(FEED 5 bear)
Ever since I transferred into the business school here at Lehigh, I've been thinking about what career path I'd like to take in the business world. Finance or Accounting seem like promising fields and would definitely make me a lot of money, but neither seem too appealing. What really seems interesting and fulfilling to me is starting or working for a nonprofit organization. Honestly, how cool would that be? It all started when I learned about micro-finance companies in my Asian Studies class that provide loans to individuals around the globe that want to start their own business. The example we saw was an Indian woman who had an abusive, bum of a husband, sho was very good at embroidery, not only for her own family but for friends and neighbors. She wanted to start a company to pay for her daughters' schooling and support her family since her husband obviously did not. She found out a micro-finance company that leant her a loan that allowed her to start her company. Now the business is thriving, her daughters can go to school, and her husband learned to respect her more.
If that amazing story wasn't enough, a couple months ago I learned about FEED Projects. FEED is an organization that sells FEED bags - has also expanded to selling FEED bears and other products - with all proceeds going to feed hungry children. Each bag sold feeds at least 1 child in an undeveloped nation (now they are focusing on Haiti) for a YEAR through the WFP school-feeding operations that provides children a lunch during the school day to keep kids healthy and in school. The program also provides "take-home rations" that children can bring home to their families providing an incentive for families to send children to school and also to help girls get an education where they otherwise wouldn't. My favorite project is the FEED 5 bear shown above Plumpy'nut (energy-rich paste made of peanuts, milk, powder, sugar, vegetable oil, and a fortified vitamin mixture) to 5 malnourished children in the region of East Africa. How amazing is this program? I absolutely fell in love with it and really want to get a bear or bag asap.
I learned about the program because one of the company's leaders came to Lehigh through the Entrepreneurship program. I desperately wanted to go but unfortunately had basketball. I looked up more about the company, loved it, and wanted to contact the founder to see just how you could even start a program like that. I couldn't even fathom starting a company; think of all the things you have to do! You are in charge of marketing, finance, accounting, operations...everything! I just wouldn't know where to begin. So, I went to contact the founder and then saw that it was Lauren Bush. As in the niece of former president George W. Bush. Yes, that Lauren Bush. This kind of sunk my hopes a little bit. It probably isn't too hard to start a company when your family owns most of Texas and you're sitting on a pile of cash. But, nonetheless this is one my life dreams and maybe in a few years (maybe more than a few) I will blog about my newly found company and then later it's great success. Hopefully. Where there's a will there's a way right?
Sounds wonderful-I think if you are really behind the company values then you will feel so much more involved & fulfilled in your job. And remember, jobs take up most of every day you live - so it's important to make the biggest effort in developing the right one for you. I always think that people should help America first. I know Haiti & Somalia & all the 3rd world conuntries are in need but no one talks abou the urban poor or the horrendous schools that our kids face. Why can't we help in our own backyard too?
ReplyDeleteGood thinking mom! That'll be the startup idea for my business...it's different than other ideas too like you said because it is focused on helping kids here. Obviously there are other organizations that do that, but maybe I'll find an idea that catches on :) So I can count on you for financial support??
ReplyDeleteyou would be great at starting your own business... you're just good at those kinds of things... business would be booming for you! =)
ReplyDeleteDon't do it. I have a lot of friends who work from non-profits they are really poorly run, their people are paid terribly and they are still all about money.
ReplyDeleteYou can still work for a great company that you believe in without having to go the non-profit route. I work for the best company ever. It's really well run, they treat their employees fairly, and we even give charitable donations a few times a year.
I love the contradictions! No, it doesn't necessarily have to be a non-profit I just think it would be awesome to have your business be about helping less fortunate people. Maybe I can come work for your company after I graduate! I should have it in with your CEO's ;) That would be AWESOME. I promise I'm really smart and a hard worker!
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