What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Spoiler alert: Nothing. This bible verse has endured over the centuries as a reminder that we can't put our price tag on what matters most. Yet, time and again, businesses have put profits above all -- leading our world to the brink of a climate catastrophe, an inequality crisis, and the greatest extinction of other creatures since the dinosaurs (except this time, the meteor is us). Can we align growing returns with the greater good? Former investment banker turned business ethicist Dr. Dawn Carpenter believes we can -- and that figuring out how just might save the world. In What Does It Profit, Dawn talks with the world's leading thinkers and researchers, entrepreneurs and executives, exploring the most innovative ways we can reconcile capitalism's demand for profit with the long term well-being of people and the planet. From socially responsible investing to conscious consumerism to business ethics in this age of extremes, Dawn is your guide to the cutting-edge ideas and experiments driving the purpose-driven business revolution. What Does It Profit?
http://www.whatdoesitprofitpodcast.com
episode 1: Recovery Hardware: Re-tooling the Human Spirit
In our Season 3 kickoff, we celebrate the resiliency of the human spirit. We step into the psyche of Gina Schaefer, the founder and CEO of A Few Cool Hardware Stores in-and-around Washington, DC.
Gina combined her entrepreneurial spirit and love of community into a space for people recovering from substance use disorder to rebuild their lives.
One of Gina’s former employees, Shane, shares a deeply personal story of being the gay son of a Pentecostal minister with broken dreams and a heart full of grief. For years, Shane used drugs and alcohol to mask the pain. He had a difficult time finding a job, until one of his friends suggested he talk to Gina about working at her hardware store down the street from the clinic where he was getting treatment for his substance use disorder. That experience changed both of their lives.
By hiring Shane, Gina’s employment practices changed for the better. She hopes her stores can be used as a model for small businesses everywhere.
And 20 years after Shane was hired by Gina, he is now the owner of Crazy Aunt Helen's, a hip restaurant in Washington, DC, where all are welcome and community is served up, one dish at a time.
Gina says, "You can make an impact on one person's life and maybe not even know about it, and it doesn't take a lot to make that impact."
Enjoy the episode and check out Gina's book Recovery Hardware for more inspiring stories. Spoiler: Gina sells her stores to her employees. Take a listen and subscribe. Don't miss Season 3 – now powered by the Solidarity Economy Workshop at Georgetown University. Visit our website to learn more.