311 | The Top 5 Characteristics of Successful Social Entrepreneurs with Cory Ames
Our guest this week on the pod is Cory Ames. Cory is the host of the Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast and the Co-Founder of Grow Ensemble, a company that explores the who, what, why and how of building a better world.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Successful Social Entrepreneurs - The Top 5 Characteristics with Cory Ames
NOTE: While it’s not perfect, we offer a transcript and the below summaries by Castmagic for those who are hearing impaired or who don’t find listening to a podcast enjoyable or possible.
Full transcript of the interview is available here.
Key Topics & Bullet Points
I. Setting the Stage for Social Entrepreneurship
Introduction to the episode and the guest, Cory Ames
Brief overview of New Mexico's indigenous population and racial diversity
II. Cory Ames' Journey in Nonprofits and Activism
Cory's work in nonprofits and activism focusing on engaging young men as fathers and addressing violent behavior in families
The burnout experience and transition into the world of business
The natural skill transfer to coaching and the influence of community-based work on coaching businesses
III. The Challenges and Lessons Learned as a CEO
Struggles with managing professionals with more experience and different contexts
Realizing the limits of power in making significant decisions and creating change
Resignation and uncertainty about the decision
IV. Discovering and Exploring Social Entrepreneurship
Introduction to the concept of social entrepreneurship
Starting the GrowEnsemble podcast to learn more and build a community
V. Paul Zelizer's Background and Values in Social Entrepreneurship
Paul Zelizer shares his background and values of justice and equity in influencing his journey
The importance of product market fit and financial struggles for social entrepreneurs
VI. Characteristics of Successful Social Entrepreneurs
A. The importance of transparency and addressing challenges in sustainability
B. Avoiding distractions and political grandstanding in social entrepreneurship
C. The demand for sustainable products and services and the entry of big players in the market
D. The value of mentorship and learning from others' experiences
E. Developing courage to challenge the status quo and pursue goals
VII. Resources and Platforms mentioned in the episode
Websites and newsletters of the guest, Cory Ames
The GrowEnsemble podcast and where to find it
Cast Magic, an AI tool for generating podcast assets
Ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI tools
VIII. Cory Ames' Experience in Building a Social Enterprise in the Coffee Industry
Noticing the unfair prices paid to coffee-growing communities and starting a fair trade coffee company
Retiring and selling the company while remaining profitable
IX. Importance of Well-being and Resiliency for Social Entrepreneurs
Practicing appreciative inquiry and mindfulness meditation
Finding restorative activities and reflecting on individual needs
X. Challenges and Complexity in Defining Social Impact and Sustainability
The complications of defining social impact and sustainability in business
The lack of clear definitions and priorities in the social entrepreneurship space
XI. Key Characteristics of Successful Social Entrepreneurs
Listening to the community and building trust before offering solutions
Generosity and prioritizing the collective goal over individual success
Collaboration over competition in the social entrepreneur space
Storytelling skills and the importance of being able to share the work effectively
Patience and long-term commitment in achieving social impact
XII. Importance of Getting Outside Perspective and Personal Growth
Avoiding reliance solely on external metrics for growth
The value of seeking outside perspective and investing in personal development
XIII. Ethical Implications of Using Tools like Social Media and AI in Business
Cory Ames' discussion on ethical implications of using social media and AI
Paul Zelizer's emphasis on considering ethical concerns surrounding AI and robotics
XIV. Gratitude and Conclusion
Appreciation to the listeners
Mention of future discussions and plans for the podcast