Profit with Purpose: Mary Jo Cook on Using Business as a Force for Good

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:Developing of GreenWorks, Clorox’s first eco-friendly product line How sustainability became a business strategy rather than just a corporate responsibility.Fair Trade USA & Ethical Supply Chains:The win-win-win model—helping farmers, businesses, and consumers make ethical choices.Real stories of partnerships with Whole Foods, West Elm, and others to support fair wages and sustainable sourcing.Leading Pacific Community Ventures (PCV) as CEO:The business model of impact investing—lending money to small businesses that can’t access traditional bank loans.How PCV provides mentorship, financial support, and job creation strategies for underrepresented entrepreneurs.A shared success story of a small bakery owner who scaled from a home business to seven retail locations with PCV’s support.Advice for Young Professionals:The importance of building transferable skills early in your career.How networking and mentorship can open doors.Finding a career that aligns with your values, whether in corporate sustainability, impact investing, or entrepreneurship.How Consumers Can Support Ethical Brands:The role of Fair Trade, B Corporations, and sustainability certifications in making informed purchasing decisions.Evaluating a company's commitment to multi-stakeholder capitalListen to learn how businesses, entrepreneurs, and consumers can drive positive change!