Sometimes All You Can Do Is Laugh

Inevitably, when you start something you lead yourself to believe that it has everything to do with you. How smart you are, or some great idea you had will lead you to believe you are responsible for every aspect of it moving forward.

As you begin making your vision a reality you realize very quickly that you are a small part of a great network of systems and people that are needed to create something that has significant and lasting impact.

When we first started “Krochet Kids” us three founders put ourselves smack dab in the middle of our logo. After all, we were the “krochet kids” who were making every item that we sold. What it ended up becoming was so much bigger than the original idea we had contrived, and that is the beauty of it.

People get involved and contribute in beautiful ways. The story grows beyond your own experiences and starts to include the experiences of others. It begins to take on a life of its own, one far greater than you could have imagined.

It’s sometime around here that you realize it’s not about you.

Interview with Derek Sabori

I first met Derek about 7 years ago at an apparel trade show. He had been a long-time employee at Volcom, a skate/surf inspired brand I grew up idolizing. Derek is an amazing example of an intrapreneur, one who works entrepreneurial to innovate systems within a larger organization. When I met with him he was beginning a movement within Volcom to make the company operate more responsibly and sustainably.

He was looking for ways to begin to introduce these concepts into the company in meaningful ways. My brand Krochet Kids intl. was looking to partner with people to give us more exposure and credibility within the industry. Thus, we were a great pairing and we got to work on our first collaboration. Check it out HERE.

How We Prioritize Impact Matters

Today, there seems to be an ever-increasing number of social enterprises in operation. Despite the criticisms the movement may face in regards to some groups merely using causes as a marketing strategy instead of an authentic social mission (also known as “cause-washing”), it’s become clear that the overall awareness and interest in social enterprise has grown tremendously. In my view, we have moved beyond the notion that social good in business is a fad, and it’s solidified its presence in our markets and daily lives.

Some social enterprise leaders and practitioners may call this an oversimplification, but I’d like to suggest that there are really only two types of core models for social enterprise. This is one of the distinctions I like to look at when establishing the motives behind social good businesses. It doesn’t offer a complete picture, but I’ve found it to be telling nonetheless.

I mentioned last week in this blog post that I had set a goal for this year, and I asked your opinion on why to share goals or why to keep them secret. A lot of you chimed in here and on social media to offer your perspective and it was very enriching for me, so THANK YOU.

I am going to share my goal and then I’m going to share why.

I want to write a book this year.