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PROFITABLE CONNECTIONS
September 2024
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS Assisting Businesses and Individuals Across the Globe
At Rise25, our mission is to build connections and make the world a smaller place. It’s difficult to imagine a company that better embodies that mission than Kiva, a nonprofit organization out of San Francisco that allows access to financial services — in the form of microloans — for personal and business ventures that would typically be unable to access them. In America, we take for granted that we can just walk into a bank and request a loan. That isn’t the case in every country. We love working with Kiva because they take a different approach to charity and allow both giving and receiving financial support to be mutually beneficial.
$25,000, depending on their needs. But what sets Kiva apart from a charity is that those you lend to pay you back. These are loans, not donations. Company Decision We have been working with Kiva for several years now, and our team has always had a hand in deciding where our contributions go. Every month, we read the stories of those looking for financial assistance and vote on the cause we want to support the most. It allows us all to make a difference in countries and continents we otherwise would be unable to reach. This is more than giving money; it supports a business through a genuine loan. They pay you back within a set number of months in the form of monthly payments based on the amount of money you contributed toward their cause. Since they are microloans, you don’t have to contribute a significant amount to each cause if you don’t want to; you can spread the money around to a number of different ventures. You are partners in their venture and can help write the stories of families, entrepreneurs, and visionaries across the globe. Part of a Grander Story One month, we assisted a 37-year-old entrepreneur in the Philippines whose fishing business needed financial assistance to purchase a fishnet, rope, and gasoline. Another month, we contributed to a loan for Kenyan farmers needing seeds and fertilizer to grow corn. Whether you are aiding an Ecuadorian business to improve its yield of cocoa or helping a family rebuild after a natural disaster, you are giving more than just your thoughts and prayers: You’re providing a real opportunity for others to grow and thrive. There is charity, and then there is opportunity. We genuinely believe that more businesses should participate in providing people around the world with the financial services they desperately need.
How Kiva Works If you haven’t heard of Kiva, they essentially provide crowdfunded microloans to help those in need. You can choose to lend to someone in Nicaragua looking for money to purchase construction materials to repair their home, a restauranteur in Kenya with their eyes on a particular piece of kitchen equipment, or a shepherd in Indonesia in need of money to pay school fees for their children. Those looking to borrow money on the service could be seeking $200 or
–John Corcoran and Dr. Jeremy Weisz
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Revolutionizing Adulthood The Realworld App Can Be Your Ultimate Companion
Technology has come a long way in recent decades. The software and smart devices kids have access to now are light-years ahead of what many of us had growing up. Nowadays, if you have a pressing question, you can ask Siri or Alexa, or look it up yourself on any number of connected devices. But even with modern conveniences, we still missed out on many practical lessons while growing up, whether we have a college education or not. That is where the Realworld app, created by Genevieve Bellaire, comes in handy: It’s the tool we wish we had growing up because it answers many questions young adults have. Genevieve’s Reprieve Even after earning her bachelor’s degree from Princeton and her MBA and law degree from Georgetown, Bellaire entered adulthood with glaring gaps in her knowledge. Despite her impressive education, Bellaire experienced challenges managing her finances, health care, and living arrangements. Although well-studied, she was not well- prepared for life — and she wasn’t alone. When she talked to friends about these difficulties, they could all relate. Everyone felt they did not know enough about filing taxes,
managing a 401(k), building credit, how insurance works, or many other critical facets of adult life. Bellaire saw a gap in the market for people like her, which inspired her to create Realworld, an app aimed at simplifying adulthood.
Designing Demonstrations Realworld provides resources that make it easier to
understand major “adulting” topics not covered in formal education — things like balancing a budget, filling out employment paperwork, setting up a credit card, etc. When setting out to create the app, Genevieve interviewed more than 1,000 people — from recent college graduates to business owners — to understand the problem areas and then identify and create “playbooks” for dealing with them. Playbooks contain step-by-step lessons that guide users through the topics and their myriad intracacies. The app now has nearly 100 instructional playbooks to prepare its users for many tasks. The app can help provide a refresher or identify other facets of adult life you may want or need to know about. Community of Peers Since Realworld is a platform meant for the next generation, it is focused on building a community. After all, learning is easiest when you have other people to bounce ideas off of. The users, along with the team of researchers, writers, designers, and educators working on the app, all benefit from its lessons. During COVID-19, Bellaire changed its pricing model and made the app free. Since then, the app has grown exponentially, amassing over 1.7 million users as of 2023. More people than ever have access to the resources they need to face adulthood head-on. The Realworld: Simplify Adulthood app is available now for free on Apple’s App Store. Bellaire told Forbes magazine that the app’s objective is to empower young adults, especially recent graduates and minorities, with its resources. “This is the reason we made the decision to make the platform free. We want to be part of leveling the playing field for everyone and provide our members the opportunity to set themselves up for success,” she said.
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of paying thousands of dollars per post, you’re probably only going to spend a few hundred dollars at most, which helps keep your social media strategy within budget. Why should your business hire a micro-influencer? You might think that an account with a few thousand followers isn’t worth your time and money, but building a platform is incredibly challenging. You’ve probably already experienced this with your personal or business social media accounts. These individuals have already amassed a following, and now, you can take advantage of their hard work. Additionally, most micro-influencers have a targeted audience that aligns with their views and words. If their
what you want to gain from this social media campaign. Search keywords and use filters to find the perfect account for your business. From there, you need to search for influencers who fit your brand and then inform them of your campaign goals so they can create the proper content. Once you’ve found the perfect influencer, determine which platform is best for your campaign. Each platform provides unique advantages. The influencer may be able to guide you through which option is best depending on your goal and content idea. Remember that you’ll likely have to give content direction to the influencer to ensure you get the content that fits your brand’s image and accomplishes your goals. This includes promo codes, product samples, or information about your business.
targeted audience shares the same circle as your potential customer base, you have a recipe for boosted sales and growth. How to find the right micro-influencer for your business. Finding the right influencer to represent your brand will take some effort. If you hire someone whose audience doesn’t relate to your business, you’ll be wasting time and money. Start by determining
Influencers can be a powerful tool for driving business and growing your brand. Consider using a micro- influencer if you’re struggling to find new clients through social media. It might be the best thing you can do for your business this year!
Rise25 Podcast Spotlight ‘Lead Like a Woman Show’ Andrea Heuston Featuring: Top women leaders sharing inspirational stories on life and leadership
Many past careers weren’t glamorous, and some are the worst professions in history. Let’s look at four foul jobs that no longer exist (and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it). Purple Dye Makers Back in ancient times, the hue of the royals was made by crushing thousands of snails, extracting their glands, and then heating the material being dyed in a pot full of brine for 10 days in an incredibly odorous process! Dripping Men A dripping man back in Victorian England would go to homes and businesses to collect their fat drippings to sell to the public. Childbed Linen Warehouse Keepers According to an 1842 book of trades, a job involved supplying, collecting, and cleaning bed linens specifically used for birth. Honey Dippers, Toshers, and Purefinders Honey dippers collected waste from homes, toshers scavenged sewers for valuable items to sell, and purefinders collected dog poop (to be used in the process of tanning leathers). An interesting question to ponder: Which jobs of our era will be considered weird history in the future? UNMASKING SOME OF HISTORY’S WORST JOBS Careers You’ll Be Glad Are Extinct
'The Lawtino™' John Gomez
Featuring: Legal, political, and community leaders and visionaries discussing the intersection of law and Latino communities ‘Circle City Conversations’ Alexander Limontes Featuring: Professionals in Indianapolis sharing what it’s like to live and work in the city ‘Marketing That POPs’ Michele Ringelberg and Oliva Johnson Featuring: Industry experts, trendsetters, and creative minds helping you elevate your marketing game from flat to fabulous
‘Financial Clarity’ Hannah Smolinski
Featuring: Seasoned entrepreneurs sharing practical tips for small- business owners to achieve financial success ‘The Same Day Podcast’ Keyrenter Property Management Featuring: Professionals in and out of the real estate industry discussing driving incremental business growth
Go subscribe on iTunes!
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Inside This Edition
1. Building Connections Through Giving 2. The App Every Adult Needs 3. Bizarre Jobs That Time Forgot 4. A Guide to Micro- Influencer Marketing
SMALL FOLLOWING, BIG IMPACT How Micro-Influencers Can Drive Business Growth
Social media has changed the way businesses market themselves and their products. Instead of relying on word- of-mouth or spending exorbitant sums of money on television, radio, or print advertising, businesses can now create social media pages, giving customers a direct line to everything going on with the company. Many businesses focus on amassing more followers on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. However, having an account isn’t enough to bring more attention to your business. You must utilize a carefully crafted social media plan to maximize your presence and potential. With the rise of social media came influencers, people with large social media followings who used their platform to drive attention to ideas, businesses, and products. Influencers aren’t anything new; companies have used celebrities to advertise
their products and services since the 1800s. These days, hiring a well-known celebrity to showcase your product or service costs an astronomical amount, likely more than the average business owner can pay. That’s where social media influencers come into play. Social media influencers are everywhere; you can’t scroll through Instagram for more than 10 minutes without one of their sponsored posts showing up in your feed. Some of these influencers have hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of followers, but you don’t need to hire the most prominent influencer to connect with potential customers and promote your brand. Realistically, you only need to find the right micro- influencer to get the most out of your social media marketing efforts. You’re probably wondering, “What is a micro-influencer?” They’re lesser-
known influencers with followers between 10,000 and 100,000 across various platforms. While they might have a smaller audience pool, micro- influencers often have a much more engaged following, with many followers commenting, sharing, and reacting to their posts regularly. Businesses wanting to hire micro- influencers for their marketing efforts will be pleased to learn that they charge significantly less than a well- known influencer or celebrity. Instead
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This Month’s Featured ‘Inspired Insider’ Podcasts
Harnessing the Power of Data to Drive Business Growth
The Magic of Direct Response and AI in Nonprofit Growth
Mike Nellis is the Founder of Authentic, a marketing agency that specializes in online fundraising, media, and creative design and has helped raise over $1 billion online. With a deep- rooted political background, including work for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, Mike possesses a profound understanding of
Luke Komiskey is the Founder and CEO of DataDrive, a consulting firm specializing in managed analytic services. With over a decade of experience, Luke has played a pivotal role in making data analytics more accessible to various businesses. Under his
leadership, DataDrive has evolved into a global team of professionals, supporting over 150 organizations across health care, public education, manufacturing, and software. Luke’s approach emphasizes transforming data into actionable insights, aiding organizations in making faster and more informed decisions. His passion for simplifying complex data challenges has been central to DataDrive’s mission of fostering a data-informed society. In this episode of the “Inspired Insider Podcast,” Dr. Jeremy Weisz is joined by Luke Komiskey to delve into the role of data in driving business success. They explore how DataDrive’s analytics solutions aid organizations in a variety of industries, Luke’s personal journey from global traveler to data analytics leader, and the impact of remote work culture on modern business operations.
engaging communities and stakeholders digitally. He’s also the Founder of Quiller.ai, an Adweek 2023 AI Efficiency Award-winning tool designed to revolutionize online fundraising using generative AI technology. In this episode of “Inspired Insider Podcast,” host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Mike Nellis to discuss the intersection of AI and online fundraising. The two touch on utilizing email marketing tactics to elevate campaign strategies, the value of developing solid systems and processes for business efficiency, Mike’s journey from Obama’s campaign to founding a leading marketing agency, and the cultural shift toward a four-day workweek.
Special Shoutouts: A notable person on Mike’s journey is Hillary Lehr. Scan the QR code or visit the link to listen to the full episode.
Scan the QR code or visit the link to listen to the full episode.
InspiredInsider.com/ luke-komiskey-interview
InspiredInsider.com/ mike-nellis-interview
This Month’s Featured ‘Smart Business Revolution’ Podcasts
Fueling Business Growth Through Meaningful Connections
Mastering Agency Growth in an Age of AI and Disruption
Chris Yates is the Founder of Rhodium Network, a community and events platform designed to support digital entrepreneurs through facilitating business deals, partnerships, and connections. Before his current venture, he made waves in the digital marketing agency realm and was instrumental in
Jason Swenk is the Founder of Agency Mastery 360, a company dedicated to helping digital agency owners grow and scale their businesses. With over 20 years in the agency space, he has built and sold his agency, and he now leverages his experience working with brands like AT&T, Hitachi, and Lotus Cars to mentor other agencies.
In addition to hosting the Smart Agency Masterclass podcast, the No. 1 podcast for digital marketing agency owners, Jason has developed a framework for growing agencies from nothing to eight figures. His unique perspective, shaped by his extensive experience and monthly interaction with over 100 agencies, provides valuable insights into navigating market disruptions and achieving sustained growth. Tune in to this episode of the “Smart Business Revolution Podcast” as John Corcoran interviews Jason Swenk about growing an agency in an age of AI and disruption. They discuss the impact of AI on agency operations and how to leverage it. Jason also talks about finding the right clientele and refining your niche, the benefits of visiting clients regularly to build stronger connections, and the significance of consistent content creation and personal branding for agencies.
a series of online businesses, culminating in impressive profits. Chris owns and manages a portfolio of income- producing websites and teaches others the best practices for securely purchasing established websites. Tune in to this episode of the “Smart Business Revolution Podcast” as John Corcoran interviews Chris Yates about building and scaling online businesses through strategic acquisitions and networking. The discussion also covers Chris’ childhood experiences in an entrepreneurial family, the evolution of the Rhodium community from an annual meet-up to a full-fledged entrepreneurial network, and how the community has facilitated over $100 million in business deals among its members. Special Shoutouts: A notable person on Chris’ journey is David Gass.
Scan the QR code or visit the link to listen to the full episode. SmartBusinessRevolution.com/ fueling-business-growth-through- meaningful-connections-with- chris-yates
Scan the QR code or visit the link to listen to the full episode. SmartBusinessRevolution.com/ mastering-agency-growth-in-an-age- of-ai-and-disruption-with-jason-swenk
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