Profit, Purpose, and the Truth in Between

In this thoughtful and grounded episode of On The Fly!, Flywheel Executive Director Donna Zaring sits down with Mark Davis, CEO of TableSense and longtime Flywheel board member, to unpack what it really means to create social impact that lasts.Mark describes his journey from CPA and consultant to social entrepreneur working at the intersection of research, investment, and advocacy in the child welfare space. Along the way, he challenges some of the most common assumptions founders make about nonprofits, funding, and impact. Rather than starting with tax status or funding mechanisms, Mark offers a simple but powerful lens: Who are you creating value for—and how?This episode is a must-listen for founders navigating social enterprise models, nonprofit leaders rethinking sustainability, and anyone who believes impact work deserves clearer thinking and braver conversations.💡 Listen to hear more about:Why nonprofit vs. for-profit is often the wrong first questionHow social enterprises differ when the beneficiary isn’t the payerWhat “wicked problems” really are—and why they require partnershipsWhy jobs are a critical catalyst for housing, education, and childcareThe role of investment capital as permanent social capitalHow TableSense blends research, investing, and policy to drive changeWhy common sense, honesty, and “directionally correct” decisions matter more than perfectionLearn more about TableSense’s work and resources at tablesense.org, and follow their insights on LinkedIn for updates on how they’re advancing opportunities in child wellbeing, workforce stability, and community resilience.At Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, we help founders and nonprofits start with value—building businesses and organizations that deliver both financial sustainability and social impact. Learn how Flywheel supports entrepreneurs, coaches leaders, and strengthens Cincinnati’s impact ecosystem at flywheelcincinnati.org.