I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Aaron Friedland, the CEO of The Walking School Bus and SiMBi, has a passion for change that is powerful and inspiring. From struggling to learn because of his own Dyslexia to studying economic development to creating solar-powered classrooms and literacy software, Aaron's journey is one we can all learn from. In this interview we talk about the journey to creating impact halfway around the world, the struggle of doing too many things, and how we can create solutions from empathy, that are accepted and have a lasting effect. This chat isn't necessarily about education, it's about social entrepreneurship and how you can take the right approach for observing a problem and creating solutions.

Joel Harrison Podcast

How to Create Social Change That Lasts: Aaron Friedland - 019

I haven't felt so inspired to be an entrepreneur more before this episode, and not just because my guest today, Justin Bedard started a global organization (JUMP! Foundation) that inspires youth to make a difference. It's because he opens up about his failures, owns it, and learns from it. I don't hear this enough from social entrepreneurs. We see too much polished fetishizing of being an entrepreneur, and it doesn't usually match our own experience. In this episode we talk about everything from how nonprofits are struggling to find a social enterprise model, what being a nonprofit social enterprise even means, how JUMP! Foundation provides experiential learning to merge with a standard curriculum, the failures that shocked Justin into starting over, and the changes he made in leading his organization that launched them into their current success.

Jumping Through Failures to Scale Your Impact: Justin Bedard - 018

Whether you're looking for impact investments now, in the future, or never, there is a mindset here that all change makers needs to take note of. This episode I sat down with Mike Winterfield, Managing Partner of Active Impact Investments. They've been instrumental in deploying over $10 million in capital to businesses that create social or environmental impact. We dive into everything from how they define impact companies, what it's like starting a venture capital firm, how their model is different and allows impact investors to get more involved, and 3 big mistakes that people make when raising money.

Thinking Like an Impact Investor to Raise Money: Mike Winterfield - 017

When you start a company for the sole purpose of funding tree planting, and it takes off as a fashion brand, you see how it would be hard to stay focused. But through rebrands, viral social media hits, and an evolving fashion landscape, tentree hasn’t strayed from their mission. In this episode of the podcast, I get the absolute pleasure of speaking with Arthur Kononuk, Creative Director and Co-founders of tentree. To give some context, tentree plants 10 trees for every item purchased, and we dive into their audacious goal of planting 1 billion trees by 2030. We talk about their experience of going viral on Instagram, why they did a rebrand, the state of the textiles industry and sustainable fashion, and why selling more clothing might not be the best way to reach their new goal.

Planting a Billion Trees with tentree: Arthur Kononuk - 016

This conversation with Patrick Nangle, CEO of Modo opened my eyes entirely to a lot of subjects. I had no idea that car share programs, companies like Modo, were indeed thinking about impact. That they were created to solve the problem of environmental impact AND the financial impact of vehicle ownership. We talk about car share programs and community impact. We talk about co-op models and how they differ from standard corporations or nonprofits. We talk about collaboration and an openness to realize you can’t solve anything on your own. It truly was a pleasure, and if you’re living in BC, I hope you have a chance to try out Modo’s car share program.

Driving Climate Action with Modo's Co-op Model: Patrick Nangle - 015

So I’m not exactly the mompreneur that this episode is about, but I’m thrilled to talk with Mona Tavassoli of Mompreneurs Worldwide in this episode about everything from starting a business as a mom, managing your energy, culture and starting a business around the world, and how she’s teaching other mom’s how to excel at business. In this conversation, we dive into her work to empower women, and with her new foundation, to empower women refugees through educating them on entrepreneurship.

Balancing Business, Parenting, and Impact: Mona Tavassoli - 014

I sincerely didn’t understand how ignorant I was about the disability community until I read Al Etmanski’s new book and had him on the podcast. Al Etmanski is a long-time social entrepreneur, four-time author, and father to a daughter with down syndrome, which was the catalyst to his work. In this interview, we dive deep into Al’s new book, The Power of Disability and the stories and lessons that we can all learn as social entrepreneurs from people with a disability. We talk about language and labels, we talk about the way the landscape has changed over the years, we talk about why “the systems” are being created and modified by the wrong people. It was an inspiring conversation, and I truly believe that there is something for everyone in this book.

Realizing The Power of Disability: Al Etmanski - 013

Josh Myers has wisdom that is far beyond his years as a leader in a nonprofit. As the executive director of the BC Centre for Ability, facilitating programs and assistance to people, young and old, with disabilities, he’s already taken the organization through significant transformations. In this episode we discuss Josh’s journey into becoming an executive director (hint: he worked there for 5 years first!), the organization changes they’ve been making in the past year, building leadership teams, being a leader through the tough times, and so much more. This episode truly is for all of us in a change-maker and leadership capacity - and Josh shares some very practical ideas on how to perceive your role and humbly come to serve others to get the best out of everyone.

Leading Nonprofits Through Change & Growth: Josh Myers - 012

The work that Nejeed Kassam does is an incredible example of how the nonprofit and for-profit worlds will continue to excel together. As the founder and CEO of Keela, a nonprofit software company based out of Vancouver, he’s using his wealth of knowledge from starting nonprofits, practicing law, and running businesses to create a company with real impact. In this episode, we talk about Nejeed’s experiences that led him to create the work that he does. We talk about the role that law plays in making change, the struggles and stresses of starting a tech company, hiring and managing people that align with your company, and the role of capitalism in innovation and philanthropy.

Building Teams and Tech to Empower Nonprofits: Nejeed Kassam - 011

Steve Petterson jumped straight out of school and dove into impact investing. Not long after, he started his own nonprofit, the National Social Value Fund, to give students the experience and exposure to impact he wishes he had. This conversation (and everything Steve is doing) got me fired up and inspired because I came from a similar situation. I too was introduced to the world of social enterprises from a wonderful teacher who went out of her way to mention it outside of the normal class. In this interview, we talk about the inspiration for the program, the experience of going through that beta test in the first year, the incredible impact that it can have on student empowerment, as well as amazing impact. We also talk about why they became a nonprofit, and how their model for impact investing is slightly different than a “traditional” investment fund.

Giving Students Money to Invest in Impact: Steve Petterson - 010

When Brian Smith set out to start Persephone, he knew it was going to be a social enterprise. But it’s astounding at just how much impact it’s been able to make. From community to environmental footprint, Persephone is one of very few breweries that actually farms its own ingredients and is also a B Corporation.  I was absolutely thrilled to be able to interview Brian, and of his many experiences, nonprofits, and for profits, we got to dive into what community involvement really means. We talk about Brian’s tense introduction into activism, the earlier mistakes, and the successful partnerships and community that they’ve been able to build with their farm.

Growing Impact with Persephone’s Beer Farm: Brian Smith - 009

When your life changes in an instant, you have a decision, do you spend your time wishing it was the same, or do you keep moving? Do you see limitations, medical system failures, and culture, and push to make things better from every angle? That is the attitude that Tanelle Bolt continues with. She is the founder of RAD Recreation Adapted Society, is an interior designer and accessibility consultant, and is an outdoor athlete all without any movement from her chest down. Through this episode, we talk about her journey, her experiences with the medical system, the lack of support, and the plethora of barriers built into everyday life because of a lack of forethought for people with disabilities. We also discuss the various ways she’s working to solve these problems through awareness, consulting, and her nonprofit. Full notes: https://joelmharrison.com/episode8/

Making Adventure Accessible in a Wheelchair: Tanelle Bolt - 008

Keith Ippel is legendary in Vancouver, and he’s going that way globally as well. Keith is the Co-founder and CEO of Spring Activator, a startup accelerator. His background in startups, advising, investing, education, and ecosystem development (all centred around social impact) means he has no shortage of incredible insights for anyone in their journey. In this episode we discuss everything from the state of social entrepreneurship, particularly across geographies, how we’re educating the next generation of entrepreneurs, what makes a successful social enterprise, and building ecosystems within cities to foster innovation. So go right ahead and bookmark this episode, share it, and come back to it again and again, it’s incredible.

Building Ecosystems for Social Enterprises to Thrive: Keith Ippel - 007

From ethical to organic, and fair-trade to inclusive employment, Mara Mennicken is molding the way businesses look at community impact through her example. Mara is the owner and chocolate making master at The Good Chocolatier, a Vancouver company. While previously reluctant to even run a business (because of her distaste for the negative impact of how businesses are often run), after a couple of years of volunteering with a friend, she eventually took over his business. And turned up the temperature on its community impact. The Good Chocolatier employs several people with autism by partnering with the PALS Autism Society. In this episode, we dive into how she made this happen, how it’s essential to how she does business now, and how you can also find ways to partner with marginalized communities or people with employment barriers.

Breaking Barriers to Employment with Chocolate: Mara Mennicken - 006

Have you ever wondered what happens to the waste produced when making beer? Maybe you haven’t. Maybe you didn’t know that 650,000 kilos of spent grain are produced each day in Canada. That’s a LOT.  Today we’re talking with Clinton Bishop, Co-founder and COO of Susgrainable. They using a circular economy business model and are turning this beer waste into baked goods. By processing the spent grain, they’re able to produce a flour that has tons of fibre and plant protein, way better that traditional flour. Their signature cookies even have up to 7 grams of fibre in a single cookie! We talk about circular economy, we talk about supply chain, we talk about how they are getting interest from people, and what some of the hurdles of this business model are.

Turning Beer Waste Into Baked Goods: Clinton Bishop - 005

Just imagine the change we could make if the majority of organizations made decision for people and the planet instead of just for profit. You can call it whatever you want, social impact, sustainability, philanthropy, but whatever you call it, it’s about designing a better future for our ourselves and our children. I'm Joel Harrison, and on this show, we dive into the perspective of the very people behind these organizations, the social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and change makers. We talk about successes, failures, and advice for people like you looking to make change through your business and work.

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Joel Harrison Podcast

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