Ep 15 - Combining Purpose & Profit with Yunus Social Business CEO Saskia Bruysten
Release Date: 06/16/2020
Ep 15 - Combining Purpose & Profit with Yunus Social Business CEO Saskia Bruysten
The Purpose Playbook Podcast
Saskia Bruysten is the CEO and co-founder of Yunus Social Business, a philanthropic venture fund that turns donations into investments in sustainable social businesses. She describes her purpose as “changing the powerful animal that is capitalism for the better.”
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Ep 14 - How to practice purposeful money management with Financial Planner Natalie Taylor
The Purpose Playbook Podcast
Natalie Taylor is a Financial Planner and Public Speaker. Her personal purpose is to help individuals, couples, and families cultivate a plan for their finances based on their values and goals.
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Ep 13 - How to become happier at work with Claire Lew
The Purpose Playbook Podcast
Claire Lew is the CEO of Know Your Team, a software tool that helps business owners and managers build happier, more productive companies. In this episode, we dive into all topics related to purpose at work, including Claire’s personal story, how to overcome fear around career decisions, and tactical tips for having more effective conversations with a manager. If you are at a crossroads in your career and wondering how to find more fulfillment where you're at, this episode is a must-listen!
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Ep 12 - Knowing when it's time to quit your day job with Freckled Foodie Cameron Rogers
The Purpose Playbook Podcast
Cameron Rogers is a certified health coach and content creator on a mission to make healthy living approachable through her Freckled Foodie brand. In this episode, we talk about what it was like to quit her job in banking and the steps she took to prepare for this moment, we talk about the early days of launching a personal brand and how she crafted her elevator pitch, and how the Freckled Foodie has given her a platform to make an impact.
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Ep 11 - Investing in the people that matter most with Aurate founder Sophie Kahn
The Purpose Playbook Podcast
Sophie Kahn is founder of Aurate, a direct-to-consumer fine jewelry brand. She is also a trailblazer and one of the most impressive ladybosses I have ever met. In this episode, we talk about Sophie’s personal journey and her thoughtful approach to building the Aurate brand and team. We talk about the importance of having a “Purpose Pack” and how to cultivate quality relationships by prioritizing the people that matter most.
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Ep 10 - Building momentum one step at a time with ultra-marathoner Kris Brown
The Purpose Playbook Podcast
For Kris Brown, living on purpose involves two all-consuming careers: ultramarathons and hospitality. In this episode, we talk about how Kris “fell into” long-distance running and why he still works in the restaurant business, despite threatening to quit countless times. We talk about what he’s learned from managing kitchen crises, the difference between structure and discipline, and how Kris builds momentum when he’s been out of the game for a little while.
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Ep 9 - Taking calculated risks in the name of purpose with Christine Amorose Merrill
The Purpose Playbook Podcast
A few months after graduating college, Christine Amorose Merrill left her corporate job to travel the world and blog about it. While she has no regrets about exploring and eating her way across the globe, she ultimately decided that she is happiest in an environment that offers more structure and financial security. In this episode, we talk about how to pursue your passion without compromising your financial security, her decision to stop blogging, and why it’s so important to lean into what brings you jo
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Ep 8 - Overcoming expectations to live out your purpose with Tim Sae Koo
The Purpose Playbook Podcast
After bootstrapping and successfully exiting his first tech startup (TINT) in Silicon Valley at age 27, Tim Sae Koo went on a journey to heal and let go of his tendency to create to prove himself, instead of creating from love. In this episode, we talk about what Tim learned and the tools that are supporting his transformation. We talk about overcoming expectations of the people who love us most, how Tim defines his purpose and how he continues to course correct in order stay true to himself.
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Ep 7 - Having it all without losing yourself along the way with Nell Diamond
The Purpose Playbook Podcast
Nell is the Founder and CEO of Hill House Home, a modern home and lifestyle brand. In this episode, we talk about her journey to entrepreneurship, how becoming a mom changed her approach to life and business, the guilt she experiences from time to time (spoiler alert: it’s not mom guilt) as well as how she elevates her mood when she has the blues. I was struck by how self-aware and thoughtful Nell has been about staying true to herself and her purpose, while consistently venturing out of her comfort zone
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Ep 6 - Awakening Your Alter Ego with Tara Romano
The Purpose Playbook Podcast
Tara is a women’s empowerment advocate who uses dance as her main medium to get women to channel their fearless “alter ego” and learn to love every part of their perfectly imperfect selves. She also has a wildly successful YouTube channel and network marketing business. In this episode, we cover everything from self-sabotage and universal fears, to the power of play and movement. Tara's energy is infectious and her life experiences have gifted her with invaluable insight around living a purpose-driven
info_outlineI met Saskia a little under 10 years ago at a conference focused on social entrepreneurship and social business in London. She is one of those people you don’t forget in a hurry, and I’ve been following and admiring her work ever since. She is the co-founder of Yunus Social Business, a philanthropic venture fund that turns donations into investments in sustainable social businesses that provide employment, education, healthcare, clean water, and clean energy to over 9 million people around the world.
Saskia describes her purpose as “changing the powerful animal that is capitalism for the better.” The problems she is solving are big, messy and complicated, but her infectious passion for these issues is what carries her through.
In this episode, we talk about how Saskia came to work with Professor Yunus; and the thoughtful, type-A process she created to get there. We talk about the importance of combining profit and purpose in business, as well as advice she has for those who are interested in pursuing a similar path.
#PurposePlays from this episode:
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Revisit your Purpose Statement annually. Once a year, remind yourself of your purpose and evaluate how you are or are not living up to it, and how you can recommit to this statement in the year ahead.
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Don’t underestimate passion. If you choose to dedicate your career to a social cause, choose something you are very passionate about because it’s the passion that will help you stay focused and committed when the going gets tough (because it will).
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Surround yourself with people who share your purpose. Whether it’s colleagues, employees, a mastermind, or a group of likeminded changemakers, these individuals can help re-energize and re-inspire you in moments you are struggling.
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Make conscious choices. Once every few months, do the research to determine if there is a more sustainable alternative to the products you are using or buying. You don’t have to do this for every purchase, but focus on the items you buy a lot of.
Links:
For intrapreneurs: Business As Unusual
COVID Response Alliance for Social Entrepreneurs