Sheri Lozano of Link2Lift We had some fun jumping over to the west coast to talk with Sheri Lozano of Link2Lift. Sheri discusses her innovative and collaborative idea to use unused spaces for lifting others. For the full transcript click below Read Full Transcript Welcome to episode 99 of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise! Wow-wee, almost at 100. T…

Kate Hayes EchoingGreen- Board Health Back for another conversation this time with a very inspiring woman, Kate Hayes of Echoing Green. Kate discusses her incredibly interesting journey and love for health human interactions and support. She is a current leader in the impact investing and social enterprise development space. For the full transcript…

Genusee Wow, what a really great episode on a social enterprise called Genusee. Creatively designing eyewear out of recycled single-use plastic water bottles out of Flint, Michigan. Many of you may have heard some tough stories coming out of Flint. Specific to the water crisis over these past few years. You will meet the founders and designers, Ali…

Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC We’re back with another episode here on social enterprise. We have a doctor on this show who has been making a big impact in Detroit. It is Dr. Paul Thomas of Plum Health Care DPC. He has a dream of changing the notion of health care from a plastic card in your wallet to true healing from a healing doctor! What …

PalmEraMia Thanks for tuning in for this great episode on a social enterprise out of Miami! Our guest is Andres Restrepo, one of the founders of PalmEraMia, which is a fashion design company for athletic wear. Through their product sales, they support clean water efforts in Colombia. We learn why they chose Colombia and how they became so convicted…

Kathleen Kelly Janus Back for another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. Kathleen Kelly Janus is our guest discussing her new book, Social Startup Success, How the Best Nonprofits Launch, Scale Up and Make a Difference. Kathleen is an award-winning social entrepreneur, lawyer, and lecturer at Stanford University, where she teaches social…

Our Common Future Conference – Oct. 27, 2017 Part Two Our Common Future conference was held in Detroit, Michigan at the end of October 2017. We have a Part One and a Part Two to give you the top ten. We will interview several guest speakers that help shape our community. They give us some insight into the work that they do to empower entrepreneursh…

Our Common Future Conference – Oct. 27, 2017 Part One Our Common Future conference was held in Detroit, Michigan at the end of October 2017. We have a Part One and a Part Two to give you the top ten. We will interview several guest speakers that help shape our community. They give us some insight into the work that they do to empower entrepreneursh…

Because of a Case Hear from Jamie and Sean Strasberger talking about their business, Because of a Case. Because of a Case is a mobile phone case design company contributing to our favorite special causes. And, of course, we have a great song at the end by a Detroit artist for your listening pleasure. For the full transcript click below Read Full Tr…

Douglas Bitonti Stewart Today we head over to the Impact Investing Inglenook to chat with Douglas Bitonti Stewart about his recent article titled ‘Impact Investing and the Development Professional: Learning to Ride the Wave’. You can find this published article in the Fall 2017 Issue of Advancing Philanthropy Magazine. Doug shares his very unique p…

DIME Detroit Time for another episode of the bonfires of social enterprise. Hear from the founders who took a chance, traded London for Detroit and began to engage with the young music talent of Detroit and then Denver. As usual, stay to the end and enjoy a full song from one of the student artists from DIME. For the Full Transcript click below Rea…

Stephen of Charity Charge Welcome back to another episode of The Bonfires of Social Enterprise. My name is Romy and I’m your host and guide here. This time, we hear from Stephen Garten, the founder and CEO of Charity Charge in Austin Texas. Stephen discusses the moment the idea came together along with the current and I guess, ongoing issues of a s…

Detroit Mushroom Factory with Deana & Chris Hello out there in listener land, this is Romy bringing you another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This episode is all about mushrooms! Did you know there are all different types of mushrooms that can be grown indoors, and, that there is a mushroom factory in Detroit? Well, you will meet De…

Detroit S.O.A.R. – Sisters On A Roll, Mobile Cafe’ Hey there, I am back with another guest from the great city of Detroit. This is Romy, and I have the pleasure of introducing you to Chef Bee and Jasmine of social enterprise Detroit S.O.A.R! They have an inspiring story of joining together around health food for some very interesting reasons. This …

Latrice McClendon of Impact Community Health Thanks for tuning in to the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and I have a friend of mine on the episode today. Latrice McClendon is quite an entrepreneur and just an all around amazing person. On this episode, we will hear about one of her businesses. She has at least one other venture with h…

Bogobrush: Heather and John McDougall Hey there! This is Romy here for another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise! On this episode, we are going to hear from a creative brother and sister team making toothbrushes for some good causes. Fun! And, of course, at the end, we have a great song from a Detroit artist….always one of my favorite pa…

Hamilton Perkins Hamilton and his team are working with Thread International to make bags and other accessories from some of the recycled plastics in Haiti. He has very interesting story. Be sure to stay tuned for a great Detroit artist group called The Infatuations. You will feel like you are transported back in time with their great song. For the…

Mile High Workshop What’s going on in Denver social enterprise manufacturing these days?! Romy catches up with Andy Magel of the Mile High Workshop manufacturer in Denver, Colorado. Great song the end! For Full Transcript Read Full Transcript Introduction Hi there! This is Romy and welcome back to another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterpris…

Job Creation & Impact Investing with Don Lee Today, we are moving to the Impact Investing Inglenook to talk to Don Lee. Don has been quite a visionary around social enterprise local investing and has begun to change the way many people are investing in the Detroit area. His has passionate rationale and incredible enthusiasm – It is quite contagious…

Nique Love Rhodes We have a social entrepreneur of a different kind, she is a rapper! You will have an opportunity to learn how the social and business sides come together for impact with Nique Love Rhodes! We featured her once before on one of the other episodes, Bags to Butterflies, I think. You will have to check it out. And, since she is an art…

Jeff Adams of Artesian Farms On this episode, Romy catches back up with Jeff Adams of Artesian Farms in Detroit. She interviewed him in Season 1, and his hydroponics facility has changed immensely. Jeff has had a lot of investor engagement. He has taken on program-related investments, loans, and direct equity. It has been an interesting journey. Gr…

Pingree Manufacturing of Detroit It is all about veterans on this episode! We hear from Jarret Alan Schlaff who is the founder and the main visionary over at Pingree. He shares how the whole idea began and, even, how the name came to be near the end. You won’t want to miss it! Stay tuned until the end when we share another great Detroit artist with…

Jay Rayford of Social Sushi Jay Rayford of Social Sushi catches us up on all of the changes in his social enterprise. He and his bigger team of four have been the champions of proving out your product through pop-ups! You will hear how they really built a large following before even opening their restaurant. And, after our interview, Social Sushi w…

Motown Rising with Jacob de Golish! This episode has a lot to do with building, construction, restoration and the skilled trades. Jacob walks us through a large part of his journey, how he arrived in Detroit from Los Angeles and how he was inspired to hire men from the neighborhood for the transformation of homes. We had a chance to visit some of t…

Check out the creative solution to community renting of personal items with the guys from Jonezie of Ferndale, Michigan Check out what these guys have come up with to help keep up with the ‘Jones’ by building a community rental program for all of our stuff! What do you want to rent for the summer!!! For the full transcript, click the button below: …

Bamboo Detroit Update with Amanda Lewan Romy catches up with co-founder, Amanda Lewan to hear about the most recent expansion of one of Detroit’s hottest hippest co-working spaces. Listen in to some of the secrets of the success including the special nature of the diversity in members and programming. Full Transcript Read Full Transcript Romy: Than…

Detroit Horse Power lifts, heals, and empowers! David Silver shares an update on all of their expansion in the hearts and minds of the Detroit Youth! Community partners make his organization strong and talent-rich. Great song by a Detroit artist! Kids and horses are a great match. Full Transcript Read Full Transcript Romy: Hi everyone, this is Romy…

Kresse Wesling updates us on up-cycling used fire hoses and discarded leather for luxury use! Romy catches up with Kresse Wesling. Kresse shares intimate insights on thoughtful expansion and overcoming those times when other’s minimize your work. Great new product line and authentic conversations on social enterprise. Song included by Detroit artis…

City Girls Soap becomes a Farm: Let the Goat Scaping begin! Amy McIntire joins Romy for an update on the goat farm. Amy shares how the business has evolved from just making soaps and lotions to conservation ‘scaping’. Join in to learn how she is putting ‘Kids on the Bus’ in this great catch up. Great music from another Detroit artist at the end. Fo…

Michelle Smart of Bags to Butterflies in Detroit! Romy interviews Michelle Smart, founder and creator of Bags to Butterflies. Learn how Michelle is empowering women returning from the prison systems to be all that they can be. Transformation and incredible business ideas are moving this social enterprise into possibility. Don’t miss the great Detro…

Khali Sweeney of the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program in Detroit Listen in to the powerful testimony of a great leader, his overcoming a poor education and his will to push for experiences for the kids in the neighborhoods of Detroit. Hear why Khali has adopted the phrase ‘books before boxing.’ This is an incredible story of a true change maker. I…

Overflow Coffee Bar – Brandon & Amanda Neely – Chicago Season 3 kicks of with a great social enterprise out of Chicago’s South Loop. Get to know owners Amanda and Brandon Neely and listen how they overcame fears, built community, and decided that free is no good! As they sourced ethical coffee, they built a business and even took on a PRI! Romy: We…

Season 3: Top Six Impact Crushin’ BEhaviors Welcome to Season Three of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise! This is Romy, and I am the host of today’s episode that we are calling ‘Impact Crush!’ We are doing a Top 6 countdown on behaviors we are crushin’ on. And, at the end, we are going to leave you with the most popular artist and song from Season …

Henry Le of Imagtor in Hanoi, Vietnam Romy interviews Henry Le, co-founder of Imagtor, a professional photo editing service in Vietnam that is employing people with disabilities. At the end of the episode, listen for another great new song by Detroit artist, Grace Elizabeth Lee! Imagtor Staff in Vietnam Henry Le of Imagtor Read Full Transcript FULL…

Chris Lambert of Life Remodeled in Detroit LIFE:Remodeled 2016 Romy interviews Chris Lambert of Life Remodeled in Detroit – incredible passion, boldness, humility, and steadfastness all rolled into one mission. Hear about the incredible neighborhood transformations. Also meet Grace Elizabeth Lee as the featured artist at the end of the episode and …

Ivan Gonzalez of Humboldt Park, Chicago – Social Enterprise Coach, Mentor, and Cross-Sector Facilitator Romy interviews Ivan and learns about how his faith anchors and propels him to engage sectors and cultures for the common good. Great song at the end by Chicago artist, Aaron Eddy! Introduction Thanks for tuning in the Bonfires of Social Enterpri…

Season 2: Playground Detroit with Paulina Petkoski Romy interviews dynamo Paulina Petkowski, co-owner and co-founder of Playground Detroit! Learn about the multi-faceted organization and the exciting empowerment for artists and creatives. What talent! Intro Romy: Hello there, this is Romy and I am excited to share another episode with you. We have …

Lisa Johanon of Central Detroit Christian Listen and Learn from the great Lisa Johanon, for 22 years she has led Central Detroit Christian to large-scale community change by building social enterprises, baking pies, and loving others. Introduction Romy: Hey Everyone, my name is Romy, and I am your host for another episode of Bonfires of Social Ente…

Scott Tallenger of Left-handed Branded and the Detroit Mula! Romy and Scott discuss his inspired left-handed functional design, how he loves Detroit and loves to manufacture locally! Introduction Romy: Welcome to another episode of the Bonfires of Social Enterprise. This is Romy, and it is great to share another interview with you. You listeners ha…

Amy Kaherl of Detroit Soup! Romy interviews Amy Kaherl of the now famous Detroit Soup! Amy shares about how she started Detroit Soup, some of the barriers to success and grand plans for the people of Detroit. Amy is a visionary catalyst and passionate about people. Great song at the end by Tim Schumack of Assemble Sound. Full Transcript Romy: Welco…

Ginny Fischbach of Impact100 on Impact Investing Inglenook Romy interviews the founder of Impact 100 Oakland County (Michigan), Ginny Fischbach. What happens when 100 women put $1000 each together for a community good? Full transcription Romy: Welcome to the Impact Investing Inglenook of Bonfires of Social Enterprise. You will meet Ginny Fischbach …

Detroit-based founder, Noam Kimelman of Fresh Corner Cafe Romy interviews Noam Kimelman on his venture Fresh Corner Cafe in Detroit. They also discuss his non-profit partner, Detroit Food Academy, and the motivation of the youth in the city of Detroit! Noam is a very intelligent and engaging guest. Great Detroit artist at the end of the episode to …

Chelsea Koglmeier of O.R.O. on Bonfires on the Move Jessica Robinson, our mobility expert, interviews Chelsea Koglmeier of Bicycles O.R.O. Chelsea Koglmeier, founder of Bikes ORO, joins us on this episode for a conversation about bicycles as a vehicle for social change. Her own product is a bicycle that’s thoughtfully designed with inspired simplic…

Season 2: Impact Investing Inglenook with Tom Doescher #55 Romy catches Impact Investor, Tom Doescher, for an interesting conversation on how he thinks about laser outcomes of creating and keeping jobs, the opportunity for impact in Flint and why advisor support is so critical in impact investing. Tom leaves the conversation with great advice for p…

Buy The Change Romy Kochan interviews Kari Hughes of Buy The Change in Detroit, Michigan. Listen and learn about what inspired Kari to begin making a market for women entrepreneurs around the world. Kari discusses why she wanted to become a B Corporation and remain a for-profit company. She discusses the importance of acknowledging your successes o…

Season 2: Vostel of Berlin with Hanna Lutz Romy interviews Hanna Lutz of social enterprise Vostel in Berlin. Vostel is an online platform matching volunteers with Berlin organizations. Hear about how they found a way to engage tourists, refugees, and everyday talented people to help their city. Hanna Lutz and Stefanie Frost of Vostel Transcript Rom…

Mailbag for May 19, 2016 Time for the Mailbag! Romy answers three great listener questions followed by a light-hearted full song by Tim Schumack of Detroit. Full Transcript Thanks for tuning into our mailbag episode. This is Romy and I will answer three of our listener questions. Let’s get right to it… Question #1 From: Melissa Question: How do you…

Scott Francisco & Jessica Robinson discuss Pilot Project’s Green Garage Hub – Bonfires on the Move In this episode, Jessica and Scott Francisco, Director of Pilot Projects, discover a mutual fascination with the unloved city parking garage and explore what a current design for today’s urban neighborhood might look like. Pilot Projects’ Green Hub co…

Southwest Solutions of Detroit Romy interviews John Van Kamp of Southwest Solutions. John has been the leader and visionary of Southwest Solutions since 1973 and has successfully established a village of partners to address mental health issues. The incredible collaboration and partnering led initiatives into entrepreneurship and other related syst…

Season 2 – Better Life Bags Social Enterprise Romy interviews Rebecca Smith with Better Life Bags in Hamtramck of Detroit. Hear the incredible story of how she launched a business of making custom handbags hand-sewn by local women who had previously had cultural barriers to employment. Rebecca shares how she grew, used social media, and created dyn…