Meet Your New Fellow Business For Good Members (Part 1)
Over the past 14 months since California issued its stay-at-home order, something unexpected happened at Business For Good—we grew our membership base by over 20%.
While BFG membership is very affordable, our new members still chose to take on an additional expense during a very financially uncertain time. We know that says A LOT about them—and about BFG.
Despite the challenges so many of our fellow San Diego purpose-driven business owners faced during the pandemic, they believed it was more important than ever to join a values-aligned community that’s committed to making San Diego a better place for everyone who lives here.
Please join us in welcoming our new BFG members, and read on to learn about all the fantastic ways in which they’re positively impacting San Diego (and beyond). Part 2 of this series debuts in July!
Julian Bryant // Founder, Slay Today!
What does your business do, and who are your favorite clients? Slay Today! helps LGBT community members overcome mental health and substance abuse challenges. This is done primarily through a mobile app where users can receive video messages of support from friends and family at times when they are emotionally struggling the most. The app also helps teach folks how to be supportive friends and connects users with a broader support community.
What about yourself or your business are you most proud of? I love the idea that our teams spend each day working on ideas that will genuinely help people who are emotionally struggling.
What made you want to join Business For Good? I met several of the BFG Board members, and I loved the mission of the organization.
Which one of BFG’s four policy focus areas resonates most with you, and why? Small Business Investment, because I’d like to see more underrepresented folks be able to establish and run successful businesses.
What do you love the most about San Diego? The weather, the views, and the relaxed atmosphere.
Bonus question! What was your biggest guilty pleasure during the pandemic? I started snacking on meat and cheese platters while simultaneously drinking Gatorade to be healthy and hydrated. It makes no sense.
Sean Connacher // Principal, Here & Now Marketing
What does your business do, and who are your favorite clients? I run a marketing consultancy that provides integrated strategies and quick-to-market tactics for brands and agencies alike. My favorite clients are confident in what they do and curious about what they don’t do (just like me!).
What about yourself or your business are you most proud of? Since I have years of advertising experience under my belt, Here & Now gives me the ability to choose which clients I find most meaningful to partner with. It also allows me the runway to seek out clients I can most positively impact—specifically in the San Diego area.
What made you want to join Business For Good? Social-good-minded business leaders sharing ideas and progress for the town I call home? No brainer!
Which one of BFG’s four policy focus areas resonates most with you, and why? While all of BFG’s focus areas are important, Environmental Health rings the truest to me. I grew up here, and as thrilling as it’s been to watch the San Diego region grow over the past 20 years, it’s pretty clear that our communities of concern have been neglected and, at times, totally pushed aside. I’m pro-transit, pro-mobility, pro-clean air, and pro-community-building.
What do you love the most about San Diego? We have it all here, and yet it keeps getting better. Climate, culture, food, industry, outlook. I’m so proud to be a native.
Nichole MacDonald // Founder + CEO, Sash Group, Inc. (Sash Bag)
What does your business do, and who are your favorite clients? I am the creator of the Sash bag—the 10-pocket, ergonomic, hands-free bag that replaces a woman’s traditional purse. I manufacture, sell, and distribute bags all over the globe to women who want a better way to carry their necessities.
What about yourself or your business are you most proud of? I have grown my company to multi-millions in annual sales by building a community around my business. I threw out conventional wisdom and instead learned to trust my gut to guide me along the way. It worked!
What made you want to join Business For Good? Multiple people told me that it’s a good local organization to support and align myself with.
Which one of BFG’s four policy focus areas resonates most with you, and why? These are all very important areas, and I know I could be doing more to support all of them. However, I think that Small Business Investment is probably at the top of my list. I think that getting more support to the business owners in our community will in turn create more overall growth and impact for organizations that are focused on all of BFG’s policy areas.
What do you love the most about San Diego? I love that San Diego has a little bit of everything. Beach bonfire? Check! Mountain hike? Check! Fine dining and craft cocktails? Check! Street tacos? Check! And of course Balboa Park and the zoo, and, and, and… I just LOVE it here!!
Bonus question! What was your biggest guilty pleasure during the pandemic? I got to binge-watch a few shows I otherwise never would have seen.
Nic Roc // Co-Founder + Owner, You Belong Here
What does your business do, and who are your favorite clients? You Belong Here is a collaborative co-work and community event space. YBH offers memberships for coworking, day passes, and resource rentals such as a photography studio, podcast studio, and meeting room. Each resource is loaded with equipment to help creatives bring their vision to life while helping them cut costs on investing in expensive equipment themselves. Community partnerships are a foundational pillar of YBH’s mission—to provide local organizations, artists, and community leaders a safe space and the tools needed to help them develop their programming.
What about yourself or your business are you most proud of? Being open-minded and the willingness to be in situations of discomfort. I firmly believe discomfort pushes a person and a business into growth, as you are forced to learn and actively listen to the lived experiences of others. I believe creating a space such as You Belong Here has taught me a lot about myself. I’m proud of my progress as an individual and evolving with a space that allows for dialogue, conversation, and celebration that is community-centered.
What made you want to join Business For Good? I see the many hardships small business owners face. This includes access to space, rising housing costs, and the gentrification of our neighborhoods. I feel that together, in a group like BFG, we local business owners can work to eliminate some of these barriers. It’s important to be in a community with like-minded individuals who have a common value and goal. We need each other to make lasting change.
Which one of BFG’s four policy focus areas resonates most with you, and why? Small Business Investment and Homelessness. As the owner of a small business in the underserved community of City Heights, I know that it’s very important to have spaces like You Belong Here to help other underrepresented small businesses, too. It’s crucial that we provide the tools and resources to help these businesses thrive and make a bigger impact. Often this includes addressing how, as small business owners, we can take part in helping our neighbors—especially those who are most affected by food and housing insecurity.
What do you love the most about San Diego? The diversity and culture.
Bonus question! What was your biggest guilty pleasure during the pandemic? Sleeping in! Wow! I felt like prior to the COVID-19 shut down, I hadn’t slept for years. Thus, I had a whole year to sleep in, and it was heaven.
Frank Scarpaci // Founder + President, VIANOVA
What does your business do, and who are your favorite clients? VIANOVA helps purpose-driven leaders do business better through strategic planning, offsite retreats, workshops, training, and social impact consulting services.
What about yourself or your business are you most proud of? We’ve been in business for over 15 years, and we’re one of the first companies in the world to be certified as a B Corporation.
What made you want to join Business For Good? To align with like-minded businesses committed to doing good. I also appreciate that BFG is action-oriented and is truly making an impact here locally. Not an easy task in San Diego. Also, I found the BFG leaders are authentic in their passion and commitment to operating responsible businesses. I like it when things get done!
Which one of BFG’s four policy focus areas resonates most with you, and why? Small Business Investment.
What do you love the most about San Diego? The weather, the beaches, and the community. I like that we are a city with a small-town feel.
Bonus question! What was your biggest guilty pleasure during the pandemic? Tavola Nostra Pizzeria’s Margherita pizza and Trader Joe’s chocolate-covered peanuts.
