Hey there humans 👋 Did you know it’s estimated that 1 in 6 people have a disability, and around 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent?

In this newsletter edition, we’re celebrating Disability Pride Month and in particular, neurodiversity. We’ve got three great humans sharing their lived experience with and insights about autism: Anita Aherne – director and founder of Living on the Spectrum, Raven Bower – writer, muso, actor (and many more things) and Bernadette (B) Hardy – Dharug (Warmuli) & Gamilaraay interior/spatial designer and researcher.

We talk about a bunch of ways that both individuals and businesses can be cultivating inclusive workplaces, interior spaces, and communities.

6 things you need to know about fostering an inclusive workplace for neurodivergent employees by Anita Aherne, director and founder of Living on the Spectrum

Fostering an inclusive, supportive and safe workspace for autistic and neurodivergent individuals allows employees from varied backgrounds to feel valued, engaged, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. It is not only crucial for promoting equal opportunities, but also can also significantly enhance innovation, collaboration, productivity and revenue.

1. Education and awareness
   Make sure to foster a culture of understanding and inclusion by educating and training all employees about neurodiversity. Raise awareness about different neurodivergent conditions, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc, and dispel myths and stereotypes. This will help create a supportive environment where colleagues can better understand and respect each other's differences.

2. Flexible work arrangements

   Where possible, implement flexible work arrangements to accommodate the diverse needs of neurodivergent employees, which may include flexible working hours, remote work options, or job-sharing opportunities. This can help reduce sensory overload, anxiety, and other challenges often faced by neurodivergent individuals in traditional work settings.

3. Reasonable accommodations

   Work with neurodivergent employees to identify and provide reasonable accommodations supporting their needs. These accommodations might include noise-cancelling headphones, quiet spaces for breaks, alternative communication methods, task organisers, or visual aids. Tailoring the work environment to their requirements can significantly improve productivity and well-being.

4. Clear communication and expectations

   Ensure organisational communication is transparent, straightforward, and clearly defines expectations. Ambiguity in instructions or job roles can be challenging for neurodivergent individuals. Offering clear guidelines and providing regular feedback can help them feel more confident and secure in their roles.

5. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices

   To create a diverse and inclusive workforce, organisations should review and adapt their hiring practices to accommodate neurodivergent candidates. This includes acknowledging that traditional interviews may not fully demonstrate their potential and exploring alternative methods like skills-based assessments, and pre-set question interviews to assess their abilities accurately.

6. Expert-led disability training

   Don’t rely on autistic and neurodivergent individuals to provide disability and inclusion training (unless it is part of their job description). Instead, invest in professional trainers or resources with expertise in neurodiversity to ensure comprehensive and equitable training for all employees.

Check out Living On the Spectrum’s national autism and spectrum directory here

Disability isn’t a dirty word – Raven’s story

My name is Raven (they/them), and I’m non-binary, queer, autistic, and ADHD. I’m also a musician, actor, and writer. I’ve known about autism for me for a while now (ten years now actually!), but ADHD has been a much more recent discovery, so I’m still learning quite a bit.

I feel like daily life can be the challenge sometimes 😅 I often don’t have the energy to get things done that most people regularly do, so chores can often fall by the wayside, and I often don’t take care of myself as well as I need to. It also makes work difficult, because most work can be quite draining - which makes it very hard to find a job that fits well for me, let alone the difficulty of the job finding process itself!

I feel like, though knowledge of autism is growing, there’s still a lot of stereotypes that persist in the common knowledge (no thanks to the media). Things like autistic people all being just super-smart, or not understanding emotions (sometimes seen as not even having emotions) - these are just not helpful ideas. Holding the expectation that all autistic people are going to be savants, or have no social skills - both of these are incorrect ideas. Speaking for myself, I know that I’m a very emotional person, who feels things quite deeply; and that I understand social cues and the like specifically because I spent time studying them when I was younger! But each of us is different.

For individuals who would like to take action - be learning more where you can. Realise that The Big Bang Theory is not an accurate depiction of all autistic people. And realise that there are probably many, many autistic people in your life, even if you don’t know it. For organisations - work on making your hiring processes more inclusive. Things like giving interview questions in advance, or even allowing an alternate option instead of an interview. Being really clear about expectations in job advertisements is helpful as well. Also, allowing more space for accommodations for workers, and asking people what they need to make work more comfortable, safe, and healthy for them. These are things that really help a lot of people, not just autistic people.

Honestly, one of the best things you can do is probably be following autistic content creators on the various social media platforms that you’re on. There are many people that talk specifically about autistic experiences, and the same is true for other things like ADHD. Some good examples are Neurodivergent Rebel, Autienelle, or Catieosaurus for ADHD.

To finish off, on a different note - disability isn’t a dirty word, or a word to be avoided and skirt around with euphemism and the like. It means that the world is harder for us, and we know that. This world has been built and made for people whose bodies and brains work in particular ways; those of us that are outside those lines have to fight for things a lot more. But we are who we are. And part of that is being disabled. And that’s okay.

Learn more about disability, diversity and much more on Raven’s blog

Cultivating spaces that promote belonging – B’s story

Photo credit: Natalia Baechtold – @FeatherFlowerCreative – Ngarrindjeri Mimini

I am a proud Gamilaraay and Dharug woman who was identified as autistic later in life. Our entire family is autistic, including our two young children who are 7 and 8 years old.

I find it challenging how others, particularly those with 'medical expertise,' perceive and portray people like me. Their depictions often feel detached from my actual experiences, reducing me to stigmas and stereotypes and overlooking the intersectionality of being an autistic, black woman who is part of the world's oldest continuing culture on Earth.

I am a qualified, experienced, and practicing interior designer at hardyhardy, an Associate Professor, and a PhD scholar. I am curious about and exploring the relationship between autistic culture and the design of interior spaces and how it often disables us.

In Western colonial systems, it is uncommon for me to exist as a proud Gamilaraay and Dharug woman, an autistic person, and a designer all at once. I often feel a sense of separateness within these systems, like I can't be all of those things at once, but that's where my power and point of difference lie. That's where my sense of belonging is.

Built environments have the potential to foster positive interactions and a sense of connection, inclusion, and belonging. However, when the boundary between natural surroundings and interior spaces impacts sensory experiences, it drives my exploration and forms the basis of my spatial design methodology, known as 'Country Sensing Design.'

By combining Indigenous knowledge, evolving understandings of autistic culture, and Western design methods, I am creating new ways of sensing interior spaces. This synthesis establishes a fresh approach to interior spatial design and education that prioritises a sense of belonging for all, including humans and non-human beings, together. Nature, including the wind, air, land, water, flora, and fauna, offers valuable teachings as our teacher and living laboratory. By learning from the wisdom of Country, I bridge divides, foster understanding, and create harmonious spaces that promote a sense of belonging.

I envision a future where built environments inspire and nurture a sense of connection and belonging, where we may be labeled disabled, but buildings will no longer disable us.

Learn more about B’s designs and the Country Sensing Design Methodology at hardyhardy

Small actions, big impact

🏨 Pay this hotel in the Blue Mountains a visit
🫶 Become a Social Carer and provide support to Aussies who are elderly, ill, injured or living with a disability
✌️ Translate your media content into a signed language
💼 Tap into a skilled, job-ready pool of neurodivergent candidates
👕 Purchase accessible and inclusive clothing, footwear and everyday products
🎨 Make sure your designs are accessible by checking the contrast between different colour combinations against WCAG standards

find more actions

Reads & resources

• Connect with other parents raising children with disabilities, delays, and neurodivergence

• Get to know the benefits of hiring autistic individuals

• Check out this employment program which bridges the gap between employers and Autistic employees

• Use this database to find an Autism Swim Provider that can teach children who are neurodiverse (or have specific learning needs) to swim

• Join this accelerator program if you’re building a startup that positively impacts people with disabilities

• Find your tribe and connect with the autistic and neurodiverse community (aged 7 to 30) around interests, friends, mentors and jobs

Food for thought

• “Disability is articulated as a struggle, an unnecessary burden that one must overcome to the soundtrack of a string crescendo. But disabled lives are multi-faceted – brimming with personality, pride, ambition, love, empathy, and wit.” – Sinead Burke, writer, academic, activist and broadcaster

• "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." - Christopher Reeve, actor and campaigner

• “My disability exists not because I use a wheelchair, but because the broader environment isn’t accessible.” – Stella Young, comedian, journalist and activist

• “Everybody deserves the right to go to a restaurant. Everybody deserves the right to go on a date. Everybody deserves the right to be employed and have an opportunity. But for people with disabilities, these things aren’t there.” – Dylan Alcott, sportsperson, radio host and speaker

• “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” – Dr. Stephen Shore, professor with autism

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Humans For Good is a platform for anyone with an interest in social impact and innovation. We believe that a bit of good can go a long way, and hope to mobilise purpose-driven people to action via our newsletter, community and database.

Keep in touch:

🗞️ Subscribe to learn about topics from being conscious with your capital, to living more sustainably and starting a purpose-driven career
🌟 Join us on Slack or follow us on LinkedIn for events, opportunities, & more
🥘 Attend our next potluck dinner or reach out to members 1-1 via Coffee Club for good chats with a diverse bunch of good humans

Spread the good:

👀 Browse our database of small actions with big impact
💸 Offer a discount for the community

See you next time,

— Georgia, Todd, Harry and the team from Humans For Good

How do we help asylum seekers settle into Australia? What more could be done to support them as they navigate language barriers, foreign societal norms, and cultural differences?

Welcome to a new edition of the Humans For Good newsletter 📮 As we come off the back of Refugee Week, we’ll be weighing up the above questions and exploring stories, perspectives and resources about how we can be actively compassionate toward refugees and new migrants all year round.

Keep reading for 5 things that we need to know about backing migrapreneurs (migrant entrepreneurs) by Usman Iftikhar from Catalysr, Phillip from SolveSquad’s story, and a list of actions that we can all take to help make people who have been displaced feel at home and find success.

5 things we need to know about backing migrapreneurs by Usman Iftikhar – CEO of Catalysr and Venture Partner of Backbone Partners

Australia is a country of immigrants! Over 28% of the Australian population is born overseas, however many immigrants (whether they are economic migrants or humanitarian migrants such as refugee) find themselves facing issues with unemployment and underemployment. Often to solve this problem, they turn towards entrepreneurship as a way to start their own business and create meaningful employment for themselves and others. We have named these people #migrapreneurs and as someone with lived experience of being a migrapreneur, I wanted to share five ways in which you can help those like me belong and thrive in Australia.

1. Share networks
   One of the biggest barriers for migrapreneurs is that the lack access to networks to find customers, partners, mentors and investors. So if you are connected into many networks, you can share that access by making friends with and mentoring migrapreneurs, and in particular, opening up your networks to them.

2. Buy from migrapreneurs
   From small business, to social enterprise and technology startups, you can find and support many amazing migrapreneurs by being the early adopters and customers for their products. Check out this directory of refugee businesses in Australia by one of our alumni companies at Catalysr; Welcome Merchant.

3. Promote migrapreneurs and their businesses
   Help spread the word about migrapreneurs and their businesses within your own personal and professional networks, because that word-of-mouth support goes a long way!

4. Donate skills, time and dollars
   If you’re a skilled person who has some capacity to share your knowledge and expertise, you can sign up to mentor at Catalysr and we will match you with amazing migrapreneurs at different stages of their journey. If you don't have time, and would like to make a financial contribution, you can make a tax deductible donation to us at Catalysr here.

5. Invest in the next generation of migrapreneurs
   We have set up a new early stage VC fund to invest in startups run by migrapreneurs in Australia. If you are a high-net-worth individual (sophisticated investor) you can connect with me on Linkedin to find out more about our fund and get involved.

Follow Catalysr for more about all things migrapreneurship, including their YouTube channel, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram

Building a new life in Australia – Phillip’s story

As I grew up in a small village in Sudan (modern-day South Sudan), I came from a large family that eventually was displaced due to warring factions within the country, and eventually, I found myself in a refugee camp at the tender age of fourteen years of age. Although I was quite young, I found solace in the camp, which I moved to in order to escape the threat of being forced into becoming a child soldier. I was able to finally receive the opportunity to come to Australia on a humanitarian visa in 2005, leaving my family behind to start a new life.

Being in a new environment was a challenge, especially due to many cultural differences which I experienced; including learning English, having difficulty connecting within Australian society, and also finding it difficult to make connections I could count on. After being able to explore higher education at university, I was able to finally to finish my course; only to realise I had no one to assist in finding employment pathways after graduation. With better support from Australian society, I believe the transition would have been smoother.

I have finally realised, through my journey here to Australia and the things that I have gone through and experienced first-hand, that the way to truly experience compassion is to receive refuge during a time of need. I have been able to find new opportunities through valuable connections, and also to secure professional advancement in the administration field. The difference was realising the impact from the inside, and building on my potential as a way forward, rather than a way through tough times.

My story is one of many, but it is also an example that receiving compassion can also be a conduit for change.

Ways to support & welcome refugees

💪 Take one of these everyday acts to stand with refugees
🧺 Help fund this welcome picnic for newly arrived refugees in Australia
🇺🇦 Use your tech skills to maximise impact during the Ukranian war
💼 Source and hire refugees and displaced individuals here, or here
👗 Wear clothes that empower new migrant women to launch Australian careers
🍲 Visit or purchase catering from this Sydney-based cafe, or this Melbourne-based cafe to support asylum seeker and refugee chefs
💵 Lend as little as $5 to support refugees and internally displaced people
🧸 Knit a Trauma Teddy to provide a warm welcome to refugee children
🍞 Switch to this bread to help create pathways for aspiring bakers
💝 Order eco-friendly merchandise and hampers that create employment for marginalised women

find more actions

Reads & resources

• Have a read of this roadmap for unleashing the economic potential of refugees and migrants

• Check out seven steps that enable refugee entrepreneurs to flourish in Australia

• Use this framework to define and qualify refugee investments

• Understand why entrepreneurship enhances the positive effects of migration on economic growth and development

• Browse key reports that have influenced the emerging refugee entrepreneurship support ecosystem

Food for thought

• “A refugee is someone who survived and who can create the future.” Amela Koluder, Writer and Diversity Advocate

• “Refugees don’t make our country less safe. But xenophobia, fear and hate do.” Ted Lieu, American Politician

• “It is the obligation of every person born in a safer room to open the door when someone in danger knocks.” Dina Nayeri, Novelist

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Humans For Good is a platform for anyone with an interest in social impact and innovation. We believe that a bit of good can go a long way, and hope to mobilise purpose-driven people to action via our newsletter, community and database.

Keep in touch:

🗞️ Subscribe to learn about topics from being conscious with your capital, to living more sustainably and starting a purpose-driven career
🌟 Join us on Slack or follow us on LinkedIn for events, opportunities, & more
🥘 Attend our next potluck dinner or reach out to members 1-1 via Coffee Club for good chats with a diverse bunch of good humans

Spread the good:

👀 Browse our database of small actions with big impact
💸 Offer a discount for the community

See you next time,

— Georgia, Harry, and the team from Humans For Good

Tech firms like a16z have preached for years that tech is “eating the world”. While waking up to a device that dictates your sleep schedule might make you feel that way, tech is also the greatest framework for democratised impact since humans discovered we could shout.

The barrier many of us face to making an impact with tech sounds like this: “BUT I’m not a developer / programmer / tech-head.”

In this month’s newsletter, Harrison.ai’s Head of Foundation, Tim Middlemiss (who also co-founded Ripple 🤯), is here to reassure you that it doesn’t matter if you’re “techy” or not. The future of impact is here and it’s begging you to be a part of it 🙏

Read on for Tim’s 4 principles for your career in impact and tech, and a list of reads around the intersection between these.

P.S: Our Humans for Good Sydney potluck dinner is back and happening next Tuesday night! Grab your ticket for a night of good conversations (including hearing from Kirstin Hunter and Veronica Mason) below 🥘

🥘 grab your potluck ticket 🥘

4 things we need to know about careers in impact tech, by Tim Middlemiss - incurable extrovert, impact zig-zagger, and Head of Foundation at Harrison.ai

1. You don't have to 'be tech' to work 'in tech'
   Sure, after a decade in digital I've picked up a couple of things - but I've still never been on GitHub. The thing is, tech is the sector that will shape the future, so don't rule yourself out because you don't know how to code. The sector needs people with a whole range of skills to truly flourish, especially those who want to make sure tech works for people and not the other way around.

2. Tech needs impact to really shape the future
   Because of its capacity to scale, tech reaches people quickly. If it's not done well bad things happen.. cough (example I'm too afraid to give in writing for legal reasons) cough... For tech to be trusted, and now even for it to be used, we need to not only understand its impact, but ensure that impact is net-positive (well, expect when it comes to carbon where it should be at least net-zero). If you have up-skilled in impact, or community building, or governance, the tech industry will need you.

3. Not all tech is created equal
   I'm definitely biased here, but take AI. Sure, all the noise is about AI sites that compose slightly wonky artworks of people very quickly, but beyond that – stuff is getting made right now to tackle our hairiest of problems. At Harrison.ai, we're creating comprehensive diagnostic support for radiologists so they don't miss diagnoses here in Australia, and so that in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, with just a handful of radiologists, millions of people have access to medical support they never had before. So if you're entering this field, choose wisely where you want to ply your trade.

4. Don't lose your network connection
   Ok, I tried way too hard to crowbar in a tech pun here. But basically, while the worlds of tech and of impact are both growing and colliding, it's easy to feel uncertain or unclear about where you are heading or what your job even is. So be sure to surround yourself with people that will help to guide you through. Think of them as your own personal sub-committees, but maybe don't tell them that. I try to make sure I'm regularly connecting with a few 'categories' of people - those who will hold me to my purpose, those who will help lift my vision, those who will teach me new things I couldn't learn elsewhere, and those that will bring me back down to earth.

👉 More about all things impact technology can be found at Harrison.ai and Ripple

find more actions

Reads & resources

• Harrison.AI has just launched an awesome podcast series called Millions which chats with tech people from some of the best and biggest success stories around

• Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think will expand your mind on how to respond to the crises and opportunities of the future

• Sign up for this event on the 1st June to hear about climate, health and AI, join the Climate Salad community to connect with people working in the climate tech space, or learn how AI can be used against modern day slavery at this conference

• International Intrigue is a daily newsletter written by ex-diplomats that keeps you across the big stuff in foreign affairs, and helps lift the context you see your impact work playing in

• Tech for Good share how big data can solve humanitarian challenges, and the Centre For Humane Technology has a free course for professionals who are shaping tomorrow's tech

• If you’re interested in learning more about careers in impact and tech, take a look at econome (their third climate careers cohort is open now 👀), Startmate’s Climate Tech Fellowship, and 80 000 Hours’ many resources in this space

Food for thought

• “It's not a faith in technology. It's faith in people.” – Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple

• “Technology gives us the facilities that lessen the barriers of time and distance – the telegraph and cable, the telephone, radio, and the rest.” – Emily Greene Balch, Economist and Nobel Prize Winner

• “Even if you fail in doing something ambitious, you usually succeed in doing something important.” – Peter H. Diamandis, Founder of XPRIZE Foundation

Our next potluck is coming up

Bring a dish and your curiosity for a night of great conversation, inspiring guest speakers, and good food – it's our second-ever HFG potluck!

This will be a wholesome evening in a NY-style loft in Chippendale, Sydney where you get to dive your culture, your story, and your passion for impact over a meal as we celebrate stories happening in the Humans For Good community.

When: 6pm, Tuesday 30 May
Where: 19-23 Wellington Street, Chippendale, Sydney
Guests: Kirstin Hunter (Co-Founder at Future Super, former Brighte exec, Chairperson at Ocean Impact Organisation, and Managing Director at Techstars in Sydney) and Veronica Mason (high-performance coach and Finalist for the Out For Australia Role Model of the Year award)
Bring: A dish 🍱

We have limited spots, so if you'd like to join us please grab your ticket ASAP 😄

🥘 grab your potluck ticket 🥘

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Humans For Good is a platform for anyone with an interest in social impact and innovation. We believe that a bit of good can go a long way, and hope to mobilise purpose-driven people to action via our newsletter, community and database.

Keep in touch:

🗞️ Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to learn about topics from being conscious with your capital, to living more sustainably and starting a purpose-driven career
🌟 Join us on Slack to find events, opportunities, and a diverse bunch of likeminded humans - or follow us on LinkedIn for regular job & events roundups
☕ Reach out to good people for good chats with Coffee Club

Spread the good:

👀 Browse our database of small actions with big impact
💸 Offer a discount for the community

See you next month,

— Harry, Georgia, and the team from Humans For Good

Humans have caused the extinction of at least 571 species since 1750. But, we have the opportunity in our lifetimes to make sure the remaining species (including us) can thrive 💚

Because despite all this talk about a Mars colony, terraforming and all these wonderful things, there isn't a planet B – and we need to start healing the earth we have so that we all have a home 🌏

This month’s newsletter is talking biodiversity, in celebration of Earth Day, which marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. You’ll hear from Camille Goldstone-Henry, the Co-Founder and CEO of Xylo Systems, as we dive into what you need to know about biodiversity and why it matters to all of our futures. Happy reading!

4 things we need to know about investing in biodiversity for our planet's health, by Camille Goldstone-Henry - wildlife scientist, Kamilaroi woman and Co-Founder and CEO of Xylo Systems

1. Biodiversity loss has significant economic impacts. Roughly $44 trillion in value creation (or half of the world's GDP) is dependent on biodiversity and its services. With species disappearing faster than ever in human history, this presents huge impacts on agricultural productivity, healthcare costs, climate stability and the cost of raw materials.

2. Re-wilding may be the key to fighting climate change. Animals play a significant role in how much carbon plants, soil and sediments can capture. A recent report found the re-wilding (that is the reintroduction of wildlife into historical ranges) species would help limit global warming to less than the 1.5°C.

3. Protecting and restoring biodiversity is great for business. Biodiversity conservation can provide new economic benefits, such as creating new markets and revenue streams like ecotourism, sustainable agriculture, green energy and biotechnology.

4. Collaboration is key to successful biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity conservation is a complex issue that requires collaboration across sectors and stakeholders. Successful conservation and regeneration efforts require partnerships between governments, businesses, technology, NGOs, traditional owners and local communities. Australia's proposed Nature Repair Market is a great example of how we can create more effective solutions to halt the biodiversity crisis, and create thriving global economies.

👉 More about all things biodiversity can be found at Xylo.Systems

find more actions

Reads & resources

• Have a read of The Living Planet report to understand our biodiversity crisis and how we can look after the natural world – from our individual, day-to-day choices to global change, especially in our food, finance and governance systems

• Xylo Systems' new Nature Positive Network podcast is uncovering the people at the intersection of biodiversity, business and technology who are helping us conserve and regenerate nature

• Stay up to date about all things biodiversity market news with Biodiversity Pulse Weekly

• If you’re working on an initiative that is tackling some of our most pressing environmental and conservation challenges, register your interest in Taronga’s Hatch accelerator program

• If you are looking for a way to increase the awareness of the environment at your workplace - consider organising a nature-based experience with NatureBoss

Food for thought

• “The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water and air. It is the most precious thing we have and we need to defend it.” - Sir David Attenborough, Broadcaster and Environmental Advocate

• “People still do not understand that a live fish is more valuable than a dead one, and that destructive fishing techniques are taking a wrecking ball to biodiversity.” - Sylvia Earle, American Marine Biologist

• “Animals are, like us, endangered species on an endangered planet, and we are the ones who are endangering them, it, and ourselves. They are innocent sufferers in a hell of our making.” – Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Animal Rights Activist

Accelerate your career in impact

If you were to pursue a career in social impact, where would you start? Econome and Greenfluence are answering this question in their free impact career accelerator. Sign up for the 4-week cohort to learn about key roles in social impact, from experts at Alectro, The Freedom Hub, Global Impact Initiative, and Atlassian.

sign up for free

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Humans For Good is a platform for anyone with an interest in social impact and innovation. We believe that a bit of good can go a long way, and hope to mobilise purpose-driven people to action via our newsletter, community and database.

Keep in touch:

🗞️ Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to learn about topics from being conscious with your capital, to living more sustainably and starting a purpose-driven career
🌟 Join us on Slack to find events, opportunities, and a diverse bunch of likeminded humans - or follow us on LinkedIn for regular job & events roundups
☕ Reach out to good people for good chats with Coffee Club

Spread the good:

👀 Browse our database of small actions with big impact
💸 Offer a discount for the community

See you next month,

— Harry, Georgia, and the team from Humans For Good

Happy International Women’s Day one and all 🎉

Our newsletter is arriving a little early this month – we’re keen to celebrate IWD and think about how we can go beyond the cupcakes and morning teas, and take action toward a gender equal future all year round.

In the spirit of this year’s IWD theme, “Cracking the Code: Innovation for a Gender Equal Future,” we’ve curated initiatives that are all about empowering women, 8 critical (and practical) insights around being a financial feminist, and a bunch of resources created by and for women who are pioneering change. Enjoy 💪

Back gender equality on the daily

☕ Meet a friend at this cafe that’s working to end modern slavery in Australia
🛍️ Purchase totes, candles and more from this social enterprise supporting women who have survived abuse
👚 Donate your gently used clothes and empower women to achieve economic independence
🎁 Buy gifts from this delivery service that employs women experiencing homeless
🍲 Cater your next event with this business that helps women break free from the cycle of disadvantage
🫶 Gather pads, tampons, menstrual cups and more to help end period poverty
👩‍🍳 Try these recipes to support women experiencing family violence and learn about life-changing acts of kindness
👀 Browse this directory of women and non-binary owned businesses in Australia

find more actions

8 things we need to know about being financial feminists, by Christina Hobbs - Co-Founder and CEO of Verve (Australia’s first super fund & investment platform tailored for women)

1. Be in control of your finances. It was only 55 years ago that married women in Australia were allowed to keep their jobs after they got married – and only in the 1980s that women no longer needed a man’s approval on a home loan. Most financial companies in Australia were originally founded by men, with a male customer in mind. The act of being in control and on top of your finances is in itself a feminist act!

2. Talk money. Women talking money is a still a societal taboo – so talk money with your partner, your children, your friends. Talk about your salary with your coworkers. Knowledge is power, and money is power. So build both by breaking the silence.

3. Shop with women and non-binary owned and led business. This one is as simple as it sounds. Whether you’re shopping locally or not,  buying from women-owned businesses is a way of supporting systems change.

4. Invest in equality. “Money and power can liberate, only if they are used to do so” – Maya Angelou. From making personal donations, to where you choose to invest your superannuation – the way you use your money can have a profound impact on driving the world towards equality.

5. Advocate for equality in your workplace. Negotiating your own salary is one thing. But if you’re a highly valued employee, how about using your organisational capital to bring other women with you? Request organisational level pay-gap transparency, equal parental leave rights for men and women and birthing parent and non-birthing parent, and/or request that all parents continue to get paid superannuation while on parental leave.

6. Be a money feminist in your relationship. Ensure that both/all partners in a relationship have an understanding of how finances are being managed, and equal say. Itemise the hours of unpaid work in the relationship and ensure they are being equally distributed, alongside paid work commitments. Most importantly, consider how to make money fair in your relationship as you start to have children.

7. Teach your children about money and inequality. Address sexist money stereotypes that you see with your children (i.e. don’t, as my parents did, make the film Pretty Woman a family movie night favourite without some critical analysis). Model good financial behaviours in your own relationship and encourage broader conversations about economic and financial equality.

8. Don't believe the trope that women are bad with money. It feels like every other week, there’s a new survey showing that women are less confident and skilled at managing money than men. The reality is that men and women compare similarly on most metrics of money management – with men being more confident and experienced with wealth building, and women typically feeling more confident and skilled with managing budgets and day-to-day finance. 

👉 More around all things financial feminism can be found at VerveSuper.com.au and VerveMoney.com.au

Reads & resources

• Get money savvy and take control of your financial future with Ladies Finance Club’s resources and the She’s on the Money podcast

• Check out Code Like a Girl and SheCodes to learn to code, break into tech and build the future, or register your business with Female Owned for tailored support

• Level up your gender allyship practices with Better TogetHER

• Change the culture around sexual consent with Consent Labs and Teach Us Consent

Food for thought

• “Being a feminist means believing that every woman should be able to use her voice and pursue her potential, and that women and men should all work together to take down the barriers and end the biases that still hold women back.”  — Melinda Gates, Philanthropist and Businesswoman

• “A woman that makes a logical and rational financial decision is a woman who raises a son that expects women to enter the workforce; is a woman who raises a daughter who recognises her place in the future.” — Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the US

• “In all the roles we occupy from the mother and grandmother, to the carers of our families and communities, to the CEO, artist, activist, scientist and doctor, we have many gifts, talents and so much to contribute. Each one of us has a right to our distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices. As Indigenous women, we should feel confident to be all of who we are in Australia today, while remaining secure in our identities. We should not be coerced, and never feel the need to assimilate to be successful.” - Ms June Oscar AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

• “Economic equity is enormous empowerment of women. Having jobs that provide income means that women can be a more effective force, a more equal force, in the political process.” – Betty Friedan, Feminist Writer and Activist

• “Budgeting your money is the key to having enough.” – Elizabeth Warren, Legal Scholar and Democratic U.S. Senator

Gather ‘round our potlucks

In some exciting news, we’re hosting potluck dinners to celebrate Harmony Day on Tuesday, March 21st 🥘 Happening across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, members of the community will be gathering around home-cooked meals and getting to know each other a lil better. We have limited spots for this one, so please RSVP if you’re keen to join us 👉

RSVP

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Humans For Good is a platform for anyone with an interest in social impact and innovation. We believe that a bit of good can go a long way, and hope to mobilise purpose-driven people to action via our newsletter, community and database.

Keep in touch:

🗞️ Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to learn about topics from being conscious with your capital, to living more sustainably and starting a purpose-driven career
🌟 Join us on Slack to find events, opportunities, and a diverse bunch of likeminded humans - or follow us on LinkedIn for regular job & events roundups
☕ Reach out to good people for good chats with Coffee Club

Spread the good:

👀 Browse our database of small actions with big impact
💸 Offer a discount for the community

See you in April,

— Georgia, Lyndal, Ilakkiya, Harry and the team from Humans For Good

Hey there humans 👋

In this month’s dispatch, we’re diving deep into the world of community-led development. When it comes to doing good with and for others (whether at home or internationally), how can we listen and understand, empower communities to take the lead, and make the right change happen?

Read on for 5 things you need to know about community-led development, an exploration of ways that we can make a difference for people impacted by the recent Syrian and Turkish earthquakes, and a bunch of reads and resources in this space.

5 things we need to know about community-led development, by Jane Body - Co-Founder of Think Forward

1. Listen first. So many people enter the sector with good intentions, but very little understanding of the communities they want to help. When you take time to listen first, you'll find a wealth of local expertise with solutions that simply need resourcing

2. Interrogate the history of the sector. When many of the global institutions central to the sector were formed, many countries were still under colonial rule. A majority of the countries the aid system was built to help had no part in its creation. It's SO IMPORTANT to reflect on this and understand how that perpetuates a legacy of exclusion that still exists today

3. Embrace community-led practices. Those closest to their challenges will always be best placed to implement solutions. Partner, work together, sure! But always, always take your lead from the communities most impacted

4. Advocate for unrestricted funding. When we restrict funding, we restrict a community's ability to support themselves holistically. Unrestricted funding means that a community can prioritise their needs and respond to issues as they arise. No issue exists in its own bubble – everything is interconnected and funding practices should reflect that reality

5. Embrace complexity. This is my favourite piece of advice and the most important lesson I've learned. There is no silver bullet or blanket approach to fix all the world's biggest challenges. Every community requires solutions as unique as they are. It makes things complex, but it also makes things beautiful. There aren't any shortcuts to creating sustainable change, so we may as well slow down and do things right! 

👉 Although Jane's thoughts and the resources she's shared relate mostly to the global development sector, the takeaways can be applied in most settings when working with communities

Recommended reads & resources

• Check out this philanthropic funding model that goes hand in hand with trusting the decisions of community and grassroots leaders

• Take a look at the Movement For Community-led Development which provides information and resources to help understand the topic

• Listen to this podcast around why blanket approaches from the outside in don’t work, and how there needs to be flexibility for each community to do what works for them

• Watch this TEDx talk on sustainable community development

• Follow these two Insta accounts (@mama_hope and @thousand_currents) to better understand community-led development and build your knowledge about the topic

• Have a read of this good guide to spot true community ownership, or this blog post about how community-led development positively impacts local economies

Taking action about the Syria & Turkey earthquake

• Learn more about the crisis via the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

• Support Amal Al-Salihah – a local not-for-profit organisation based in Sydney which was founded by four Turkish migrants who provide support to their home country, or this grassroots campaign which is raising funds for AHBAP Association

• Browse The Latch’s list of organisations that are directly supporting rescue efforts on the ground in Turkey and Syria, and several relief organisations seeking to raise funds to assist that were profiled by The Guardian

👉 Scammers often take advantage of disasters to pose as fake charities, so please be wary

Food for thought

• “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller, Author, Disability Rights Advocate and Political Activist

• “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” – African Proverb

• "There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about" – Margaret J. Wheatley, Writer, Teacher and Speaker

• “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples” – Mother Teresa

Good chats with good humans

Finally – a cheeky plug for Coffee Club ☕ From impact investing, to volunteering, mentoring and simply having interesting conversations, this is a space for likeminded people to find each other and opportunities to do good. Reach out to those listed for a 1-1 chat, and sign up if you’re open to grabbing a virtual or irl coffee.

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Humans For Good is a platform for anyone with an interest in social impact and innovation. We believe that a bit of good can go a long way, and hope to mobilise purpose-driven people to action via our newsletter, community and database.

Keep in touch:

🗞️ Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to learn about topics from being conscious with your capital, to living more sustainably and starting a purpose-driven career
🌟 Join us on Slack to find events, opportunities, and a diverse bunch of likeminded humans - or follow us on LinkedIn for regular job & events roundups
☕ Reach out to good people for good chats with Coffee Club

Spread the good:

👀 Browse our database of small actions with big impact
💸 Offer a discount for the community

Until next time,

— Georgia, Todd, Harry and the team from Humans For Good

Happy ‘23 humans 👋 We hope you’ve some quality time to switch off, and that the new year is treating you well!

Creative madman, James Victore, is renowned for saying that “things that make you weird as a kid will make you great tomorrow.”

What he means is that the things that make you come alive already exist within you. Building a purposeful career is the process of activating these, and finding alignment between your skills, causes you believe in, and the impact you can have on the world around you. In the process, our everyday lives get a huge glow up.

In our first dispatch for the year, we’re diving into (you guessed it) – how we can find purpose in our work. Keep scrolling for 10 things you should know about building a purpose-driven career, our favourite resources & job boards in this space, and an event with our friends at Ripple, which will talk about social impact jobs that you didn’t know existed 👀

As an aside, if you’re looking for a way to acknowledge and celebrate First Nations people tomorrow, be sure to head over to our roundup of Survival Day & Invasion Day events 🖤💛❤️

That’s all folks – enjoy!

10 things I hate about you love about purpose-driven careers, by Skye Riggs - Co-Founder of Ripple

1. You spend ⅓ of your life at work (something like 80,000 hours) – so pursuing a purposeful career is a great way to maximise the positive impact you have on the things you care about most. Plus, it can bring you greater fulfilment and joy to your life, helping you to do better work and create even more impact. Triple impact 🎉

2. There are so many exciting paths to pursue when it comes to purpose-driven work (you should totally do it!). Being an activist or working for a non-profit is just the tip of the iceberg (one that we should 100% stop from melting) when it comes to the purpose economy. You can explore everything from climate tech and ethical finance, to community management in the circular economy, data roles in human rights, or communications for a social enterprise tackling gender equity. The point is, if you have something you care about, there are a myriad of opportunities and roles that exist where you can align your skills to help tackle these issues.

3. You don’t have to work in the area you studied or started working in. It’s likely that you’ll have more than a dozen jobs across multiple sectors. There can be a bunch of non-linear stepping stones (zig zags) and things that aren’t quite the right fit (“fails”) in between, and that’s a good thing! It’s the sum of these parts that add up to a career, and it’s the overall trajectory that you need to be intentional about (more on how to do this later).

4. How do you know if you’re on the right path? Check your compass. You’re not only likely to work across multiple jobs and sectors, but in most cases, the causes or issues you want to take action on won't be limited to just one thing. So, what’s the common denominator? Generally, your core values won’t shift dramatically, and these can be an incredible north star and anchor as you navigate a purpose-driven career (see aforementioned zig zags and fails).

5. Start with your passion, but please don’t end there. Passion is powerful and will carry you a long way. It’s essential for staying the course when tackling complex issues. However, passion alone is not enough to create impact. Consider what your strengths, experiences and skills are and how these can be applied to best generate impact. Additionally, always be community led – the people impacted by the problem know best.

6. Building a portfolio of experience will help you break into the area you want. In addition to jobs, things like volunteering, advisory or consulting, community work, international programs, or accelerators can help you gain relevant experience towards your overall purpose-driven career goals. Social innovation and the future workforce both require creative problem solving, and expanding your exposure to different problems and sectors will enable you to offer a broader perspective necessary for innovative problem solving. Knowing where to find these can be hard, which is why we curate all these types of experiences on our Ripple Opportunities Board.

7. Establishing a peer network that shares your core values is one of the most powerful things you can do to set yourself up for a purpose-driven career. If you care about social change, you’ll likely have heaps of ideas. Bringing these to life will take collective wisdom, and you can’t predict what you’ll need – so having an awesome crew of people you trust and who trust you is essential.

8. Purpose driven work will become the norm. You can be part of the movement to make it happen. You can help do this by advocating within your current workplace, using your consumer power, and actively participating in democratic processes (in addition to voting).

9. Even if you can’t find the right fit now, you should still get started (because some of these roles don’t even exist yet). For example, I got to work at Airbnb helping non-profits leverage their platform to engage new audiences and generate revenue. However, Airbnb didn’t exist when I studied community development and was working in roles that eventually gave me the right skills to be a good fit for this opportunity. Taking action in a way that aligns with your values and purpose will eventually lead you to the opportunities that make sense for you, and enable you to maximise your impact.

10. Don’t rule yourself out because you’re not “expert” enough. Focus on growing your experience and moving towards where you can create the most impact. To shift systems, we need everyone involved and taking action is the best way to grow your expertise. When it comes to impact, there are many frameworks and levers for change. Top level, go beyond asking 'how much' and ask – ‘so what?’

Recommended reads & resources

• Read about all things purpose, with Designing Your Life, Feck Perfuction: Dangerous Ideas on the Business of Life, Ikigai, and Doing Good Better

• New year, new you. Find a job on Ripple Opportunities, Pro Bono Australia, Ethical Jobs, B Work, 80,000 Hours, or Escape the City (UK & Europe)

• Be inspired by other humans doing good work in the Humans Of Purpose podcast, 100 Climate Conversations, and Dumbo Feather

• Get to know likeminded people in the Humans For Good community, or have a look at our list of other impact communities around the globe

• Level up with courses around social impact topics by Acumen Academy, University of Cambridge, Small Giants Academy and University of Oxford

• Spend your time carefully and check out this exploration of time management in the face of human finitude (this one hits hard)

Have other suggestions? Join our Slack community and add them to the #reads-and-resources channel.

Food for thought

• “Living coherently doesn't mean everything is in perfect order all the time. It means you are living in alignment with your values and have not sacrificed your integrity along the way.”― Bill Burnett, Author and Academic

• “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ― Howard Thurman, Theologian

• "Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve."— Mary Kay Ash, Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics

• "Your career is like a garden. It can hold an assortment of life's energy that yields a bounty for you. You do not need to grow just one thing in your garden. You do not need to do just one thing in your career." — Jennifer Ritchie Payette, Author

• "Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning."— Gloria Steinem, Journalist

Wanna learn more?

Ten impact guides. Two minutes each. Join us online on Tuesday the 31st Jan (6pm - 7pm) to hear from Humans For Good x Ripple trailblazers sharing the unexpected skills, fork in the road moments, and decisions that helped them forge purposeful careers.

RSVP on LinkedIn to be there ✌️

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Humans For Good is a platform for anyone with an interest in social impact and innovation. We believe that a bit of good can go a long way, and hope to mobilise purpose-driven people to action via our newsletter, community and database.

Keep in touch:
🗞️ Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to learn about topics from being conscious with your capital, to living more sustainably and starting a purpose-driven career
🌟 Join us on Slack to find events, opportunities, and a diverse bunch of likeminded humans - or follow us on LinkedIn for regular job & events roundups
☕ Reach out to good people for good chats with Coffee Club

Spread the good:
👀 Browse our database of small actions with big impact
💸 Offer a discount for the community

Until next time,
— Georgia, Harry and the team from Humans For Good

Hey friends 👋

If you’re like us and still have some Christmas shopping to do (but want to make it ethical and sustainable), we’ve got you.

Our final newsletter for 2022 is about having a positive impact through the gifts we give, and the people and places that we purchase these from. Keep reading for last-minute ideas for the festive season, and a few gift giving tips for all year round. If you’re looking for extra inspo, head over to this list of 200 good gifts by The Guardian.

Thanks for opening up your inboxes to our lil newsletter this year – and to every single human who contributed their time, insights and stories to the community.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and see you in 2023,
— Humans For Good (Georgia, Todd & team) 💛

Last-minute gift inspo

🐅 Stand in solidarity with cacao farmers with this ethical chocolate Christmas bundle
🎈 Gift an experience, a cooking class, or a donation to a charity of choice
🛍 Pick a unique pre-loved item from your local op shop
🌱 Create a greener tomorrow with food you can grow at home
👩‍🚀 Inspire the next generation with this book about little people who had big dreams
💳 Look at heaaaps of gift card options out there including for second-hand designer clothes, or products made by migrant women or First Nations founders
🍓 DIY it by making a batch of cookies, or jam out of seasonal produce
🥤 Express order Frank Green reusables, or find these near you
🎁 Wrap your gifts in spare fabric (otherwise known as ‘furoshiki’)
💡 Find 200 other last-minute good gifts in The Guardian’s guide

4 things we need to know about ethical gift giving

Amy Crookes leads Environmental Social Governance at EY and recently created her own festive gift guide for partners and staff. Based on her research and experience, Amy has shared her thoughts around making gift giving more ethical, impactful and sustainable (at any time of the year):

1. There are a wide range of ways you can make your gifts and events more impactful. Think about venues, hampers, wrapping paper, stocking fillers, or Secret Santa gifts.

2. A great starting point is to search through databases that are run by certifying bodies like Supply Nation, Amotai, WEConnect International and Social Traders to identify good businesses. Not only do you receive a quality product that you would have purchased anyway, but you’re creating a ripple effect of economic, community, social and environmental change at the same time.

3. Dig a little deeper and make your research collaborative. Reach out for ideas on socials, get to know the people behind the businesses, and then share what you find so that others can learn better ways to give.

4. Listen to podcasts like Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles. She has really broadened my First Nations knowledge and has guests that run incredible, purpose-driven businesses.

Food for thought

• “Buy less, choose well, make it last.” Vivienne Westwood, Designer

• “It isn’t enough looking for quality in the products we buy, we must ensure there is quality in the lives of the people who make them.” Orsola De Castro, Fashion Designer and Author

• “If we want to move towards a low-polluting, sustainable society, we need to get consumers to think about their purchases.” David Suzuki, Academic

• “If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, designed or removed from production.” Pete Seeger, Singer

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Humans For Good is a platform for anyone with an interest in social impact and innovation. We believe that a bit of good can go a long way, and hope to mobilise purpose-driven professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and students to action.

Keep in touch:
🗞️ Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to learn about topics from being conscious with your capital, to living more sustainably and starting a purpose-driven career
🌟 Join us on Slack to find events, opportunities, and a diverse bunch of likeminded humans - or follow us on LinkedIn for regular roundups
☕ Reach out to good people for good chats with Coffee Club

Spread the good:
👀 Browse our database of small actions with big impact
💸 Offer a discount for the community

See you soon,
— Georgia and the team from Humans For Good

Hello and welcome to another edition of Humans For Good 👋

Indigenous Business Month has just come to an end but its message (“Actions Today, Impact Tomorrow”) is as important as ever. Our November newsletter is all about backing the Indigenous community, by not only saying the right things - but by listening first, taking action with authenticity (and without fear), and staying accountable to our commitments.

Read on to find 5 things to keep in mind when collaborating with Indigenous businesses, a few great brands to shop with, and resources for levelling up your understanding of this space. To learn more, don’t miss our conversation with Nathan Lovett a couple of weeks back.

Deadly businesses to get behind

🍫 Send Christmas hampers with Australian botanical-infused chocolates
🎨 Decorate your home with art that tells stories (currently 40% off 😉)
☀️ Gift these stunning kids clothes, inspired by Aussie bush, desert and sea
🛍️ Browse Trading Blak to shop for Christmas gifts and more
🍿 Snack on or stock popcorn that is flavoured with native Australian ingredients
🌠 Read this illustrated science book to kids in your life
✊ Stand in solidarity, wear your values and spark conversations with these tees
🏃‍♀️ Exercise with activewear and yoga mats that feature Indigenous designs
👨‍🍳 Learn to cook using native flavours, or visit the Mabu Mabu kitchen in Melbourne
🍻 Choose this non-alcoholic beer for your EOY parties

5 things we need to know about working with the Indigenous community, by Nathan Lovett

Nathan Lovett shares his thoughts around how we can learn from, collaborate with and generally back Indigenous businesses.

1. Whether you’re hiring, investing or running a program with Indigenous communities: listen first, and always get a representative in the room who can share and contribute to the decision-making and building process

2. In order to avoid black cladding (where businesses appear to be Indigenous-led but are not), do your due diligence and get to know the businesses that you work with. You can also use up & coming platforms like Trading Blak and connect with local Indigenous business chambers like NSWICC and Kinaway 

3. There’s heaps of opportunity for Indigenous businesses to invest back in their community; both financially and in helping to boost capability (this is already happening!)

4. If we’re looking to support Indigenous communities, we need to ask ourselves whether our work is making the change we claim that it is. There can be a disparity between the commitments being made, and actually making these happen. There needs to be accountability and research about the effectiveness of all Indigenous programs

5. In the pursuit of collaborating with Indigenous business and communities, it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you have made a genuine effort, are not hiding or misrepresenting anything, and you are involving the voices of Indigenous people. Learn from this and let the community guide you

learn more

Recommended reads & resources

• Follow the @blackbusiness or @abcindigenous on Insta to understand and discuss Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander topics

• Check out podcasts like Always Our Stories, Black Magic Women, Deadly Podcasts, Indigipreneur Podcast and Pretty for an Aboriginal (more here)

• Attend the First & Forever festival in Victoria on Sunday November 27; a celebration of First Nations culture, music and excellence

• Browse TradingBlak, Kinaway, Supply Nation and NSWICC for amazing Indigenous-led businesses to shop and work with

• Have a read of the Backing Black Business report to learn about the unique barriers Indigenous businesses face while accessing funding

Have other suggestions? Join our Slack community and add them to the #reads-and-resources channel.

Food for thought

• “Reconciliation will not work if it puts a higher value on symbolic gestures rather than the practical needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in areas like health, housing, education and employment.” Warren Mundine AO, Aboriginal Community Leader

• “The tide is turning, I can feel it. People are starting to understand how important Indigenous culture is. Our mindfulness, our intuitiveness and our connection to our environment are being sought out; looked to as a panacea in this busy and chaotic world we live in.” Dion Devon, ACT NAIDOC Person of the Year

• “We have our eye on the same destination – a sustainable future where Indigenous people are recognised for their wisdom and honoured for their culture – there is no problem taking a different path to reach that place.” Kirstie Parker, ex CEO of National Centre of Indigenous Excellence

• “Here in Australia we’re fortunate enough to have one of the richest and oldest continuing cultures in the world. This is something we should all be proud of and celebrate.” Dr Tom Calma AO, Co-Chair Reconciliation Australia

A few good offers

• Attend the ImpactX Summit with a 20% discount, or grab a startup ticket for $49

• Run an event with Butter and get 30% off the first 3 months using HFG30

• Build a website with Pory and enter HUMANS_FOR_GOOD for 20% off all plans

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Humans For Good is a platform for anyone with an interest in social impact and innovation. We believe that a bit of good can go a long way, and hope to mobilise purpose-driven professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and students to action via our newsletter, community and database.

Keep in touch:
🗞️ Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to learn about topics from being conscious with your capital, to living more sustainably and starting a purpose-driven career
🌟 Join us on Slack to find events, opportunities, and a diverse bunch of likeminded humans - or follow us on LinkedIn for regular roundups
☕ Reach out to good people for good chats with Coffee Club

Spread the good:
👀 Browse our database of small actions with big impact
💸 Offer a discount for the community

Until next time,
— Georgia and the team from Humans For Good

During Indigenous Business Month, I had the honour of sitting down for a chat with Nathan Lovett at the brand new Western Sydney Startup Hub. Nathan is a proud descendant of the Yuin people and has been working to create employment and education pathways for First Nations people for almost two decades; from the education system as a teacher, to the world of business in roles at Westpac, the NSW Government and more recently, The National Indigenous Culinary Institute. We wanted to find out how startup founders, supporters and operators can learn from and collaborate with the Indigenous business sector. 

So to kick things off, Nathan, do you wanna tell us a little bit about yourself and your story?

The work that I've been doing for the last 16, 17 years has been really targeted towards one - young people, and two - young Indigenous and Torres Strait people. I've taught and worked in schools here in Western Sydney and other places, and have seen the impact of being able to work really closely one on one with young people and in particular, young people from my culture. Everything that I try to stay attached to whilst helping our young people is that economic participation - so the careers, and the employment that is attached to education. Along the way, I've started and ran businesses and side hustles.

Something I've noticed is how diverse that Indigenous businesses are, and the huge array of industries represented. Can you tell us a bit about the Indigenous business sector, how it operates differently to other ecosystems and what makes it unique? Are there any particular types of businesses that you've noticed popping up?

The obvious one is the Indigenous consultant. There’s lots of consultants because there’s a need for more of us to be guiding. The low hanging fruit options kind of lead us to where the low hanging fruit is as well. So as there's funding and specific commitments from companies, particularly in the construction sector, we're seeing a lot of labor type businesses being started. Typically Indigenous businesses have been attracted to the safe boundaries so we're not necessarily getting that large scale and huge capability. I’ve also noticed that the Indigenous business ecosystem is not getting the huge investment that other companies would, for whatever reason - whether it's our capability to sell ourselves or if we have the right skill sets and the development that comes with that, but we are not receiving major investment from the private sector.

So how do we go about investing in and working with Indigenous business, and making sure that it is not tokenistic?

Authenticity always shines through. There's been the same problem in business for ages - we’ve got all white fellas making the decisions. Women and young people have been left out too. Don’t invite us into a room and tell us that you want to engage with Indigenous people, but fail to give us the opportunity to really talk and share and contribute to the decision making and building process. If you're thinking of anything to do with Indigenous communities; whether investing in Indigenous business or hiring Indigenous people, get a representative in the room and give us a voice. Take this same approach with any culture or minority - so at least at the very starting point, you've got the right person to share. The other day I learned that a disabled person is the chair for the Special Olympic community for the first time. I was just speechless. I had no response. Are they not capable? Of course they are. So why aren’t they leading? 

Another piece of advice is to work with us quickly, rather than holding us up and putting up red tape. For example at a company I was working for previously, I wanted to get a cake that was made by an Indigenous supplier - but they were overly cautious and it needed to go through the proper channels and not break any rules. Getting the supplier onto the supply chain was such a headache that I ended up paying for the cake myself, along with a $1000 consulting fee for the Elder who baked it to come in and talk (because I wasn’t just gonna buy her cake without giving her the chance to share her journey).

Black cladding is a big issue to consider in this space (when a business appears to be Indigenous, but actually is not). How do we make sure that the businesses we work with are definitely Indigenous owned? 

Black cladding often steals the bigger money away. It got started because there were all these RAPS and contracts and financial spend commitments that organisations have got within their supply chain. When money comes into things, people will do the wrong thing and get pretty greedy. You’ll see people get taken advantage of - whether it's by starting a business that is misrepresenting Indigenous business, or by using an Indigenous person for money. 

For example, I met this kid not too long ago who was running a cleaning business and told me he was the owner. He was 20 and his mum was saying he had no money, so I was asking how are you doing this all on your own? The kid mentioned his business partner, so I decided to see what’s going on. He introduced me to the guy and he couldn’t have been whiter. We did some research and it turned out that he was being taken for a ride because of the benefits provided to Indigenous businesses. There is lots of money in cleaning - especially during a Covid world. The partner had registered the business in his own name, so that he owns it and has full control. He was turning over 7 figures, but the kid was being paid about 15 bucks per hour to be a cleaner in what was termed his own business, even though it didn’t technically belong to him. And this was happening right here in Sydney. 

I think with any Indigenous business you deal with, it comes down to due diligence. You need to get to know the person or the business, because unfortunately there are those who present themselves as Indigenous but are not. I've even been fooled by a business that had received an award for Indigenous Excellence and had Indigenous artwork on their site. I always look at the about section on their website and what they say. Nine out ten Indigenous businesses are probably going to be proud about where they're from and talk about their background, their culture, and where they are. Usually one give away like this doesn't mean it's right, but it helps. You can also contact Indigenous businesses that you’re working with and ask to confirm a few things about themselves, so that you can get to the bottom of anything that seems off. 

What percentage of the business needs to be Indigenous owned, for it to be considered Indigenous? And where does equity investment come into this? 

I think it should be 100% - but that's a personal opinion. I can only speak based on my experiences. If I was going to supply to the NSW government and advocate for myself being an Indigenous business, I would want it to be 100% Indigenous-owned. 

If you’re a not-for-profit, are you able to access loans and grants? If you're wanting to run a business, you start talking about investment and giving up equity stake. And does that affect ownership? Yep. So it impacts that capability to say, I'm a majority owned, or I am 100% Indigenous-owned. I haven't operated at that scale so don't know how that feels (we get corporate sponsorship and grants). So I don’t know. And that's a part of why we haven't gone to that next stage yet, because we're trying to figure out what it’s meant to look like.

The Dream Venture Masterclasses were all about empowering Indigenous Australians who've been quite successful in business to invest back into their community and build generational wealth. Do you think that's an opportunity? 

I would love to see Indigenous businesses investing in Indigenous community. Michael O’Loughlin is a good example. He runs a really successful cleaning services business and employs a lot of people from community. He’s also got the Go Foundation - so there’s a nice balance in what he does. Indigenous people need to be running more businesses and less not for profits. When you're not for profit, you only have what you receive. When you have a business, you have the ability to grow your wealth and your equity and your financial capabilities.

People like Michael, Adam Goodes, and some others that I know have used their sporting careers or their platforms to grow businesses, which is important. Charles Prouse too - he's out doing amazing consulting work and operates at a high level. There are plenty of Indigenous people out there running really good businesses, and it just gives our younger generation capability. We can do it, and we can do it effectively.

There are so many incredible Indigenous business leaders. How do we find and connect with them? 

It's not as easy as just jumping online and searching - “find me an Indigenous business”. There's Trading Blak which is a new up and coming database of Indigenous businesses, and pretty cool. Here in NSW, there is the Indigenous Business Chamber (NSWICC) and down in Victoria, there’s something similar and even bigger called Kinaway. There are some really great, innovative things coming through for Indigenous community and business in Victoria. 

It is Indigenous Business Month and the slogan is ‘actions today, impact tomorrow.’ How do we make sure our work is actually being effective? 

I would like to see research on the effectiveness of all the Indigenous programs and commitments, and whether we're actually doing the right thing. I advocated for this and almost did it as a doctorate, but no university would pick it up. We need to ask - is our work having a huge impact? Is it making the change that we claim it has? Is it the right vehicle to have the impact, and is it happening at the right stage? Being a teacher - my pedagogical approach is that to significantly make an impact on things like literacy, numeracy, attendance rates and the connectivity between our community and education, it’s got to start earlier and at a younger age. 

How can you help a year nine student who's already 30 months behind in literacy and numeracy skills? You're trying to catch them up and at the same time, taking them out of class to do so. Right now I've got my twin boys in kindergarten and they both have reading difficulties. So they're already starting behind the ball and are working on trying to fix that before they go in year one. So we've got large amounts of disparity in that education piece and need to make changes earlier on. 

Before our chat, you asked me where we are on this journey? Are we doing well or not? Some days you feel really good and you see great things happening. Then you see things like Rio Tinto and they destroy 30,000 year old caves, and a 15 year old kid gets racially abused, murdered. It can be up and down. It can be good, it can be bad. 

The commitments are there, but there’s a huge disparity between these and actually making them work. The Indigenous community has a responsibility on our side to hold the person who makes the commitment accountable. We need to be knocking their door down and going, “hey, you've made these commitments - where is the action?” In 2019, I think it was 12 CEOs of CBA, Westpac, KPMG, PWC and more who stood up and said - we're going to commit 3% of our supply chain span to Indigenous business. Who's going to evaluate it and say, did they achieve this?

After Indigenous business month, I’m making it my own mission to find out what happened to all the supply chain commitments. What are all these CEOs doing within their businesses to honour the public commitments that they made to the community? I didn't see anything from these companies during Indigenous business month. So I want to see what they’re doing, and am going to hold them to account.

Finally - I feel like there's a lot of good intentions and a lot of goodwill, but people are often a bit hesitant about how to take action in this space. So how do we overcome any fear, educate ourselves and actively listen to the Indigenous community in order to run programs and to invest and hire? 

A lot of great accomplishments come from mistakes first. It's okay to make mistakes as long as you're genuine about it - as opposed to misrepresenting this or trying to hide it. Just learn from it and let us help you. 

Quite often you see a company try something and they can get absolutely berated for it. As the Indigenous community, we need to not do ourselves a disservice when mistakes are made because at least they tried. I know people and some businesses who have tried to reach out to and consult Indigenous community, but don’t hear back - and they say now they’re getting in trouble for something that they’ve gone ahead with. When you have made the effort and can show this, it's okay to make a mistake - as long as you're not eliminating our involvement. It’s easy to tell if you're just doing it for the sake of it, or if you're doing it authentically and because you believe in it and you tried and you couldn't get the right people to help guide you. 

So as much as possible, make sure that what you’re doing is Indigenous-led. When you’re listening, you usually can't go wrong.

Humans For Good is a platform for anyone with an interest in social impact and innovation. We believe that a bit of good can go a long way, and hope to mobilise purpose-driven people to action via our newsletter, community and database.

Hey humans 👋 We’ve been taking a short siesta and are stoked to be back with a fresh new format. Expect snappy insights from members of the Humans For Good community, across a wide range of interesting & thought-provoking topics - kicking off with impact investing.

Sustainable investing has grown from a relatively small part of the landscape, to becoming a much more mainstream concept - and can be found across everything from everyday banking products, to fixed interest and more exotic options like venture capital. Keep scrolling for 8 things that are worth knowing about this space, a few good reads if you’d like to learn more, and to round it off, some discounts on good products and services.

8 things we need to know about impact investing, by Todd Soulas

Todd has drawn on his background in strategy, consulting and angel investing to bring us a few hot tips for being conscious with our capital.

• Impact investing isn't new but it is still early and as issues such as gender equality, social injustices and climate change continue to grow, the attractiveness of impact investing as a tool to solve problems will likely accelerate further

• Sustainability and ‘impact’ are starting to influence traditional investment processes and those that don’t embrace it are likely to be left behind, as we may see a great repricing of assets in the shift to sustainability

• ESG, SRI and impact investing are all different and have their place in the investment landscape, but they all share the fact that they look beyond the ‘bottom line’ (profits)

• Impact investing often relies on frameworks for assessing and understanding impact, but there are a number of these and they have large amounts of subjectivity and ambiguity. The key is often to use them as lenses through which to view opportunities and support your decision making process, rather than rigid and dogmatic rules to follow

• One of the biggest challenges in impact investing is being able to quantify impact and compare investment opportunities, but tools like Giant Leap’s Impact Calculator are closing this gap

• As the field of impact investing continues to grow, there are incredible opportunities to not only learn, but contribute to and shape its direction by getting involved with events and organisations like Impact Investing Australia or the Centre for Social Impact

• You don’t need to start a fund to impact invest. Platforms like Birchal and even syndicates through Aussie Angels are making it possible without one

• Impact investing sits within the broader investment landscape, so make sure you engage in different communities across startups, innovation, investments, and social impact to understand how it all fits together (and to find the best opportunities)

Recommended reads & listens

👉 Check out our chat with Anne-Marie Elias as we talk getting capital and capability to where it matters most
👋 Introduce yourself to the topic of sustainable investing with this course
🦸🏽‍♀️ Dig a little deeper into impact investing and how capital can help save the world
🎧 Listen to thought-provoking discussions on sustainability & responsible investing
⚖️ Learn about measuring impact and the SDG compliance framework
👣 Receive impact investing news and tips in your inbox and take a look at what the team at Giant Leap use to think about impact

For more, have a read of this list that Vis from Greenfluence curated for Humans For Good - and drop any that we’re missing in the #impact-investing Slack channel.

Food for thought

“It is the best investment to make an impact on others, because even when you’re dead, money alone will not bury you.” — Gift Gugu Mona, Philanthropist

“We need to start to talk about money in ways that dethrone it and make it subject to human ethics and standards of love and decency.” — Joel Solomon, Investor

“One who picks fruit is forgotten quickly, but one who plants trees is remembered enduringly.” ― Matshona Dhliwayo, Philosopher

A few good offers

• Claim $10 free giving credit to gift to any charity on Little Phil

• Attend Purpose Conference (an immersive, two day event for the purpose-driven business community) from the 19th - 20th October with a $50 discount using the code HUMANSFORGOOD - or volunteer by signing up here

• Use your time as effectively as possible and access Rocket’s focus features for 55% off the first 6 months, using the code HFG55 (or download the free version)

• If you’re considering becoming a B Corp, email michelle@definitii.co with the code HFG to book a consulting session with a 10% discount

• Read Dent Global’s book ‘Become a Key Person of Influence,’ free of charge

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Keep in touch:
🌟 Join us on Slack to find events, opportunities, and a diverse bunch of humans with a shared desire to have a positive social & environmental impact
☕ Reach out to good people for good chats with our Coffee Club

Spread the good:
👀 Browse our database of small actions with big impact
💸 Offer a discount for great humans and businesses

Until next time,
— Georgia, and the team from Humans For Good

Howdy humans 👋

What do our oceans, deserts, drains, beaches and waterways have in common? Unfortunately they are filled with our trash, and piles of it! We have floating islands of plastic in the sea, and mountains of landfill around the world — so our third newsletter edition is a call to arms around waste. We all create it, however a lot can be avoided when individuals, businesses and governments are making conscious decisions.

Whether it is reconsidering how we dispose of what we already have when it is no longer of use, what we buy in the first place (and whether we need to buy anything at all!), or how we can influence big brands to do better - we can all have an impact on the amount of waste produced each year and left in the environment.

Keep reading to find a few creative ways to reduce waste, to meet Mia — an expert on all things plastic recycling, and to browse upcoming jobs and events. And lastly if you run a business, make sure to consider signing this open letter to call on our future government to make sustainability and climate action the new normal.

Share Humans For Good

Small actions, big impact

These are just a few of our favourite ways to reduce, reuse and recycle your waste, and live more sustainably all year round:

⚽️ Give a new life to your pre-loved sporting goods
👗 Sell, rent and buy clothes (and much more) via an ethical marketplace
🗑 Recycle more items by scheduling a pickup
💻 Donate your old tech so that it can help others
🥗 Switch to a compostable food wrap
🍸 Grab a cocktail made from surplus produce
👧🏽 Inspire 3-7 year olds to learn about sustainability
🥐 Treat yourself with some discounted baked goods and reduce landfill
👟 Drop off your old joggers and have the rubber used to create recycled matts
🥤 Choose a reusable lid for your mugs and reduce your reliance on single use items
🛁 Remove single use plastics from your bathroom, kitchen and laundry
👩🏽‍🍳 Support Australia’s largest food waste initiative
☕️ Grab coffee from a cafe with zero waste in their front of house operations
🎽 Transform old uniforms into great Australian made products
🛏️ Recycle your old mattress and create jobs while reducing your waste

Find more actions

Humans doing good things

From a corporate job, to recycling plastic in India and working with brands who want to become more sustainable: meet Mia. Read the full story to find out why plastic matters, how it is currently - and should be - recycled, and Mia’s advice for those hoping to reduce their use of this valuable resource.

“The core things that you can do as a consumer is to reduce plastic when you grocery shop, have a grandma mindset, and try reusables. These are great places to start…I think it’s very important for us to change our behaviours as a practice of respect for the earth and to be a better human.

Being sustainable is almost like being polite - it’s a part of being a good person. But where this all gets really effective is with the businesses who produce the plastic. I think that the best and coolest change is when people get together and say wtf - I’ve been using your shampoo for eight years and you’re not doing anything about the turtles? Be a Karen, a keyboard warrior, and someone who tells brands that they’re not doing good enough. They listen.

I’ve seen brands who were absolute polluters do a complete 360 and switch to recycled, Fairtrade plastic and change their supply chains. This is because they want that social proof and know their consumers care about the environment. I’ve also sat in boardrooms with businesses who don’t know what to do as people are trolling them online. Their audience is like what the hell are you doing about climate change?

At the end of the day, the customer is always right. In the same way that Hubspot will remove a feature if their users aren’t happy with it, it’s not that unimaginable for every brand in the world to use recycled plastic. It’s possible, and we need to get on their case about it! Brands created their products for us. So if their customers complain about something enough, they have to change.”

Read the full story

What’s coming up?

Keep an eye out for the following events & opportunities:

19 May - 23 June: HATCH: Idea Generation Program 2022 (Online) - a free six-week online program to help you explore key conservation challenges and develop relevant solutions.
26 May: Sustainable Pitch Party (Torquay) - celebrate emerging sustainable startups in the Surf Coast, Geelong and Bellarine regions.
28 May: Have a Ball for Beyond Blue (Sydney) - Generous Degenerates is hosting a party with a cause. Raise funds for mental health by joining them for a night of DJs, food and beachfront views.
28 - 29 September: Social Enterprise World Forum (Brisbane / Online) - this flagship event for the global social enterprise community is heading to Australia! Bursaries available here.

More waste-related events can be found on Humanitix ♻️

Jobs we love

Work with purpose in the below roles:

✈️ Growth Associate, Content Writer & more with Swoop Aero (Melbourne/hybrid)
♻️ Senior Marketing Associate with Terracycle (Sydney/hybrid)
🩲 Social Impact Executive at ModiBodi (Sydney/hybrid)
🧡 Head of Partnerships & Growth at Wayside Chapel
👩‍🍳 Program Chef at TwoGood Co (Sydney)
🌧️ Communications Specialist with Minderoo Foundation (Sydney/hybrid)
💬 Social and Content Specialist, Product Design Lead & more with Lived (remote)
🎒 DevOps Engineer and FrontEnd Engineer with Canopy Study
🏠 Social Enterprise Operations Manager & Ethical Business Consultant with The Freedom Hub

Pay it forward

A few asks from the community, for the community:

• Sign this open letter on behalf of your business to let our future government know that we need to take climate change seriously, and take action toward renewable energy now

• Julie and Laura are raising awareness for heart health and funds for research. To contribute to their fundraiser, follow the link!

• Help Fiona hit her stretch target and bring a sensory garden to life, where children and adults can learn about the native botanicals in Chocolate On Purpose

Food for thought

“It's surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth.” — Sir David Attenborough, Conservationist

“Fast fashion is not free. Someone somewhere is paying” — Lucy Siegle, Journalist

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” — J.R.R. Tolkien, Author

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Keep in touch:
🌟 Sign up for the waitlist for our community of diverse humans with a shared desire to have a positive social & environmental impact

Spread the good:
👀 Check out our database
📥 Contribute great actions, jobs and events to the website or next newsletter here
🤝 Join our lending team on Kiva to provide a loan and a hand up to women, entrepreneurs, students and refugees around the world

See you next time!
— Humans For Good

Mia’s story is equal parts unconventional and inspiring. An ocean lover since childhood, she has always had a deep respect and admiration for the earth. While working in the corporate world, Mia was constantly coming back to the idea of plastic - so much so that she was dreaming about it. And so she decided to quit life and head abroad, where she became a garbage lady (in Mia’s words) with Plastics For Change in India. Keep reading to find out why plastic matters to Mia, how it is currently - and should be - recycled, and her advice for people hoping to reduce their use of this valuable resource.

What about plastic compelled you to leave a comfortable job and head abroad?

I have been an ocean lover since I was a kid. We grew up by the sea, so with that came a deep connection to and respect for nature. One day I got back from Aldi and stared at my shopping bags, thinking this is insane: where does it all go, if only 9% of plastic gets recycled? I started learning that when we put plastic in the garbage bin, a large proportion of it heads to Asia where it’s put in the ocean or burned. I started watching all these YouTube videos about the plastic waste world and having dreams about oceans filled with plastic. So after a while, I decided to quit my job at Microsoft and go overseas to try and do something about it.

Where did you end up?

It started off pretty randomly - I was living in a village in Indonesia where we were trying to build houses out of plastic. It was really hard to get anything across the line, it was a very disorganised project and I wasn’t using my skills to help, so it was a massive struggle for me. Then I found out about Plastic For Change, which is an organisation that connects brands like the Body Shop and Unliver to ethically recycled plastic. That’s when my whole world changed. I moved to India and took up this job. I was the first marketing person they ever had, and it was the most wild, amazing experience.

While I was living there for two years, we were able to mobilise a group of people called ‘waste pickers’ who are often shunned from society. We formalised their employment and worked with World Fair Trade to verify this plastic supply chain. Waste pickers all started becoming recycling entrepreneurs, and recycling the plastic in a way that can be used for brands. Plastic is very valuable as it’s made from oil, and there was a plastic mafia that would threaten to chop us up and turn us into soup because we were helping vulnerable communities get fair treatment and equal wages for collecting it.

Today as a result of that project, if you go to the Body Shop, the plastic we recycled in India can be found in about 25% of their products. I was a garbage lady and I loved it.

How does the plastic industry operate - and why is this a concern?

So when you put plastic in your garbage bin, it goes on a vacation. It either travels to a landfill in Australia (which is only a small amount, as land here is so valuable) or is recycled (9% or less) - and then a huge amount is sent illegally to countries like Cambodia and India, where there are a few under the table deals done. Plastic ends up in family homes and places where there is no way to actually recycle it, so it ends up being burned, which causes cancer and micro-plastics to go into the air.

People talk about micro-plastics in the ocean, but the ones in the air are way worse, and it only takes a couple of weeks for these to travel to Australia. The world is a big washing machine. We’re all sharing the same water, and we’re also sharing the same air. You’d be surprised by how much plastic you have in your body right now. Humans on average consume a credit card size’s plastic every week which can come from our sea, salt, and air.

What advice would you give to people who hoping to cut back their plastic consumption?

The core things that you can do as a consumer is to reduce plastic when you grocery shop, have a grandma mindset, and try reusables. These are great places to start.

Reduce plastic when you grocery shop. For example, you can choose a store that doesn’t have plastic packaging, like source bulk foods or Asian grocers which have lots of loose lentils, and noodles. If that’s not a financial choice for you, you can bring your own bags, or choose loose vegetables. I always use mushroom bags for everything so when I get to the counter, they think I’m buying heaps of mushrooms.

When you’re making decisions, think about what your grandparents were doing. We don’t need to overcomplicate it. Our grandparents were quite resourceful. They would cook a lot at home, buy the food that they need and reuse it, and wrap bread in a tea towel instead of putting it in a plastic bag. Go back to basics and think like your grandparents when it comes to waste. People look at the waste-less lifestyle at the micro, but it’s about your mindset and your approach.

Try reusables. I used to carry around a kit which had a cup, a box, a straw and a fork. Having this was such a game-changer. A lot of people are quite into the keep-cup lifestyle as it’s quite accessible, and this is sort of like an extension of that. So for example, if there comes a time when you’re ordering a salad or burrito, you can have a plastic plate hanging out in your bag to use. The whole mentality is phone, keys, wallet, reusables. Implementing that is awesome and easy to do.

Where do big brands come into this? How do we hold them accountable?

I think it’s very important for us to change our behaviours as a practice of respect for the earth and to be a better human. Being sustainable is almost like being polite - it’s a part of being a good person. But where this all gets really effective is with the businesses who produce the plastic. I think that the best and coolest change is when people get together and say wtf - I’ve been using your shampoo for eight years and you’re not doing anything about the turtles?

Be a Karen, a keyboard warrior, and someone who tells brands that they’re not doing good enough. They listen. I’ve seen brands who were absolute polluters do a complete 360 and switch to recycled, Fairtrade plastic and change their supply chains. This is because they want that social proof and know their consumers care about the environment. I’ve also sat in boardrooms with businesses who don’t know what to do as people are trolling them online. Their audience is like what the hell are you doing about climate change?

At the end of the day, the customer is always right. In the same way that Hubspot will remove a feature if their users aren’t happy with it, it’s not that unimaginable for every brand in the world to use recycled plastic. It’s possible, and we need to get on their case about it! Brands created their products for us. So if their customers complain about something enough, they have to change.

How do we know which brands are recycling properly and avoid greenwashing?

Know your plastics. We’re going to get nerdy right now. There are so many types of plastic in one object. For example, to recycle each type of plastic in a chip packet, you need to extract the molecules away from each other and separate the different layers. As the plastic is mixed up together, no one really does this. The only plastics that commonly get recycled are the clear PETE and HDPE types which are used for soft drink bottles, containers, shampoo bottles, and the like. So if you buy a chip packet and it has a 1 symbol which stands for PETE plastic, it probably means that only a small proportion of this plastic is being recycled.

In the same way that you can avoid food based on nutritional info, you can look at a label and tell how much of the product’s plastic will be recycled. Instead of looking at the marketing slogan on the front, navigate the labelling system. It could also mean going for clear plastics which are more likely to be recycled instead of chip packets and colourful + black plastics which are really, really hard to recycle because they’re made from so many plastic types.

Don’t listen to the brand’s social media accounts. Look at the types of plastic they are using, and how much of it is actually being recycled.

Do you have any final thoughts or advice for those reading?

I’m so passionate about plastic because it is everywhere - it’s in our food, it’s in our oceans, it’s on our phone cases. Plastic is a valuable resource and should be treated like one.

It’s so simple: reduce, reuse, recycle. Be vocal and get brands to use recycled plastic, keep the circular economy going, go as natural as possible and reduce your plastic consumption, and get to know the labelling system. It’s fascinating how fixable the plastic problem is.

To learn more about Mia’s work with plastic, or her social media agency One Earth Marketing, book in a time to catch up here.

Hey humans 👋 Happy International Women’s Day!

As IWD is all about celebrating achievements by women and taking action toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world - this edition of our newsletter will be doing just that.

Keep reading to find a bunch of ideas and events that can make a positive difference for women, and an interview with Manal al-Sharif - a champion for women’s rights and founder of the Women2Drive movement in Saudi Arabia.

We also share a few ways that we can be supporting those who have been affected by the conflict in Ukraine, and the recent floods. If you have any additional suggestions, don’t hesitate to submit these and we’ll include them next time!

Share Humans For Good

Small actions, big impact

These are just a few of our favourite ways to empower and celebrate women on IWD, and all year round:

🥘 Order this catering, pre-packaged meal or cookbook
📈 Achieve a gender-diverse tech team and break the bias
🛋️ Rescue furniture for families who need a helping hand
💸 Lend or donate funds to back female entrepreneurs
📣 Share your story of gender-based violence, to change the story
📖 Introduce young readers to real-life adventures of trailblazing women, or a tale about a young girl who enters a robot building competition
🎁 Gift an item from Mettle, Made by Many Hands, or The Beautiful Bunch
👩🏽‍💻 Mentor the next generation of professional women
💬 Spark conversations about consent across Australian schools

To take action for Ukraine 🇺🇦 and those affected by the recent floods:

👷 Design digital solutions for local and international NGOs
🔎 Find ways to support the people of Ukraine via this list, or this list
🏘️ Book an Airbnb in Ukraine (info here), or help to house refugees
🛍️ Support regional businesses by purchasing their products
💛 Donate an item to a flood victim, or lend a hand as a volunteer

Find more actions

Humans doing good things

From radicalism, to launching a movement for women to drive in Saudi Arabia, to Sydney-sider passionate about ending discrimination based on gender: meet Mia (Manal Al-Sharif).

“International pressure from women around the world made Women2Drive into a success story. It wasn’t one person, but people coming together.

I always say that the fight for women’s rights anywhere in the world contributes to women’s rights everywhere in the world. Saudi women fighting for the right to drive and be acknowledged as adults before the law is completely different than a fight against domestic violence for women in Australia. But there’s a sense of solidarity for being discriminated against, targeted or prevented from doing something because of your gender.

There’s beauty in women realising that whether you are Saudi, Australia, Indian, American, or from elsewhere - we are always in this together. Rather than comparing, or pitying those who don’t have the same experience as you, celebrate when women win rights. There’s a shared feeling and connection there.”

Read the full story

What’s coming up?

Keep an eye out for the following events & opportunities:

Now - 13 March: Transition Film Festival (online) - documentaries about social innovations, revolutionary ideas and trailblazing change-makers
9 March: Breaking the Bias with Donna Adams (Hob)
11 March: Championing Women of Colour (Melbs)
11 March: Female Founder Pitch Night at Fishburners (Syd/online)
18 March: She Starts Out applications close - a program for social entrepreneurs who identify as LGBTQ women or non-binary people
19 March: One Step: Advocacy & Allyship in Action (Syd) - hear from organisations working to support asylum seekers in our community
25 March: Changing Climate: International Women's Day 2022 for First Nations Women (online - all welcome) - connect with and be inspired by Indigenous women from across the country
29 March - 1 April: Impact Investment Summit (Syd) - connect with people looking to shift capital as a force for good

More events for International Women’s Day here, here and here 💁‍♀️

Jobs we love

Work with purpose in the below roles:

💪 Marketing Manager with Chuffed (remote)
💚 Online Community Builder with Greener (Syd)
🌎 Finance & Operations Manager with Global Voices (Melbs)
🤝 Partnerships Manager with B1G1 (remote)
💰 HR Coordinator with Future Super (remote/Syd)
🍊 Vending Machine Attendant with For Purpose Co. (Syd)
🍇 Grocery Cafe Supervisor with CERES (Melbs)
🍲 Cafe Chef with Wayside Chapel (Syd)
😊 Hub Manager with SisterWorks (Melbs)
🏫 Head of Programs & School Coordinator with Project Rockit (Melbs)
🍎 Customer Experience & Sales Rep with Humanitix (Syd)

Pay it forward

Offers of support from the community, for the community:

• Book a call with Helen Flitcroft, who runs a trauma-informed coaching practice for ambitious founders and entrepreneurs that are struggling emotionally

• Access support with Google & Facebook ads via a free strategy session with Surya, or a discount on Fivegrid’s platform ($50/month instead of $150/month). Email surya@fivegrid.tech for further info!

And a few asks:

• ReLove is in search of people power to help them move families in need into homes. They’re particularly looking for a volunteer to drive a small truck (they would need a car license, be able to lift furniture, and be a compassionate person). For more details, email ren@relove.org.au

• Chocolate On Purpose has launched a crowdfunding campaign to automate and increase their production. Fiona and the team are on a mission to share Indigenous culture, shine a light on the way forward in the reconciliation journey, and more. Check it out here!

• Compassion Creamery is looking for help with food retail (how to get a product onto and off supermarket shelves), food service (anyone interested in supplying oat crème cheese), and finding a commercial food production space in Sydney. If you’re able to assist, make sure to reach out to sarah@compassioncreamery.com.au

More info

Food for thought

“I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change…I’m changing the things I cannot accept.” — Angela Davis, American political activist

"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights." — Gloria Steinem, feminist and activist

“You don’t need power to take action. Your action will give you the power.” — Catia Davim, founder of Social Good Summit

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Keep in touch 💌
👀 Check out the Humans For Good database
🌟 Consider joining the waitlist for our soon-to-be-launched Slack community of diverse people, with a common sense of purpose

Contribute something great to the website, or next newsletter 💡
📥 Be sure to drop any actions, jobs, stories, or events with a positive impact here

See you all next month!
— Humans For Good

Subscribe for free to receive a little more good in your inbox each month.

Good news stories, and the humans behind them

Mia (Manal Al-Sharif) is an advocate for women’s rights, a computer scientist, and member of the Humans For Good team and wider community. She is also one of the most humble and inspiring people you’ll ever meet. Mia became an ‘accidental activist’ by simply taking action about the injustices that women faced in her home country; Saudi Arabia. Below is a small snapshot of her story, and perspective on issues relating to women in Australia.

What’s your story?

I grew up as a very radical Muslim in Saudi Arabia - covered up from top to toe and burning my brother’s cassettes. The internet came to Saudi, so I studied computer science and started reading about my worldview non-stop. Prior to this, I only had access to information that the government allowed us to read - so the internet was my window to the world. I ditched my radicalism and worked in cyber security, and then social media showed up and The Arab Spring happened.

There were a number of things that were forbidden for women. I had a personal struggle with being a criminal simply because I was born a female in my country. But my biggest challenge at that time was that I couldn’t drive my car, as a divorced mother with no men in my life.

Social media gave me a voice in a country where women do not have a voice. And so I used it to launch the Women2Drive campaign. Twitter, YouTube and Facebook really helped the movement succeed and us win the right to drive in the last country to allow this - and the most masculine society, on earth. In a nutshell, you can win if you have the tools and are persistent.

Tell us a little more about the Women2Drive campaign

In 2011, I was inspired by how the activists in The Arab Springs used social media to mobilise the masses and get their message heard. So I used a Facebook page to call for a day of action (as the leaders of The Arab Springs had done), which was June 17. We called on all women with international drivers licenses to drive on that day and post a video on YouTube to prove this.

In the lead-up, I needed to record myself driving in order to encourage other women to do the same. This video got me in trouble with the authorities, and I went to jail. My father needed to go to the king, the highest authority in the country, to get a pardon. It had one condition - that I remained silent, but I didn’t. I continued campaigning for seven years. Three months after I published my book Daring to Drive, the ban was lifted.

Social media got us heard and allowed us to connect with likeminded people locally and internationally. It helped us to publicise the struggle of Saudi women and receive solidarity from around the world. It gave us the voice and exposure that we could not have had without it. International pressure from women around the world made Women2Drive into a success story. It wasn’t one person, but people coming together.

I always say that the fight for women’s rights anywhere in the world contributes to women’s rights everywhere in the world. Saudi women fighting for the right to drive and be acknowledged as adults before the law is completely different than a fight against domestic violence for women in Australia. But there’s a sense of solidarity for being discriminated against, targeted or prevented from doing something because of your gender.

There’s beauty in women realising that whether you are Saudi, Australia, Indian, American, or from elsewhere - we are always in this together. Rather than comparing, or pitying those who don’t have the same experience as you, celebrate when women win rights. There’s a shared feeling and connection there.

In your opinion, what can we be doing better for women in Australia?

The things on the women’s agenda can be different from one country to another. But it comes back to this question - why are we being discriminated against for our gender?

When I visited a musical in Dubai, I was amazed that the conductor was female. My friend said that she hadn’t noticed and was just enjoying the show. It hit me that I want to live in a world where women can be anywhere, and we don’t need to point it out. This is an issue I see in Australia.

I also think that in general, in Australia it’s costly for a woman to have a job and have kids. You need to work and have two salaries in order to afford children. However, it’s extremely difficult to balance your career and raising a family. We need to change the work system so that it values those who would like to have kids. Women need communities and workplaces that not just support, but celebrate those who want to be parents. This is where Australia needs to go next.

We need to make changes to the workplace. The model that the workplace is built today is based on a UK mill in the 1800’s with an assembly line - the punch in and punch out, lunch hour, and weekends. We don’t need this any more. We should be focusing on results, rather than hours. The latter can be very harmful for mental health and employee engagement (this affects everyone, rather than only women).

Flexible work hours shouldn’t be a perk, but a right. I have a child with autism who needs a lot of support. I get my job done, and so I should be able to work from home without it ever being seen as a favour.

Do you have any tips for women (and men) out there?

Trust your gut and speak up. Women can suffer in silence and not voice issues - for example in the workplace, as it might seem that they’re not serious about their job. If it feels wrong, it’s because it is. When you see things that are unfair, unjust, or could be done better, don’t be afraid of being labelled as a trouble-maker, or seen as nagging or whining. Women can come in and challenge the system. Just because men are doing it, doesn’t mean it’s right. In fact women asked for flexible work hours - and now men want them!

Talk about salaries. Women also need to talk about salaries. I want women to ask each other ‘how much do you get paid?’ Your salary is not about your worth - it’s what you negotiate. And you can’t negotiate if you don’t have a reference point. This comes from asking around and others not being afraid to tell you. Knowledge is power, and it gives you the guts to go and ask for more.

Never think that your small actions don’t make a difference. For every catastrophic evil action, there are hundreds of small acts of kindness that outweigh it. The cumulative good builds up. Don’t feel disheartened and believe that we can’t create change. We can. My dream is to live in a world where there is no ‘activist’ title. That when we see someone who needs help, we step up and we speak up. I don’t think being indifferent is human nature. We survived hundreds of thousands of years because we lived in tribes and helped each other. Let’s do what makes us human.

Hey humans 👋

A huge welcome to the very first Humans For Good newsletter!

We’re building a community for people who are passionate about being a force for change 💪

This newsletter is where we’ll be curating a few (of many) incredible and innovative actions, ideas, stories, events and jobs for humans and businesses for good - along with ways to learn more about social impact and generally give back.

It hasn’t been the easiest start to the new year for everyone, and many have been under pressure and stress through no fault of their own. And so our first edition is focused on how we can be looking after ourselves and each other in 2022.

We believe that every step toward creating a better world counts, and hope our newsletter inspires and equips you to do a little more good at home, in your community, and beyond 🚀

Enjoy!
Georgia & Todd

Share Humans For Good

Small actions, big impact 💪

These are just a few of our favourite ways to connect with your friends, family, team, and extended community in 2022.

❤️ Wear your heart on your sleeve and tell your mental health story
🍲 Feed your fellow humans by supporting Lentil As Anything
🎁 Send a micro-gift to somebody and show them you care
🙋‍♀️ Provide companionship to socially isolated community members
🏘️ Offer acts of kindness to locals in your neighbourhood
👂 Lend a friendly ear to people who need somebody to turn to
🏺 Get creative and connect with mates using DIY pottery
🗣️ Have a genuine chat with an Australian experiencing homelessness
🧠 Boost employee mental wellbeing with tools like Uprise, Mentemia, Sonder or Driven

Humans doing good things

From PR professional, to being stuck abroad, to launching an app that facilitates acts of kindness: meet Lisa, the founder of One Another.

“We were housebound with our flights home to Australia cancelled…

Luckily, I was safe with a loving family and full pantry. Despite this, the initial moments of panic and fear are not easily forgotten. And as I sat in the safety of my mother’s home, it hit me just how lucky I was and how difficult this whole experience would be for a huge number of people who didn’t have access to this safety I was afforded. It got me thinking – what would I have done if my grandmother didn’t have support?

Or if I was stuck in an unfamiliar hotel room with my son without assistance, for weeks on end? These were unprecedented times. One of the only bright spots throughout this entire experience were the acts of kindness we were witnessing. Neighbours singing together as night fell; friends checking in with one another, despite being apart; acquaintances making sure their elderly neighbours had groceries.

It was a moving depiction of humanity striving for goodness, while society as we knew it was rocked to its core. And it was inspiring – I wanted to help make a difference for those in our communities who perhaps did not have access to this kindness. I found others who agreed with me - that making a difference both now and into the future was an essential goal that needed to be achieved.

So the idea for One Another was born. We now have a social kindness app, which is live in all APP stores and is 100% free. It has been built by over 200 professional volunteers on a volunteer basis, who have dedicated over 20,000 hours of time, equating to over $1 million in value.

People can offer and request assistance via the app - whether picking up groceries, meeting for a friendly coffee, walking a pet offering to build a website, or being someone's mentor.

Anthropologist Margaret Mead describes our mission at One Another best: ‘Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilisation starts. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.’ We are those citizens. We have the power, and thereby the responsibility, to help those in need.”

Read the full story

Pay it forward

Offers from the community, for the community:

• Win one month’s free co-working space for impact-led businesses with Seed Spaces (enter the comp by Friday, Feb 18)

• Chat with Manik Mahajan for assistance with coaching, strategic advisory services, or introductions

• Book a free, 30-minute social media makeover with OneEarth Marketing

And a few asks!

• The iconic, Newtown-based Lentil As Anything has hit hard times due to COVID-19. Please support their amazing work via their GoFundMe

• Uncommon Collective is launching a pre-accelerator program for migrant & refugee entrepreneurs. Email contact@uncommoncollectiveau.com to get involved in their ad hoc office hours!

• Givetree has launched an Indiegogo campaign for their virtual metaverse and NFT marketplace for good, and would appreciate any help reaching their target

More info

What’s coming up?

Keep an eye out for the following events & opportunities:

19 Feb: Parramatta Riverside Scavenge (Sydney) - trade trash for cash and learn from eco-warriors (hit us up if you would like to volunteer!)
22 Feb: Climate Tech Pitch Night (Melbourne) - check out startups using technology to solve some of our planets' big climate change challenges
25 Feb: Indigenous Pitch Night (Sydney/online) - support First Nations founders as they pitch at Fishburners
6 March: Social Good Summit (Sydney) - a United Nations Foundation affiliated event to inspire and discuss solutions for the greatest challenges of our times
13 March: Applications close for Tech for Good (Sydney/online) - a physical and digital incubator for Founders working on solutions addressing sustainable development goals
29 March - 1 April: Impact Investment Summit (Sydney) - connect with people looking to shift capital as a force for good

Someone from the community, or a group of us, will be there for the majority of the in-person events. Let us know if you’d like to join us 😄

Jobs we love

Work with purpose in the below roles:

🥘 Head of Product with Two Good Co.
💸 Ethical Investment Analyst with Future Super
🧻 Senior Offline Marketing Manager with Who Gives a Crap
🧑‍🎓 Head of People & Culture with Komodo
⚡ Strategy Analyst with 5B
📖 General Manager, Partnerships Director, and more with Jawun
✌️ Recruitment Assistant, Project Manager, and more with BlackDog Institute
☀️ Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Engagement Manager, Business Development Manager, and more with HireUp
🛍️ Product Designer, Product Manager and Senior Full Stack Designer with Good On You

Looking after ourselves

A few suggestions for self-care in 2022 -

Join a 24/7 chat room with 7 Cups
Use the Headspace or Calm app to unwind
Chat with someone via Lifeline or Beyond Blue
Make changes with alcohol big or small via the Meet Arli community

Thanks for reading and sharing!

This is just the start of our journey, and we’d love to keep in touch 💌

For further inspo:
👀 Check out the Humans For Good database
🌟 Or consider joining the waitlist for our soon-to-be-launched Slack community of diverse people, with a common sense of purpose

To contribute something great to the website, or the next newsletter:
👯‍♀️ Our March edition will be focused around International Women’s Day, so make sure to drop any relevant (or generally good) ideas, jobs, stories and events in the submissions form

And finally - we’re working to curate content and community that empower humans to have a positive impact, so please spread the good and share this with others that you think may be interested!

See you all next time,
Georgia 👋

Shout us a coffee

Good news stories, and the humans behind them

When COVID hit Spain and Lisa’s flights home were cancelled, she was inspired to action after witnessing the response of the community. Read on to learn a little more about Lisa’s journey from PR professional to social entrepreneur.

What’s your story?

I began my professional career as a publicist in London working for one of the biggest entertainment PR agencies: Taylor Herring. Here, I did the PR for Britain’s Next Top Model and The Apprentice.

I then went on to do the PR for a long haul airline and travelled the world in first class hosting travel journalists to destinations like Barbados, Antigua and Moscow. I caught the travel bug and decided to head to Australia on a one way ticket. I was just 23.

Upon arriving in Australia I was sponsored by Oglivy PR’s consumer division, Pulse Communications, where I managed the PR for LG Electronics and 20th Century Fox. A highlight was launching the biggest selling Blu-ray and DVD of all time; Avatar here in Australia. I also got to travel to Seoul with LG Electronics for the Life Tastes Good championships in 2010.

Since then I’ve gone on to work for some of the biggest PR agencies and brands in the world including (but not limited to): Frank, Herd MSL, McCann, Mullen Lowe, Maverick and represented: P&G, RB, Disney, Hilton, Maybelline NY, Samsung, Big W, Cancer Council, Diageo and Suncorp.

I set up my own PR agency in July 2017: Comms 101. I pride myself on my flexible workplace model, which involves working with senior PR professionals that have become parents, or moved to a regional area, who require flexibility in the work. Brands I have represented include: Sheraton, Marriott, Vision Direct, ADMA, Quality Dental, Pacific Boating, Urban Alley Brewery, Speedo and Navitas.

In April 2019, I was selected out of 800 applicants to take part in the BlueChilli SheStarts accelerator program for my tech start up, PAR-ENTrepreneurs. Here I gained many valuable skills to equip me with the knowledge of founding a tech startup, whilst building my network in the startup ecosystem.

I decided in October 2019 that PAR-ENTrepreneurs wasn’t the right fit for me to pursue long term , and decided that I wanted to pursue my dream of founding a tech startup that brought communities together – I just didn’t quite know what my solution was, or even the problem I was trying to solve at this stage.

In March 2020, I landed in Europe after winning a pair of flights to Berlin. I headed to Spain to spend time with my mum and granny. Only two days after I arrived, the European lockdown hit Spain. We were housebound with our flights home to Australia cancelled.

Luckily, I was safe with a loving family and full pantry. Despite this, the initial moments of panic and fear are not easily forgotten. And as I sat in the safety of my mother’s home, it hit me just how lucky I was and how difficult this whole experience would be for a huge number of people who didn’t have access to this safety I was afforded. It got me thinking – what would I have done if my grandmother didn’t have support?

Or if I was stuck in an unfamiliar hotel room with my son without assistance, for weeks on end? These were unprecedented times. One of the only bright spots throughout this entire experience were the acts of kindness we were witnessing. Neighbours singing together as night fell; friends checking in with one another, despite being apart; acquaintances making sure their elderly neighbours had groceries.

It was a moving depiction of humanity striving for goodness while society as we knew it was rocked to its core. And it was inspiring – I wanted to help make a difference for those in our communities who perhaps did not have access to this kindness. I found others who agreed with me, that making a difference both now and into the future was an essential goal that needed to be achieved.

So the idea for One Another was born. We now have a social kindness app, which is live in all APP stores and is 100% free. It has been built by over 200 professional volunteers on a volunteer basis, who have dedicated over 20,000 hours of time, equating to over $1 million in value.

People can offer and request assistance via the app - whether picking up groceries, meet for a friendly coffee, walking a pet offering to build a website, or being someone's mentor.

Anthropologist Margaret Mead describes our mission at One Another best: “Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilisation starts. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” We are those citizens. We have the power, and thereby the responsibility, to help those in need.

What causes are particularly close to your heart, and why?

I believe strongly in finding passion in purpose. So any causes which strive to make a positive difference are my jam! Feed Our Medics, Pledge for the Planet and Project Kindness are all initiatives that make my soul smile!

How do you take action about these, and what motivates you to do so (and keep going)?

Via One Another I'm very active in the collaboration space. I've always believed in collaboration and connection over competition. In fact, collaboration, connection, kindness and community are One Another's core values.

By partnering with like-minded brands and ideas/causes, I can not only help spread the message of what they're doing to make a difference, but also raise awareness of our platform as well. I find that the more people know about what we're doing, the more we gain traction. A recent collab has been with Feed Our Medics, and we've secured coverage on Channel 7, The Project, Studio 10, SBS World News and the Daily Telegraph. By joining forces, we are able to boost a conscious knowledge surrounding our purpose, and in turn help more people along the way.

Do you have any tips and pearls of wisdom for people who want to do a little more good in this space, or in general?

I believe that Covid-19 caused a lot of people to stop and reflect. It certainly did for me. I was at burnout before with far too much on my plate (Comms 101, Social101.com and SheStarts accelerator, plus trying to be the ‘perfect’ mum). Something had to give.

When COVID-19 hit, I lost my clients for Comms 101, there were no events to cover for Social101.com and I’d exited the accelerator 4 months prior. For the first time in forever, I was able to focus my attention on one business and factor in time for Albie too.

I also became more aware of my health and how vulnerable we are as humans and that we can’t take anything for granted. So I decided to only have an alcoholic drink if it was at a restaurant for a special occasion (usually once a week). I also decided to take charge of my health - joining my local gym and going 4/5 times a week at 5am.

It may sound super early (which it is), however I finished up at 6am and find I have so much more energy, and am falling asleep no later than 9pm in the evening – which is much better for me in terms of routine. I started regularly listening to Calm meditations twice a day (nighttime and after lunch), as it’s so important to be able to switch off. I also read a book for 20 mins before bed, rather than being on my phone before bed, and no phone.

Finally – drinking three litres of water a day has made a massive difference to productivity and my skin.

Also, these apps have helped me infinitely:

• Business – Slack, Trello

• Fitness – FitBit

• Lifestyle Apps – Calm, Driven

Is there anything that others can reach out to you about - and where can they find you?

Absolutely, if anyone is keen to collaborate - we're expanding our pro bono professional offering to help support small businesses across Australia with offers of time, value and mentorship. Get in touch with Lisa at lisa@oneanother.community ☀️