Good causes need a sound business model
As a former high-flying London headhunter, Natalie Fee had a house, car and high-paying job by the age of 21. But a chance viewing of a trailer for the film Albatross, about plastic pollution, led her to a career pivot. Now, as the founder of City to Sea, she campaigns to stop plastic pollution at source.
1. For all the good you want to do in the world, start with a solid business model. You’ll be less reliant on grants, donations and goodwill.
2. Remember who you serve. Does your company exist to make rich people richer or make the world a better place? The two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, but if you bake people, planet and profit into your articles of association, you’ll find it easier as your company grows to stay true to your stakeholders, nature being one of them.
3. Be reciprocal. How much are you giving back to your staff, customers and the planet? At City to Sea, we’ve found that the best results come from having invested in and nurtured relationships with partners and donors.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember it’s not for personal gain that you’re asking; it’s on behalf of the customers or whoever your organisation serves.
5. Enjoy the ride! It’s so easy to get overwhelmed but remember why you are doing this work in the first place.
6. Make it matter. Just in the last fifty years we’ve lost 70 per cent of the world’s wildlife population. For my work, what matters is making a commitment to protect the remaining 30 per cent.
