Welcome to the very first episode of Business for Optimists! I’m on a mission to explore different paths on how we can care about people, purpose, and the planet as much as we care about profit as entrepreneurs. 

My first guest on this exploration is the ever-inspiring Carol Tarr, VC Fellow and President of the Wominvest Observatory. We dive into Carol’s career so far, starting from her early roots in entrepreneurship, learned from her father’s real estate empire in southside Chicago, all the way through to her most recent ventures.

Along the way, we discuss the roles that women play in business, the kinds of businesses that women tend to lead - and what needs to change in VC funding for more women to succeed.

Join us as we consider where the real power in VC funding lies and how important it is to find the tribe that will inspire future growth.

Links to organizations and people mentioned:
19:20: The Language Friendly School
39:20: McKinsey: Why Diversity Matters
42:36: Herminia Ibarra

Where to find Carol:
The Wominvest Observatory 
LinkedIn

Tune in next week for a new guest and a new fork in the road to discovering what business for optimists could look like.

Business For Optimists Carol Tarr

I’m joined by CEO and author Rebekah Bastian, to help me explore different business approaches that balance people, purpose, and the planet as much as profit.

Together, we dig into how life paths are rarely ever linear, how Rebekah’s company OwnTrail empowers women to celebrate the winding paths that life takes us on, and how companies and investors can combine value with profit.

I also hear from Rebekah on coining the term AuthenTech and what this movement of value-driven businesses could mean for the future of like-minded companies.

Links to businesses and resources mentioned:

2:10: Blaze Your Own Trail

16:06: Rebekkah’s article on AuthenTech

45:50: Liz Pearce of Fresh Chalk

46:01: Buddhi

46:15: Chances

2 - Rebekkah Bastian Authentech

Business for Optimists is a podcast on how we can care about people, purpose, and the planet as much as we care about profit as entrepreneurs. I interview founders, investors, thinkers, and fire starters on how we can change the status quo of business. The pod comes with heaps of optimism, a generous sprinkling of glitter, and not too few flying pigs moments.