Zack Steven

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  Zack commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  For-Profit By Default?

  Glad to hear about the conversation! We launched http://www.buythechange.com as a means of leveraging local commerce to strengthen communities. We've been a for-profit from day 1, even though 1/3 of our revenues go back to local non-profits as chosen by our members. It was important to us to build a sustainable model of business as a tool for social change.
  
  We believe that if there is to be lasting social change people need to understand the connection between their values and how they spend their money. We help them spend it in a way that strengthens their community. While there certainly is a place for non-profit organizations, we're advocates for a middle ground "fair-profit" model that sustains itself through profits while fairly compensating the resources (human, environmental, etc) that contribute to the profit.
  
  Capitalism is a powerful force in the world and leveraging it for social good can have tremendous impact. I'm still struggling with the concept that someone can be an "entrepreneur" without some level of profit motive.
  
  Thanks for furthering the conversation!