Ep. 30 Building a Socially Conscious Business: Victor Koo on the Value of Contemplative Practices

Welcome to DO GOOD X. Kimberly and Stephen are joined by Victor Koo, Co-Founder of Tianren Culture, to explore how businesses can drive positive social change by integrating technology, media, and finance. Victor shares his journey of co-founding Tianren Culture and discusses leveraging tech for social impact. He delves into the philosophy of "One Wisdom, One Health," which connects mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. Stay tuned for insightful discussions on entrepreneurship, meditation, and the future of socially-minded business.

THIS EPISODE:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:27) How businesses can contribute to positive social change via tech, media and finance
(07:19) How Victor co-founded Tianren Culture with no experience in this space
(11:39) Leveraging technology to enhance social impact and one wisdom, one health
(21:12) Listening to our inner voice regarding business
(26:40) Victor's resources beneficial for entrepreneurs regarding meditation, and he describes how the practice benefits him
(33:41) Key elements that impact communities when starting a business
(36:32) Resources to assist social entrepreneurs in building their business
(38:05) Victor's greatest lessons learned, his impact on the world, and the technology he values

TAKEAWAYS:
From the start, positive social change should be embedded in a company's founding intentions and DNA. Designing with a mission that benefits the broader community is essential, exemplifying the platform's mission to share joy, wisdom, and heart. Additionally, having a socially-minded core team is crucial, ensuring responsibility not just to investors but also to all stakeholders, considering the potential externalities and consequences in all aspects of the business, including workplace culture and global supply chains.
One Health focuses on diet and food system change, addressing physical health. What we put inside our body is shown to be the leading root cause of the key acute and chronic diseases and the major leading causes of death. One Wisdom addresses the mind, heart, and spirit, whereas One Health addresses the body, which is also interconnected with the inner aspects of self.

RESOURCES: 
DO GOOD X - Podcast
DO GOOD X - LinkedIn
DO GOOD X - YouTube
DO GOOD X - Spotify
Kimberly Daniel - LinkedIn
Stephen Lewis - LinkedIn
Victor Koo - Speaker - Global Wellness Summit
Victor Koo - LinkedIn

In late 2016, Victor co-founded Tianren Culture, a next-generation social platform that serves as a catalyst and enabler of social innovation with the mission to foster positive global values and lifestyles. Tianren Culture's core strategic focus is to promote "One Wisdom, One Health" by encouraging and enabling wisdom and service via contemplative practices and healthy lifestyles, especially those with Eastern roots believing that the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and wellness of human beings are interconnected with the broader environment and ecosystem. Tianren Culture works with foundations, NGOs and business partners to put in place high-impact, effective social innovation initiatives to improve both physical and mental health. He is also a board director of Good Food Fund and on the advisory board of Global Wellness Inst