The Purpose Profit Shift

EJC
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Welcome to The Purpose Profit Shift, the podcast that’s reshaping how we think about business success. Hosted by Rachel E. Bernier-Green, MST - social entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of EJ Consortium - this show explores what happens when purpose and profit move together. In each episode, Rachel sits down with visionary founders, bold investors, and community change-makers who are building thriving businesses rooted in equity and impact. They share real stories, hard-won lessons, and the strategies behind building operations that uplift communities, close wealth gaps, and grow without losing sight of values. If you're ready to scale responsibly, lead with intention, and transform the way business is done, this is your place. Subscribe now and join the movement toward a more just, sustainable, and profitable future.

  1. 4D AGO

    The 20% Rule: How to Make Your Business Sustainable, Profitable, and Built to Last!

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Ian Peterman, founder and CEO of Peterman Design Firm, we pick up where we left off — moving beyond burnout recovery and team culture into the mechanics of building products and brands that restore rather than deplete. Ian breaks down his "Conscious Design" framework, built on four pillars (observation, impact, connection, and inclusion), and explains why every decision-maker in a company — including the CFO — is a designer whether they realize it or not. We dig into how Ian's design process works the same whether he's serving a funded startup or a Fortune 500 client, why the all-or-nothing approach to sustainability is killing good ideas, and how small businesses can start building more sustainable supply chains without destroying their margins. Ian shares real examples from CES, his own client work, and the research behind his book "Conscious Design" to show that transparency and incremental progress beat perfection every time. Rachel also shares her own experience as a supplier to Starbucks and as a customer who became a lifelong brand advocate — proving that the inclusion and connection Ian talks about aren't just theory. They're the difference between surviving and thriving. You will learn: - The four pillars of Conscious Design: observation, impact, connection, inclusion - Why every decision-maker is a designer (and what happens when they don't realize it) - How the design-to-market process stays the same across company sizes - The all-or-nothing trap that kills sustainability efforts - Building sustainable supply chains on a startup budget - The power of supplier relationships and why startups need to be "the one they like most" - Transparency over perfection: telling your sustainability journey as a marketing strategy - Gen Z purchasing power and the shift toward values-driven buying - Involving customers before they're customers - Why silos and binary thinking are the enemy of innovation Guest Bio: Ian Peterman is the Founder and CEO of Peterman Design Firm, a conscious design studio rewriting the rules of product innovation. Over 15+ years, Ian has helped visionaries and Fortune 500 companies alike turn ideas into sustainable, market-ready brands. He's the co-author of "Conscious Design," host of the Conscious Design Podcast, co-founder of Conscious DesignHaus, and Chair of the IDSA LA Chapter. His firm operates on a 4-day work week, generates 7-figure revenues, and proves that purpose and profit are essential partners. Resources Mentioned: Conscious Design book — Available on Amazon Peterman Design Firm — petermanfirm.com Ian Peterman personal site — ianpeterman.com Conscious Design Podcast & Book — consciousdesignhaus.com CES 2025 (referenced for startup examples) EU Digital Product Passport (referenced re: supply chain transparency) Follow the Host Rachel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelberniergreen/Website: a href="https://ejconsortium.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 3m

  2. FEB 14

    Burnout Isn't Your Fault. The System Is Broken. With Alison Campbell

    For nearly 20 years, Alison Campbell built her career inside high-growth finance and tech companies, rising to senior leadership roles in Ecommerce and HR Tech, including Chief of Staff & Head of Strategy and Analytics at a $1B+ global organization. She knew how to drive results. She knew how to keep up. And like many ambitious leaders, she accepted exhaustion as normal. Then a health scare forced her to stop. In this episode of The Purpose Profit Shift, host Rachel Bernier-Green speaks with Alison about what happens when high performance quietly turns into chronic stress, and why so many leaders don’t see the breaking point coming. Now the founder of unBurnt, a women-owned, SBA-certified business, Alison combines two decades of operational expertise with certification as a Health & Wellness Coach to help organizations remove friction, rebuild capacity, and create workplaces where ambition and well-being can coexist. This conversation is for leaders who want to build sustainably without sacrificing impact. Expect to Learn: How to recognize early warning signs of burnout before they escalate into crisis.Why chronic stress reduces capacity, creativity, and long-term performance.The role of operational rhythms and leadership behavior in shaping workplace well-being.Strategies for building sustainable capacity within teams without sacrificing results.Ways to recalibrate ambition and performance expectations without abandoning growth goals. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Introduction and Alison’s Corporate Background [03:00] – The Cost of Hustle Culture and Identity-Driven Achievement [10:00] – Early Warning Signs and the Health Crisis [15:00] – Choosing a Hard Stop and Reassessing Identity [24:00] – Reframing Performance: Capacity, Not Hustle [31:00] – From Personal Recovery to Founding Unburnt [36:00] – Measuring Burnout Risk and Organizational Capacity [42:00] – Protecting Founder Well-Being While Scaling a Business [53:00] – Practical First Steps for Leaders Experiencing Burnout [56:00] – Resources, Final Reflections, and Closing Thoughts Follow the guest, Alison Campbell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-campbell-3035b63/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getunburnt/ Company Website: www.getunburnt.com Additional Resources: Free resources and guides available at https://www.getunburnt.com/free-resources Follow the Host Rachel: LinkedIn: a...

    1 hr
  3. The Net Zero for Purpose-Driven Founders to Achieve Climate Goals Without Perfection - David Jaber

    JAN 30

    The Net Zero for Purpose-Driven Founders to Achieve Climate Goals Without Perfection - David Jaber

    In this episode of The Purpose Profit Shift, host Rachel E. Bernier-Green speaks with David Jaber, Founder and SBTi Certified Expert at Climate Positive Consulting. David shares his journey of creating Climate Positive Consulting, a B Corp committed to achieving net zero by 2030, and how businesses can turn climate action into measurable, profitable results. With over 20 years of experience in sustainability consulting, David discusses the importance of decarbonization, aligning environmental goals with business strategy, and how small and medium-sized businesses can take meaningful climate action. David is the author of Climate Positive Business, and his firm has worked with over 100 companies to help them reduce their carbon footprint and set ambitious climate goals. He brings a unique perspective, combining technical expertise in environmental engineering with practical strategies to help businesses take action. Expect to Learn: How to implement effective decarbonization strategies, including measuring emissions and setting science-based targets.The role of business leaders in driving climate action and overcoming the misconception that purpose and profit cannot coexist.How businesses can uncover surprising strategic advantages by pursuing climate-positive initiatives.Why transparency, stakeholder engagement, and systems thinking are essential for genuine climate action.How smaller businesses, including remote teams, can reduce their carbon footprint with simple yet impactful strategies. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Teaser[01:35] – Welcome & Introduction to the Purpose Profit Shift[03:31] – The Shift to Sustainability & Founding Climate Positive[05:56] – The Mission: Using Business as a Lever for Climate Action[09:38] – Explaining Science-Based Targets (SBTs)[11:51] – The Growth of Corporate Climate Commitments[14:10] – Strategic Business Advantages of Decarbonization[15:27] – The Role of Investors & ESG in Driving Climate Action[18:58] – Hidden Emissions: The Supply Chain Factor[21:04] – Climate Footprint for Remote & Service-Based Businesses[24:00] – Typical Company Size & Engagement Model[27:25] – Navigating Greenwashing & the Pressure to Be...

    54 min
  4. The Ethical Developers Build Community-Owned Housing without Landlords with Carlos Robles-Shanahan

    JAN 23

    The Ethical Developers Build Community-Owned Housing without Landlords with Carlos Robles-Shanahan

    In this episode of The Purpose Profit Shift, host Rachel E. Bernier-Green speaks with Carlos, Rafael, and Karla Robles, the family behind Duo Development, an innovation studio that seamlessly blends social impact with sustainable business models. The Robles siblings share their journey of creating spaces that challenge traditional business paradigms while fostering community ownership and empowerment. Duo Development, founded in 2019, specializes in what they call multi-contextual design, a framework that integrates economics, ecology, technology, culture, and ethics into every project. From affordable housing to community hubs, the Robles family is proving that businesses can thrive while staying rooted in purpose. The conversation explores how they combine architecture, real estate, and innovation to reshape the built environment and create lasting community impact. Expect to Learn: How the Robles family’s diverse backgrounds led to the creation of Duo Development.The principles of multi-contextual design and how it shapes their projects.How Duo Development has tackled challenges like affordable housing and landlord-tenant dynamics through creative, sustainable models.The role of community engagement in designing spaces like Starling Community Hub, a space for liberation in North Lawndale.How the Robles family uses business to champion ethical profitability, balancing purpose with financial sustainability. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00:00] – Teaser[00:01:18] – Welcome & Introduction to the Purpose Profit Shift[00:03:09] – How Three Siblings Co-Founded an Innovation Studio[00:07:36] – Explaining Multi-Contextual Design in Practice[00:09:46] – The Five Lenses: Economics, Ecology, Technology, Culture, Ethics[00:13:09] – Using Lenses to Understand Context & History[00:15:49] – An Integrated Practice: Blending Design, Development & Business[00:17:48] – Choosing Boutique Size for Values Alignment & Quality of Life[00:20:01] – HomeKeeper: Breaking the Landlord-Tenant Model with Shared Ownership[00:24:02] – Financing HomeKeeper: City Loans & Equity Crowdfundingspan...

    1h 12m
  5. How Business Owners Fix Broken Culture to Boost Profits using the Impact Model with Jaime Taets

    JAN 16

    How Business Owners Fix Broken Culture to Boost Profits using the Impact Model with Jaime Taets

    In this episode of The Purpose Profit Shift, host Rachel E. Bernier-Green sits down with Jaime Taets, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Keystone Group International. Jaime shares her journey from corporate transformation to entrepreneurship, and how she helps leaders bridge the gap between high performance and sustainable change. A passionate advocate for people-first cultures, Jaime explains how businesses can achieve long-term profitability by focusing on their leaders and employees. As a bestselling author of The Culture Climb and host of the Superpower Success Podcast, Jaime brings a wealth of experience in leadership development and culture transformation. She discusses the importance of intentional leadership, the role of culture in scaling businesses, and why the future of business lies in building strong, resilient organizations. Expect to Learn: How to build a culture that drives both growth and profitability.Why leadership activation, not just development, is crucial in today’s business world.The importance of aligning business strategy with people investment for sustainable success.How small businesses can leverage culture and leadership for a competitive edge.The impact of AI and how it will reshape organizational structures and leadership. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Teaser [01:11] – Welcome & Introduction to Jaime Taets [03:00] – The Transition from Corporate America to Entrepreneurship [05:12] – The Keystone Moment: How Jaime Found Her Business Name [07:10] – The Role of People in Business Growth [09:32] – Why Leadership Development is the Key to Profitability [12:04] – The Impact Model: Connecting Leadership Investment to Bottom Line Results [15:30] – Navigating Leadership Exhaustion and Employee Frustration [18:22] – Building a Values-Driven Business for Long-Term Success [22:15] – Overcoming the Fear of Investing in Culture and Leadership Development [24:40] – Creating a Strong Foundation for Business Scalability [29:00] – The Power of Making the Right Hiring Decisions [32:00] – Tools for Cultivating Culture and Measuring Organizational Health [35:00] – Case Study: Transforming Culture in Growing Organizations [39:20] – Managing Organizational Change and Evolving Culture [43:00] – Measuring Leadership Success and Its Direct Impact on Business [47:30] – The Importance of Personal Resilience for Leaders [50:15] – Closing Thoughts: Leading with Intention and Building Sustainable Growth Follow the guest, Jaime Taets: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimetaets/Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystonegroupintl/span class="ql-ui"...

    52 min
  6. The Racial Wealth Gap for Founders to Dismantle Finance and Redistribute Power with Alex Saingchin

    JAN 9

    The Racial Wealth Gap for Founders to Dismantle Finance and Redistribute Power with Alex Saingchin

    In this episode of The Purpose Profit Shift, host Rachel E. Bernier-Green speaks with Alexander Saingchin, President & Co-Founder of Just Futures PBC, a revolutionary investment firm based in Quito, Ecuador. Just Futures is built on a radical structure where 55% of the ownership is held by five BIPOC-led nonprofits, completely flipping the traditional wealth extraction model. Alex, with over 25 years of experience, shares his journey from corporate consulting to building a $20 million fund that provides 0% interest loans and values-aligned retirement plans for nonprofits and social enterprises. Join us as Alex discusses balancing purpose and profit, creating a regenerative economy, and the power of community-driven investment models. Key Takeaways: Just Futures' Radical Business Model: 55% of Just Futures is owned by BIPOC-led nonprofits, ensuring that profits flow back into social movements.The Shift in Corporate Mindset: Alex reflects on his transition from corporate finance to social impact, including leaving a lucrative career to pursue work that aligns with his values.Redefining Fiduciary Responsibility: How Alex's approach to finance challenges traditional models by prioritizing community well-being over wealth accumulation.Creating a Regenerative Economy: Moving away from extraction-based systems to one that builds, nurtures, and supports all stakeholders.The Role of Purpose-Driven Investments: Why businesses and individuals need to align their investments with their values for long-term societal benefit. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Teaser[01:33] – Welcome & Introduction to The Purpose Profit Shift[02:50] – Alex’s Opening Remarks[04:01] – Alex’s Background: Family, Identity, and Early Career[07:16] – Family’s Reaction to Leaving Corporate Career[11:24] – Flipping the Traditional Finance Model[15:54] – Community Ownership Breakdown: Equity, Governance, Management[18:54] – $20M in 0% Interest Loans: Centering Borrower Wellbeing[21:54] – Questioning “What Is Enough?” and Rejecting Extraction[25:24] – Moving from Maximizing Returns to Maximizing Impact[27:09] – The Need for Interdependence and Predistributionspan class="ql-ui"...

    1 hr
  7. The Purpose and Profit in Sync for Visionary Leaders to Build Scalable Impact with Arnaud Saint-Paul

    12/19/2025

    The Purpose and Profit in Sync for Visionary Leaders to Build Scalable Impact with Arnaud Saint-Paul

    In this powerful episode of Purpose Profit Shift, host Rachel E. Bernier-Green speaks with Arnaud Saint-Paul, Founder of the Heart Leadership Institute, Tapuat, about leading from the heart in business. Arnaud shares how decades of success in tech and finance gave way to a mission-driven life focused on inner coherence, purpose, and transformational leadership. Their conversation unpacks how a values-aligned business mindset can lead to sustainable growth and meaningful impact. Arnaud Saint-Paul is a former tech entrepreneur turned transformational leader. With 20 years of experience raising millions and earning innovation awards across Europe and the U.S., Arnaud now leads the Heart Leadership Institute. He is also the creator of the Heart Leadership Index, a tool used to measure coherence in leadership and organizations. His mission is bold: to open one billion hearts and prove that heart-centered leadership delivers measurable business results. Expect to LearnHow Arnaud’s spiritual awakening shaped his shift from finance to heart-centered leadershipWhy coherence and presence are the foundation for better business outcomesWhat the Heart Leadership Index reveals about joy, burnout, and productivity in leaderHow underserved communities and youth are being empowered through heart-led educationWhat resonant growth is and how companies can unlock it through inner alignment Episode Breakdown with Timestamps[00:00] – Teaser[00:48] – Welcome & Introduction to The Purpose Profit Shift[02:10] – Arnaud's Opening Remarks[05:24] – The Non-Negotiable Shift to Heart-Centered Work[06:58] – The Mission: Opening 1 Billion Hearts[10:33] – Arnaud's Spiritual Awakening at Age 13[12:18] – Reactions to Shifting from Tech/Finance to Spirituality[15:13] – Navigating Difficult Transformations & Trauma as a Leader[18:10] – Case Study: A CEO's Lawsuit as a Symbolic Challenge[20:51] – The Creation of the Heartful Method[23:28] – The ROI of the Heart: Data from the Heart Leadership Index[27:42] – Key Findings: Purpose, Non-Attachment, and Meditation[29:22] – The Impact of Coherence on Revenue & Resonant Growth[31:56] – Case Study: Tangible Business Outcomes from Heart Leadership[35:23] – Give Nation: Financial Literacy & Philanthropy for Kids & Underserved Communities[37:43] – The Heart Economy Movement: An Alternative to Extractive Capitalism[41:48] – Advice for Founders Struggling with Profit vs. Values[44:33] – How to Connect & Work with Arnaud[46:53] – Rachel's Closing Remarks & Resources[47:49] – Outro & Call to Action for Listeners Follow the Host Rachel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelberniergreen/ Website: https://ejconsortium.com/ Company’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ejconsortium?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MXgxeWVmbTJjdTMwNA== Company’s LinkedIn: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ej-consortium/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    48 min
  8. How Non-Hierarchical Companies Scale Without CEOs or Investors with J Laurence Sarno

    12/12/2025

    How Non-Hierarchical Companies Scale Without CEOs or Investors with J Laurence Sarno

    In this episode of The Purpose Profit Shift, host Rachel E. Bernier-Green speaks with J Laurence Sarno, a Member Owner, Culture Circle Lead, and Marketing & Business Development Circles at CoLab Cooperative (Part-time, Remote), a values-driven tech company that has operated without hierarchy for over 15 years. The conversation dives into how worker cooperatives function, what it means to make decisions by consent, and how businesses can grow without compromising their values. Together, they unpack what ownership, collaboration, and purpose look like when the people doing the work actually own the company. J Laurence Sarno joined CoLab in 2023 after years of experience in traditional corporate structures. At CoLab, Laurence is an equal owner and actively works in the culture, marketing, and business development circles. With a background in business development and a passion for culture building, Laurence brings a unique perspective to how businesses can scale impact while upholding democratic governance and collective ownership. Expect to Learn What it actually looks like to work at a non-hierarchical, worker-owned tech cooperativeHow Sociocracy and nonviolent communication support effective decision-makingWhy CoLab only works with mission-aligned clients and how that shapes their business strategyHow consent-based governance helps avoid decision paralysis and fosters shared responsibilityThe power of aligning pricing and profit with purpose, and how CoLab navigates financial sustainability Episode Breakdown with Timestamps [00:00] – Teaser[01:02] – Introduction to CoLab Cooperative & The Worker-Owned Model[03:21] – The "Progress, One Mistake at a Time" Philosophy[07:03] – How Sociocracy and Governing by Consent Enables Collaboration[09:26] – Maintaining a Cohesive Culture Across Four Continents[12:02] – The Role of Nonviolent Communication in CoLab's Culture[17:02] – "Happiness" and Running Towards Difficult Conversations[20:07] – The Biggest Tension: Growing a Values-Based Business[23:31] – The "Financial Code Red" Trap and Investing in Internal Tools[27:50] – The Challenge of Strategy and Consensus Without Clear Goals[31:02] – Decision-Making in Practice: From Conflict to Consensus[39:07] – A Different Approach to Sales: Building for Client Success[42:43] – Client Retention and the Power of Long-Term Partnerships[48:29] – The Mindset of an Owner: Sharing Profit and Responsibility[50:06] – The Surprising Emotional Overhead of a Cooperative[54:02] – The Growing Tech Cooperative Movement and Catalytic Impact[56:02] – Closing Remarks & How to Connect with CoLab Cooperative Follow the guest, J Laurence Sarno LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlaurencesarno/Website: https://www.colab.coop/ Follow the Host Rachel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelberniergreen/ Website: https://ejconsortium.com/ EJ Consortium Instagram: a...

    58 min
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About

Welcome to The Purpose Profit Shift, the podcast that’s reshaping how we think about business success. Hosted by Rachel E. Bernier-Green, MST - social entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of EJ Consortium - this show explores what happens when purpose and profit move together. In each episode, Rachel sits down with visionary founders, bold investors, and community change-makers who are building thriving businesses rooted in equity and impact. They share real stories, hard-won lessons, and the strategies behind building operations that uplift communities, close wealth gaps, and grow without losing sight of values. If you're ready to scale responsibly, lead with intention, and transform the way business is done, this is your place. Subscribe now and join the movement toward a more just, sustainable, and profitable future.

Information

  • Creator
    EJC
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 EJC
  • Show Website
    The Purpose Profit Shift