{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Transforming Lives and AI with Wendy Gonzalez","description":"Brian chats with tech trailblazer and Sama CEO Wendy Gonzalez. Sama is a mission-driven Certified B Corp that seeks to raise the standards for both machine learning and global working conditions. The company\u2019s innovative approach to ethically sourcing and training tech talent has lifted more than 68,000 people out of poverty since 2008. On the episode, Wendy dives deep into Sama\u2019s unique for-profit business structure, including reserving a Board of Directors seat for its non-profit on its non-profit roots. She also touts the importance of conviction and self-awareness when building and running a business. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses can have more than one mission. Mission-driven businesses can have more than one mission, according to Wendy. For instance, Sama has a \u201ctriple bottom line\u201d of bringing long-term value to people living in poverty, to the planet, and to the bottom line. \u201cWe were really founded on this premise that talent is distributed equally but opportunity is not,\u201d she said. \u201cWe started with the mission first, and the core mission is what we then built a business problem to solve for around.\u201d Hold earnings calls and learnings calls. You\u2019ve probably heard of a company's earnings calls when the executives share updates about the firm\u2019s financial metrics. Sama applies the same concept to its mission by hosting \u201clearning calls,\u201d in which the company provides updates on its impact metrics. \u201cThe idea from the very beginning is you have to track with rigor what our impact is,\u201d Wendy said. \u201cIt\u2019s no different than how you would track your financials.\u201d If you\u2019re a big company, consider B Corp Certification. Sama is a Certified B Corp, meaning it meets verified, high standards of social and environmental performance, has made a legal commitment to accountability, and transparently shares information. Wendy said the company pursued B Corp status once it transitioned from a non-profit financial structure to a for-profit structure because the B Corp Certification is the best and most recognized accreditation standard for impact-driven companies. \u201cWe were big enough that we thought B Corp Certification is going to be important for us, so that nobody believes that our transition in financing means that anything has changed,\u201d she said. One downside to B Corp Certification is that it requires a lot of effort and expenses. If you\u2019re a small company, you may not be able to afford the resources needed to comply with the reporting requirements, but if you\u2019re an established impact-driven company, Wendy recommended looking into B Corp Certification.  \u201cIf you\u2019re a customer looking for a recognized seal of approval, that\u2019s recognizable,\u201d she said. Fire yourself annually. About once per year, Wendy does a mental exercise in which she fires herself as CEO and evaluates whether she\u2019d rehire herself for the job. The exercise is an opportunity to reflect on the kind of leader her company needs and also where her energy and convictions lie. \u201cIf you\u2019re the CEO, you\u2019ve got to be not only the CEO your company needs today, but the one your company needs tomorrow,\u201d Wendy said. Resources + Links Wendy Gonzales: LinkedIn Sama: Website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube B Corp Certification Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD\/CFP, is a tax attorney and certified financial planner who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too. ","author_name":"Mission Driven Business","author_url":"https:\/\/btfinancial.com\/podcast","html":"