n this episode of the Business Brains and BS Podcast, we sit down with Kristin Weis, co-founder and CEO of The Demand Project. Kristin shares the harrowing story that sparked her journey from a cosmetologist to a licensed private investigator dedicated to protecting children from online predators and sexual abuse.

We dive deep into the complexities of fighting child sex crimes, the challenges of working with law enforcement on human trafficking cases, and the reality of running a "for-impact" organization. Kristen also discusses the development of their 54-acre campus, the largest of its kind, designed specifically to restore and support young girls aged 11-17 who have survived unimaginable trauma.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The origins of The Demand Project and its mission to stop the demand for child exploitation.
• The transition from average citizens to experts in the field of child protection.
• Why "prevention" is just as important as "restoration".
• The importance of parental responsibility in the age of digital technology.
• The financial and operational struggles of running a high-impact non-profit.

Support The Demand Project: Visit TheDemandProject.org to donate, volunteer, or download their digital safety contract for your children.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Introduction: Meet Kristin Weis, CEO of The Demand Project.
• 0:45 – The 2004 news story that changed Kristen’s life forever.
• 1:45 – Moving to Tulsa: From average people to private investigators.
• 2:30 – Pioneering best practices in the fight against human trafficking.
• 3:00 – The 54-acre campus: Providing a safe haven for survivors.
• 4:15 – What’s in a name? Explaining "The Demand Project".
• 5:30 – The "Familiar Captivity": Understanding the trauma survivors face.
• 6:30 – The challenge of staffing a high-trauma environment.
• 7:45 – Supply vs. Demand: Why we must target the buyers.
• 9:15 – Working with law enforcement: Transitioning from drug raids to trafficking stings.
• 10:30 – The Internet Problem: How technology fueled a tsunami of crime.
• 11:45 – Prevention and the Digital Safety Contract for parents.
• 13:30 – The "For-Impact" Model: Debunking myths about non-profit compensation.
• 15:00 – Growing the organization: From a spare bedroom to 24 employees.
• 17:30 – The reality of the waiting list: Why more funding is desperately needed.
• 19:15 – Key leadership lessons: Trust but verify.
• 20:45 – How to get involved and upcoming events.