Connecting Business & Community for the Greater Good

                                                                  

Train/Mentor

The core of Greater Good's mission is supporting a culture of social and environmental responsibility among emerging low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs. Our workshops, eight week-long courses and mentoring programs  are designed to provide small business owners with the right tools they need to increase profits while generating a positive social and environmental impact.

Greater Good Academy

The GREATER GOOD ACADEMY is a comprehensive 8-week business development program that empowers early stage, low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs in Denver to incorporate triple-bottom-line (TBL) strategies into their businesses.

Through an engaging mix of discussion, case studies, group exercises and individual projects, participants will learn to develop mission-driven initiatives that incorporate financial, environmental, and social perspectives into their overall business strategy. Classes will run from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday evenings, starting on April 23rd through June 11th. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Upon completion of the Academy, each entrepreneur will have developed an actionable mission statement and Triple Bottom Line Plan, providing them with a roadmap for becoming more profitable by introducing new green products, reducing their carbon footprint, and engaging with their communities.

LOCATION
The Academy will be held at the Mi Casa Resource Center (360 Acoma Street, Denver, 80223).

ORGANIZATION
The Greater Good Academy is a project of The Progress Group, LLC., while paperwork is being filed to incorporate as a seperate non-profit. 

ELIGIBILITY
Entrepreneurs based in Denver that have been in business for at least three months, are generating revenue, and have a business plan are eligible to participate. Each participant must complete an
 application form

MENTORING
During the Academy, each participant will have access to a ‘library’ of mentors. The Mentors; successful entrepreneurs and business leaders, will provide structured, one-on-one support on how to adopt triple bottom line strategies that drive profitability.

FACULTY
The faculty includes members of the Greater Good staff, as well as some of Colorado’s most innovative, experienced, and socially responsible business leaders.

TUITION
A voluntary contribution of $125.00 is requested to support ongoing program operations. Full scholarships (worth $750) to cover the actual costs of the program are available upon eligibility and request. Please see our FAQ page for additional information.

FUNDING
To cover the true costs of delivering the program, the Greater Good is seeking financial support from corporate sponsors and foundation grants for scholarships.

Mentoring

       
Special thanks to the Colorado Enterprise
Fund for supporting the Mentoring program.
Successfully implementing a triple-bottom-line strategy requires more than eight weeks of training - it takes long-term support from experienced professionals. During and following graduation from the Greater Good Academy, each business will have access to a ‘library’ of mentors from appropriate fields to provide them with structured assistance in becoming more financially, environmentally, and socially responsible. As a mentor, you are asked to commit 5 hours per month, attend two class sessions, and have regular contact with your mentee.

The mentors will:

  • Coach entrepreneurs in scaling up their product and/or service
  • Clarify goals and strategies for distinguishing oneself in the market
  • Help entrepreneurs incorporate triple bottom line strategies into their businesses' DNA
  • Model behavior, strategy and direction for the aspiring sustainable enterprise through their own experience as a successful businessperson
  • Help companies prepare for funding opportunities and showcases offered by the Greater Good

Greater Good Mentors will include experts in the fields of business, social entrepreneurship, law, engineering, organizational development, human resource management, finance, investment, marketing, advertising, hospitality, product design and other professions as needed.

Thanks to the Colorado Enterprise Fund for supporting the Mentoring program.
  

To learn more, take a look at our brochure.

 

   

Apply to be a mentor.

"Teach what you have learned.  Share your experience."

 Tich Nach Han

 Contact us if you're interested in becoming a mentor.

Mentors

David Harbaugh
David Whitten
Jeff Buxton
Kevin Lindsay
Mackenzie Roebuc...
Mekalya Beaver
Natalie Gregory
Nick Massie
Peter Pittman
Roger Hauptman
Ted Zounis

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Introductory Workshop – ‘People, Planet, Profit: The Sustainability Advantage’
Greater Good

April 23rd, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Mi Casa Resource Center 
Denver, CO 80223 


Download a flyer about this Workshop

This free class covers the basics about sustainability and the triple bottom line for small businesses. Using real-life case studies from local companies, we'll focus on the financial, operational and marketing benefits of social and environmental responsibility, and give you some ideas for incorporating triple bottom line thinking into your business right away. This class serves as an overview of topics to be covered in the eight-week Greater Good Academy.

 

Upcoming Introductory Workshops!

  • Fluid Coffee – ‘Building a Triple Bottom Line Company’

Fluid Coffee Bar, 501 E. 19th Ave, Denver, 80203 
http://www.fluidcommunitylearning.com/session/triple_bottom_line
 

  • City of Denver’s Office of Economic Development Open House

March 28th, 8:30-10:30 a.m.  

Denver Workforce Center, 1391 N. Speer Blvd. Suite 500, Denver, CO 80204

*The program will focus on the business advantages of the Triple Bottom Line and upcoming Spring, 2012 Academy.               

        

  • Mi Casa Resource Center Open House

March 28th, 7:00 p.m. 

360 Acoma Street, Denver

*The program will focus on the business advantages of the Triple Bottom Line and upcoming Spring, 2012 Academy

 

Contact Richard Eidlin for details –  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  0r303-478-0131      

 
Past Workshops
November 12, 2009, Denver, CO

Greater Good Launch PDF
Business Summaries November PDF

Let us know if your organization is interested in hosting an Introductory Workshop.