StartSomeGood: The Blog

Success is so sweet when you’re starting good!

Join us in celebrating some of StartSomeGood’s most recent projects to reach their tipping point goals!

Designer Amanda Ryan took a two-month-long volunteer trip in the slums of Bangladesh and cam home with a mission to empower and educate women through fashion. Bachhara is Amanda’s super hip clothing line of dresses created by local women in Bangladesh. The clothing line’s sales provide 90% of the revenue for the Jaago Foundation sewing centre, a social business dedicated to funding the Jaago Foundation School. Bachhara creates a space where women are trained and given the support they need to succeed. They’ve raised over $5,000 to date and can now bring a small collection from their 2013 Summer collection to Australia to sell.

The villagers of rural Malawi all share the same dream—to overcome poverty by creating their own community bank. With Empower Inc’s assistance, they have aspirations to become self-reliant and be completely independent of aid by 2015. Empower Inc has already begun training the management committee and front-line bank staff for the community banks. Now, they are Banking on Change—the $3,000 raised to date will allow them to continue training bank staff, set up a business kiosk for advising local entrepreneurs, and directly invest in the bank to increase the asset base for loans.

There is an exciting global movement to support female health and education in Africa. Girls for Girls USA is leading the charge, creating sustainable solutions that empower young women to reach for their dreams. Girls for Girls USA equips girls with the knowledge, tools, and infrastructure needed to generate a sustainable income. Founded by 40 amazing women across the globe, Girl for Girls USA has raised over $2,500 to register for 501(c) status and cover other various start-up costs.

Place in the Sun Foundation is developing childhood literacy and improving the overall quality of education in West Africa by training aspiring female teachers. They provide teacher training and classroom curricula to support aspiring teachers. The organization has already raised over $6,500 to launch its pilot program. This seven-week preschool summer camp in rural Mali not only supports aspiring women teachers, but also boosts essential early childhood education programs. It will serve as a pilot program for a permanent school in Mali.

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What good do you want to create? Visit our site to learn about how to start your own campaign.

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

If you’re between the ages of 18 and 30, apply to join an elite group of young leaders from over 55 countries and over 221 universities by becoming a StartingBloc Fellow. StartingBloc is accepting applications to its lifelong membership program now through March 31st. As a fellow you receive all the benefits of the Detroit 2013 Institute as well as educational, professional, and social opportunities at 14 chapters around the world, waived application fees to top graduate programs, connections to pro-bono legal and financial services for social enterprises, and mentorship with professional leaders in your field.
Join Sophia Sunwoo, Co-Founder and CEO of Water Collective for a “How She Does It” Dinner on Monday, April 29^th at Maharlika in New York. This women-only dinner party, hosted by Cynthia Hellen, Founder of SMPLCT lab, and New York Women Social Entrepreneurs, will feature Sophia as she shares her journey as an entrepreneur, the mission of Water Collective, and her passion for sustainable work.
Would $50,000 help you launch your social enterprise? GOOD Maker is teaming up with Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes to bring you the Start Something That Matters GOOD Maker challenge, which will award $50,000 to one enterprising individual to launch his or her plan for driving social impact. Submit your plan by May 17th for a chance to win the ultimate prize—the chance to start transforming lives.
The Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) is hosting the Agents of Change program, a competition for a year of free access to its workspace in NYC. If you are blending a mission-based project with market-based sustainability and the best of the nonprofit and for-profit worlds, this competition is for you. Twenty applicants will win 100 hours per month at the Centre for Social Innovation, four hours per month of free meeting space, access to CSI programs and events, one year subscription to GOOD magazine, and participation in NYC’s community of change-makers. Applications are due Friday, May 17th at 5:00 pm EST.
A contest for social entrepreneurs without new ideas, the D-Prize is awarding $20,000 to entrepreneurs who can find better, innovative ways to spread older, proven ideas into high poverty areas. The D-Prize (the “D” stands for distribution or development) is looking to award money to creative people who can find better ways to distribute or develop existing forms of aid. Just as, many years ago, Henry Ford was able to make the automobile accessible to a much larger audience, the D-Prize seeks someone with the potential make such innovations as solar lighting, Schistosomiasis medicine, and birth control options more accessible in some of the highest poverty areas of the world. The application deadline is April 30th, but serious candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible for a better chance at moving onto the final round. Program director Nicholas Fusso wants to know—are you the next Henry Ford of poverty alleviation?

Shawn D. Ross

I am a Northwest Native living in Washington State. A graduate of Washington State University and University of Phoenix with degrees in Architecture and Education I write about social, cultural, and personal improvement on the StartSomeGood Blog and SDRinspire. I am also a filmmaker and owner of Giraffe and Penguin Productions, a single daddy of two beautiful children, avid reader, writer, and hat wearer (Not in that picture but believe me, I wear ‘em). I am currently at work on my first feature length documentary. Follow me @shawndross and visit my websites: sdrinspire.tumblr.com and giraffeandpenguinproductions.tumblr.com.

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Do you have a social entrepreneurship news story or an event you’d like to see on the StartSomeGood Blog? Email Nicole (Nicole @ StartSomeGood.com) or find her on Twitter @nricchio to connect with us.

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

Apply now to the World Summit Youth Award 2013. Registration is open now through July 1st. The WSYA selects and promotes best practices in e-content and new media, demonstrates young people’s potential to create outstanding digital content, and serves as a platform for people from all UN member states to work together in the efforts to put the UN Millennium Development Goals into action. Engaged talents or young professionals under 30 can enter their projects (for free) until July 1st within the 6 following Categories: Fight Poverty, Hunger and Disease, Education for All, Power 2 Women, Create your Culture, Go Green, and Pursue the Truth. The best projects will be invited to the WSYA Winners’ Event. Present your project on an international stage and meet other engaged people! Be presented and promoted through the WSYA network and become part of a vibrant and lively community!

Penn students and alumni that have a passion for social impact—April 30th is the deadline to submit your applications to be part of the Social Impact Fellowship through the Schwartz Family Penn Social Impact House. August 12th through the 25th, the fellowship program will bring together a unique community of innovators committed to designing effective solutions for social change. Initiated by leaders in social innovation, design thinking, and business development, fellows will gain tools, skills, and networks to make their world-changing ideas a reality.

Engage..Innovate..Inspire. Join like minded professionals on Wednesday evening, April 24th in Birmingham, UK for the opportunity to engage with some of the most inspiring, innovative, and dynamic social entrepreneurs in the Higher Education sector. Event participation is being offered free of charge by UnLtd – The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs. Come prepared for an interactive session where you can ask questions and network with UnLtd, Higher Education Funding Council for England, and many other inspiring social entrepreneurs.

Every other month JustChange is granting $1,000 to an individual, group or organization whose ideas will create positive social or environmental change in Ottawa. The ideal candidate will use the grant to accelerate their idea and impact Ottawa in a positive way. Also, partnering with HUBOttawa, the top 3 great ideas from this round will receive a HUBConnect membership for 3 months!

Social Enterprise Ecosystem Economic Development (SEEED) is a collaboration between Brown University and Social Venture Partners Rhode Island. The SEEED Summit 2013 will be held on Friday, April 26th and Saturday, April 27th. This is the first national conference focused on the need to build an effective social enterprise ecosystem to drive economic development. It’s being held on the Brown University campus in Providence, RI and there are many different registration options so you can tailor your summit experience to your exact interests.

Shawn D. Ross

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Do you have a social entrepreneurship news story or an event you’d like to see on the StartSomeGood Blog? Email the details to Nicole (Nicole @ StartSomeGood) or find her on Twitter @nricchio and she’ll be happy to review it.

StartSomeGood Newss

Brand New Good! Recently Launched Campaigns…

Thirty-eight villages in rural Malawi have a shared dream of overcoming poverty through their own community bank. With Empower Inc’s assistance, they have forged plans to form a self-reliant region and have established a goal of being completely independent of aid by 2015. Empower Inc believes this is possible and very much within grasp for these villages. They have already begun training the management committee and front-line bank staff for the community banks. Now, they are Banking on Change—$3,000 will allow them to continue training bank staff, set up a business kiosk for advising local entrepreneurs, and directly invest in the bank to increase the asset base for loans.

Neonicotinoid pesticides are negatively affecting our environment and Ample Earth wants to show you just how devastating this pollution could be if left unchecked. An organization dedicated to creating viral videos for just causes and worthy ideas to catalyze change, Ample Earth will produce a film predicting what would happen if these pesticides cause the extinction of bees, bugs, and birds. Professor of animation at New York University and award winning animator Patrick Smith will be animating for the film. Teaming with BugLife, a charity tackling the pesticide issue, they are seeking at least $15,000 to show us what A World With No Bees would look like. The funds will allow them to pay animators, voice artists, musicians, and writers.

Let’s Celebrate! Recently Tipped Campaigns…

The Media, the Public, and the Human Cost of War—this project is raising funds for a poll of the UK public to discover estimates of Iraqi deaths since the ‘Shock and Awe’ campaign was launched 10 years ago in the US and UK. The numbers gathered will be shared with journalists, bloggers, and activists to allow voices not paid for by corporate interests to be heard and support a healthy democratic check on power. The $1,210 raised to date will help pay for a reputable national polling agency in the UK to conduct their recommended poll of public opinion.

Aiming to raise awareness and funds for HOPE Africa, the James Ihedigbo Invitational is a sports clinic hosted by James Ihedigbo, current member of Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. The initiative began in 2012 and this year’s event will take place on April 20th at the Amherst Regional High School Field. It not only helps raise funds and build awareness for HOPE Africa, it also provides an atmosphere for student-athletes to learn from a local NFL player. The funds raised so far will help to partially run the event, with fewer attendees and James running all the drills. The ultimate goal would allow more student-athletes to attend and increase the number of coaches that can help James.

Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools prepare scholars to enter and succeed in competitive colleges and empower students to create a more just, free, and equal world. Chavez Schools launched this project to help the children of Chavez Prep Middle School get a new gymnasium. The students at Chavez Prep, one of the highest-performing schools in the D.C. area, do not have a gymnasium. Gym classes are currently held in public parks, parking lots, and basement classrooms. Campaign contributions will provide a safe place for students to learn and grow and create a gathering place where the entire school can come together, develop a healthier community, and build memories. Now that the campaign has raised almost $8,000, Chavez Prep will be able to purchase all equipment that students will use in the gym once construction is complete.

No Stigma is an organization dedicated to raising awareness of Combat PTSD, supporting veterans and their families, and educating them in entrepreneurship. The founder of No Stigma is a war veteran living with PTSD that not only has a successful blog, but also has experience working with Volunteers of America on the HBO Documentary Wartorn. He is raising funds to incorporate No Stigma as a 501(c)3 organization, develop and host a website, design a logo, and free cash flow so he can begin programs to help veterans with PTSD be treated equitably. Reaching his tipping point goal of $5,000 means he can now officially incorporate his nonprofit and create a website. Any additional funds will be used to help free up cash flow so he can support advocacy programs, design and create promotional materials, and travel to conferences.

Shawn D. Ross

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What good do you want to create? Visit our site to learn about how to start your own campaign.

StartSomeGood News

Brand New Good! Recently Launched Campaigns…

Marine plastic pollution is killing marine life and polluting our beaches. Upcycle the Gyres Society (UGS) aims to combat this by harvesting oceanic plastic garbage and converting it into clean fuels. They will create ENVIROLENE® higher mixed alcohol fuel and products such as textiles and 3D printer stock. Reaching the tipping point goal of $6,690 would allow UGS to attend the Marine Litter Conference in Berlin and the Blue Economy Congress in Madrid and put a deposit down on a machine to convert pollution into a solution—clean fuels.

The Enterprise Learning Projects (ELP) is working with remote Australian Aboriginal communities to develop inclusive, creative, and sustainable enterprise initiatives. Established in late 2012, ELP is working to fill the support gap in these remote communities. Working with local entrepreneurs, ELP helps to develop online marketing plans and assist them in selling their products. When the $7,500 tipping point goal is reached, they will be able to set up and manage an online store and develop a marketing strategy to promote the store throughout Australia.

The Media, The Public, and the Human Cost of War—this project is raising funds for a poll of the UK public to discover estimates of Iraqi deaths since the ‘Shock and Awe’ campaign was launched 10 years ago in the US and UK. The numbers gathered would be shared with journalists, bloggers, and activists to allow voices not paid for by corporate interests to be heard and support a healthy democratic check on power. The tipping point goal of $1,200 will pay for a reputable national polling agency in the UK to conduct their recommended poll of public opinion.

Let’s Celebrate! Recently Tipped Campaigns…

In their second project, Crowdsourced Travel raised $10,215 to repay a loan that was taken out to complete printing the Positive Light photography book after a sponsor pulled out. Using photography to promote social justice in Bangladesh, Crowdsourced Travel partnered with Drik and created a Bangladesh-based print run of Positive Light. All funds raised to Shine Positive Light on Bangladesh are going directly to Drik to pay the remainder of the printing costs and cover shipping cost to overseas warehouses.

Shawn D. Ross

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

Calling all young leaders between the ages of 18 and 30 for the StartingBloc Fellowship. This is a life-long membership with StartingBloc’s global community of 1,900 emerging leaders. Fellows are from all sectors that share the common belief that economic and social value creation are complementary. During the Institute for Social Innovation, candidates work with speakers, academic institutions, and corporate partners on the cutting edge of innovation. After completing the institute, candidates join over 1,900 fellows from 55 countries and receive education, professional and social opportunities at fellows-only events, waived application fees and scholarship opportunities at top graduate programs, connections to pro-bono legal and financial services, and mentorship with professional leaders. The early application deadline is March 31st.
The Amani Institute is seeking social change pioneers of the 21^st century for their Post-Graduate Certificate in Social Innovation Management program. This is a unique, field-based program bringing together a group of competitively selected, highly talented individuals from around the world. This 5-month, Nairobi based program will help participants intensely train for effective social change making—equivalent to a 2-year traditional master’s degree. Only 15 spots are available for pioneers. Apply now for the chance to gain experience, expertise, and insight and accelerate your career.
Do you have an idea for a project or organization that can make a difference in your community? The Lloyds Banking Group Social Entrepreneurs Program could provide you a place in the School of Social Entrepreneurs’ innovative learning program and a grant to help you develop your project. Startups could be granted up to £4,000, in addition to training, and any more established organization could be awarded up to £15,000 to help scale. Act fast—applications are due April 2nd.
The 2nd Annual Columbia University Earth Summit, Driving Collaborative Solutions, is happening March 28th and 29th at the iconic Columbia University Faculty House in New York City. It will bring together over 20 inspiring speakers, business, and social leaders with academics and students to foster new leadership required by today’s complex world. Register today to be part of this inspiring summit addressing solutions to make our world a better place.
Check out the new blended profit GAMECHANGERS Episode #21, an interview with Ron Cordes of ImpactAssets as he discusses the ‘state and future of impact investing’. This is a must listen as Ron explains the state of impact investing in simple, easy to understand terms for anyone interested in learning more about the industry.

Shawn D. Ross

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Do you have a social entrepreneurship news story or an event you’d like to see on the StartSomeGood Blog? Email the details to Nicole or find her on Twitter @nricchio and she’ll be happy to review it.

StartSomeGood News

Brand New Good! StartSomeGood’s Newest Campaigns…

With a vision to bring families together by encouraging them to participate in charitable service, FUSE Families With Purpose is raising funds to develop a computer game for families in hopes of helping to unify and strengthen them. While participating as a team in the video game, families are prompted to engage in quests outside the game such as helping a neighbor, going to a senior home, sitting down as a family for dinner, or even participating a weekly family meeting. Once the challenge is completed, they earn points in the game which allows them to complete levels and release sponsor-donated funds that are given throughout the world to help families. Meeting the tipping point goal of $7,280 will allow FUSE to create a prototype of the game and present it to the World Congress of Families in Sydney Australia in May 2013.

The Lents community in Portland, Oregon is a community of underserved people who do not have access to quality child care. Little Adventurers Day Home, an early childhood education and development social enterprise, opened in this community in 2011 but was forced close down because it was not prepared for the immense growth it experienced. Now with a better understanding of the needs of the community and a plan to fulfill those needs, they are seeking funds to reopen their doors. The tipping point goal of $3,450 would allow them to reopen with the bare essentials needed to help children during the day and have after school programs. The total funding goal would allow them to build a child care tuition assistance fund that covers monthly child care costs for low and no-income families.

No Stigma is an organization dedicated to raising awareness of Combat PTSD, supporting veterans and their families, and educating them in entrepreneurship. The founder of Support No Stigma is a war veteran living with PTSD that not only has a successful blog, but also has experience working with Volunteers of America on the HBO Documentary Wartorn. He is raising funds to incorporate Support No Stigma as a 501(c)3 organization, develop and host a website, design a logo, and free cash flow so he can begin programs to help veterans with PTSD be treated equitably. Reaching his tipping point goal of $5,000 will allow him to officially incorporate his nonprofit and create a website. Any additional funds will be used to help free up cash flow so he can support advocacy programs, design and create promotional materials, and travel to conferences.

Let’s Celebrate! Recently Tipped Campaigns…

ADAMA helps people without resources or who are at risk of social exclusion—the homeless, victims of gender violence, people living with HIV, children, and senior citizens—by providing them with professional services for free. At ADAMA, therapists, tutors, accountants, lawyers, yogis, etc. give their time to help marginalized people throughout Barcelona, Spain. OTOXO Productions is going to make a social documentary about ADAMA’s work, the people who do it, and the people whose lives are changed by it. Six backers have contributed a total of $300 because they believe in Preventing Social Exclusion in Innovative Ways. ADAMA can now, at the very least, produce the documentary. Any funds raised beyond the tipping point will help ADAMA and OTOXO promote the film.

Shawn D. Ross

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What good do you want to create? Visit our site to learn about how to start your own campaign.

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

Echoing Green is unleashing next generation talent to solve the world’s biggest problems. This week, Echoing Green has announced the semi-finalists for its ultra-selective 2013 Echoing Green Fellowship. Among this elite group chosen from nearly 3,000 submissions are four ventures that successfully funded projects on StartSomeGood: Anjna Patient Education, Spark* International, Physicians for Haiti, and WeCyclers. We’re so excited to see some amazing StartSomeGood ventures on this selective list of achievers. Many, many congratulations and good luck to everyone!

Do you want to begin a crowdfunding campaign but don’t have any experience? The reality is over half of all crowdfunding campaigns fall short of their goal. A lot of work and preparation go into running a successful campaign. Crowdfunding Masterclass: Brisbane, hosted by StartSomeGood and the Centre for Social Change,is being offered to ensure you’re part of the half that succeeds! Facilitated by our own Tom Dawkins, this workshop will work through the key steps in developing a campaign. Come out on Sunday, March 3rd from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm with a developed idea that you are ready to share with your workshop group. Space is limited so be sure to book your spot now!

Do you have a great problem-solving idea, but don’t know how to raise the necessary funds to get started? On February 25th from 7pm to 9pm at Rutgers University, in Piscataway, NJ, Starting and Funding Your Social Venture: A Panel Discussion will feature Professor Jeffrey Robinson and three distinguished guest speakers. Professor Robinson teaches social entrepreneurship at Rutgers Business School and will head the panel discussion around starting and funding social entrepreneurial ventures. Learn from experts on crowdfunding and how to use it to raise money for your social venture. Bonus: come meet our Blog Coordinator, Nicole—she’ll be at the event too!

Do you find yourself thinking, “If only I knew how to realize the potential of this ubiquitous tool to address social challenges,” when you look at your phone and tablet? The world is becoming more mobile and TechChange: Mobiles for International Development can help. Starting on March 4th, this four-week online professional development certificate course will explore successful applications of mobile phones. For a small fee, you will participate in a course that gives you a dynamic and practical learning environment with real-world examples and case studies. Engage with issues of equity, privacy, education, access, and more. Apply by February 25th and receive a $50 discount.

Shawn D. Ross

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Do you have a social entrepreneurship news story or an event you’d like to see on the StartSomeGood Blog? Email the details to Nicole and she’ll be happy to take a look at it.

StartSomeGood News

Brand New Good! StartSomeGood’s Newest Campaigns…

The Blooming Flower Bikes and Baskets provides social and financial opportunities for marginalized groups by using donated flowers. By partnering with companies like Whole Foods and other local floral wholesalers, flowers are recycled and used to support the Canadian Flowers for Food Society. The remaining flowers are offered to the public in exchange for donations. Bouquets will be distributed and sold via a bicycle cart in the heart of Vancouver, B.C. This campaign’s $5,220 tipping point goal will support one of these Blooming Flower Bikes for two months.

Ageless interAction brings the sexy back into aging. Ageless interAction helps young adults understand the aging process, combating the structural age segregation. This allows friendships to blossom based on common interest rather than age. Utilizing the energy and potential of local high school and college students, Ageless Interaction strives to show older adults they are important, loved, and relevant by giving them the chance to interact with people who care. Reaching the $1,300 tipping point will allow Ageless interAction to incorporate as a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization in Atlanta, Georgia.

Shawn D. Ross

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Are you inspired by all this good? What good do you want to create? Visit our site to learn about how to start your own campaign.

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

Give Good Market, a holiday market for women-owned and sustainable gifts wants you to stop by and start your holiday shopping off right. Whether you are buying a gift for a loved one, a friend, your boss, or giving yourself a little holiday reward, the marketplace has a great variety of vendors that are all women owned businesses. The market will be open Friday, November 30th and Saturday, December 1stin NYC. Pre-register here for quicker entry!

The Charity Ball 2012 will be held December 10th at 7:30 to celebrate the work of Charity: Water and help people in need get access to clean and safe drinking water. Last year the Charity Ball raised over 2.2 million dollars for clean water projects. Join honorary chairs Blake Mycoskey, David Blaine, Jack Dorsey, and many others for a night of celebration that will help ensure access to safe water for thousands of people across the world. Tickets are available through December 5, 2012.

Are you ready to maximize your impact? Enroll in HUB Ottowa’s Impact Academy today! Clarify, Navigate, Boost, Amplfy, and Fund make up the series of workshops beginning Tuesday January 15th in Ottowa—each with a specific focus on a tool for change. This workshop is just want you need to maximize your ability to make an impact. Don’t miss out—classes are capped so tickets are limited. Secure your seat today!

The Atlas Corps Fellowship is a 12-18 month professional fellowship offered three times a year for nonprofit leaders from around the world. Fellows get to serve at Host Organizations located either in the United States or Latin America working on issues relevant to their expertise. At the same time, fellows get to develop their leadership skills and learn from their experiences. The priority deadline has passed for this year, but applications are accepted all year, and decisions are usually made in November so if you’re an exceptional candidate, get your application in today for a shot to be part of the coming year’s fellowship class.

Move over, Movember! It’s the last day of Movember—finish it up in style at Goodnik and New Work City’s Movember & Sandy Relief Fundraiser. Come join the party in NY tonight from 7-11 PM at New Work City. This event is raising money for Movember AND Sandy relief efforts. The event will include beer and wine, a photobooth where you can take one last shot of your sweet Movember mustache, faux mustaches for the ladies and the gents who didn’t grow ‘staches for the month, and a shaving station to assist you in saying goodbye to your facial hair (unless you’ve grown attached to it, that is, and have decided to keep it all year ‘round). Oh, and of course if you aren’t in NY or can’t attend, consider donating to Sandy relief efforts or Movember, or both!

Rachael Casagrande

I am currently working towards a BS in Information Design and Corporate Communication at Bentley University. Before college, I hadn’t any idea where I wanted life to take me so I decided to just let the wind blow me around a bit. The following summer, I shipped myself off to Romania through Learning Enterprises where I volunteered running English camps. The children I met there made me realize how much just one hello, one meal, or one hug can really grow change in someone’s life. After coming back to the US I’ve been keeping myself busy working odd jobs, studying and taking every opportunity I can to mesh my business degree with my love for positive change.

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