More Than Profit: Recent Episodes
Access Ventures
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures that asks investors, entrepreneurs, leaders and more about life, work, and living with purpose.
Each week, Access Ventures’ founder Bryce Butler interviews a person who is living for more than profit. Bryce and his guests will share personal stories about what it’s like to succeed, what’s it’s like to be a leader, and how to live and work with a purpose that is more than just the bottomline.
In this episode, we interview Karen Schoellkopf, the founder and CEO of Leap Fund, who dives into the critical issue of the benefits cliff—a policy flaw where a slight increase in income results in a disproportionate loss of public benefits, leaving many worse off. Karen has worked on projects for Samsung, Target, Verizon, Meetup, Spotify, the American Medical Association, and more, and led Product at VoteRunLead (which trains women to run for office). She launched Hire More Women In Tech in 2014 (making the business case for women in leadership positions in tech).
Karen explains the benefit cliff phenomenon and discusses its significant impact on working Americans, emphasizing the lack of awareness and preparation for those affected. Our discussion underscores the urgency of addressing this policy failure and the importance of fostering empathy to better support families striving for financial stability.
Links:
- Learn more about Leap Fund.
- Learn more about Samaritan.
- Learn more about benefits cliffs.
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In this episode, we chat with Ilaria Chan, a global keynote speaker and private investor who serves on the Boards of several humanitarian organizations. Ilaria shares her journey from investment banking to culinary school and her current work in the tech industry. She discusses the importance of understanding different realities and the drive to promote human flourishing, and she emphasizes the need to acknowledge and address global issues, bridging the gap between the East and the West. Throughout our conversation, Ilaria's compassion, intelligence, and hope shine through, inspiring us to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Links:
- Follow More Than Profit on TwitterandLinkedIn!
In this episode, we welcome Elisha Krauss, a distinguished journalist, speaker, and radio host based in Los Angeles, California. Elisha's story starts in Southeastern Oklahoma, where she grew up as the homeschooled middle child of an entrepreneurial mother and a father who served extensively in the military before becoming a corporate pilot. At just 18 years old, Elisha moved to New York City for college and quickly made her mark by becoming ABC's youngest radio producer during her first year. Opting to leave college, she fully immersed herself in her media career.
Prior to her move to Los Angeles in 2013, she served as the Senior Producer for The Sean Hannity Show, and she also engaged in campaign management and media consultancy. In Los Angeles, she stepped in as a co-host alongside Ben Shapiro and Brian Whitman on the Salem Radio Network, succeeding Heidi Harris. Beyond her impressive career in media, Elisha has also contributed significantly as the Outreach Director for Prager University.
Living under the public eye, especially in a politically charged climate that often challenges differing opinions, Elisha has swiftly learned the critical importance of valuing the voices that truly matter.
Links:
- Follow Elisha Krauss on LinkedIn and be sure to visit her website.
- Learn more about Leap Fund.
- Follow More Than Profit on TwitterandLinkedIn!
In this episode, we chat with Micah Davis, a social entrepreneur dedicated to leveraging design and technology for social good. At the heart of his passions lie community, design, and micro-benevolence. Micah has a keen interest in all things bread-related and maintains a love/hate relationship with Vinyasa Yoga. He is always ready to use his abilities and his business to improve the lives of those around him. His focus on the essentials of life, even extending to his wardrobe, make Micah truly unique.
Links:
Learn more about Make.
Follow More Than Profit on TwitterandLinkedIn!
On this episode, we have a captivating conversation with Julia Carter, the founder and CEO of Flaire. With 15 years of experience in growing technology companies, including time spent at Google and building and selling startups, Julia brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Prior to her tech career, she graduated from the University of Virginia and worked for the International Justice Mission in Kampala, Uganda. Julia's deep-rooted passion for travel and impact has culminated in her exciting new venture. Her unwavering optimism and dedication drive her mission to make more places accessible to travelers and foster empathy for the people and cultures they encounter.
On this episode, we have a captivating conversation with Regina Kline, an investor, entrepreneur, civil rights lawyer, and thought leader. Regina is dedicated to advancing the rights and interests of people with disabilities as innovators, workers, business owners, and consumers. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Enable Ventures and the Founder of SmartJob, she is committed to closing the disability wealth gap through investing.
Regina's expertise shines through as she effortlessly navigates the statistics that inform her work and investment thesis. However, what truly sets her apart is her genuine compassion for people. She is a passionate advocate for the dignity and worth of every individual. Every interaction with Regina leaves you inspired to make a positive impact on the world around you.
Links:
Learn more about Enable Ventures.
Learn more about our sponsor, My PIN Plus.
Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
On this episode, we sit down with Reilly Flynn, the founder of Lome and GAN Ventures. Lome builds tech tools that help families manage chaos, collaborate with their communities, establish healthy rhythms, and deepen relationships. GAN Ventures is an early-stage VC fund that invests in tech-driven startups in and around the Global Accelerator Network.
Reilly has a diverse background, having worked for nonprofits and startups in Colorado, Cambodia, and Virginia. Born and raised in Williamsburg, Virginia, Reilly now resides in Littleton, Colorado, with his wife Katie and their four young children.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Reilly has the unique experience of marrying into the prominent business family that founded Dish Network.
Throughout his life, Reilly has always been a leader in any room. It was a privilege to have an honest conversation about his journey within this highly successful and visible family, his commitment to making a positive impact on the world, and his desire to use his privilege to serve others.
Links:
- Learn more about GAN.
- Learn more about Lome.
- Learn more about our sponsor, My PIN Plus.
- Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
On this episode, we sit down with Vincent Clark, the founder and designated broker of Vincent Clark Real Estate. With 15 years of experience in the Greater Metropolitan Phoenix business community, Vincent is deeply rooted in the West Valley, where he has lived throughout his Arizona tenure.
Prior to entering the real estate industry 12 years ago, Vincent dedicated tireless hours to building his business management company, consulting on numerous projects across various industries and cities, from Phoenix to San Diego to San Francisco. However, his true passion lies in building relationships and serving his community. In the world of real estate, you won't find a more honest person, and in the world of business, more individuals should strive to emulate Vincent's deep passion for both his community and the people he serves with integrity and love.
Links:
- Learn more about Vincent Clark Real Estate.
- Learn more about our sponsor, My PIN Plus.
Follow More Than Profit on TwitterandLinkedIn!
On this episode, we sit down with Shane Doan, the last player from the original Winnipeg Jets who was selected with the No. 7 pick in the 1995 NHL Draft at the age of 16. One year later, the team relocated to Arizona to become the Phoenix Coyotes.
After the 2016-17 season, Doan retired as the Coyotes all-time leader in games played (1,540), goals (402), assists (570) and points (972). The Coyotes retired his No. 19 on Feb. 24, 2019.
Doan also represented Canada in international competition, winning five medals (two gold, three silver) at the Ice Hockey World Championships. He helped Canada win the World Cup championship in 2004 and was a member of Canada's 2006 Winter Olympic team.
Now, as the Special Advisor to the General Manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Shane continues his hockey career in the front office. He brings his decades of passion and experience on the ice to transforming how teams care for players and their families. When not on the ice, Shane can be found in a saddle, chasing his second love of being a cowboy that was instilled in him while growing up on the Circle Square Ranch in Alberta, Canada.
His parents instilled the values of hard work, humility, and excellence in everything he does, and he believes that these are the hallmarks of leadership, no matter the person or role.
Links:
- Shane Doan on Mantracker.
- Shane Doan’s profile on NHL.
- Learn more about our sponsor, My PIN Plus.
- Follow More Than Profit on TwitterandLinkedIn!
In this episode, we sit down with Gabe Cooper, Founder and CEO of Virtuous, a responsive fundraising platform that helps charities increase generosity and do more good. Gabe has a true passion for creating market-defining software and helping charities reimagine generosity.
After serving in a leadership role at a large nonprofit in the early 2000s, Gabe went on to help build a series of successful products in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. In 2020, he wrote and published the book Responsive Fundraising to help nonprofits connect more personally with donors at scale. We discuss Gabe's experience in navigating the transition from founder to CEO of a now larger company with 150+ employees and how he builds individuals and teams that make Virtuous a company to watch.
Links:
- Gabe’s book, Responsive Fundraising: The donor-centric framework helping today's leading nonprofits grow giving
- Learn more about Virtuous.
- Learn more about our sponsor, My PIN Plus.
- Follow More Than Profit on TwitterandLinkedIn!
In this episode, we interview Andy Maurer, founder and CEO of Pursue Whole. Andy believes that it's not a matter of whether you'll struggle as a leader, but how you face and transform those struggles to bring about wholeness in your life, work, and relationships. Drawing on his background in therapy and human and sports psychology, Andy has created the Pursue Whole® Coaching Model, which combines cutting-edge neuroscience with therapeutic practices to help leaders overcome their internal struggles. Andy is committed to fostering holistic growth and believes that whole leaders have the power to change the world for the better. If you're looking for ways to rest and repair on your leadership journey, this episode is for you.
Links:
- Click here to purchase the Pursue Whole Vision Guide, which is 20% off before Aug 28, 2023!
- Learn more about Pursue Whole.
- Learn more about our sponsor, My PIN Plus.
Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
In this episode, we sit down with Landon Young, a trans-disciplinary entrepreneur, educator, and investor focused on high-impact technology innovation. Landon was awarded the National Science Foundation Fellowship in 2011 and named one of thirteen Kauffman Foundation Global Scholars in 2013.
Landon holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University and currently serves as Director of University Initiatives at Elevate Ventures, the most active seed-stage fund in the Midwest. He is also an advisor and board member for several venture-backed startup companies.
In this episode, Landon shares his journey and the importance of perseverance in the face of failure. He also discusses his pursuit of work-life integration and building sacred time with family.
Don't miss this inspiring conversation.
Links:
- How Our Careers Affect Our Children (HBR)
- Exit Right: How to Sell Your Startup, Maximize Your Return and Build Your Legacy by Mark Achler and Mert Iseri
- DonateEquity
- Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered by E. F. Schumacher
- Learn more about Elevate Ventures.
- Learn more about our sponsor, My PIN Plus.
Follow More Than Profit on TwitterandLinkedIn!
On this episode, we sit down with Andrew Laffoon, the Co-founder and CEO of Mixbook. Andrew started his career in 1997 as an independent web developer, creating websites and developing flash demos, a custom content management system, and corporate websites. In 2006, after graduating from UC Berkeley, he and a friend co-founded Mixbook, an online design tool for creating photo books, cards, calendars, and wall art.
What's interesting about Andrew's story is that, after 17 years at the helm, he recognizes that what he is building is much more than a technology product to help people organize their photos. Mixbook impacts people and communities through storytelling and the power of human connection. Their #1 purpose is to help people connect with the people they love.
Listen in as we talk about Andrew's early accolades and plans for a typical Silicon Valley startup story, as well as his epiphany about building a company based on culture.
Andrew was kind enough to share his weekly questions with our listeners:
- Observations and insights: What did I learn last week?
- What am I grateful for from last week?
- What am I worried about right now?
- What lies am I believing? (And what is the truth?)
- Who do I need to forgive, encourage or show love to?
- What would I do if I was not afraid?
- What should I focus on this week? (What are the top 1-3 things I need to get done for this to be a good week?)
Links:
Learn more about Mixbook.
Download the Access Ventures Growth Loan Playbook
Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
In this episode of More Than Profit, we interview Kyle Brown, who is the President and Chief Investment Officer of Trinity Capital. Trinity has funded some of the world's most innovative startup companies and is the partner of choice for venture-backed technology startups seeking an experienced partner to help strengthen their financial position while preserving equity. Kyle is a leader who inspires those around him to see opportunity where others see tragedy, and he lives life by choosing to do hard things. Trinity's unique attribute of "uncommon care" sets Kyle apart as a leader and has allowed him to persevere and build something that is both special and world-changing.
Links:
- Learn more about Trinity Capital.
- Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
- Learn more about Samaritan.
In this episode, we interview Tyler Johnson, the Founder of Redemption Church, a multi-congregational church with 10 locations across Arizona. Tyler is also a co-founder of the Surge Network, a collaborative partnership of Christian congregations that prepare leaders to be God's people in prayer and presence at the places of the world's deepest needs. He also co-founded the Missional Training Center, a theological education project designed to form church leaders for the complexities of the 21st century and beyond.
In addition, Tyler founded The Human Element, a partnership that equips organizations to design around their most potent capital: human beings.
Tyler's leadership is guided by a philosophy of "trusting love," and he serves on the boards of multiple non-profits in Arizona. He has leadership experience in areas such as entrepreneurship, peace-making, organizational design, multi-faith dialogue, relational reconciliation, and urban movements. His insights from leading a multi-congregational church and his honesty about what works and what doesn't can provide valuable lessons for any business, particularly those scaling faster than ever thought possible.
Links:
- Learn more about Redemption Church Arizona.
- Download the Access Ventures Growth Loan Playbook.
Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
In this episode, we interview Laura Combs, a renowned financial advisor who has been recognized by the Thrive Awards, Forbes, and InvestmentNews. Laura's expertise in financial planning is matched by her passion for empowering women to take control of their finances and make informed decisions. She is a member of the steering committee for Mercer Advisors' InvestHERs women's initiative and a mentor for both Mercer's Mentorship program and the Leeds Professional Mentorship Program at the University of Colorado.
Laura's unique perspective on money as a tool for achieving personal values and goals sets her apart in the world of financial planning. As more and more women take control of their finances, Laura's insights into financial decision-making are more relevant than ever. Tune in to hear her advice on how to achieve financial security and use money to live your best life.
Links:
- Learn more about Mercer Advisors.
- Read Laura’s article, The Power of Your Financial Plan.
- Learn more about Dollar For.
Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
In this episode of More Than Profit, we chat with Eddy Badrina, CEO of Eden Green, an agtech company revolutionizing the way we grow food. With a background in strategic planning, marketing, and PR, Eddy shares his insights on systems thinking and scaling organizations. He previously co-founded BuzzShift, the first digital strategy agency for mid-sized brands and organizations in the US, and has held leadership positions in the US Department of State and the White House. Eddy emphasizes the importance of taking a step back to better understand how to move forward, and shares his own experience of seeking counseling to feel valued in his work and life.
Links:
- Learn more about Eden Green.
- Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
We’re sharing some of our favorite episodes of More Than Profit.
In this episode, Bryce interviews Fran Seegull, the Executive Director of the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance. Fran has taken a unique approach to entrepreneurship and impact investing since before it became more commonplace. She discusses how ideas about impact investing have evolved over the past two decades and how her contrarian spirit led her to be ahead of others who were thinking about the relationship between impact and investment. Throughout the episode, she explores new ideas surrounding impact investing and shares her current thoughts and projects.
For the month of June, we’re sharing some of our favorite episodes of More Than Profit.
In this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce interviews John Kluge, the Founder and Managing Director of the Refugee Investment Network. This impact investing firm helps refugees and displaced people by financing companies that aid them and by creating opportunities for them to contribute to society even while they are on the move.
John has worked alongside social entrepreneurs and impact investors for years, seeking opportunities to make a difference in communities around the world through investing. He emphasizes the importance of seeing people on the move as partners rather than a crisis or a problem.
In this episode of More Than Profit, we speak with Travis Holoway, the CEO of SoLo Funds, a leading financial technology company for underserved communities. SoLo Funds was established in 2018 to provide a viable, non-predatory alternative for moments when life happens. They leverage the power of community and generosity to create an online safety net that benefits all members.
Travis discusses the importance of protecting human dignity within the financial industry, fighting against payday loans, and promoting financial literacy. We also talk about the significance of increasing access to capital for underserved communities.
In our second episode, we talk with Rose Afriyie, Co-Founder of mRelief, a non-profit that helps people sign up for food stamps. We discuss Rose's experiences and how they have led her to make decisions that impact her work and life. Her devotion to helping lift up the lives of others began early in her life from personal experiences that have since shaped who she is and what she wants to be about in the world. From interning at the White House to writing for Time, her story is powerful, and she went into tech because she believes writing software is a superpower that people of color and women should have exposure to. She and an all-female team have built an impressive technology product that was initially incubated at the prestigious YCombinator accelerator.
For the month of June, we’re sharing some of our favorite episodes of More Than Profit.
In our first episode of More Than Profit, we talk with Jean Case, the first female chairman of the National Geographic Society and CEO of the Case Impact Network and Case Foundation. We discuss her childhood, the series of pivots and failures she faced before her career success, and what new capitalism means to her.
Jean Case is a well-known businesswoman, investor, and philanthropist who is passionate about the power of business to do good. Bryce first met Jean Case at a Village Capital event in Salt Lake City back in 2015; over the years, Bryce has collaborated on various projects with her and has been one of the many users of the great resources the Case Foundation has produced to build the impact investing field.
In this episode of More Than Profit, we sit down with Landry Fields, the new General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks. With five seasons in the NBA under his belt, Landry has quickly risen through the ranks of the front office, culminating in his promotion to GM in June of 2022 at the age of 34.
Born in Long Beach, California, Landry was a standout basketball player in high school and college, ultimately being drafted by the New York Knicks in 2010. Now, as a leader in the NBA, his passion for supporting the growth and success of others sets him apart.
Tune in to this episode to hear about Landry's journey, his leadership philosophy, and how he plans to guide the Atlanta Hawks to success both on and off the court.
Links:
- Learn more about the Atlanta Hawks.
- Learn more about Samaritan.
- Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
In this episode, we interview Ryan Sisson, the founder and CEO of the Moniker Group. Ryan is a visionary who believes in building a better world through responsible business practices. Under the Moniker brand, Ryan has built a portfolio of around 10 businesses that challenge traditional boundaries and partner with extraordinary people and organizations to design and create, invest in others, pursue new ventures, and impact people in a profound way.
Ryan understands the power of community and the importance of being seen and known. He is passionate about building a group of companies around the virtue of hospitality to create a positive impact on people's lives.
Tune in to learn more about Ryan's approach to business and how he is changing the game.
Links:
- Learn more about Moniker Group.
- Learn more about Samaritan.
Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
In this episode, we sit down with Josh Allen, a rare leader who is passionate about people and making a difference. As the CEO of Global Disposal Reduction Services, Josh has built a national leader in waste consulting and management services. He later went on to start PIN Services, the largest residential waste brokerage in the country, which focuses on improving waste and recycling programs in residential communities. In 2015, he acquired the Universal Waste Disposal Company and is now building it into the market leader for responsible lamp, battery and electronics recycling nationwide.
Join us as we talk to Josh about his journey and how he has built successful businesses while staying true to his passion for serving others and choosing joy everyday.
Links:
- Learn more about Global Disposal.
- Learn more about Samaritan.
- Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
In this episode, we’re talking with Brendon Maxwell, co-founder and Chief Impact Officer at Utopian Coffee.
Brendon and his best friend started Utopian Coffee in 2006 as a way to bring craft roasted coffee to people throughout the U.S. who are tired of choosing between quality coffee and making meaningful purchases. Utopian digs in deep with coffee-producing partners across the globe to create products that both taste good and do good. That means fair pricing for raw materials, doing the long and complex work of sustainable development, and maintaining an unwavering focus on providing the best quality at the best price with the best service.
Brendon’s love of adventure and travel are only matched by his ability to never meet a stranger. Everywhere he goes, he is able to foster deep relationships —this is what makes Utopian a unique brand of craft coffee.
Links:
- Learn more about Utopian Coffee.
- Follow More Than Profit on Twitter and LinkedIn!
In this episode of More Than Profit, we talk with two former professional athletes (and brothers) who are now certified wealth experts. Erik Averill (@erikaverill) and Brandon Averill (@brandonaverill) had become convinced that the traditional model of financial advice for athletes was broken. They learned that athletes are four times more likely to file bankruptcy, twice as likely to be divorced, and frequently end up squandering millions of dollars due to fraud, high fees, and unqualified advice. They heard stories first-hand of pro athletes who blew through all their earnings before they retired, of others who had been injured but didn’t understand how to get adequate protection, and even of some who had made the right decision to hire a “financial advisor,” but had ultimately been failed by the financial industry. Brandon and Erik set out to change all of that by founding AWM Capital (@awmcapital).
After sharing their respective experiences transitioning from college to pro baseball, Erik and Brandon share how their father was a huge role model for both of them when it came to business, work ethic, and how relationships dictate success. They recall seeing their father, a hard-working, longtime employee, replaced by a younger, less expensive staffer. This opened their eyes to the reality and risks of working for someone else, and it inspired them to establish their own business.
The birth of AWM Capital came from Erik and Brandon’s own experiences as professional athletes. While they recognized that athletes have great opportunities to make financial and social impacts beyond their athletic careers, they knew that most of their teammates wouldn’t be able to maximize their potential wealth. The Averills’ aim is to create a multi-generational company operating in a multi-family office model, meaning that they are involved in anything that money touches. The brothers share the view that their job as business partners is not to extract value from clients, but to create value for them through their human-centered design.
The Averills believe family members are stewards and trustees of the wealth and resources they have been given, and understanding the potential of wealth can create a positive impact to the family and the world. Working closely and compassionately together as brothers to achieve a common goal, Erik and Brandon are full of inspiration and optimism.
Links:
- Learn more about AWM Capital.
- Download the Access Ventures Growth Loan Playbook.
Follow More Than Profit on Twitter, Instagram andLinkedIn!
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce Butler and new co-host, Brian McKay, are joined by Jen Collins, President of Procure Impact, a company that enables corporations to align their vision and values with their purchasing power through a world-class technology procurement platform for mission-driven products. Jen is proudly from Baltimore, Maryland, a former D1 basketball player, and has built a career built on purpose, social impact, and entrepreneurial thinking. Jen, Bryce, and Brian talk about the dignity of work, how growing up in financial insecurity has impacted Jen’s journey, the role faith has played in her career, the twenty years she spent in the hospitality industry, and her journey to where she is now. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Aligning Your Head and Your Heart With Jenn Collins.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce Butler and new co-host, Brian McKay, talk with Maegan Moore, Director at Catalyze, a national initiative democratizing access to capital, networks, and resources for the next generation of Capital Entrepreneurs who are moving capital in innovative and inspiring ways. Prior to Catalyze, Maegan helped launch Thriving Cities, a project that is working to transform communities through civic design. Bryce, Brian, and Maegan talk about a system-level approach to supporting communities that get overlooked by the capital markets, access to capital, Opportunity Zones, and more. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Empowering First Time Fund Managers with Maegan Moore.
Download the Growth Loan Playbook here: Your Guide to Launching a Character-based Lending Program in Your Community
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer, Editing, and Marketing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Mallory Sanborn
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Scott Koloms, President and CEO of Facilities Management Services, the first b-corp certified janitorial company in the world and Founder of Canopy, a nonprofit working to create a more vibrant and relevant Kentucky economy that serves all folks and takes care of our beautiful landscape. Over the years, Scott has had a significant impact through his work. Fueled by his education, his values, his family history, and more, Scott works to be intentional with every decision he makes as a CEO. Bryce and Scott talk about the public benefit corporation legislation they worked on together, what values are important when you are running a company, and the employee-centered program they have at FMS, made possible by the Reconstruct Challenge grants, and more. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Operationalizing Your Values With Scott Koloms.
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer, Recording, Editing, and Marketing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Mallory Sanborn
On this episode of More Than Profit, the rest of the Access Ventures team join Bryce Butler. They discuss the market changes in 2022 and how that impacted the company, their thoughts on the crypto landscape, philanthropy, the importance of friendship and everything in between.
Bryce, TJ Abood, Ben Terry, and Brian McKay all have their feet in different industries, from blockchain to working with creatives, to cultivating leadership. Their unique perspectives lead to some hot takes about 2022 and how things went. The team also discusses their plans for 2023 and beyond. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Hot Takes Entering 2023 with the Access Ventures Team.
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer, Recording, Editing, and Marketing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Mallory Sanborn
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce is talking with Miles Lasater, Founder and CEO of Purpose Built. Purpose Built is a venture studio that partners with future founders, generates ideas together, builds teams, and invests capital to launch new companies. Miles is from San Francisco and was surrounded by entrepreneurs growing up. Miles started his first company, Higher One, when he was in college. From there he went on to start two other startups, SeeClickFix and OneUni. He fell in love with the venture studio model and his goal throughout his career was to eventually start one of his own. Bryce and Miles talk about how the venture studio model works, the qualities of a successful venture, and how social impact fits into it all. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Exploring the Venture Studio Model With Miles Lasater.
Miles website: https://mileslasater.com/
Podcast episode with Jeff Zhou of Fig: https://www.startupsforgood.com/jeff-zhou-co-founder-ceo-of-fig/
Startup ideas blog post: https://www.purposebuilt.vc/blog-posts/how-to-have-1044-startup-ideas-in-10-months
Podcast episode with Arjan Schutte of Core Innovation Capital: https://www.startupsforgood.com/arjan-schutte-founder-and-managing-partner-of-core-innovation-capital/
More Than Profit is a podcast fromAccess Venturesand is produced byRender.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer, Recording, Editing, and Marketing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Mallory Sanborn
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce is talking with Lalit Gautam, Co-founder and CEO of SenseGrass. SenseGrass is a soil intelligence platform that helps farmers and companies manage their soil and increase crop yield. Lalit grew up in India, where he watched his grandfather farm and grew an appreciation for agriculture. After earning a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences and medicine, doing stem cell research, earning an MBA, and working in business and entrepreneurship, that appreciation for agriculture found him again and he started SenseGrass. Bryce and Lalit talk about how they think about the relationship between social impact and high-growth companies, what and who have shaped their career journeys and much more. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Pursuing Social Impact in Agtech With Lalit Gautam.
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer, Recording, Editing, and Marketing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Mallory Sanborn
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce is talking with Briane Cornish, Founder and Executive Director of Brooklyn-based company, finEQUITY. finEQUITY advances the financial futures of those impacted by long-term incarceration. Justice impacted individuals oftentimes do not have a credit score. Bryce and Briane talk about the implications of not having a credit score and how finEQUITY helps individuals mitigate them by providing micro-loans to help build credit and prove creditworthiness. Briane grew up in the shelter system and has first hand experience with the policies and programs that are intended to help people struggling with financial insecurity. The lack of human-centered design in these policies and programs was apparent to her at a young age, which is why she is so adamant about working to address the challenges that surround incarceration with people that are actually experiencing those challenges. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Addressing the Impact of Incarceration with Briane Cornish.
More Than Profit is a podcast fromAccess Venturesand is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Executive Producer, Recording, Editing, and Social Media: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce sits down with Jared Walker, Founder and CEO of a Portland-based startup called Dollar For. Dollar For crushes medical debt. Jared is passionate about how a medical crisis should have to equal a financial crisis. He started his journey by crowdfunding in Portland to help people pay their medical bills. That was before he learned about Charity Care.
Jared and Bryce talk about what Charity Care is, how TikTok has changed the trajectory of Dollar For, how many Americans are eligible to have their medical debt forgiven, and what drives Jared each and every day. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Crushing Medical Debt with Jared Walker.
Go to Dollarfor.org/help to see if you are eligible for hospital debt forgiveness!
And check out https://dollarfor.org/volunteer/ to become a volunteer.
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing, and Social Media: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
On this month's special episode of More Than Profit, TJ Abood, Chief Investment Officer, of Access Ventures steps in as guest host and talks with the co-founders of Goldfinch, Mike Sall and Blake West. Goldfinch is working to expand access to capital using crypto to enable more financial inclusion. Goldfinch's decentralized credit protocol allows anyone to become a lender to organizations in a way that banks simply can’t today.
Mike and Blake share the story of how they met and started Goldfinch. The trio also discusses what decentralized finance (DeFi) is, crypto’s ability to transform financial models, and the false label Goldfinch has received as “under collateralized lending”. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, How DeFi Can Be Used For Social Good With Mike Sall and Blake West.
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing, and Social Media: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
On this special episode of More Than Profit, Ben Terry, Chief Creative Officer, and TJ Abood, Chief Investment Officer, of Access Ventures step in as guest hosts and talk with Shawn Cheng, Partner at ConsenSys Mesh, an accelerator and incubator of blockchain technology solutions that uses their knowledge and expertise to champion the global adoption of Web 3.0.
Shawn is an early-stage investor and operator with a deep passion for frontier technologies with over 15 years of experience bridging startups and brands like Vayner/RSE, VaynerMedia, BBDO, and Razorfish. He is a Lego lover, a dad of 2 humans and 1 cat, and an Asian American advocate.
Shawn, Ben, and TJ discuss all things crypto including DAOs (of which Shawn is a member of 7), NFTs, and DeFi. They also talk about the history and landscape of Web 3.0, The role of ConsenSys in the Ethereum ecosystem, interesting and innovative use cases for blockchain tech, and how to build a quality community in the world of crypto. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Exploring the Future of Web3 with Shawn Cheng.
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing, and Social Media: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Alexandre Lazarow, Partner, Head of North America for Cathay Innovation, a global venture capital fund with over $4 billion in assets under management, and a global footprint including San Francisco, New York, Paris, Munich, Tel Aviv, Beijing, and Shanghai. Alexandre is also the author of Out-Innovate: How Global Entrepreneurs - from Delhi to Detroit - Are Rewriting the Rules of Silicon Valley.
Alexandre and Bryce discuss financial inclusion, impact investing in the fintech and healthcare spaces, and how to balance the trend towards automation with the importance of human connection. They also talk about what Alexandre calls "frontier economies" and the false narrative of the "Silicon Valley gospel." Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Innovative Capital with Alexandre Lazarow.
https://www.alexlazarow.com/
More Than Profit is a podcast fromAccess Venturesand is produced byRender.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing and Social Media: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Jonathan Kumar. Kumar is the CEO of Samaritan, a support platform that empowers people without a home to move forward. Samaritan was founded in 2016 and exists to link individuals without a home to the social and financial capital needed to meet housing and health goals. Jonathan and Bryce discuss the importance of providing autonomy and dignity to individuals experiencing homelessness. They also talk about feeling called to meet needs instead of wants and the connection between access to housing and health outcomes. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Rebuilding Hope for the Unhoused with Jonathan Kumar
Learn more about Knowhomelessness
Vice News: This App Lets You Give Money to Homeless People From Your Phone
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing, Social Media: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Travis Holoway. Holoway is the CEO of SoLo Funds, a leading financial technology company for underserved communities. SoLo was formed in 2018 to create a viable, non-predatory option for moments when life happens. They tap into the power of community and generosity to form an online safety net that is mutually beneficial to all their members.
Travis and Bryce discuss the importance of protecting human dignity within the financial industry, combating payday loans, and financial literacy. They also discuss the importance of increasing access to capital for underserved communities. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Protecting Dignity Through Equitable Lending with Travis Holoway.
Resource mentioned in this episode: The Unbanking Of America: How the New Middle Class Survives
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Per Nordgren
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Dr. Kwane Watson. Watson is the founder and CEO of Kare Mobile, an impact-driven startup creating oral health equity within the dental care industry by building, operating, and licensing state-of-the-art mobile dentistry clinics that make oral healthcare more accessible for patients and more profitable for providers.
Dr. Watson and Bryce discuss the artistry of dentistry, the important role of mentors, and how technology is changing the dental care industry for the better. They also talk about what it takes to empower patients and doctors alike, regulatory changes, and creative solutions for access capital to scale a startup. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Increasing Oral Health Equity with Dr. Kwane Watson.
Check out Kare Mobile's Wefunder campaign here.
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Per Nordgren
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Betsy Biemann, CEO of Coastal Enterprises Inc., a nationally-known community development financial institution founded in 1977 that works to grow good jobs, green enterprises, and shared prosperity in Maine and rural regions across the U.S.
Bryce and Betsy discuss the seven elements that make up a "good job" and who is responsible for creating those jobs. In addition, they discuss the relationship between capital and justice, the impacts of globalization and technology on workers, the differences between rural and urban CDFIs, and the importance of childcare to a functioning economy.
Betsy is a graduate of both Harvard and Princeton Universities and is the Vice-Chair of the Opportunity Finance Network and serves as the Treasurer of both the New Growth Innovation Network and the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation. She dedicated her life to impact-minded work at organizations including the Rockefeller Foundation, The Synergos Institute, Main Technology Institute, and The Aspen Institute. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, The Need for Good Jobs with Betsy Biemann.
Check out the living wage calculator to estimate the cost of living in your community or region based on typical expenses
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Per Nordgren
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Joe Deloss, the founder of Hot Chicken Takeover, a community-minded, fast-casual restaurant that serves their beloved version of Nashville-style hot chicken to their ever-growing number of loyal customers at six locations across Ohio.
Inspired to be an entrepreneur at an early age, DeLoss founded Hot Chicken Takeover on the idea that work could be about more than just earning a paycheck. Hot Chicken Takeoverprovides supportive jobs to men and women who need a fair chance at work. Whether the circumstanceis homelessness, previous incarceration, or other barriers to employment Hot Chicken Takeover is focused on offering team members meaningful benefits, financial stability, personal growth, and professional development.
Bryce and Joe discuss the importance of family in the entrepreneurial journey, navigating a business through the pandemic, the state of social entrepreneurship, and Joe's past as an amateur magician. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, The Dilemma of Social Entrepreneurship with Joe DeLoss.
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Per Nordgren
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Levi Smith. Levi is President of Franklin Building Supply, a company that employs 650 individuals. Levi grew up learning the value of hard work and good leadership on the cattle ranch he and his family lived and worked on. Together, they discuss what it means to create exceptional workplaces, employee ownership, and the lessons they both have learned about leadership. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, The Magic of Employee Ownership with Levi Smith.
Learn more about employee ownership from Rutgers and National Center for Employee Ownership
More Than Profit is a podcast fromAccess Venturesand is produced byRender.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Per Nordgren
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Patrick Henshaw, Managing Director of Render and Rebecca Rice, Director of Product of Render. Render is a public benefit corporation that partners with organizations to unlock new ideas to solve their most challenging problems, one of those organizations being Access Ventures. Day to day these three work closely together but their journeys getting to this point vary greatly. Bryce, Patrick, and Rebecca talk about their unique career paths, their thoughts on working in the midwest, the importance of risk-tolerant capital, and the impact that corporations can have if they invite innovation into their work. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Catalyzing Innovation with Patrick Henshaw and Rebecca Rice.
Render has a new exciting partnership with Louisville's Chamber of Commerce, Greater Louisville, Inc. More details coming soon, but if you're a GLI investor, find out more about how to work with Render through your Chamber representative or contact them: workwithrender.com.
If you're an entrepreneur in Louisville or Southern Indiana and looking for capital to scale your business check out render.capital
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Venturesand is produced byRender.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Per Nordgren
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with David Taliaferro, founder and CEO of Lenderfit, a client-facing application and project management tool that makes small business lending easy. David was actually one of the first employees of Access Ventures and Lenderfit was conceptualized during his time there. With an entrepreneurial spirit since childhood, David walks through his journey to being a startup founder. From his work with Kiva, the Growth Loan, and Lenderfit, David has become an expert on microfinance, loan tools, and the ways in which innovation is needed to grow inclusivity. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Client Facing Project Management and the Origins of Lenderfit with David Taliaferro.
More Than Profit is a podcast from Access Ventures and is produced by Render.
Host: Bryce Butler
Executive Producer: Tim Harris
Associate Producer, Recording, Editing: Per Nordgren
Graphic Design: Olivia Allison
Social Media: Per Nordgren
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talked with Marcus Stubbs, an ambassador of the Know Homelessness campaign amongst many other things. Marcus previously experienced homelessness and now is studying to get his Ph.D. in education and social change, working to help homeless youth. Marcus and Bryce talk about the myths that surround homelessness and how those can paint a very false picture of individuals who experience homelessness. Having experienced homelessness himself, Marcus brings a valuable perspective as we consider how to think about, speak about, and what to do about homelessness. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Addressing The Myths About Homelessness With Marcus Stubbs. If you want to keep up with Marcus you can follow him on Instagram here. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Wright Steenrod, a growth equity investor with experience transforming industries with information technology. Over the course of his twenty-year track record, Wright has developed a unique view about the intersection of growth and impact, arguing that in certain key sectors, all businesses are either growing impact or growing extraction. Together with Charlie Crawford of Chrysalis, and Moses Icyishaka of Access Ventures, Wright is launching a new fund called Iriba Capital. Iriba is a growth equity firm that invests in technology and technology-enabled services companies that address inefficiencies in the healthcare, education and training sectors, creating lasting value and positive long-term outcomes for patients, students or workers who were previously left worse off by business and service model inefficiencies. Moses, Wright, and Bryce discuss how aligned business models sharpen a company’s culture and mission, while creating market leading return for these sectors. They also talk about the metrics and systems of measuring the impact of the companies they invest in. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Impact Through Growth Equity with Wright Steenrod & Moses Icyishaka. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with John Kluge, Founder and Managing Director of the Refugee Investment Network, an impact investing and blended finance collaborative dedicated to creating durable solutions to global forced migration. John has spent years working alongside social entrepreneurs and impact investors looking for opportunities to make a difference in communities around the world through investing. He talks about being proactive about seeing people on the move as partners instead of a crisis or a problem. John and Bryce discuss using capital to create ways for displaced people to contribute to society even while they are on the move. The Refugee Investment Network seeks to finance companies helping refugees as well as seeking to help the displaced people themselves flourish. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Building Inclusive Economies Through Refugee Lens With John Kluge. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures**.
Download the Building Inclusive Economies: Applications of Refugee Lens Investing report here*. (https://refugeeinvestments.org/resources/building-inclusive-economies/*)
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Charles Wheeler, Co-CEO of Greenbacker Capital, an investment management firm that focuses on sustainable infrastructure investing. They connect investors looking to back green energy solutions with sustainable infrastructure projects that need funding. As a lifelong conservationist, Charles has devoted his life to protecting the environment and searching for ways to make renewable energy investable. After growing up and attending school in Australia, Charles went to work in accounting and then spent some time in Europe with his brother before returning to the world of finance. Bryce and him discuss the impact that he is hoping to make in the world through Greenbacker and the past, present and future of renewable energy. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Investing In Renewable Energy With Charles Wheeler. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Ben Terry, Chief Creative Officer at Access Ventures. Ben joined Access Ventures in 2014 to help create and lead the brand and marketing of the new organization and sought out opportunities to support creatives and artists in the area. He and Bryce discuss several of the creative projects Access Ventures has been a part of over the years. They try to define the creative economy and the creator economy and talk about the differences between the two. They discuss finding the right tools to help creatives succeed and make returns. To address this issue, Ben created Hidden Ventures, an investment firm to help creatives who are starting out. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Hidden Ventures and Scaling the Creator Economy With Ben Terry. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Blake West, cofounder of Goldfinch, a credit platform for cryptocurrency loans. As a software engineer, Blake saw great potential in cryptocurrency as all aspects of life became increasingly more digital and as people were seeking to do something with their cryptocurrency instead of letting it sit in an account. Additionally, he found that there is a demand from people around the world to access crypto loans, especially in places where the local currency is volatile. Thus, Blake’s company Goldfinch helps others access crypto loans without having the collateral upfront. He and Bryce discuss the importance of making sure digital currency is safe and the process of protecting it from hackers. Blake shares his thoughts on the future of digital currency and how it could end up as the safest place to have money. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Crypto Loans Without Collateral With Blake West. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Janet McKinley, founder of Advance Global Capital. Janet grew up embracing the opportunities before her, always seeking to learn as much as possible. After working in investing for a while, she decided to focus her investment strategy on women and began lending to women in Vietnam. She developed ways to provide funding for women who wanted to start businesses but did not have the collateral to take a bank loan due to cultural barriers. Janet and Bryce discuss the importance of curiosity and knowing how to problem solve with the right tools. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Investing For Resilient Communities With Janet McKinley. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Candice Matthews Brackeen, founder of Lightship Capital. As a business consultant, she has spent her professional career building community and seizing opportunities to promote growth. She discovered that black founders were underfunded, with only 0.67% venture-backed, so she began Lightship Capital to fund startups led by BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. She and Bryce discuss creating an inclusive community within the marketplace and the value of having a holistic approach to consulting and investing. Candice describes the importance of getting to know the background and culture of each founder. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Attacking a Market Failure with Candice Matthews Brackeen. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Glen Yelton, Head of ESG Client Strategies at Invesco. With his passion for impact investing and fixed income strategies, Glen has spent years working to create ways to measure impact in a world where that data is typically either lacking or difficult to consolidate. Glen believes that most investors genuinely want to feel good about their investments and put their money in places that have good impacts, but knows that with the difficulties to measure impact which has plagued impact investing in years past, people have pause about betting their retirements on impactful investments. In this conversation, Bryce and Glen discuss SRI, ESG, effective data collection and analyses and ultimately, how to foster an ecosystem that pushes impact investing closer and closer to the mainstream. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, The Evolution of ESG Investing with Glen Yelton. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Carl Chang, founder of Kairos Investment Management. Even as a young man, Carl learned the importance of stewardship and impact investing. His firm seeks to make value-aligned investments to help the community and created a strategy to invest in affordable housing. Carl shares that this past year has provided a unique opportunity to give people resources in a time of crisis. From monetary aid to educational support for children, Kairos illustrates how investments can assist those in need. Carl and Bryce discuss the importance of providing people with the opportunity to work hard and support themselves. Through conscious construction, investments can change lives and give others the ability to succeed. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Humble Stewardship With Carl Chang. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Melanie Audette, Senior Vice President of Mission Investors Exchange. Melanie is passionate about living a life of service and believes that impact and financial return are not mutually exclusive. Melanie helps connect investors who have similar investment goals in their communities. She encourages individuals and foundations to be innovative with how they invest and where they put their money. She and Bryce discuss the importance of building trust, the role of program-related investments in making impact, asking yourself the important questions and her firm belief in mentorship and passing along wisdom to others. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Building Relationship Capital With Melanie Audette. Program-Related Investments (PRI) definition. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Liesel Pritzker Simmons, co-founder of the Blue Haven Initiative, an investment office seeking to generate strong financial return from a diversified portfolio that focuses on creating social and environmental change. Liesel highlights the importance of being choosy with how to invest. She seeks to align her portfolio with her values and believes that stewarding assets well will benefit the next generation. They also talk about the importance of investing to create opportunities for others, the future of HR and the leadership course she is developing for fast growing technology companies. Liesel hopes to inspire people to prudently and creatively invest in places that will make a difference for others. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Rooted in Values and Pursuing Market Returns With Liesel Pritzker Simmons. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
Welcome to More Than Profit Season 3! In this episode, Bryce talks with Robert Kim, Senior Client Advisor at The CapRock Group and TJ Abood, Chief Investment Officer at Access Ventures. The trio discuss the idea behind the theme of this season of More Than Profit: “Consciously Constructing More Dynamic Portfolios” They discuss the genesis of Access Ventures and how we have worked towards mission-alignment; how someone can think through matching their values with their investments; the difficulties related to benchmarking and measuring impact; and some of the specific ways individuals and organizations can work alongside mission-oriented funds to achieve a consciously-constructed portfolio. Join us for this kick-off conversation and learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, An Introduction to Conscious Construction With Robert Kim and TJ Abood. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures by downloading our Annual Report.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Rodney Foxworth, CEO of Common Future. Rodney shares how his upbringing in Baltimore shaped his future and set him on the path of pursuing an inclusive economy. Bryce and Rodney discuss the vision of Common Future, the barriers to an equitable economy, and what his organization is doing to overcome those barriers. Rodney also highlights the key difference between philanthropy and charity, and how he manages to lean into optimism despite the odds. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Interrogating Systems and Creating Alternatives with Rodney Foxworth. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Elizabeth MacBride, freelance writer and Founder and Editor for the Times of Entrepreneurship. Elizabeth has always had a passion for telling stories, inspiring her to study journalism in college. As the recession of 1991 was surging, the job market was limited. Elizabeth took a position at a business newspaper, one of the only places hiring at the time, which launched her career in journalism. Bryce and Elizabeth talk about how she is keeping her profession alive despite the global pandemic and how she is using her writing as the fuel for change. She is known for using her platform to address topics that mainstream journalists are quick to overlook. In many of her publications, Elizabeth shares stories that often go untold, like the emergence and success of women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color. She discusses all of this and more on this episode of More Than Profit, Storytelling For Change With Elizabeth MacBride. If you want to keep up with Elizabeth's work, subscribe to the Times of Entrepreneurship**, newsletter.
Learn more about our work at Access Ventures**.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Emily Miller, Deputy Director of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the U.S. Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Emily is also co-Founder of Rumi Spice, a public benefit corporation committed to empowering Afghan women by bringing flavorful, ethically sourced and socially responsible spices from Afghanistan to customers around the world. Emily shares how her experiences growing up in a loving family in the Midwest, attending West Point and finding support as an LGBGTQ+ cadet in the midst of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; and subsequently serving as a U.S. Army Officer on the battlefield of Afghanistan impacted the trajectory of her life. Emily also provides valuable insight into the EDA and how to work in partnership to advance innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Love, Service, and a Life Without Regrets With Emily Miller. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Jewel Burks Solomon. Jewel is Head of Google for Startups US and Managing Partner at Collab Capital. Jewel is passionate about entrepreneurship and ensuring that everyone (specifically female and black founders) have every chance possible at success. She and Bryce talk about what motivates her - from her family, her faith, and being surrounded by entrepreneurial role models. Her firm, Collab Capital, is focused on disrupting the wealth gap in the United States by investing in black-owned businesses and she shares the unique approach to investments that they are taking at Collab Capital as well as the historical discrimination and the wealth gap that makes it difficult for black founders to access the capital they need to build their companies. Listen more on this episode of More Than Profit, Changing the Script for Black Founders with Jewel Burks Solomon. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Cassandra Webb at Cities United and a community organizer in Louisville, KY. Having worked with the Louisville Urban League and Metro United Way, Cassandra has always been an advocate for black youth, their families, and their communities. Cities United’s mission is to create safe, healthy, and hopeful communities for black boys and men. They work in 130 cities across the United States. Bryce and Cassandra discuss poverty, violence, and crime through the lens of public health. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Economic Justice and Wealth Building With Cassandra Webb. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Robby Greenfield and TJ Abood. Robby is the Founder and CEO of Emerging Impact, working at the intersection between blockchain technology and social impact. TJ is a Partner with Bryce at Access Ventures and oversees all of our investments. Our current investment thesis is built upon the idea that blockchain technology is one of the best vehicles for social impact. The three discuss what blockchain is, how it can be used for the greater good and the access and inclusivity it has the potential to provide. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Blockchain's Social Impact with Robby Greenfield and TJ Abood. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Kate McElligott, Head of Marketing and Communications at The Autodesk Foundation. A published poet at the age of 12, Kate has always been a storyteller. Bryce talks with her about how she incorporates her creativity into her job at Autodesk, her advice for young people desiring to explore this space and innovative approaches to philanthropy. The impact design has on the environment, equality, future of work, and more is something Kate is really passionate about. She discusses all of this and more on this episode of More Than Profit, Designing The Future With Kate McElligott. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Dr. Anthony Bradley, Professor of Religious studies and Director of the Center for the Study of Human Flourishing at King’s College in New York City who also has an M.A. in Ethics and Society from Fordham University as well as an M.S in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. He is a prolific author including Ending Over Criminalization and Mass Incarceration: Hope from Civil Society that came out in 2019. Bryce and Anthony discuss over-criminalization, the importance of family dynamics, the good and the bad of capitalism and much more. They do a deep dive on the criminal justice system, the way our country uses it to manage our poor communities, and ways we need to support people through jobs and working to build stable families to work against mass incarceration. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, How to Reduce Criminal Deviancy With Anthony Bradley. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode, Bryce talks with Bob Pattillo, Founder of Gray Ghost Ventures and Gray Matters Capital. Bob has been in the world of impact investing for over 2 decades and has helped define the industry. Bryce and Bob have gotten to know each other through their work with Village Capital. They talk about the value of friendship and family, Bob’s journey with impact investing, Aspergers, parenting, and more. Bob’s experiences, both encouraging and difficult, have shaped the way his life and his career has developed. He shares how he has found courage and joy amidst failure and pain. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Lessons Learned Through Pain with Bob Pattillo. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode of More Than Profit, Bryce talks with Stephanie Gripne, CEO of Impact Finance Center, a multi-university nonprofit academic center that identifies, trains, and activates philanthropists and investors to become impact investors. Stephanie shares about her relationship with her father, who supported and fostered her early entrepreneurial spirit and was also homeless at one point, her love of nature and risk-taking, and the loss of both of her parents at an early age. Bryce learns the story behind Stephanie’s resume and how her career has been shaped by a genuine love for the work she does. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Mobilizing Impact Through Full Spectrum Capital With Stephanie Gripne. Check out our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode, Bryce talks with Dr. Astrid Scholz and Matthew Weatherly-White. Astrid is the Founder & Managing Partner at Sphaera Solutions, co-founder of Zebras Unite, and co-founder of XXcelerate. Matthew is Co-Founder and Managing Director at The Caprock Group. The three discuss the history of philanthropy, mythology and culture, the importance of risk as well as mission alignment when it comes to philanthropy and investment, and more. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Rethinking Risk For Foundations with Dr. Astrid Scholz and Matthew Weatherly-White. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
Welcome to More Than Profit Season 2! On this episode, Bryce talks with Maurice Jones, President and CEO of Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC). They talk about the history importance, and future of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs); the importance of the intentional use of race when addressing racial gaps and systemic issues that resulted from an intentional use of race; and, the ways in which specific relationships have impacted Maurice and his work. Maurice and Bryce discuss the necessity of giving increased support to black and brown communities that were previously redlined and intentionally excluded from ownership and the financial markets. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Banking Reimagined with Maurice Jones. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures
*On season two of More Than Profit we dive deeper in conversation with leaders about how they are living and working with purpose. We get into the racial wealth gap in America and the role the banks played in creating it and the role they should play in fixing it. We challenge the traditional mindsets of those who control the investment decisions inside foundations. We explore how personal pain and experiences can later lead to impactful moments in your career.
And we even talk about the importance of baby steps that billionaires need to take in order to move more of their assets towards impact.
Join us for the new season of More Than Profit, an original podcast from Access Ventures. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe today.
Learn more about our work at Access Ventures and follow us on social media. Instagram*Twitter
On this episode, Bryce talks with Jonny Price, Founder of Kiva US and current Director of Fundraising at Wefunder. From management consulting to economic development and democratizing capital, Jonny has always focused on being present for the people around him and optimizing his experiences for learning in the context of family, relationships, and career. Jonny and Bryce talk about wealth disparity, entrepreneurship, and the evolution of thoughts around both through Jonny’s experiences at Oliver Wyman, Kiva, and now Wefunder. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Democratizing Capital With Jonny Price. Visit our website to learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode, Bryce talks with Fran Seegull, Executive Director of the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance. Fran has taken a unique approach to entrepreneurship and impact investing since before it became more commonplace. She discusses the path in which ideas about impact investing has taken throughout the past two decades. Fran’s contrarian spirit led her to be ahead of others who were thinking about the relationship between impact and investment. She continues to explore new ideas surrounding impact investing and shares about her current thoughts and projects on this episode of More Than Profit, Pioneering Better Investing with Fran Seegull. Learn more about our work Access Ventures.
On this episode, Bryce talks with Ross Baird, Founder of Blueprint Local and Co-Founder of Village Capital. Ross and Bryce have been friends for a long time. They talk about the importance of friendships and different experiences from childhood that have informed life trajectory in some capacity. Ross talks about how he is driven by a desire to create communities that allow people to flourish and therefore allow the community itself to flourish. Through the ups and downs of his career, Ross has learned that relationships are what remain constant and it’s important to put work into maintaining them. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Prioritizing For Relationships With Ross Baird. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures
On this episode, Bryce talks with Abby Ivory, Managing Director of Ivory Innovations about investing in sustainable businesses, her work with Sorenson Impact, and the values instilled in her from her parents. Ivory Innovations runs a program called Ivory Prize, an annual award recognizing ambitious, feasible, and scalable solutions to housing affordability. Working with the innovations in housing has allowed Abby to keep a pulse on the housing market, trends, and innovations within the space. She shares some of what she has learned on this episode of More Than Profit, Investing In Responsible Housing Development With Abby Ivory. Learn more about our work at Access Ventures.
On this episode, Bryce talks with Jay Lipman, Co-founder and President of Ethic. Ethic is a data driven technology platform that creates sustainable passive investments for institutional investors and is an Access Ventures portfolio company. They discuss how transparency can add value to your portfolio and help people understand the impact they are having, especially from an investment perspective. Jay walks through the impact the decisions we make every day have on the world and how to be more intentional and ethical about how you go about making them. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is With Jay Lipman. Learn more about our work at accessventures.org.
On this episode, Bryce talks with Frank Furman, COO of Padsplit, a privatized affordable housing company and Reconstruct Challenge Grant Recipient. From the Marine Corp to one of the world’s largest toilet paper distributors, Frank’s path has been far from traditional. He talks about how his career ultimately has led him to where he is now and how he balances impact and profit at Padsplit. The belief that it is a disservice to people to expect little of them and a big part of what keeps people where they are economically, is a theme that guides Padsplit. They aim to empower people and part of that is setting expectations and believing they can achieve them Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, Rethinking Affordable Housing with Frank Furman. Learn more about our work at accessventures.org.
On this episode, Bryce talks with Ben Reno-Weber, Director of Microsoft’s Future of Work Initiative. From his upbringing, to working abroad, to his current projects, Ben has always been more interested in the impact that he is creating than the amount of money he is making. Growing up in a family that did not have an abundance of money, his dad always said they were rich in the ways they wanted to be. Learn more about what that means and how having that mindset has led Ben where he is today on this episode of More Than Profit, with Ben Reno-Weber. Learn more about our work at accessventures.org.
On this episode, Bryce calls Ross Baird, Founder of Blueprint Local and Co-Founder of Village Capital, and John Letteri, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Economic Innovation Group (EIG) to talk about the implications of COVID-19. They discuss the economic impact the Coronavirus is having on employers, employees, and small businesses, the impact on the national and global economy, and the effect it is having on the mental state of, largely, everyone in the world. A pandemic like this causes everyone to step back and evaluate their priorities in order to make important decisions. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit, COVID-19: Entrepreneurship And Small Business Support. Learn more about our work at accessventures.org.
On this episode, Bryce talks with Allie Burns, CEO of Village Capital, about the accessibility of entrepreneurship. How do we encourage innovation when there are funding gaps and potential failure is real, scary, and expensive? Allie talks about how thinking through these questions has informed how she thinks about the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Allie walks us through her experience becoming CEO of an already established venture capital firm, Village Capital, what that transition was like for her and for the organization, as well as the lessons learned through the process personally and professionally. Learn more on this episode of More Than Profit and learn more about Access Ventures by checking out our website, accessventures.org.
On this episode, Bryce sits down with Shruti Shah, Entrepreneur in Residence at the Silicon Valley Bank. Growing up as an adopted Jewish Indian American in Memphis, TN, Shruti has a unique perspective on people and community which is empowering but also exhausting. She discusses how access to opportunity and social capital is intertwined with community, how that has informed her career path, and her thoughts around success and failure, inclusivity and much more. Learn how Shruti has let her experiences shape the way she is using innovation to address the lack of access and opportunity in certain communities by listening to this episode of More Than Profit. To learn more about Access Ventures check out our website, accessventures.org.
On this episode, Bryce talks with Jean Case, the first female chairman of the National Geographic Society and CEO of the Case Impact Network and Case Foundation. They discuss the parts of her story that might not show up on her bio that have helped inform who she is and why she does what she does. For a woman from a town called Normal, her story has been far from normal. Bryce and Jean talk about her childhood, and the series of pivots and failures she faced before her career success, what new capitalism is, and what it means to her. To learn more about Access Ventures check out our website, accessventures.org.
On this episode, Bryce sits down with Jim Sorenson of the Sorenson Impact Foundation which invests in innovative, scalable solutions to the world’s most pressing needs. They talk about his family, the impact they’ve had on him, and how the things he has learned from his parents have influenced the way he built his business. Where you come from and the people who are important to you, shape the way you see the world and approach work. Jim shares how this has been true for him on this episode of More Than Profit. To learn more about Access Ventures check out our website, accessventures.org.
On this episode, Bryce talks with Rose Afriyie, executive director of mRelief, a non-profit that helps people sign up for food stamps. They discuss the experiences that shaped Rose and how they have led her to make decisions that impact her work and life. From interning at the White House, to writing for Time, to now working to provide access to healthy food for people who don’t have it, Rose has lived by a few simple but strong principles. She dives into what those are on this episode of More Than Profit. To learn more about Access Ventures check out our website, accessventures.org.
More Than Profit is a new podcast from Access Ventures that asks investors, entrepreneurs, leaders and more about life, work, and living with purpose. Each week, Access Ventures' founder Bryce Butler interviews a person who lives for more than profit. Bryce and his guests will share personal stories about what it's like to succeed, what it's like to be a leader, and how to live and work with a purpose that is more than just the bottom line. Listen to our new trailer and preview what's to come on season one of the podcast. To learn more about Access Ventures check out our website, accessventures.org