YouMeWe Amplified - Conversations w sheIMPACTpreneurs Implementing Sustainable Social Solutions Suzanne F. Stevens

In this episode of YouMeWe Amplified Podcast, host Suzanne F. Stevens interviews Jacey Shnarr, the founder of Butterfly Ethical Gifting. They discuss the inception of the business during the pandemic, its mission to elevate workplace engagement through ethical gifts, and its focus on supporting small, diverse, and eco-friendly businesses. Jacey shares her journey from working in the corporate world to becoming a full-time entrepreneur and the social impact of her business, including donating 2% of revenue to charities and working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The podcast explores the challenges and rewards of running a socially responsible business, with advice for entrepreneurs on making a social impact, the importance of ethical sourcing, and the role of technology in modern gifting. The conversation also delves into Jacey's personal involvement with mentorship programs and how Butterfly Ethical Gifting advocates for environmental and social responsibilities through its operations.  
00:00 Introduction to YouMeWe Amplified Podcast
00:27 The Birth of Butterfly Ethical Gifting
04:03 Journey from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
06:44 The Essence and Impact of Ethical Gifting
08:24 Empowering Small Businesses and Ethical Practices
11:38 Leveraging Technology for Ethical Gifting
14:39 The Ripple Effect of Social Contributions
21:20 Engaging with Small Businesses for a Greater Impact
31:01 Sustaining Social Impact and Future Initiatives
40:54 Final Thoughts and Advice on Social Contribution

Empowering African Women by Hiring Virtual Assistance: The Dada Dunia Journey  


This episode of the YouMeWe Amplified Podcast features an interview with Jayne Akinyi, the founder and CEO of Dada Dunia, a company that connects virtual assistants in Africa with socially responsible businesses in Canada.  

Born from Jayne's personal struggles as an immigrant in Canada and her desire to help African women gain access to better opportunities, Dada Dunia not only provides virtual assistance services but also focuses on the personal and professional development of its employees, offering training, mentoring, and workshops focused on emotional intelligence and confidence building.  

The podcast explores Jayne's journey from Kenya to Canada, her motivations for starting Dada Dunia, the challenges of building a business that bridges two very different worlds, and the impact Dada Dunia is having on both the virtual assistants it employs and the businesses it serves.  

00:00 Introduction to Jayne Akinyi and Dada Dunia
02:14 The Essence of Dada Dunia: Connecting Africa and Canada
04:01 Jayne's Journey: From Kenya to Canada and Beyond
06:07 The Vision and Impact of Dada Dunia
09:56 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Diversity
12:07 Empowering African Women Through Virtual Assistance
19:37 Navigating Time Zones and Client Expectations
24:51 Education and Empowerment: Beyond Degrees
30:45 Empowering Women Beyond Traditional Roles
31:40 The Vision and Impact of Dada Dunia
31:46 Feminism and Voting Rights: A Global Perspective
31:46 Dada Dunia's Pricing Model and Ethical Practices
32:45 Creating a Thriving Wage and Support System
35:21 Building a Community and Sisterhood at Dada Dunia
37:25 The Journey and Growth of Dada Dunia
37:59 Fostering Stability and Growth for Virtual Assistants
40:28 Partnering for Social Impact with Canadian Companies
42:25 The Story of Finding a Business Partner
45:22 Transformative Stories of Dada Dunia Assistants
48:44 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Advice
57:22 Final Thoughts on Making a Conscious Contribution

Tackling Human Trafficking with Sandy Biback on YouMeWe Amplified Podcast.
 
This episode of the YouMeWe Amplified Podcast features Suzanne F. Stevens hosting Sandy Biback, Founder of Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking (MPAHT). Sandy shares her journey from a retired meeting planner to an advocate against human trafficking, prompted by her travels in Vietnam and Cambodia. The podcast delves into various forms of modern slavery, including sex trafficking and indentured labor, stressing that human trafficking is not just an international issue but occurs locally, even in Canada.

Sandy discusses the vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit, from social media to street kids, emphasizing the need for awareness, education, and better protection measures at home and in the hotel industry. The conversation also explores the efforts of MPAHT to educate and mobilize the hospitality and meeting planning industry against human trafficking, highlighting collaborative efforts with Ottawa Tourism and other organizations to make a greater impact. Sandy's call to action involves raising awareness, being vigilant, and advocating against human trafficking in one's community.  

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and the Fight Against Human Trafficking
01:41 Meet Sandy Biback: A Crusader Against Human Trafficking
03:33 The Catalyst for Change: Sandy's Journey to Combat Human Trafficking
06:57 Understanding the Complex World of Modern Slavery
09:00 The Harsh Realities of Sex Trafficking and Its Victims
18:53 The Role of Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking (MPAHT)
26:12 Expanding the Fight: Education, Awareness, and Supply Chain Ethics
31:52 Measuring Social Impact: Personal Stories and Strategies
32:37 Recognizing and Reporting Suspicious Activities
38:24 Expanding Awareness: Strategies and Challenges
45:57 Building a Volunteer Network: Engagement and Sustainability
50:47 Rapid Fire Round: Insights and Inspirations
55:24 Closing Thoughts: Making Your Contribution Count

Photography as a Pathway: Amina Mohamed’s Mission for Economic Empowerment for girls and women in Uganda and beyond

In this episode of YouMeWe Amplified Podcast, host Suzanne F. Stevens welcomes Amina Mohamed, the founder of Cameras For Girls, a social enterprise aimed at empowering women and girls in Uganda and beyond through photography. Amina shares her journey from moving to Canada as a refugee to founding her organization that teaches photography, journalism, and business skills to women and girls. The initiative aims to provide economic empowerment, challenge social norms, and advocate for gender equality. Amina discusses the catalyst for Cameras For Girls, the success stories, and the challenges faced in funding and implementing the program. The conversation also touches upon the significance of ethical photography, informed consent, and the impact of uplifting women through education and skills training.

To read, watch, or listen to the entire interview or subscribe for new episodes visit: https://podcast.youmewe.ca/amina-mohamed-cameras-for-girls/

 
00:00 Welcome to YouMeWe Amplified Podcast: Empowering Women Through Photography, 01:01 Introducing Amina Mohamed and Cameras For Girls
03:21 Amina's Journey: From Canada to Empowering Ugandan Girls
05:09 The Catalyst for Change and the Vision of Cameras For Girls
07:15 The Impact of Cameras For Girls: Empowerment Beyond Photography
08:51 Challenging Gender Norms and Celebrating International Women's Day
14:30 The Power of Education and Overcoming Barriers
22:07 Internships, Opportunities, and the Importance of Paid Work
27:38 Building a Sustainable Future and Expanding Impact
29:20 Exploring the Source of Cameras and Fundraising Efforts
30:39 Innovative Fundraising: The Chocolate Fundraiser Story
31:25 Empowering Girls Through Mentorship and Paying It Forward
33:16 Choosing the Right Camera for Empowerment
35:38 The Importance of Ethical Photography and Informed Consent
45:29 Personal Insights and Rapid Fire Questions
49:51 Final Thoughts on Social Impact and Contribution

Amplifying Underrepresented Voices in Podcasting: A Conversation with Marla IsacksonIn this episode of YouMeWe Amplified podcast, host Suzanne F. Stevens speaks with Marla Isackson, Founder and Chair of OSSA Collective Inc., an AI-driven podcast advertising marketplace. Marla discusses her journey in creating OSSA, which supports underrepresented voices in podcasting. She shares insights into the importance of diverse voices in podcasting and how OSSA empowers podcasters, predominantly women and other underrepresented groups, with opportunities to monetize their work and achieve financial empowerment. Furthermore, Marla highlights the importance of effective communication, team collaboration, networking, and embracing change in the organization. She also underscores the role of conscious contribution and the need to be clear about one's mission when aiming to make a substantial social impact.

00:20 Introduction and Welcome
00:54 Meet the Host: Suzanne F. Stevens
01:10 Introducing the Guest: Marla Isackson
01:36 Marla's Journey into Podcasting
02:26 The Birth of OSSA
04:03 The Role of Social Return on Investment in OSSA
05:09 The Importance of Financial Empowerment
05:30 The Growth and Evolution of OSSA
06:35 The Power of Podcasting for Underrepresented Voices
07:07 OSSA's Unique Approach to Podcasting
14:50 The Importance of Consistency and Community in Podcasting
24:58 The Impact of Social Initiatives on Business Sustainability
25:42 Key Initiatives for Sustainable Social Impact
26:18 Growing OSSA's Creator Community
27:12 The Power of Networking and Partnerships
30:46 Building and Managing a Virtual Team
33:19 Engaging and Communicating with a Virtual Team
35:49 The Future of OSSA and Social Initiatives
36:48 Personal Insights and Reflections
44:00 Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
45:13 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

If you have ever considered incorporating a social initiative into your business, listen to this podcast.

Whether you are a consumer, small business, or an entrepreneur… You can take a wealth of information from my conversation with Erin Houston, the co-founder of Wearwell. This is a masterclass on creating a sustainable social impact for you, your business, and the community.


Watch, listen, or read, and you will learn:

How to attract and keep consumers by aligning with their values
How to evaluate sustainable trends - this goes beyond the environment.
How to make an impact through the supply chain How to assess brand partners and make it a light lift.
What is greenwashing, and how does a small business or consumer identify it?
How to bake a social initiative into your revenue model while engaging the consumer?
How do you create a lower carbon footprint while being an online business that ships products?
... and so much more!