Finding My Own Money vs. Mission Balance
By Susanne Goldstein on Jan 21, 2008 in The Social Age
Recently, I was thinking about the “good ole days”. I’m not one to spend a lot of time living in the past, but I had a thought… and that thought has stuck with me.
Back when I was Susanne v2.0 (I’m now at Susanne v4.0), I was living it large in the “go-go” days of the dotcom boom. In these crazy times, I had more work as a interactive product and user interface designer than I could ever do. Silicon Valley venture capitalist were literally throwing money at any engineer with a start-up idea, and many of those start-ups were throwing money at me so I would help them design their “next big thing” on the Internet. It was a heady time. I charged an hourly rate equivalent to a nicely paid attorney and could not find enough hours in the week to service all the clients that wanted me.
In those days, I worked redesigning Microsoft.com, did work on Evite, Egreetings, Standard & Poors, William-Sonoma and many, many others. My plate was full, as was my bank account. Life was good. (You can see samples of my work on my site business site The Accelerator)
But not really.
Something was missing from my life and that something was about giving back to society more substantially than designing the next Yahoo!. I was fortunate. I had a group of friends who had a similar feeling and together we founded Social Venture Partners Bay Area. SVP, originally started in Seattle, is a partner-funded and driven venture philanthropy fund. Together, the founding partners of SVPBA contributed $500,000 to our first fund and each of us donated time and energy toward our mission of “creating better outcomes for youth” in San Francisco. We decided to adopt a neighborhood (a technique called a Comprehensive Community Initiative) and we got to work.
The neighborhood we adopted is called SOMA (South of Market). It is a rough neighborhood where the Sixth Street Jail releases recently paroled criminals to the streets. Most families had to work 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet, and a vast majority of the children had no adult supervision after school. From 2-6pm, they were on their own, writing their own destiny on the streets of a bad neighborhood.
We, at SVPBA, decided to step in and help out. One of our initiatives, together with Mercy Corps., was a new after school program for kids in three low-income housing projects called MAT (Motivational Achievements Together). With a safe place to go, a snack to eat, homework help and educational activities, it was amazing to see these kids thrive.
In the meanwhile, I continued down the path of the “go-go” days, making money building websites that were great, but didn’t fill my soul. And then one day I had my crucible moment.
It was a crisp, fall San Francisco day. I was consulting to Pottery Barn, designing the online gift registry for www.potterybarnkids.com. My Mom will tell you that I called her and said “In the morning, I’m designing a site to help rich moms buy rich furnishings for the kids of their rich friends, and in the afternoon, I’m with these amazing kids who haven’t eaten all day! In the grand scheme of things, who cares if the crib and the night light should go on the same web page when this kid’s dad was arrested this morning.”
I couldn’t live this life anymore.
So I did what any normal insane person would do. I quit Pottery Barn. OK, so I had my first crazy “save the world” moment, and it felt great. I threw myself into working with the MAT kids, developing bonds with them like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I spent as much time volunteering at MAT as I could. And I decided that I was going to dedicate myself completely to working for clients who were trying to make a difference.
Transitioning to working with social enterprises, non-profits and academics institutions has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve helped clients solve problems and become more sustainable, and even continued to do web design — but only for organizations with a social component to their mission. But to be honest, the huge drawback is money. Where I used to make 3X per hour consulting to the Microsofts of the world, I now make X per hour consulting to the Harvards of the world. My reward otherwise, is greater. Perhaps even my influence is greater. But influence doesn’t pay the rent.
I’m coming to the end of my big Harvard project next month and have started looking for my next gig. It’s harder than it ever has been before because it truly matters to me what kind of work I am willing to take on. As well, as an adjunct lecturer at The Kennedy School of Government on Leadership & Social Enterprise, it is hard for me to justify to my students if I were designing a site for a cigarette company. With my moral compass set at my own true North, it makes making a living all the more challenging.
And so what have I learned from all of this? I’ve learned that in my version of The Social Age, I choose mission over money. It makes my life a bit harder, a lot less secure and much more frugal. But most of the time, I am fulfilled. I wish it were different. I wish I could find a corporate client working on a great sustainability initiative (I actually did one for Pacific Gas & Electric called Let’s Green This City) or a social responsibility program. Or a website that is offering the greatest social network in the world for connecting people interested in the greater good. I’m sure it will come to me someday soon. I’ve learned patience in The Social Age.
So I ask you to examine your own Money vs. Mission balance. Perhaps you won’t be as extreme as I was — quitting my line of work for a more meaningful one — but maybe you will make other adjustments. Join a non-profit board, do a day with Habitat for Humanity, or volunteer at Boy & Girls Clubs.
All I ask, is that you Get Involved. Together and individually, we can make a huge difference in the world.
Susanne big ups for your contributions towards society. We need more people like you who are ready to help the deprived and disadvantaged. I just got back from Kenya where we had a two week medical mission and it was a great life experience to see how the people survive without the basic needs to save lives.Thanks and keep it up.
Solloh.
Comment by Solomon Mugati -- Jan 21, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
Fantastic thoughts. You are not alone; ) - I was with you in the golden days and they were alot of fun! We had a great time making money helping others make money. We were learning and growing and pushing hard on ourselves to make an industry better. That was good. But along with that came materialistic self-absorption that got out of balance - we had a hard time seeing past the shiny new cars and the next little black dress. I don’t know if it’s being in my 40’s that changes things or being part of web 2.0 that changes thing, probably a combination - but today my intention is focused on sustaining a living while helping the planet sustain too. Promoting green. Working with companies focused on reducing carbon emissions. Even the day to day stuff has changed: I listen more, think of others often, donate consistently to causes that i find inspiring like Partners in Health and Central Asia Institute. All stuff i think someone said I was supposed to learn in kindergarden…it just took me a few years longer.
Comment by LB -- Jan 21, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
darlin - you are so inspiring and I loved reading your story. My husband Joe is finishing his MBA at Presidio School of Management and is inundated with corporate /sustainable/green job listings. He’s very plugged in and consults with start-ups and also large businesses who are interested in sustainability and also making profit (Natural Capitalism) - especially in the climate and green space.
A large emphasis on social activism going on there too. If your interested I could find out how to get you the listings but you’ve probably got a lot on your plate.. let me know what your looking for specifically.
These days I am full time mom to a 9 month old but looking for part time work I can do from the house too.. not an easy challenge. Come visit and lots of love and hugs to you. xo Jen
Comment by Jennifer Karno -- Jan 21, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Thanks for sharing! Just when I thought I needed to do something besides public service…you remind me why I am still doing it after 20 plus years. Gina
Comment by Gina Simpson -- Jan 21, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
Good news! It doesn’t have to be a black-and-white, leave one thing to do the other, decision. We (at least those of us in Susanne’s world) are all waking up to the needs of the world and the people in it, and each of us can be most effective by using the skills we have towards global ends. There is a business side to every big endeavor, and ignoring that fact leads to the endeavor ultimately failing. I have to remind myself that while seeing one patient at a time may not be the big scale I want to work at, I can make my living, make a difference with one person at a time, and blend my practice in with the change I want to see in the world. In my case this has to do with women leading full, healthy, fulfilled lives.
Comment by Dr. Elizabeth Lyster -- Jan 21, 2008 @ 7:55 pm
Great post, Susanne! So many good examples are unfolding around us today, each demonstrating the compatibility between doing well by doing good,,, between maximizing revenue and social return.
Companies like Nau, Timberland, Participant Productions, GOOD Magazine, Good Capital, Fast Company, among others are beginning to blur the lines big time. On the Internet, new comers Razoo (good luck with the contest!), Rethos, and (if I might add) Changents are on the bleeding edge of bridging business and mission. B-Labs is creating an entirely new set resources for “For Benefit” companies. These are exciting times, don’t you think?
So, I’ve decided not to choose money over mission, but to choose both. Think of it as “ego-altruism” — a lifestyle about living big and giving big.
By the way, if you’ve not already read it, Joe Keefe’s (PAX World) article “From Socially Responsible Investing to Sustainable Investing” is a good trend-spotter piece on this.
Cheers!
Deron
Comment by Deron Triff -- Jan 21, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
All such great responses! Thanks to all of you. My post helps makes a point, and that is that making a difference takes some thought and effort. I believe it is worth the trade-offs, but even I have my trade-off limits. I think Deron said it best in deciding “not to choose money over missions, but to choose both”. At the end of the day, that IS what I have done. What I’ve also chosen is to NOT choose pure money.
Keep them comments rolling in!
Comment by Susanne Goldstein -- Jan 21, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
Susanne,
As you know, I had a similar meltdown many years ago. A consulting project of mine was to result in 10,000 people losing their jobs. I quit the project and took a leave of absence for a few months. Although I did return to the consulting company, I vowed to never again be involved with downsizing. It has been a dozen years and I have been true to that promise. I now only focus on growth.
I am 100% confident that you can do good and do well. It sometimes requires a different path and some creative thinking. But maybe more than anything, it requires patience and faith that it will all work out.
You are one of the smartest, most passionate, and caring people on the planet. I know in my heart that you will soon have it all. You deserve it. And the world deserves more people like you.
Steve
Comment by Steve Shapiro -- Jan 21, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
Thanks for your thoughtfulness and addressing such an important issue to most of us! As a social worker, I’ve always been so grateful to have a job that I absolutely love and have confidence of my contribution to the world. However, I’ve always said, “I didn’t go into social work to make money.” I’m probably the opposite of most on this site. It would be nice to have more of the comforts and security that a larger salary can provide. That being said, there are so many ways to do both as some of you have expressed. I would say that your time is the most valuable resource you could give any social problem. Don’t underestimate the power of a few hours a week devoted to a non-profit or cause. That is what social change means to me…the things that could be accomplished if we all spent a few hours a week working for social good…
Comment by Kathleen Lacey -- Jan 22, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
Susanne! Inspiring woman!
The purpose of life is a life with a purpose.
You found yours, and I congratulate you on that!
Just this week I adopted a little 10 year old girl Xiana as a little sister, and can not be happier about the right investment of time.
You reminded me of how great it is to serve others this morning, and I thank you for that.
Kepp up a great work for the right reasons!
Your Ukrazian friend Natasha Kapij
Comment by Natasha Kapij -- Jan 23, 2008 @ 10:54 am
“So, I’ve decided not to choose money over mission, but to choose both. Think of it as “ego-altruism” — a lifestyle about living big and giving big.” (Deron Triff, Jan. 21)
Well said. What the money gives us is freedom. Freedom to make choices. Freedom to take the pro bono job for the non-profit. Freedom to volunteer.
You chose the word “Balance” to name this post — and that’s what it’s all about. Great piece, Sus.
Comment by Chris Cava Preston -- Jan 23, 2008 @ 5:05 pm
wonderful reading,its one of life’s greatest goals to find something that you truly love,your passion that affects everyone postively,and allowing one to live confortably.
enjoy the journey,you will find it or it will find you.
more power to you.the world needs many more people like you.
Comment by clarence -- Jan 31, 2008 @ 5:40 am