Are you ready to transform your entrepreneurship journey? Curious how storytelling can boost your sales? Struggling to connect with customers? Welcome to DO GOOD X, where hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis guide purpose-driven entrepreneurs to build businesses that make a difference. In this episode, we dive into storytelling with expert Stephen Steers, who shares how to create customer connection and drive business growth through authentic narratives. Learn practical systems and confidence-building tips to elevate your social impact venture. Join us to learn how mission, vision, and milestones can scale your business.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Intro: Meet Stephen Steers
• (05:09) Defining sales and a discussion on outcome, roadblocks: confidence, resilience, and business growth
• (08:31) The "Magnificent Seven" reasons why people buy: think storytelling to outcomes
• (11:04) The near-death experience that sparked Stephen S’s entrepreneurship journey
• (15:30) Building trust, customer connection, the mission, the vision, and milestones
• (23:34) Solving, not selling, using tools to quantify problems and build confidence
• (28:17) How social impact entrepreneurs should approach sales
• (31:05) Resources Stephen Steers recommends
• (32:33) Four questions for storytelling that sells
• (36:51) Stephen answers off-the-cuff questions

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Storytelling is crucial for entrepreneurship, enabling founders to build customer connections and drive business growth by sharing authentic mission, vision, and milestones that resonate emotionally.
• Effective sales focus on solving problems, not pushing products, using practical tools like the OCGZ call script to foster confidence and create sustainable systems for social impact.
• Resilience and faith shape leadership, helping entrepreneurs navigate challenges by trusting their purpose and seeking help to achieve meaningful outcomes.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X Mastermind Retreat

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

Steers Sales Consulting - Podcast

How to Master the Art of Selling: Hopkins, Tom

Startup Selling: How to Sell if you...

Are you ready to scale your business and attract the right investors? Do you know how to build confidence as a founder and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship? In this episode of DO GOOD X, Kimberly and Stephen are joined by Shruti Shah, a partner at Symphonic Capital, who shares her expertise on funding, exit strategy, and leadership. With her unique lens as both a founder and investor, Shruti offers valuable insights on how to build a successful business that makes a positive impact.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Kimberly and Stephen discuss highlights of conversation with Shruti Shah
• (06:27) Shruti’s journey into her current career
• (08:22) Deciding on an exit strategy and different funding options
• (12:51) Exploring funding options for early-stage startups
• (14:00) Accelerator programs are valuable, and testing your product or service
• (17:28) How much to spend on a prototype to test a product

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Confidence is built through navigating hard times, and reflecting on past experiences can help entrepreneurs develop the resilience they need to succeed.
• Investors who bring empathy and understanding to the table can be invaluable to founders.
• Entrepreneurs should carefully consider their exit strategy and funding options, determining the type of investment that best suits their business.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X Mastermind Retreat

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

Symphonic Capital - Website

Shruti Shah - LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHY:

Shruti Shah is a partner at Symphonic Capital, a pre-seed investment fund, and has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, advisor, and investor. She was previously an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Nike and Silicon Valley Bank. She co-founded Move Loot, a Y Combinator-backed marketplace for buying and selling used furniture that raised $22 million. Forbes has recognized Shruti as a 2016 30 Under 30 honoree in Retail and E-Commerce and by the Aspen Institute as an Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina and an MS in Education from Johns Hopkins University.

KEYWORDS: Entrepreneurship, Capital, Confidence, Empathy, Investors, Founders, Startups, Business, Leadership, Funding, Exit, Strategy, Venture, Accelerator Programs, Profitability, Economics, Investment, Partnerships, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Scale, Business Capital

Should you grow your business through sales or raise investment capital? It's not a one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding the trade-offs can make you feel more confident.

Today’s episode of the DO GOOD X podcast explores the intersection of purpose and business with hosts Stephen Lewis and Kimberly Daniel. Together, they’ll delve into the crucial decision entrepreneurs face: growing through sales or raising investment capital while breaking down the basics of both approaches and discussing the pros and cons of each.

Kimberly and Stephen also touch on the importance and the challenges of sales, the pressure of securing outside investment, and the benefits of a hybrid approach. Ultimately, each impact-driven entrepreneur must consider their unique circumstances and time horizons when deciding how to fund their businesses and keep doing good.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Intro: Welcome to the DO GOOD X podcast
• (05:42) Distinguishing between sales and raising capital
• (09:09) Benefits and challenges of sales-driven growth
• (12:24) Determining the right funding approach for your business
• (15:49) Importance of sales skills in any path
• (17:22) DO GOOD X unique support for purpose-driven entrepreneurs

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Building a business through sales allows entrepreneurs to validate their ideas and create early momentum. This customer-driven approach can lead to more confident investor conversations if capital is needed later, as it demonstrates market demand and traction.
• Sales skills are crucial regardless of the funding path chosen. Even when seeking investment capital, the ability to effectively sell your product, service, and story remains essential for long-term business sustainability and connection with your customers.
• Raising capital through investors can accelerate business growth but may come with added pressure and potential misalignment of goals. Entrepreneurs must carefully consider if the investor's values align with their social impact objectives.
• A hybrid funding model, incorporating small grants or bank loans, can provide capital without sacrificing equity. This approach offers a middle ground between pure sales-driven growth and traditional venture capital.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

Kimberly R. Daniel catalyzes entrepreneurs and organizations to do good. She is co-founder and project director of DO GOOD X, a community that provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive change. Kimberly also helps purpose-driven organizations clarify and design compelling brand and communication strategies.

With over 15 years of experience developing and leading communications efforts, she is committed to producing effective processes and creating authentic, “sticky” brands that are community-centered. In addition, Kimberly has nearly ten years of experience as a certified life coach. She has facilitated workshops, spoken

What if success isn’t about scaling fast but about slowing down? Could your business model thrive by putting kindness at the center instead of competition? In this episode of the DO GOOD X podcast, hosts Kimberly R. Daniel and Stephen Lewis revisit a robust conversation with Nipun Mehta, founder of ServiceSpace, who shares how building a movement around volunteer power and gift culture redefines what it means to lead with impact. Together, they explore what happens when we align our ventures with heart intelligence and commit to a deeper, more generous way of showing up in the world.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Redefining entrepreneurial success by centering kindness and Nipun Mehta’s inspiring business model
• (06:55) Service Space operates with no paid staff and a discussion of how kindness is biologically and socially rewarding
• (13:07) Nipun advises entrepreneurs and tech founders to perform acts of kindness to deepen their heart intelligence
• (16:12) The conversation turns to the future of AI and urges purpose-driven entrepreneurs to prioritize human-centered innovation
• (19:29) Visit DO GOOD X for resources to help grow your values-driven business

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Nipun Mehta emphasizes the importance of cultivating heart intelligence in a rapidly advancing tech landscape. While AI can outperform human IQ and creativity, it cannot replicate the empathy, compassion, and emotional connection that define meaningful leadership. Mehta challenges tech founders and entrepreneurs to center their businesses around the human experience and acts of kindness, reminding listeners that the most valuable resource isn’t code or capital—it’s the human heart.
• The ServiceSpace model rejects traditional business norms, such as hierarchical staffing and fundraising, instead thriving on volunteer power, gift culture, and deep reciprocity. Mehta's reflections question the zero-sum game mentality of the market and invite listeners to explore alternative entrepreneurship models rooted in small acts of kindness, inner transformation, and a shared sense of purpose.
• Rather than designing companies around profit and adding in social impact later, Mehta urges founders to start with the greater good in mind and work backward. By asking, "What benefit to humanity is this creating?" leaders can stay grounded in values-driven entrepreneurship that nurtures both people and the planet. His advice: Do an act of kindness and let that shape how you build, scale, and innovate.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

ServiceSpace - Website

Nipun Mehta - LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHY:

Nipun Mehta is the founder of ServiceSpace, a global community that works at the intersection of technology, volunteerism, and gift culture. As a designer of large-scale...

How can entrepreneurs create meaningful change while staying true to their purpose? What does it take to measure the impact that resonates with communities? Welcome to the DO GOOD X podcast, a space where purpose meets action. Today hosts Kimberly Danielle and Stephen Lewis, engage with Amelia Conrad, a seasoned development expert whose work redefines how to approach social impact. From her reflections on global inequities and positionality to her strategies for measuring meaningful impact, Amelia offers a roadmap for entrepreneurs seeking to create systemic equity. Expect a candid conversation about listening deeply, embracing cultural context, and crafting data storytelling that inspires—perfect for anyone committed to doing good while doing business.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Intro: Today’s Topic
• (03:18) Amelia shares how her global experiences shape her approach to social impact
• (09:10) Definition of social impact, short-term impact, focusing on individual changes versus long-term impact targeting systemic equity and policy shifts
• (13:09) The importance of addressing unintended impact and how measurements can go wrong
• (16:53) Discussion of qualitative data and quantitative data collection
• (25:48) Co-creating impact measurement frameworks with stakeholders to align with community needs
• (30:05) Data storytelling to humanize impact communication, using narratives and clear data visualization for stakeholder engagement
• (32:51) Resource Roundup

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Entrepreneurs can drive social impact by grounding their work in cultural context and positionality, ensuring that their strategies reflect community needs and address global inequities.
• Effective impact measurement requires balancing qualitative data and quantitative data to uncover root causes and address unintended impact, avoiding vanity metrics for authentic insights.
• Co-creating impact measurement frameworks with stakeholders, utilizing data storytelling and clear data visualization, fosters stakeholder engagement and aligns efforts with community-driven systemic equity.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

Frontier Design

The Data Storyteller's Handbook: How to create business impact using data storytelling

Amelia Conrad | LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHY:

Amelia Conrad, a development practitioner, specializes in Impact Measurement and research, helping...

Are you building a business that aligns with your values? How do you create positive social change while staying grounded in your purpose? In this episode of the DO GOOD X podcast, hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis revisit a robust conversation with Victor Koo, co-founder of Tianren Culture.

Victor shares how cultivating inner wisdom can be a superpower for entrepreneurs, particularly when navigating today’s fast-paced technological world. Together, they explore what it means to design a purpose-driven business with clear intention—one that considers both intended and unintended consequences. Whether you're an early-stage founder or a seasoned social entrepreneur, this episode offers rich insight into aligning your mission, values, and impact. Don’t forget to visit DO GOOD X for resources to help grow your impact-driven community.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Intro: A Focus on building a purpose-driven business
• (02:21) Shifting from a results-driven mindset to a purpose-driven business
• (03:26) Tuning into one’s inner voice, looking at social impact and your intentions
• (07:38) Businesses should embed positive social change into their DNA from inception
• (10:13) Victor links global crises, mental health, climate change, and pandemics to a lack of human consciousness
• (14:00) Entrepreneurs are urged to prioritize clear purpose, intentions, and first principles
• (16:53) Stephen shares his dreams for social entrepreneurs in the future

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Positive social change must be embedded in a business’s founding intention. Entrepreneurs should prioritize a clear purpose and intentional design when launching ventures, especially in sectors such as health, education, and food. Rather than only responding to problems after they arise, startups should focus on preventative solutions and responsible innovation that reduce harm and generate long-term benefits for communities.
• Social entrepreneurs are encouraged to assess both the intentional and unintended consequences of their work. True social innovation requires entrepreneurs to shift away from a purely results-oriented mindset and instead lead with values that support community wellbeing and collective healing.
• Victor Koo advocates for tapping into one’s inner voice, intuition, and contemplative practices as essential tools in the entrepreneurial journey. He warns against the over-reliance on external validation and analysis, arguing that inner awareness and mindfulness fuel creativity, resilience, and better decision-making. In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, striking a balance between action and reflection is crucial for creating a sustainable impact.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

Victor Koo - Speaker - Global Wellness Summit

Welcome to the DO GOOD X podcast, where purpose-driven leaders and social entrepreneurs gather to explore what it truly means to build a business rooted in values-driven work.

In this episode, Kimberly R. Daniel and Stephen Lewis dive into the heart of measuring impact, not just through numbers, but through impact storytelling, lived experiences, and community dialogue. You'll learn how to distinguish between outputs vs outcomes, create impact indicators, and define a social footprint that aligns with your mission. Discover why co-created impact matters, how to practice ethical data collection, and why accountability is central to positive impact.

With insights into sustainable design, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and transformation and equity, we invite you into a deeper conversation about turning customer discovery into lasting change and running a business with intention.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Intro: Today’s Topic: Measuring Impact
• (01:19) Defining social entrepreneurs and purpose-driven work, creating a positive impact
• (02:23) How do you measure impact, and what is the difference between outputs vs. outcomes
• (05:00) Identify 1 or 2 impact indicators and understand the social footprint of your business
• (10:17) Warby Parker is an example of a company that uses impact indicators and sustainable design
• (15:41) Storytelling, reflective practices, and community dialogue are essential tools for measuring positive impact
• (18:14) Check out the resources of the DO GOOD X Community

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Impact must be measured thoughtfully and collaboratively. Social entrepreneurs should co-create impact goals with the communities they serve, rather than imposing their definitions of impact. Actual impact reflects what communities value, not just what founders intend.
• Go beyond the numbers and measure what matters. While outputs like meals served or people employed are easier to quantify, meaningful outcomes—such as improved well-being or behavior change—are more difficult but essential to track. Utilize a combination of data, storytelling, and personal experiences to convey the complete story.
• Choose one or two key impacts to focus on, define indicators, and use practical and ethical methods—like interviews or even creative tactics like counting smiles—to measure them. Frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals or tools from SOPACT and Acumen Academy can guide the process.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

Social Impact Metrics Guide

Acumen Academy

Social Impact Toolkit for...

Is it possible to seamlessly blend love, business, and global impact? How do you build a business with your life partner while making a difference? Welcome to DO GOOD X, hosted by Kimberly R. Daniel and Stephen Lewis, where we dive into the stories of purpose-driven entrepreneurs. Today, we’re joined by Carla and Jeremy Vincent, co-founders of Globekin, an e-learning platform transforming out-of-school education. As a married couple and business duo, they share how they balance their personal and professional lives, create accessible learning opportunities for kids worldwide, and stay true to their mission. Get ready for actionable insights and inspiring lessons on partnership and purpose.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (01:19) Introduction of Carla and Jeremy Vincent, discussing their journey building Globekin
• (05:57) The inspiration behind creating Globekin, an e-learning platform focused on out-of-school education
• (09:07) Validating Globekin through customer discovery and identifying gaps in engagement
• (12:59) How to maintain a healthy marriage while being business partners
• (15:44) Advice for underrepresented entrepreneurs on building a supportive network
• (18:28) Visit DO GOOD X for resources to help grow your impact-driven community

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Focus on self-care, open communication, and fun to sustain a strong partnership while blending business and marriage.
• Utilize digital technology to make out-of-school learning more accessible, thereby addressing disparities in traditional education.
• To build a supportive network, tap into communities, seek mentors, and embrace vulnerability to connect with supportive networks for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

GlobeKin - Website

Jeremy Vincent - LinkedIn

Carla Johnson-Vincent - LinkedIn

Ep. 40 Building GlobeKin: Navigating Challenges as Entrepreneurial and Life Partners

BIOGRAPHY:

Jeremy Vincent, co-founder and CEO of an e-learning platform, is passionate about using technology and AI to transform out-of-school learning for children of all backgrounds. Growing up in Grenada, his curiosity was sparked by nature, inspiring his mission to foster holistic development in young learners. Outside of work, he enjoys yoga, hiking, reading, cooking, and quality time with loved ones.

Carla, co-founder and CDO of an...