Comments on: Become an Entrepreneurial Philanthropist

By: Bambi Weavil

Bambi Weavil — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:38:37 +0000

Long time fan Darren, you bring great inspiration to me and countless others. I’m so glad you wrote this article.

I started out combining my two loves in my life….working with non-profits and gay media work, and created my for-profit online gay media company looking to make a positive impact in the gay community for gay men and women and our allies, with Out Impact (OutImpact.com), now, three years ago. It was important to me to have a company that was a for-profit helping non-profit in every aspect of our mission statement and function of our company, right down to donating partial proceeds of our sponsorship from our events and advertising to various non-profits on our publication site. It blew people away we did this, especially as grassroots as we are, and I being fairly ‘young’ (I’m 28).

We decided that it was time to become a non-profit so we could indeed give more than just partial proceeds of everything, and we are in the process of becoming a non-profit right now. I’m excited about what this year will bring for our non-profit, and others like us that bring forth synergy, action and good times for a good cause. I believe the more positive, like-minded people come together for good causes, we all become empowered and help empower those who need it the most.

Thank you for listening,
Cheers and blessings,
Bambi Weavil
CEO of Out Impact, Inc.
OutImpact.com - Making a positive impact in the gay community. Make yours.

By: Ruth Fontaine

Ruth Fontaine — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:13:56 +0000

Every Month I read SUCCESS Magazine, it’s giving me the Gaz I Need to keep on moving forward…. Thanks Darren Be Bless…. Ruth ( Montreal, Canada)

By: Augie Byllott

Augie Byllott — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:54:42 +0000

Thanks for a great article. Life is made more meaningful when we support something bigger than ourselves. I too have been to those events where the uber-wealthy can write those checks that sound more like a mortgage. It used to be a little unsettling until I saw the words from Teddy Roosevelt, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

My wife and I support children overseas and have done so for more than 20 years. We support other things too as we are able. To help support these charities I developed the Personal Action Coaching Tracks coaching program, a/k/a/PACT to help people create new possibilities for their lives. With unemployment in our area at 11% many folks are finding themselves among the ranks of the “Accidental Entrepreneur.” We teach success skills based on an ethical, servant based leadership model. In each class we offer a scholarship to help defray costs.

I also publish the Intellectual Capital Report, a free e-newsletter promoting financial literacy and creative investing strategies. My plan was convert to a fee based subscription and donate 100% of the proceeds to supporting children overseas. Upon further reflection I realized that some subscribers who need it most might not be abe to afford a fee based subscription, I opted to keep it free and invited the entire base to support kids as they are able. This could actually result in more children being supported and less bookkeeping for me. We’ll see how it works out.

[DARRENHARDY] Augie, love what you are doing! We need MANY more Augie’s in the world. Keep championing the cause!

By: Gina

Gina — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:38:49 +0000

As an entreprenuer who gives back many times over in a myriad of ways has in the last year created an at-risk mentor program for homeless teens, volunteering time to support servant leadership curriculum to other leaders in our community and several other volunteer initiatives. I say this not for a pat on the back, but as insight to something valuable I have learned and that it is true when you give back to your community it gives back to you, which is how I have stayed in business this last year. More importantly, in the spirit of helping others I am now working on another venture that will build community, give back and create an unforgettable experience for those that attend these dinners. The outcome = a social entre-philanthropist.

By: Eric Stevens

Eric Stevens — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:04:52 +0000

You sure are busy!! I do the same as my business dealings often take me to third world countries. Our green endeavors in oil and development of the reporting standards for green products has made me fortunate enough to have the contacts to help further causes, but am often suspicious as to what actually makes it to the people who need it.

By: Kurt E.

Kurt E. — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:03:03 +0000

Darren,
Thank you. I see SUCCESS as a huge, ongoing gift. For what we give we get so much from you and your staff. Information, motivation and inspiration are what has kept me going while starting a new business. Durring times of increadible stress and difficulty you have supplied some great advice and resorces. I couldn’t have come this far without your magazine. We have even put in a “prosperity plan” with our business plan that dedicates a % of profits to giving back.
See you on the cover.

[DARRENHARDY] Kurt, thank you for the accolades. Wouldn’t it be great if more companies would include such a “prosperity plan” when drawing up their plans? Just think of the difference it would make in the world today. Kudos to you! Wish you all the best as you start your business!

By: Moe O.

Moe O. — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:24:31 +0000

Thanks Darren for this article. Its given me somethings to think about. I have never owned my own business nor attempted to start one until recently and while I have a few ideas and even a sputtering first attempt, I am uncertain how and where to go from these first few steps. I read Mike Lucas’ comment and I am interested in any suggestions, coaching, or finger pointing, that can be offered by anyone who has ‘been there, done that.’ I would love to be able to pass any such input on to a coworker of mine who has confided in me with an idea of his which is still in a prototype stage.

By: Mike Lucas

Mike Lucas — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:07:00 +0000

Thanks for your blog Darren. I has made me re-think my day and what I can do to benefit others.

By: Paul McNeal

Paul McNeal — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:10:02 +0000

Darren -

Thanks for posting this article. I’ve been in business for six years and have started a consulting business on the side that is focused on individuals who have an idea but not sure how to get it to market. Applying the lessons I’ve learned in building a successful business, I am finding small successes in helping others get off the ground and become stable. As a result of spending 10 years in the submarine force and by applying the lessons learned from all of the great thought leaders such as Jim Rohn, Napoleon Hill, Dr. Covey, Wayne Dyer and others - it has provided me with the skills and passion to inspire and motivate others.

By: Don Roulo

Don Roulo — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:33:30 +0000

I just had a meeting with my pastor. I am going to teach a class at our church from November through February that will be 76 hours of instruction and hands on starting and running your own business. I have a successful insurance and investment business, along with co-ownership with my wife in a successful catering business. We also do marriage seminars and travel to minister at different churches.

In this class we will be covering writing a business plan, a marketing plan, sales plan and techniques, financial statements and more. We are targeting Christians specifically, but anyone can attend. There will be a charge for the class, but it will be far less than taking several local college classes. We will be focusing on all these areas of business from a scriptual standpoint. I even came up with a great name…”The Master’s Million’heirs’. Because we are charging a smaller fee, this is a way of “giving” back. We are so very excited to do this for our community…we want to raise up millionheirs to fund all sorts of projects and ministries.