In the quest to understand how conscious business practices can create a positive impact, we sought insights from a diverse group of professionals. From CEOs to marketing managers, twelve experts shared their unique approaches, ranging from empowering underserved entrepreneurs to resolving conflicts ethically and transparently. Dive into their wisdom to discover how you can make a difference in your own business.
- Empowering Underserved Entrepreneurs
- Prioritizing Integrity in Healing Practices
- Leveraging Editorial Content for Positive Impact
- Implementing Robust ESG Reporting Framework
- Building Trust through Transparency
- Offering Equal Education Access
- Guiding Clients Towards Justice
- Funding Scholarships through Policy Earnings
- Transforming Waste into Lasting Value
- Making a Difference Through Remote Work
- Resolving Conflicts Ethically and Transparently
Empowering Underserved Entrepreneurs
One conscious business practice I’ve integrated is prioritizing “Purpose Over Profit.” While profitability is essential for any business, I believe that a company’s true value lies in the positive impact it can make. At Ignited Results, we’ve initiated community outreach programs, offering digital marketing workshops to local entrepreneurs, especially those from underserved backgrounds. By sharing our expertise, we aim to empower them with the tools to thrive in the digital landscape. This approach not only fosters community growth but also strengthens our bond with the community, creating a cycle of mutual benefit and positive impact.
Jon James, CEO, Ignited Results
Prioritizing Integrity in Healing Practices
Being in integrity is incredibly important to create a positive impact. I do my absolute best to keep my promises and commitments. When people entrust me with their time and money, I take that very seriously. As a healer, trust is probably the number one thing that helps people decide to work with me and allows them to feel safe enough to heal. And if I’m not the best person to help them, I am honest and transparent. I have told some potential clients that they might want to work with another type of practitioner. For example, a mental health practitioner might be able to better support them than I can at that time. I’ve also had clients ask me to do things that I cannot, such as “fix their relationship.” I am very clear about what I can or cannot deliver. What I can do is facilitate their own healing so that they love themselves more. I can help them have more clarity in decisions. So, I set realistic expectations. I’ve found that acting in integrity is always the right business choice.
Dawn Ressel, Certified Healer, Guide, and Meditation Coach. Author., The Light Within
Leveraging Editorial Content for Positive Impact
Sometimes, small things make a big impact, and that’s why a conscious effort is made to support causes, use terminology, and set an example with editorial content that manifests a perspective that is hoped others will embrace. As a publisher with a large (and multiple) footprint, it would be irresponsible not to leverage this reach to try and create a positive impact on society by encouraging readers to be similarly responsible people.
James Hills, Publisher – Travel and Relationships, CouplePlaces.com
Implementing Robust ESG Reporting Framework
One specific way to use conscious business practices to create a positive impact is through a robust ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting framework. By transparently disclosing sustainability efforts, metrics, and progress, an organization not only holds itself accountable but also provides stakeholders with essential information to assess their commitment to those responsible business practices. This promotes trust, encourages sustainable investment, and helps drive positive change. ESG reporting enables engagement in continuous improvement initiatives that align with sustainability goals. This includes reducing the carbon footprint through energy-efficient technologies, implementing diversity and inclusion programs to foster a more inclusive workplace, and enhancing corporate governance practices to ensure ethical decision-making at all levels. ESG reporting guides conscious business practices towards more positive and sustainable outcomes.
Tyler Butler, Chief Social Impact Officer, Collaboration for Good
Building Trust through Transparency
Back in 2013, just a year into our startup journey, we faced a major challenge. Our product had a tiny glitch, which, statistically speaking, affected only 0.01% of our users. But instead of brushing it under the rug, we did something unusual for the tech world: we were transparent. We sent out a detailed report, complete with pie-charts and graphs, to all our users, not just the affected 0.01%. Remember that time you accidentally spilled coffee in front of the entire office? Embarrassing, right? That’s how we felt. But guess what? Our user trust metrics shot up by a whopping 25% after that incident. You know how they say, “Turn lemons into lemonade”? Well, we turned a bug into trust. Why? Because we believe that in the long run, it’s not just about profit, but the positive mark you leave. Businesses can be conscious entities, right? This little story illustrates the larger picture.
Ankit Prakash, Founder, Sprout24
Offering Equal Education Access
I work in the education sector, and I’m aware of the many structural inequalities preventing promising students from receiving a great education. As a test-prep company, we make sure that all can access our services—not just well-off students who can afford private tutoring. We launched a scholarship program to give financial aid to students who want guidance and help in the college admissions process, but may not have been able to afford it otherwise.
Adam Shlomi, Founder, SoFlo Tutors
Guiding Clients Towards Justice
As a law firm, we’re all about justice and fairness—plain and simple. We know how daunting it can be to square off against big corporations or navigate the maze that is insurance claims. That’s why we make it our mission to guide folks every step of the way, clearing up any confusion so they can make smart decisions about their own journey to justice. The goal? Leveling the playing field. We firmly believe that everyone deserves their day in court, no matter who or what they’re up against. This isn’t just a slogan; it’s the core philosophy that shapes how we work and interact with our clients.
Alex Freeburg, Owner, Freeburg Law
Funding Scholarships through Policy Earnings
At Insurance Geek, we’ve embraced conscious-business practices through our “Still Living Scholarship” initiative. This program exemplifies our commitment to making a positive impact. Through the “Still Living Scholarship,” a portion of our earnings from each policy sold is directed towards funding scholarships for individuals who have faced significant life challenges and are pursuing higher education. We actively engage our team in the selection process and encourage them to volunteer their time and skills to support scholarship recipients. This conscious-business practice not only allows us to contribute to the educational aspirations of deserving individuals but also aligns our company’s values with the community’s needs. It’s a powerful way to promote goodwill and enhance our reputation as a socially responsible business.
Brad Cummins, Founder, Insurance Geek
Transforming Waste into Lasting Value
In running my outdoor gym equipment business, I realized doing right by our community wasn’t just an ideal—it was essential. We had an old, but valuable, partnership with a local metal recycling facility. This alliance didn’t just cut costs—it breathed new life into discarded materials. By sourcing a significant portion of our metal from this facility, we turned potential waste into lasting value. This practice galvanized not just our balance sheet, but also our relationship with the community. Residents saw us not as a mere vendor, but as a committed partner in sustainability. It was a win-win: good for us, good for our stakeholders, and undeniably good for the planet.
Lucas Riphagen, Co-Owner, TriActiveUSA
Making a Difference Through Remote Work
At ZenMaid, we’ve always been a remote team. It’s not just about convenience. It’s about being responsible. Less office space means less energy use. Your electricity bill is lower, and you’re easing up on the planet. The benefits don’t stop there. No commute means you’re cutting down on emissions. Working from home? You’ll likely go paperless and produce less waste. So, not only does remote work make business sense, but it’s also a simple way to be more sustainable. A minor change in how we work can make a big difference to the planet.
Amar Ghose, CEO, ZenMaid
Resolving Conflicts Ethically and Transparently
Ethical and transparent conflict resolution is one conscious business practice that has been the cornerstone of our operations. It involves prioritizing fair and transparent processes to address any disagreements or disputes that may arise between clients, employees, or partners. For instance, at our video production company, when a client is unhappy with the final edit, we actively listen to the client’s concerns, review the project scope, and work collaboratively to find a solution. This conscious practice has equipped us to handle conflicts openly, fairly, and with the intention of finding mutually beneficial solutions. Because of this, we maintain our reputation and ensure that everyone involved feels heard and respected.
Marc Bjerring, Co-Founder, Spivo
