Collective-E and 85 Broads Giving Back Event

Yesterday evening I attended Collective-E and 85 Broad's Social Ventures and Celebrating Businesses that Give Back to the World event. It was yet another evening filled with intellect and inspiration! There was a panel with Beth Schoendfeldt of Collective-E as moderator, and the panelists included: Karen Chien, founder of Cheeky Living, Sharon Gaffney, who will soon be launching a new website, Michele Kotler, founding director of Community-Word Project and Susan McPherson, a board member of Bpeace.

Karen shared her story of how her business, Cheeky Living is positively affecting the lives of 160 people in Peru who help to work on her products of hand knit baby alpaca gloves, hats, scarves and throws through the skilled work of the weavers. It was touching to think of that many people having jobs there, who are less fortunate than we are, because of one US business! She could choose to manufacture her products anywhere, but yet, she feels content to know that good is coming out of the fact that Cheeky Living products are manufactured in Peru. Karen also helped to build an orphanage there with a donation from Cheeky Living sales!

Sharon is in the midst of launching a new website that offers consumers the ability to give back to their favorite causes quick and easy online... Stay tuned!

Michele shared how Community-Word Project, which is an organization that helps youth in the Arts in under served communities at NYC public schools, has helped over 10,000 youth to date! Every year they train 40-50 artists, each of who are given $1500.

Susan spoke of Bpeace, which is an organization dedicated to giving pro bono consulting to women entrepreneurs in regions of post conflict. Susan also helps with the marketing for Charity Water, an organization that builds water resources in countries that don't have access. Currently working at PR Newswire, she made a good point, to keep your message clear and concise with whatever organization you are going to give back to and/or start. This will help the cause all together, as people are extremely busy in their day to day lives. The more simple and clear the message is; the better the results you will get.

It was nice to hear of each of these stories, as they were all different, but shed light on all the different ways you and/or your business can give back. No matter whether you choose to give back to a small or large non for profit, the intention and energy you are sending will end with a positive result regardless. Some of the topics covered were about why people give back to the organizations they do and it almost always comes down to giving from a personal experience or something you are passionate about. I liked the quote Susan referred t0: "people protect what they love." This is so true and is how I feel exactly. I would like to give back with Di Manno Designs and will definitely do so, but I don't want to just give back to a cause that doesn't have much meaning to me. So this panel opened my mind up to how and what could be the cause and the way I could give back. And I liked the fact a "give back day" was brought up, which I think is a great way small companies can give back in an easy way, by writing a check to an organization with a percentage of sales from a particular day or time period. We also discussed the cynics out there, customers who question "where is the money going or how can I see my return on investment?" Unfortunately, in life there will always be cynics. What we can do is not let them hinder us from giving back, be honest about our story of why we are giving back, explain where the money is going and feel good that we are doing something good in this world!

Thank you to all the panelists who candidly shared their experiences and stories and thank you for all of your hard work that makes this world a better place!:) And thank you to Collective-E who keeps me on a good path!:)

In the picture above: Me, Sabina Ptacin of Collective-E and Red Branch PR, Katie Danziger of Nomie Baby and Beth Schoendfeldt of Collective-E. (I am wearing a Di Manno Designs Black Croc Wrist Cuff)