#46: For Good + For Profit: A Social Entrepreneur‘s Imperative

Rise Leaders Radio

“We want to inspire a change in the social currency to be not one of status or prestige, but one around what it is that we're doing for others…we think a lot can happen from making small everyday changes or actions.” – Cory Ames, CEO of Grow Ensemble

Using Business as a Force for Good

Inspiring and generous. When I think of my interactions with CEO of Grow Ensemble Cory Ames, he embodies these descriptors with passion and authenticity. He is an exemplar of his goal to make sustainable business and sustainable living the norm.

Prior to Growth Ensemble, at only 22, Cory was the CEO of a digital marketing agency. Next, he began consulting on all things digital marketing and SEO with the aim of using his skills for doing good. Now, as host of The Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Podcast, he’s gleaned immeasurable wisdom from leaders in the social impact space. Such experience lends to his credibility and thoughtful dialogue.

Drawing from roughly 180 interviews with these important players and his career, Cory takes us through:

• The distinction between social entrepreneurship versus Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and examples of brands in both domains
• What’s different about launching a company focused on doing good, plus helpful advice for those entering the space
• How he views his role as a leader, his personal philosophy and the impact he wishes to make
• And more to inspire you ...

Social Entrepreneurship vs. CSR

[08:08] “[Social entrepreneurs’] object and aim is to make some sort of meaningful impact, or some sort of meaningful change. So their business exists to ideally influence something environmental, or social…in contrast, Corporate Social Responsibility is an extension or the arm of a current business model.”

Collaborate, Rather Than Compete, for the Common Good

[27:49] “If you're in the space of wanting to use your business as a force for good to leave the world a better place, if someone else has a business whose objective is the same way, you're tackling the same goal; you're on the same team. So collaboration is a much more important priority than competition is in this space of sustainable business.”

Leadership in a Sustainable Business

[31:50] “I don't have all the answers, and I want to remain very curious and open to asking questions. That’s an expectation I want to set with anyone I work with - I'm more than okay being wrong and corrected and provided with the right information…it’s for the betterment of what we're doing, and, ultimately my betterment of understanding the world that we live in.”

For further exploration:

Guest links

Cory Ames https://coryames.com/

Grow Ensemble https://growensemble.com/

Grow Ensemble Newsletter https://growensemble.com/newsletter/

Grow Ensemble Podcast https://growensemble.com/podcast/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amescory/

To join Grow Ensemble's community for social impact, visit: https://growensemble.com/membership

To discuss executive coaching, leadership development program design, and workshop facilitation, please visit:

https://rise-leaders.com/contact-info/