Godhwani, Founder & CEO of Intuary (INTERVIEW)
Ajay Godhwani, Founder & CEO of Intuary (INTERVIEW)
Verbally for iPad
<
36
Alok Appadurai, Founder of Fed by Threads (INTERVIEW)
Alok Appadurai, Founder of Fed by Threads (INTERVIEW)
Providing Meals to Americans in Need
<
35
Kristin Johnson, Co-Founder of Global Mamas
Kristin Johnson, Co-Founder of Global Mamas
Empowering Women Through Employment
<
34
Bridget Hilton, Founder of LSTN Headphones (INTERVIEW)
Bridget Hilton, Founder of LSTN Headphones (INTERVIEW)
Socially Conscious and Eco-friendly
<
33
Katie Fewings, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Ethical Weddings (INTERVIEW)
Katie Fewings, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Ethical Weddings (INTERVIEW)
<
32
Jennifer Gootman, Executive Director of Global Goods Partners (INTERVIEW)
Jennifer Gootman, Executive Director of Global Goods Partners (INTERVIEW)
Fair Trade Online Store
<
31
Stacy McCoy, Co-Founder of Give to Get Jobs
Stacy McCoy, Co-Founder of Give to Get Jobs
Social Enterprise and Nonprofit Job Board
<
30
Marc Palmer, CEO of Fashion Hope (INTERVIEW)
Marc Palmer, CEO of Fashion Hope (INTERVIEW)
A Social Business Against Human Trafficking
<
29
Alli Blum, Director of Marketing (INTERVIEW)
Alli Blum, Director of Marketing (INTERVIEW)
What's New with United By Blue's Partnerships
<
28
Alexander Aquino, CEO/President of Barnabas Clothing (INTERVIEW)
Alexander Aquino, CEO/President of Barnabas Clothing (INTERVIEW)
Lifestyle Brand
<
27
Zehra Abbas, Founder of YTGA (INTERVIEW)
Zehra Abbas, Founder of YTGA (INTERVIEW)
Youth Troopers for Global Awareness and Studio89
<
26
Sissy Rooney, Founder of Street Style Surgery (INTERVIEW)
Sissy Rooney, Founder of Street Style Surgery (INTERVIEW)
UK-Based Creative Workshops for Youth
<
25
Judy Logback, Founder of Kallari Chocolate (INTERVIEW)
Judy Logback, Founder of Kallari Chocolate (INTERVIEW)
Sweets that Support People and Planet
<
24
Erik Spalding, Co-Founder of Bullets2Bandages (INTERVIEW)
Erik Spalding, Co-Founder of Bullets2Bandages (INTERVIEW)
Healing Jewelry Made of Real Ammo
<
23
Ann Oliver, Founder of XENI Collection (INTERVIEW)
Ann Oliver, Founder of XENI Collection (INTERVIEW)
Couture Fashion for the Physically Disabled
<
22
Nikhil Arora, Co-Founder of Back to the Roots (INTERVIEW)
Nikhil Arora, Co-Founder of Back to the Roots (INTERVIEW)
DIY Grow Your Own Organic Mushroom Kits
<
21
Consuelo McAlister & Anne Pringle, Founders of Local Buttons (INTERVIEW)
Consuelo McAlister & Anne Pringle, Founders of Local Buttons (INTERVIEW)
Fashion Social Enterprise
<
20
Todd Masonis, Co-Founder of Dandelion Chocolate (INTERVIEW)
Todd Masonis, Co-Founder of Dandelion Chocolate (INTERVIEW)
'Bean-to-Bar' Production
<
19
Tim Jahnigen, Co-Inventor of One World Futbol (INTERVIEW)
Tim Jahnigen, Co-Inventor of One World Futbol (INTERVIEW)
Buy One Give One Multi-Sport Balls
<
18
Matthew Clough, Founder of Benson Backpacks (INTERVIEW)
Matthew Clough, Founder of Benson Backpacks (INTERVIEW)
<
17
Camille van Gestel, Co-Founder and Business Director of WakaWaka (INTERVIEW)
Camille van Gestel, Co-Founder and Business Director of WakaWaka (INTERVIEW)
Safe Light Sources
<
16
Cissy Deluca, Co-Founder of Bersatu Designs (INTERVIEW)
Cissy Deluca, Co-Founder of Bersatu Designs (INTERVIEW)
Bali-Inspired Jewelry Social Business
<
15
Lily Lapenna, Founder and CEO of MyBnk (INTERVIEW)
Lily Lapenna, Founder and CEO of MyBnk (INTERVIEW)
Financial Education Social Enterprise for Youth
<
14
Liz Forkin Bohannon, Founder of Sseko Designs (INTERVIEW)
Liz Forkin Bohannon, Founder of Sseko Designs (INTERVIEW)
Sandals for Tuition in Uganda
<
13
Nick Foley, Founder of Celebrate the Hero (INTERVIEW)
Nick Foley, Founder of Celebrate the Hero (INTERVIEW)
Anti-Bullying Initiative
<
12
Jimmy Ostholm, Founder & CEO of The Porteur Foundation (INTERVIEW)
Jimmy Ostholm, Founder & CEO of The Porteur Foundation (INTERVIEW)
<
11
Naomi Hirabayashi, Director of Marketing at Do Something (INTERVIEW)
Naomi Hirabayashi, Director of Marketing at Do Something (INTERVIEW)
Youth-Focused Cause Community
<
10
Josie Warden, The Thread Project (INTERVIEW)
Josie Warden, The Thread Project (INTERVIEW)
Sustainable and Ethical Design and Manufacturing
<
9
Merete Mueller, Writer & Producer of The Tiny Documentary (INTERVIEW)
Merete Mueller, Writer & Producer of The Tiny Documentary (INTERVIEW)
Small Home Movement
<
8
Sharon Schneider, Founder & CEO of Good Karma Clothing for Kids (INTERVIEW)
Sharon Schneider, Founder & CEO of Good Karma Clothing for Kids (INTERVIEW)
<
7
Brooks Dame, Founder of Proof Eyewear (INTERVIEW)
Brooks Dame, Founder of Proof Eyewear (INTERVIEW)
Sustainable Wood Sunglasses with a Cause
<
6
Bridget Hilton and Ben Richardson, Co-Founders of Jack's Soap (INTERVIEW)
Bridget Hilton and Ben Richardson, Co-Founders of Jack's Soap (INTERVIEW)
1 for 1 Soap
<
5
Adriana Herrera, Founder and CEO of Fashioning Change (INTERVIEW)
Adriana Herrera, Founder and CEO of Fashioning Change (INTERVIEW)
People- and Profit-Driven Brands
<
4
Sam Bruce, Co-founder of Much Better Adventures (INTERVIEW)
Sam Bruce, Co-founder of Much Better Adventures (INTERVIEW)
Planet-Friendly Travel Company
<
3
Eric Reynolds, Founder and Executive Director of Inyenyeri (INTERVIEW)
Eric Reynolds, Founder and Executive Director of Inyenyeri (INTERVIEW)
Rwandan Energy Company
<
2
Vivien Johnston, Founder and Managing Director of Fifi Bijoux (INTERVIEW)
Vivien Johnston, Founder and Managing Director of Fifi Bijoux (INTERVIEW)
Luxury Ethical Jewelry
<
1
Shannon Keith, Founder of the International Princess Project (INTERVIEW)
Shannon Keith, Founder of the International Princess Project (INTERVIEW)
Punjammies to End Slavery
<