1. Notes: 7 / 1 year ago 

   For Profit Business = Greed

   Unfortunately this is the predominant belief when it comes to for-profit vs. non-profit business models. KEZA recently converted from a 501c3 non-profit charity to a for-profit social venture.
   
   We spent four years living in Africa so we could listen to the people/culture and learn how to serve her. We are non-traditional and innovative in all we do. KEZA is the result. Here are the top four reasons we converted to a for-profit, and I assure you none of them have to do with greed.
   
   Business Women Not Aid Recipients
   As long as the artisans are working for/with a non-profit aid agency, they are recognized by their community as “aid recipients”. But their resounding cry is to be recognized as business women, owning their own business, trading with a US for-profit business. (This is where the dignity comes in.)
   
   Business Education
   We are there to teach independence from aid. Non-profits can buffer their mistakes with donor dollars. As a for-profit, we are subject to profit and loss, like a real business. What better way to teach than to lead by example?
   
   Vendor Relationships
   When a boutique or department store hears that we are non-profit, they assume their orders will be late, the quality will be inferior and we will expect a lot of grace because we are “doing good”. As a for-profit, we are expected to be treated as a competitive business partner.
   
   Proof of Viability
   We are attempting to inspire investors and corporations to do business in Africa. As a for-profit, we are able to show them a working model that yields comparable quality and profitability, yet remains ethically grounded. There is no better way to entice an investor than to show her proof.
   
   KEZA is a for-profit because we work for Africa, and she’s asking for trade, not aid.

2. Notes

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These are my thoughts, and more likely my agendas. Let’s call a spade a spade. I want to inspire people to treat each other with love and respect, and to live each second as if it were our last.

At the end of the day, I appreciate the journey, good and bad. I believe there is purpose in everything; literally everything. And the more I embrace that, the more I truly live; the more peace I have.

I believe in the social entrepreneur model, as opposed to the traditional forms of aid that have crippled developing nations for decades. And on top of that, I believe the fashion industry is one of the best industries to leverage as a tool to combat poverty and help restore dignity to developing nations. So that's my thing. If that's not appealing, you might want to read a different blog.

I believe in the power and importance of ubuntu. I aspire to do more…more than I have to. I won’t "change the whole world", but I intend to make some significant improvements along the way as I try. And I’ll fight for all sorts of justice, up to the day they throw dirt on me.

I thank God that I get to live this life. Carpe diem.

+ Comments are welcome. I'd love for this to be a two way conversation. +

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