I stumbled onto the concept of Conscious Capitalism when I attended a Local First AZ event in Tucson in a few months ago.  Since then, I have had the opportunity to clarify my higher purpose (to inspire people to take more creative risks that matter), meet dozens of conscious capitalists from around the world, and capture many, many big ideas as visual notes.  I have to admit that I am a bit skeptical of anything with the word "capitalism" in it because I spent so many years teaching about the damage that big business has done to people and the planet.  However, after attending the three-day conference and a couple of evening events in Phoenix, I think these capitalists are on a different path.  I really do.

First, many of these people introduce themselves by starting a conversation about their passions, such as plant-based foods, sustainable banking, or teaching organizations to think consciously, rather than trying to sell you their product.  Second, it feels like they put relationships first and their egos second.  Nearly everyone I have met at the local chapter meetings and the national conference is so excited about the future of business - of elevating individuals, communities, and supporting the environment in some way - that the conversations flow really easily.  Third, the process of defining a company's higher purpose and building a culture to support it is not an easy or quick task - so they are hard workers who are in it for the long haul. 

If you're intrigued by the idea of Conscious Capitalism, you should check out three things:

1. This book by John Mackey of Whole Foods and Raj Sisodia of Babson College
2. My visual notes (below) from the Conscious Capitalism Annual Conference
3. This 5-minute video that I made to highlight key ideas from the conference

I was invited to draw for the Conscious Capitalism Stakeholder Event in Phoenix in May.  Ten Conscious Capitalists from around Arizona shared five-minute stories of building connections among businesses, universities, suppliers, customers, and neighbors.  Some stories were funny and others were heart wrenching, but all were worthwhile!  Each of the talks was too short to capture completely, but these highlights show the network of businesses that make up Conscious Capitalism AZ.

I attended a Local First AZ workshop last week in Tucson that was partially an excuse to drive deep into the Sonoran Desert during wildflower season and partially a great opportunity to meet local business people.  Who knew that sitting in a furniture showroom for two hours with strangers could change my perspective on capitalism?  Let me explain...

The event was focused on Conscious Capitalism, which is a business philosophy that was articulated by John Mackey (the founder of Whole Foods Market) and Raj Sisodia in a book of the same name.  In my words, Conscious Capitalism is the idea that free trade is good for communities, individuals, and the planet when it exists to serve a higher purpose - such as helping people eat better foods or supporting local communities or making the world a more creative place - not just to make money for shareholders.  Conscious Capitalism proposes that business should seek a higher purpose and consider how business decisions impact all STAKEholders (customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, mama earth), NOT just corporate SHAREholders.  The book is a quick and interesting read.

As an entrepreneur with a background in ecology and 10+ years teaching university students about sustainability, Conscious Capitalism seems like the kind of business philosophy that I would have taught if it had occurred to me to teach about business at the university (maybe I'll go back and do that in a few years :).  While I had not articulated a clear philosophy for my business, I find myself moving towards more conscious business decisions as I become more profitable.  I'm giving away my time through the Contagious Creativity Awards. I try to treat my best customers like dear friends.  I use the most environmentally- and human-friendly markers that I can find (refillable Neuland markers) and draw on recyclable surfaces whenever possible. 

I am planning to attend several Conscious Capitalism meetings in Arizona over the next month and I look forward to learning more!  If you are curious about this philosophy - and the people who are turning it into a movement - you can watch this TEDx talk by Adam Goodman and attend the international conference in Phoenix at the end of April.

I attended the science talks during the Grand Canyon Hiking GTS on February 15, 2019. My big takeaway from the seminar was that the guides and visitors love the Grand Canyon deeply and yet the wildlife, forests, and landscape face more challenges now than ever.  Climate is changing, water resources are increasingly scarce, helicopters and planes regularly disturb wildlife, and dedicated park scientists and managers work with limited staff and funding!  Another takeaway was that the guides and visitors love the Canyon and support it through contributions to the Grand Canyon Conservancy.

I captured as much information as I could during the short talks in these sketchnotes about the forests of the Kaibab Plateau (Dr. Peter Fulé), Grand Canyon soundscapes, karst hydrogeology (and caves), bison on the North Rim (GRCA Science and Resrouce Management Division), and Grand Canyon maps (Matthew Toro).  Enjoy!

What is the Hiking GTS?
The Grand Canyon Conservancy (formerly the Grand Canyon Association) hosts a Guide Training Seminar each year at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Hiking GTS is takes place in mid-February and is geared towards hiking guides, tour bus operators, and people who lead backpacking trips in the canyon.  It is distinct from the slightly better known River GTS, which is hosted by the Grand Canyon River Guides Association so it is geared towards river guides and takes place at the Hatch River Expeditions warehouse in mid-March. 

It seems like everyone I meet these days is talking about the NSA - National Speakers Association - so when past president Kristin Arnold invited me to attend the Arizona Chapter meeting this week, I went for it!

Kate Delaney, the Sports Princess, spoke about finding your WOW.  I would boil her message down into these essential elements:

• Use sassy titles that will catch your audience's attention.  Descriptive, boring, academic titles don't work anymore.  People are too busy to figure out what you have to offer, so you must tell them.
• Work on your pitch until it is clear, concise and catchy!  Keep your pitch to a couple of paragraphs and be sure that it says who you are, what you do, and what you have to offer.
• Catch the news cycle with earned, rented and owned content. Kate uses the metaphor of a stadium and says the goal is to get people inside of your stadium where your own media resides.
  • Earned media.  This is media that finds you because of the wonderful (or possibly scandalous) things that you have to offer.  You can catch more earned media by writing and speaking about topics that are timely and newsworthy (i.e. what are you posting for Valentine's Day this year?)
  • Rented media.  These are media bits that you post on other sides and possibly pay to promote, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.  This media catches a large audience, but because you don't own it, it could all vanish if the platform goes away or you lose access.   
  • Owned media.  This is your website, your blog, your podcast.  You want to get as many people in the door of your stadium because here you own the team and you can dazzle people with your talent!