Geri Stengel's blog

Back in the ‘90s, Hilda Polanco, a CPA with a staff of 10, had an out-of-the-box idea. She realized that nonprofits had a real need for a cost-effective way to professionalize accounting and financial management but no one was providing that service. It was the perfect way to differentiate her service from other accounting practices.

Klunk! That was the personal computer landing in the e-waste recycling bin. At least, it sure sounds like that. Mobile phones are more prevelant than toothbrushes, worldwide and the numbers are growing. Just about every demographic group is turning to mobile for shopping, news, and entertainment.

Women frequently start their own companies in order to give themselves the flexibility to balance work and family. Giving your employees the same flexibility can save your business money, spur growth, and make your employees happier.

When you think of your favorite store or restaurant, chances are it’s a local independent, small business. It has charm and character that contribute to the distinctive character of your community. Its customer service is excellent and personal: They know you.

Women entrepreneurs have a tough time getting the financing they need to break through the $1 million revenue mark. I’ve talked to a number of women who have rocketed through and far beyond that limit. They have some basic principles of entrepreneurship in common.

With nearly two million nonprofit board seats open, good board members are hard to find. Most nonprofits know that looking for board members can be time-consuming and frustrating. I’ve been there, on the hunt for people who have the expertise and passion to make a positive contribution to the nonprofit I care about.

What’s that old expression? “It takes money to make money?” Well, women may not be making as much money as men because they are not getting as much, according to Women-Owned Businesses in the 21st Century, a report by the US Department of Commerce, which found that women are more likely to self-finance and less likely to have outside investors.

Many corporations are obsessed with scale. It brings efficiencies and effectiveness that small- to mid-sized businesses can’t provide. Only a few social ventures -- such as Habitat for Humanity, Teach for America, and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers -- have scaled. But scaling is becoming a mantra for some of those concerned about solving the world’s problems in a resource-constrained environment.

Jana Francis and Rett Clevenger launched Steals.com in April of 2008, well before the rise of Big Boy daily deal sites, like Groupon and Livingsocial. Compared to Steals.com, Groupon and other’s product offerings are “a mile wide and inch deep,” said Francis.

Social and environmental problems are growing at a faster rate than philanthropic dollars can keep pace. What’s the world to do? I’ve recently written about a couple of ways people and organizations can do more good -- impact investing, crowd funding and scaling effective and efficient nonprofits.