Shows
Spark Good Podcast#41: How to Stay Focused in Your Business When Everything Feels UrgentIn early 2026, many business owners are navigating an environment where everything feels urgent. Between economic shifts, social disruption, and the everyday pressures of entrepreneurship, it can feel like your attention is constantly being pulled in a dozen directions. In this episode, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi builds on her recent conversation about reactive vs. responsive leadership and tackles a practical question: What do you actually do when everything feels urgent? She explores what's happening in your brain under stress, why urgency narrows your thinking, and how decision fatigue quietly chips away at strong leadership. Then she shifts into practical...
2026-02-1723 min
Spark Good Podcast#40: Reactive vs. Responsive Leadership: How to Lead Your Business When the World Feels on FireIn early 2026, showing up as a business owner has felt different. Living in the Twin Cities amid increased ICE presence, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi shares she has been grappling with a question many business owners are facing: How do we lead when the world feels on fire? In this episode, she unpacks the difference between reacting and responding — and why that distinction matters more than ever for entrepreneurs. She explores what happens in our brains when under pressure, how values anchor us in crisis, and what proactive CEO leadership actually looks like in real time. If you've been wondering how to...
2026-02-1133 min
Spark Good Podcast#39 - Minnesota in This Moment: Hope, Fear, and Showing UpTake courage friends. The way is often hard, the path is never clear, and the stakes are very high. Take courage. For deep down, there is another truth: you are not alone. By Wayne B. Arnason In this joint episode of the Social Change Leaders Podcast and Spark Good Podcast, longtime collaborators and friends Stephanie Malon-Rufi and Traci Warnberg-Lemm reunite to name the moment we're living in — and talk honestly about how we need to keep showing up. This podcast discusses what it's actually been like living and working in Minnesota du...
2026-02-0124 min
Social Change Leaders Podcast#176: Minnesota in This Moment: Hope, Fear, and Showing Up“Take courage, friends. The way is often hard, the path is never clear, and the stakes are very high. Take courage. For deep down, there is another truth: you are not alone.”— Wayne B. Arnason
In this joint episode of the Social Change Leaders Podcast and Spark Good Podcast, longtime collaborators and friends Stephanie Malon-Rufi and Traci Warnberg-Lemm reunite to name the moment we’re living in — and talk honestly about how we need to keep showing up.
This podcast discusses what it’s actually been like living and working in Minnesota during recent ICE activity...
2026-02-0122 min
Spark Good Podcast#38 - Quarter Four Reset: Focused Path to 2026As the year winds down, many entrepreneurs fall into one of two traps — either pushing harder than ever to "finish strong," or checking out completely until January. But what if the smartest CEOs do something different? What if your reset for 2026 actually starts now? In this final episode of the Q4 Reset Mini-Series, Stephanie brings everything together — from finding focus to building consistency — and walks you through a simple 3-step framework to review, refocus, and reset your business before the new year begins. You'll hear: ✨ A quick recap of all four episodes in the Q...
2025-10-1009 min
Spark Good Podcast#37 - Building Consistency Over Hustle in Your BusinessBig bursts of hustle can get attention — but consistency builds real growth. In this episode, Stephanie explores what it really takes to move beyond the endless hustle cycle and build steady, sustainable momentum in your business. She shares why those short bursts of energy often lead to burnout — and how small, repeatable CEO habits can help you create stability, clarity, and calm progress instead. You'll learn: Why hustle might create momentum, but consistency sustains it How overworking and "feast-or-famine" patterns drain your focus and profits The core CEO habits that...
2025-10-0914 min
Spark Good Podcast#36 — The Hidden Reason You're Exhausted in Your BusinessIf you're ending the day wiped out — even when you're not working 70-hour weeks — you're not alone. So many entrepreneurs assume exhaustion comes from long hours or hustling too hard. But there's another, quieter culprit that drains your energy and keeps you feeling behind. In this episode, I share the surprising reason so many business owners feel stretched thin, the subtle warning signs to watch for, and small but powerful shifts you can make now to reclaim your energy and finish the year strong. You'll walk away with a fresh lens on why you're so tire...
2025-10-0815 min
Spark Good Podcast#35 - Focus Is a Choice: How to Stop Running Your Business on AutopilotAs entrepreneurs, we're constantly pulled in a hundred directions — by clients, opportunities, and the never-ending to-do list. But what if being scattered isn't just happening to you… what if it's a choice you're unknowingly making? In this episode of the Q4 Reset Mini-Series, Stephanie challenges a deeply ingrained belief about "being busy" and invites you to rethink how you decide what matters most in your business. If you've ever felt like you're reacting instead of leading — or wondered why momentum feels so hard to sustain — this conversation will spark a powerful shift in perspective. Tune in to ex...
2025-10-0713 min
Spark Good Podcast#34- The #1 Mistake Entrepreneurs Make in Q4Every fall, entrepreneurs tend to go one of two directions: they either push harder than ever trying to squeeze every last win out of the year… or they quietly give up, telling themselves it's too late to make a difference. Both approaches can derail your momentum. In this kickoff to my 5-part Q4 mini-series, I'm sharing what I've learned about finishing the year strong — including why I stopped running year-end planning sessions in frantic December (and what I do instead now). If you want to end 2025 with intention and step into 2026 clea...
2025-10-0614 min
Spark Good Podcast#33: From Hustle to Sustainability: Introducing the Four Entrepreneurial TypesLabor Day marks more than just a holiday—it's a reset point. New rhythms. Fresh routines. A chance to step into the final stretch of the year with renewed energy. But here's the question: How are you showing up in your business right now? In this episode, Stephanie shares why she's shifting the Spark Good Podcast into intentional seasons (instead of forcing a weekly grind) and introduces a brand-new framework: The Four Entrepreneurial Types. Are you constantly hustling and burning the candle at both ends? Overflowing with ideas but struggling to gain tr...
2025-09-0519 min
Spark Good Podcast#32: "Small Shifts, Big Payoffs" Series - Part 3: Structure Creates FreedomWhat if the structure you're resisting is the very thing that could set you free? In this episode, Stephanie Malon-Rufi explores how planning like a CEO—with clear focus and intentional structure—can reduce overwhelm, eliminate distractions, and help you build sustainable momentum in your business. Whether you feel like to-do lists are running the show or you're great at planning but struggle to follow through, this conversation will reframe how you approach your time and energy. Stephanie shares: Why traditional to-do lists often fail entrepreneurs How a 90-day planning rhythm help...
2025-06-1821 min
Spark Good Podcast#31: "Small Shifts, Big Payoffs" Series - Part 2: Know Your Numbers, Own Your BusinessKnow Your Numbers, Own Your Business - Part 2 of the "Small Shifts, Big Payoffs" Series for Becoming a Sustainable CEO What if understanding your business numbers could be the key to the clarity, freedom, and impact you're craving? In this episode, Stephanie pulls back the curtain on one of the most overlooked habits of early-stage and mission-driven entrepreneurs: tracking your numbers. Whether you're a social entrepreneur, creative service provider, or growing consultant, this episode will shift the way you think about money, metrics, and the CEO role you're stepping into. We're not talking s...
2025-06-1025 min
Spark Good Podcast#30: "Small Shifts, Big Payoffs" Series - Part 1: From Reactive to Proactive CEOPart 1 of the "Small Shifts, Big Payoffs" Series for Becoming a Sustainable CEO If you've ever ended your workday wondering, "What did I even get done today?"—this episode is for you. We're kicking off a brand-new 4-part series exploring the small, intentional shifts that can lead to big results in your business. In today's conversation, Stephanie unpacks what it really means to step into the role of CEO—even if you're a team of one—and why shifting from reactive to proactive might be the most important move you can make this year. You...
2025-06-0220 min
Spark Good Podcast#29: From Fear to Flow: How Entrepreneurs Build ConfidenceIn this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi explores what it really means to "do it scared"—to take bold action even when confidence is nowhere in sight. Drawing inspiration from a weekend of meaningful experiences, Stephanie unpacks how these moments reveal powerful truths about entrepreneurship. She dives into the psychology of confidence, including: Why confidence is a skill and not a prerequisite. The Confidence Loop framework: how action, not belief, leads to results and growth. Albert Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory and four key sources that help you believe in...
2025-05-0330 min
Spark Good Podcast#28: Time for a Spring Reset in Your Business?How to Hit Reset on Your Business Without Starting Over Spring is a powerful season of renewal — and it might be the perfect time for a reset in your business. In this episode, Stephanie explores why so many entrepreneurs find themselves feeling stuck, scattered, or unsure about what's really moving the needle by Q2 — and what to do about it. You'll learn how to recognize signs that you might need a reset and hear four specific business scenarios that call for a strategic pause and pivot. Whether you're juggling too many offers, contemplating a pivot, stuc...
2025-04-1729 min
Spark Good Podcast#27: The Two Missing Ingredients for Sustainable Business GrowthFeeling stuck in your business? You're not alone. Many entrepreneurs find themselves caught between hustling non-stop without seeing results or feeling distracted by endless ideas but struggling to follow through. In this episode, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi unpacks why this happens—and what you can do to get back on track. Tune in to discover the two missing ingredients that can help you move forward with clarity and momentum. Plus, Stephanie shares an exciting new opportunity designed to support entrepreneurs in creating sustainable success without burnout. Don't miss it! Join Focus + Flow Program for Entrepreneurs: https://www.s...
2025-03-1524 min
Spark Good Podcast#26: The 3 Biggest Traps Keeping Entrepreneurs Stuck (And What to Do About It!)Feeling stuck in your business, exhausted from juggling endless tasks, and unsure if you're making real progress? You're not alone. Many entrepreneurs unknowingly fall into hidden traps that keep them spinning their wheels—traps that drain energy, stall growth, and leave them wondering if success is even possible. But what if breaking free wasn't as complicated as it seems? In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on three of the biggest obstacles holding entrepreneurs back—and revealing practical shifts that can make all the difference. Whether it's escaping the loneliness of entrepreneurship, cutting through the noise to f...
2025-02-2826 min
Spark Good Podcast#25: Now is the Time to Double Down on Your BusinessAfter a season of big personal transitions, I'm back—and more committed than ever to strengthening this entrepreneurial community. In this episode, I talk about why, in uncertain times, it's more important than ever for entrepreneurs to lean in, stay connected, and focus on building sustainable businesses. I also share what's next, including my Focus + Flowprogram, designed to help you move from overwhelm to clarity with the right strategy, support, and community. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why staying connected is key to navigating uncertain times ✅ A personal update on what's been happening behind the scenes...
2025-02-0717 minSocial Change Leaders Podcast#174 - RECONNECTING - Why We Need Our Community Working Together in 2025📢 “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” – Gandhi
Episode Summary:
The Social Change Leaders Podcast is back! After a hiatus, host Traci Warnberg-Lemm returns with renewed purpose, fresh insights, and a deep commitment to supporting social impact leaders like you. In this episode, Traci shares personal and professional updates, reflects on the challenges shaping our world today, and offers a powerful coaching question to help you clarify your impact. Plus, she extends an invitation to build a thriving community of change m...
2025-02-0119 min
Spark Good Podcast#24: The Power of 90 Days: Why Short-Term Focus Leads to Long-Term SuccessIn this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi explores the power of focusing on a 90-day timeframe for achieving business goals. She emphasizes that this short-term focus—often referred to as 90 days or three months or 12 weeks—can lead to significant long-term success. Drawing on insights from her favorite book, The 12 Week Year, Stephanie explains how setting clear, specific goals within this timeframe fosters clarity, direction, and adaptability. Stephanie outlines three key benefits of a 90-day focus, offers practical steps for implementing a 90-day plan, including creating SMART goals and developing an actionable timeline that...
2024-09-2823 min
Spark Good Podcast#23: 10 Questions to Help You Find Your Focus in Your BusinessOn this episode host, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, dives deep into one of the most crucial aspects of entrepreneurship—finding focus. If you're an entrepreneur who feels pulled in multiple directions, wears too many hats, or finds it hard to narrow down on the one thing that will move the needle in your business, this episode is for you. Stephanie shares 10 powerful questions that will help you gain clarity and determine where to focus your energy for at least 90 days. With so many ideas, inspiration, and tasks coming at you, it's easy to feel scattered. But real business growth requires focus, tr...
2024-09-2026 min
Spark Good Podcast#22 The Secret to Sustainable Business Growth: Why Focus Matters More Than HustleIn this episode of the Spark Good podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi discusses the critical role of self-care in business strategy, emphasizing its importance for long-term sustainability and success. She discusses how integrating these practices from day one can help prevent burnout and foster resilience, creativity, and a positive work culture. Drawing inspiration from books like "Do Less" by Kate Northrup and "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson, Stephanie highlights how small, consistent actions contribute to overall well-being and business performance. She provides practical tips about how entrepreneurs can incorporate self-care into their daily routines, ultimately enhancing their leadership, vision, a...
2024-09-0622 min
Spark Good Podcast#21 Why Prioritizing Self-Care Fuels Business SuccessIn this episode of the Spark Good podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi discusses the critical role of self-care in business strategy, emphasizing its importance for long-term sustainability and success. She discusses how integrating these practices from day one can help prevent burnout and foster resilience, creativity, and a positive work culture. Drawing inspiration from books like "Do Less" by Kate Northrup and "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson, Stephanie highlights how small, consistent actions contribute to overall well-being and business performance. She provides practical tips about how entrepreneurs can incorporate self-care into their daily routines, ultimately enhancing their leadership, vision, a...
2024-05-2232 min
Spark Good Podcast#20: Six Key Questions to Refine Your Business OffersIn this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi explores the fundamental questions every business owner should ask themselves to refine their offerings and maximize impact. Through a systematic breakdown of six key questions—Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How—Stephanie guides listeners in understanding their target audience, defining their unique value proposition, and optimizing their sales and delivery processes. Drawing from her own experiences, she illustrates the practical application of these questions in shaping her business offerings. By encouraging listeners to engage with these questions, Stephanie empowers entrepreneurs to align their businesses with meaningful causes, fost...
2024-05-0220 min
Spark Good Podcast#19: Ways to Find Clarity in Your BusinessFeeling unmotivated to work on your business? Maybe you don't actually have a motivation problem. Maybe you have a lack of clarity. This week, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi highlights the common struggle of feeling unmotivated, which often stems from a lack of direction and clarity of action rather than a true motivation deficit. Through relatable examples and insightful exercises, Stephanie offers five practical strategies for cultivating clarity in business decision-making. Stepahnie also shares a tip for how to minimize the constant feels of not being clear in your business with a consistent practice to adop...
2024-04-2426 min
Spark Good Podcast#18: From Awareness to Action: Transforming Your Entrepreneurial PathIn this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi explores the vital role of self-awareness in entrepreneurship. Drawing inspiration from James Clear, author of "Atomic Habits," Stephanie underscores the importance of habitual actions in achieving business goals and emphasizes the foundational role of self-awareness in behavior change. She unpacks the concept of self-awareness, highlighting its relevance to understanding personal values, leadership styles, and resource allocation. Through practical strategies such as personality assessments, ongoing learning, and seeking feedback, Stephanie guides listeners in cultivating self-awareness for enhanced decision-making and alignment with business objectives. The episode concludes with a call...
2024-04-1719 min
Spark Good Podcast#17: 10 Ways to Stay Focused and Accountable to Your Quarterly Business GoalsIn this episode we explore staying accountable to quarterly business goals. With a wealth of experience in coaching business owners toward sustainable and impactful ventures, Stephanie shares invaluable insights and practical strategies to ensure goal attainment. From the importance of physically writing down goals to scheduling regular reviews, keeping goals visible, and utilizing digital tools for tracking progress, Stephanie offers 10 ideas for how to stay both focused and accountable to your business goals on a consistent basis. With her expertise and passion for sparking good through business, Stephanie inspires listeners to take actionable steps towards realizing their goals and...
2024-04-0320 min
Spark Good Podcast#16: Quarterly Planning Essentials: Building Your Business RoadmapIn this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi walks through the indispensable practice of quarterly planning for business success. She emphasizes the transition from an entrepreneurial mindset to embracing the role of a visionary leader, highlighting how quarterly planning serves as a crucial tool in this evolution. Stephanie underscores the significance of quarterly planning in refining business strategies, maintaining focus, and avoiding the frantic pace often associated with end-of-year rushes. Throughout the episode, Stephanie outlines a practical framework for quarterly planning, encompassing four key stages: reflection, planning, execution, and support. You can grab her free download t...
2024-03-2625 min
Spark Good Podcast#15: 7 Strategies to Escape the Entrepreneurial Hamster WheelIn this episode, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi discusses the phenomenon known as being on the hamster wheel, a state all too familiar to entrepreneurs and small business owners. With a keen eye for identifying the subtle signs of this relentless cycle, Stephanie explains how this shows up for business owners. From reactive decision-making to a loss of passion and purpose, she outlines seven key indicators that signal one's entrapment within this exhausting pattern. In addition to illuminating the problem; Stephanie offers actionable strategies for stopping living in this state. From mastering the art of prioritization and time management t...
2024-03-2013 min
Spark Good Podcast#14: Strategic Choices: Mastering Decision-Making in BusinessIn this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi shares the intricacies of decision-making in business, offering valuable insights and strategies to navigate this essential aspect of entrepreneurship. Stephanie explores the multitude of decisions entrepreneurs face daily, from operational choices to strategic planning, emphasizing the staggering volume of decisions individuals make on a subconscious level. She discusses the challenges inherent in decision fatigue and analysis paralysis, shedding light on the pitfalls that can impede progress. Transitioning from an entrepreneurial to a CEO mindset, Stephanie highlights the importance of strategic decision-making, operational excellence, and delegating tasks t...
2024-03-1236 min
Social Impact Level UpInternational Women's Day Bonus EpisodeHappy International Women's Day! Here's a BONUS EPISODE to celebrate amazing women you need to know about right now. The Social Impact Level Up Podcast was created to inspire you with reality-changing ideas brought to you by folks just like you. Meet 10 leaders changing the world in their own unique ways: 💖 Kerri Tottingham💖 Becky Corbett💖 Bianca Nelson💖 Future Cain💖 Jess Sato💖 Adriana Dawson💖 Stephanie Malon-Rufi💖 Rubi Garcia💖 Dr. Norma ReyesThanks to all our wonderful listeners, community members, and podcast guests - celebrate the women you know who are changing the world. Make su...
2024-03-0803 min
Spark Good Podcast#13 Elevate Your Business: From Entrepreneurial to CEO MindsetAre you seeking long-term sustainability and growth for your business? Have you ever wondered what it takes to shift from being an entrepreneur to a CEO? In this episode, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi delves into the critcial journey of shifting from an entrepreneurial mindset to a CEO mindset. She explores the fundamental differences between the two, highlighting the key characteristics of each and emphasizing the importance of making this crucial transition for business growth and sustainability. Stephanie offers practical tips for recognizing the need to shift your mindset, assessing your business's current state, investing in learning...
2024-03-0528 min
2023-12-0617 min2023-11-1514 minSpark Good Podcast#10: The Power of Creating Your Annual Strategic Business PlanThis episode of Spark Good podcast introduces the importance of developing an annual strategic plan for businesses, regardless of their size. Host, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, emphasizes the benefits of strategic planning, including increased growth rates, proactive decision-making, and better adaptability to change. Stephanie breaks down six key advantages of creating an annual plan and executing it.. To help listeners kickstart their planning process, she invites them to a live virtual workshop on December 8th, where they can craft their strategic plan for 2024. Stephanie also provides pre-work exercises to prepare for the workshop, ensuring participants are ready to maximize the benefits of...
2023-11-0827 min2023-10-3119 minSpark Good Podcast#8: Clarifying and Assessing Your Business OffersIn this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi walks through a practical yet powerful exercise designed to help businesses clarify and assess their offers. The episode begins with an introduction to the importance of regularly checking in on your business's offerings and talks about how the end of the year is a perfect time to do this, especially as you begin to do annual strategic planning for your business. The main topic of the episode explores six crucial categories for each business offer that you have. This exercise is a valuable tool for preparing for annual pla...
2023-10-2518 minSpark Good Podcast#7: Your (Growth) Mindset is Your Greatest AssetDid you know that your mindset is truly one of your greatest assets…in your business…and in life? Listen to this episode about the transformative power of a growth mindset. With a strong emphasis on aligning business goals with meaningful causes and nurturing personal well-being, Stephanie dives into the concept of mindset and its pivotal role in entrepreneurship and small businesses. She explores the six key benefits of adopting a growth mindset, including resilience, innovation, continuous learning, adaptability, improved relationships, and long-term success. Furthermore, Stephanie offers actionable insights on how to cultivate a growt...
2023-10-1727 min
Making Good: Small Business Marketing PodcastHow to Build a Socially Conscious Business with Stephanie Malon-Rufi | 202Today’s episode is about a topic that is near and dear to my heart; How to create and maintain a socially conscious business.My passion for this probably comes as no surprise, given the titles of my podcast and of my membership program, Making Good and Making Good Happen. Many if not most of this show’s listeners are, or want to be, socially conscious entrepreneurs, and it has been such a joy to witness the community forming and growing around this idea. As today’s guest said, it is so vital to surround yourself with peers...
2023-10-1743 minSpark Good Podcast#6: What can you accomplish in 12 weeks?In this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi challenges listeners to seize the 12 weeks remaining in the year and set impactful goals. Stephanie emphasizes the power of putting goals in writing and sharing them with others to boost accountability. She shares her top three objectives for the final quarter of 2023, which include finalizing an annual planning package with a virtual workshop, planning the launch of the "Spark Good Collective" group coaching experience, and committing to increased marketing visibility. Stephanie shares additional ideas about what strategic initiatives you can commit to working on in the last 12 weeks...
2023-10-1117 minSpark Good Podcast#5: The Value of Transparency in Your BusinessIn this episode host Stephanie Malon-Rufi focuses on the pivotal role of transparency in business. Stephanie delves into the historical lack of transparency in traditional business practices, highlighting the factors that often discourage it, such as competitive advantage and hierarchical organizational structures. She then discusses the numerous benefits of embracing transparency, including building trust, fostering accountability, and facilitating the measurement of social and environmental impact. Stephanie provides five actionable ways for businesses to increase transparency, spanning pricing transparency, improved communication and information access, ethical advertising and promotion, supply chain transparency, and nurt...
2023-09-2730 minSpark Good Podcast#4: Aligning Your Business with Your Zone of GeniusIn this fourth episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi dives into the concept of discovering and working within your "Zone of Genius." Drawing inspiration from Gay Hendricks' book "The Big Leap," Stephanie explains that your Zone of Genius represents the activities that come most effortlessly to you, those moments when you feel truly alive and in flow. By identifying and understanding your Zone of Genius, you can unlock numerous benefits, including making your business more sustainable and enjoyable. Stephanie guides listeners through three insightful exercises: a set of questions to pinpoint your Zone of Genius, an...
2023-09-1930 minSpark Good Podcast#3: 6 Ways We Can 'Do Business' DifferentlyIn this enlightening episode of the Spark Good Podcast, listeners are invited to explore innovative ways to reshape traditional business models and create a positive social impact. The episode begins by critiquing the conventional focus on maximizing shareholder value, highlighting its detrimental effects on externalizing costs and fostering a short-term outlook. Six transformative strategies for doing business differently are then unveiled: Declaring a purpose-driven mission that centers on social and environmental impact. Transitioning from manipulative marketing practices to ethical marketing. Embracing transparency, both internally and externally. Adopting flexible pricing m...
2023-09-1221 min
Spark Good Podcast#2: The 5 Cs to Successfully Build a Social Change BusinessIn this episode host Stephanie Malon-Rufi introduces listeners to her framework, "The 5 Cs to Successfully Build a Social Change Business." Stephanie explores the five essential elements for social entrepreneurs to consider: Competition, where she redefines competition as a positive force and discusses two common mistakes entrepreneurs make that are best to avoid Cha-Ching (Money), highlighting the importance of financial understanding, profit, pricing, funding options, and a healthy money mindset Community, encompassing community support, network building, and selecting the right support and experts Change, emphasizing how businesses can drive change through practices, advocacy, and industry disruption Care, a reminder to integrate...
2023-09-1225 minSpark Good Podcast#1: Welcome and Introduction to the Spark Good PodcastIn the inaugural episode of The Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi shares her excitement for launching a podcast dedicated to social businesses and the fusion of profit and purpose. Stephanie delves into her background, which includes experiences in nonprofits and business, emphasizing her passion for using business as a vehicle for social change. She discusses her early career working for a nonprofit with a unique social enterprise model and her educational journey, which led to her interest in entrepreneurship. Stephanie also details her extensive experience in startups and consulting, ultimately leading to the creation of her business, "Spark...
2023-09-1222 min
Social Impact Level UpGet Out There & Make an Impact with Stephanie Malon-RufiIn this episode, we had a captivating conversation with Stephanie Melancon, an expert in social enterprises. Stephanie highlighted the growing importance of aligning business values with social impact in response to changing consumer expectations, especially among younger generations. She shared valuable advice for small business owners looking to integrate social impact into their business model, emphasizing the significance of taking the time to envision how their business can contribute positively to society.
Key Takeaways:
How businesses can start making a difference in various ways from adopting sustainable purchasing practices to engaging in community partnerships.
2023-09-0148 min
Spark Good PodcastSpark Good Podcast TrailerWelcome to the Spark Good Podcast, your weekly dose of inspiration, strategies, and stories that will ignite your passion for making a difference. With your host, Stephanie Malon-Rufi and you will delve into the world of entrepreneurship and small business and explore how we can harness its power to spark good. There is an incredible potential of business to have a positive social impact and we want to help you discover how you can align your business goals with meaningful causes and contribute to a better world. Learn More: https://www.sparkgood.net
2023-06-0902 min
Badass Business Squad PodcastEasy Ways to Build a Successful Social Impact Business with Stephanie Malon-RufiBuilding a business that takes social change into account can feel overwhelming -- often we don't even know where to start. Guest expert Stephanie Malon-Rufi takes you through the first tangible steps and exercises to do when building social impact into your business. Episode Links: Join the party on Instagram Get full podcast transcriptions and show notes Find Stephanie on Instagram Learn more about Stephanie on her website Take the quiz to see if your business is sparking social change
2023-02-1623 min
Social Change Leaders Podcast#171 Creating an Aligned Sales Strategy for Your Social EnterpriseMore information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net
As a social entrepreneur, do you find sales challenging? Does setting prices and then talking about them make you cringe? Take a listen to this episode where co-host, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, has a conversation with Kat Luckock, founder of Share Impact, about her work with social entrepreneurs specifically in the area of sales. Through the conversation with Kat you will:
Learn about how Kat first started working in the social enterprise field
Understand why sales can be so challenging for social entrepreneurs and the work Kat does to work...
2022-12-2234 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastGrowing Your Social Business with the Right Support in Place: A Conversation with Casey Gromer“What really draws me to this business is the power we have as women to change the world.” - Casey Gromer More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net As you continue to grow your business, do you struggle with how to grow your team? Do you know how to use team members the most effectively? How can you build an effective team even for a small business? We get into all of these topics and more on this episode with C-Suite Boutique Founder and CEO...
2022-12-1533 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastBuilding A Business Without Burning Yourself OutMore information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Do you experience entrepreneurial burnout? Are you constantly running around wearing all the hats and putting out fires? This episode is a replay of a workshop that co-hosts Stephanie Malon-Rufi and Traci Warnberg-Lemm presented as part of Twin Cities Start-up Week. In this episode, they walk you through an assessment tool that will help you identify: areas in your business that need better systems in place the types of support you need to keep the business on the right track good time management skills that work and how...
2022-12-0841 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastCreating and Implementing Your 2023 Annual Plan“The number-one thing that you will have to sacrifice to be great, to achieve what you are capable of, and to execute your plans, is your comfort.” -Brian P. Moran & Michael Lenningston, 12 Week Year More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Have you started to think about planning your 2023? Now is the time to decide when you will be doing this important part of getting ready for the new year. In this episode, co-host Stephanie Malon-Rufi goes solo and talks about the annual planning process she does for herself and with...
2022-12-0121 min
Creating Social Impact Podcast with Kat LuckockThe 5 C's for building a social change business with Stephanie Malon-RufiStephanie Malon-Rufi, Owner of Spark Good, is a strategic business consultant and business leadership coach working with entrepreneurs who want to build their business to be a vehicle for social change. She draws upon 20+ years of experience working with social enterprises, start-ups and nonprofits and an MBA education with focus on entrepreneurship. She also co-hosts the Social Change Leaders Podcast, geared for social innovators with tips, actionable ideas, and stories to inspire from the front lines of social changes.
In this episode Stephanie shares her 5 C's for building a social change business, which are the pillars to all...
2022-12-0125 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastPodcast Guest Updates Part 3: Supporting the ecoSystem for Social ChangeMore information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net The Social Change Leaders Podcast is 3 years old! To celebrate, some of our former podcast guests are back giving social change leaders updates, lessons learned and some inspiration. In this episode, we will hear from Nancy Meyer, Elaine Rasmussen, Brenden Kumasari and Ann Price to share updates on their work in the social change landscape and ecosystem to effectively do social change, fund it, communicate the value, and evaluate community efforts. In this episode we referenced: Episode #024: Moving the Money: Connecting Investors and Underestimated Ent...
2022-11-1734 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastIs Your Business Impacting Social Change?More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry.” Bill Drayton Is your business impacting social change? Did you know that it can? In this episode, co-host Stephanie Malon-Rufi talks about how a social impact business is a growing model becoming more widely used. However, not all know how to integrate this model into their own business. In this episode you will: Understand...
2022-10-2020 min
Female Founders Breaking BoundariesUse Your Business To Be The Change with Stephanie Malon-RufiThe majority of women I work with have some element of social impact engrained in their business whether they know it or not. It is so valuable to not only run your business in a profitable way but in a way that generates change. This week’s episode 75 of Female Founders Breaking Boundaries is about using your business to be the change!Have you ever felt like you were WAY too busy, stressed out, burnt out, and overwhelmed, so you were advised to delegate some tasks to take things off your plate and free up some ti...
2022-10-2050 min
Social Change Leaders Podcast#160 Tips for Hitting Your Goals by The End of The YearNote to self: Don’t measure your progress using someone else’s ruler.
-Anonymous
More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net
Are you feeling the end-of-the-year crunch? Do you have some goals that you haven’t finished yet or maybe haven't even started working on? It is the last quarter of the calendar year and for many this is a time when we start to push to get our goals accomplished. In this episode, Stephanie and Traci talk about how to approach this last stretch of the year so tha...
2022-10-0616 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastGoing Beyond the Food Drive: Being Radical with Your Business’ Social ImpactRadical simply means grasping at the roots. -Angela Davis More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Is the social impact of your business more of something that makes you feel good or is it integral to your work? How integrated are your social change efforts into your business operations? In this episode, co-host, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, addresses how you can go deeper with your social change work and how you can more closely align it with your business vision. In this episode, Stephanie discusses: The three main ways you can...
2022-09-1520 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastWhy Paying Yourself is Critical for Your Social Business ModelIf you don’t build a social business model that includes paying yourself (the leader), then you are not building a sustainable business model. - Stephanie Malon-Rufi More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Do you bring home a regular paycheck from your social business? Do you have a plan to be paid regularly from your social business? Do you want to have a sustainable business that lasts and can grow? Many social entrepreneurs do not pay themself or do not pay themself enough. In this epis...
2022-09-0816 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastHow to Develop a Strong Social Impact PitchMore information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net "If I had more time I would have written a shorter letter." - Mark Twain Are you confident when talking about the social impact you are trying to make? Do you struggle with making a clear and concise statement about the work you are doing? Putting a persuasive pitch together that is short and interesting can be a challenging task, but we make it simple for you. We have created a template called the Social Impact Pitch to help you create a...
2022-09-0113 min
Social Change Leaders Podcast6 Questions to Help You Clarify Your Social Business Offers“The more clarity and focus you have around what you are offering the world, the easier it will be to authentically sell and have a positive social impact.” - Stephanie Malon-Rufi More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Do you use your business as a vehicle for social change? Have you clearly defined your target audience(s)? Are you crystal clear on what exactly you are selling and the social impact you are seeking? It can be tempting to create and customize offers so that *everyone* can buy, but...
2022-07-2118 min
Social Change Leaders Podcast#145 Leading Social Impact with More Empathy and Emotional IntelligenceMore information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
- Maya Angelou
What do empathy and emotional intelligence have to do with social change leadership? As we are finding our way to the other side of the COVID pandemic and are in what many call “The Great Resignation,” we look at how empathy and emotional intelligence can be leaders' greatest tools for creati...
2022-06-2322 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastSocial Business Check-up“We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.” ― Arianna Huffington More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Do you know if your social business is having the impact you want? Is it creating the positive social change you envisioned? Is it serving you as the founder and business owner? Do you know what you need to strengthen? In this episode we answer these questions. Host Ste...
2022-06-1620 min
Community PossibilitiesStephanie Malon-Rufi: Social Enterprise as a strategy for social changeSend a textIn this episode of Community possibilities, Stephanie shares what its like to work with businesses through a lens focused on changing communities.Stephanie is all about social entrepreneurship and loves teaching nonprofits and community organizations about the role of community engagement and evaluation (yes!) in this work. One tip she shares is that you need to make sure the social impact of your business/enterprise is what the community needs and that products are competitive in the market. Social enterprise strategies discussed include staffing models that employ those with barriers t...
2022-06-0143 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastWhy You Need a Strategic Plan for Your Social Enterprise“Strategic planning is the continuous process of making present entrepreneurial (risk-taking) decisions systematically and with the greatest knowledge of futurity; organizing systematically the efforts needed to carry out these decisions; and measuring the results of these decisions against the expectations through organized, systematic feedback.” -Peter Drucker More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Do you have a strategic plan for your social business? Do you think that strategic plans are only needed for large corporations or nonprofits? In this episode, co-host Stephanie Malon-Rufi explains w...
2022-05-0516 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastThree Steps to Help You Find Clarity When You Are in OverwhelmClarity is power. The more clear you are about what you want and what you need to get there, the more likely you are to achieve it. Stephanie Malon-Rufi More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Do you ever feel overwhelmed that you feel stuck from moving forward? Do you have a headache thinking of everything you have to do? What are the ways that you help yourself through it? In this episode, Stephanie Malon-Rufi shares her process that she uses for her...
2022-04-0722 min
Social Change Leaders Podcast5C’s For Successfully Building A Social Change Business Part 3“Awareness is the greatest agent for change” - Eckart Tolle More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Can you really have a business that creates social change? Yes, you can! Are there some elements to this type of business that are different? Yes, there are! Creating a business AND having social impact may sound challenging but it is possible. In this third of a three-part series, Stephanie Malon-Rufi (owner of Spark Good) reviews the 5 key areas (or the 5 C’s) that all social entrepreneurs need to know and pay attention to as they devel...
2022-02-2422 min
Social Change Leaders Podcast#127 5C’s For Successfully Building A Social Change Business: Part 2Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of standing still.
- Chinese Proverb
More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net
Can you really have a business that creates social change? Yes, you can! Are there some elements to this type of business that are different? Yes, there are! Creating a business AND having social impact may sound challenging but it is possible. In the second of a three-part series, Stephanie Malon-Rufi (owner of Spark Good) reviews the 5 key areas (or the 5 C’s) that all social entrepreneurs need to know an...
2022-02-1723 min
Social Change Leaders Podcast5C’s For Successfully Building A Social Change Business: Part 1Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. -Barack Obama More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Can you really have a business that creates social change? Yes, you can! Are there some elements to this type of business that are different? Yes, there are! Creating a business AND having social impact may sound challenging but it is possible. On today’s episode, Stephanie Malon-Rufi (owner of S...
2022-02-1118 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastManaging and Reducing Decision FatigueThe truth is, it is not about will power, it is about reducing decisions. - Robyn Conley Downs More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Have you felt burnt out from all the decisions you are making each day? Did you know that it is estimated that the average adult makes 35,000 decisions per day?! When we have too many decisions it can tax our brains and leave us mentally and physically exhausted. This leads to decision fatigue. Co-host and social business coach, Stephanie Malon-Rufi, leads us through this e...
2021-09-1615 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastA Mid-Year Check-In With Your Social EnterpriseKeep Moving Forward! More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Do you regularly check-in with your social enterprise? Or do you typically get to the final month of the year and then wonder what those goals are that you wanted to achieve? Mid-year is the perfect time to do a check-in. It is a good time to reflect on your work, determine your plan for the rest of the year and hopefully get re-energized. On today’s episode we: Review the social enterprise check-up; a 6-part framework to increase the sustaina...
2021-07-1514 min
Social Change Leaders Podcast4 Simple Steps to Begin Having an Impact While Making Money“The best way to have social impact and generate revenue, is to strategize, collaborate, break some rules, and operationalize your passion.” -Traci Warnberg-Lemm and Stephanie Malon-Rufi More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Have you wondered how you can create social change and make money? Can you really do both? The corporate world of making money and the nonprofit, charity and government world of social change are coming together in unique ways. There is a lot of room for creativity in the emerging social business and social enterprise field. On today’s episod...
2021-04-1519 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastSimple Ways Leaders Can Build Ecosystems for LearningLeaders must build ecosystems that support learning and ones that create safe places for trial and error during the implementation of learning. - Traci Warnberg-Lemm More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Are you confident that your learning efforts help you achieve your organizational goals? Are you as a leader supporting ongoing learning for colleagues and team? In today’s episode, Traci walks us through why and how leaders can build ecosystems and cultures for learning. We discuss why leaders need to think bigger about how they can support learning beyond the t...
2021-03-2528 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastAre you Prioritizing the Important Work?What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important. -Dwight Eisenhower More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Do you run around putting out fires each day? Do you feel like you are on the hamster wheel and not sure when you will get off? When you are letting the days run you, instead of you running the day, you most likely are not getting to the important work. The important work is what is going to get you ahead and keep your organization or business sustainable. In t...
2021-03-1817 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastSocial Enterprise Check-Up: A 6-part framework to increase sustainabilityYou have to work on a sustainable business model first so your social enterprise will have the impact you want. More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Do you know if your social enterprise is sustainable? Do you know what you need to strengthen? Where do you start? In this episode we answer these questions. Co-host Stephanie Malon-Rufi takes her experience and expertise to provide a tangible 6-part framework to increase your sustainability. The Social Enterprise Check Up will help you identify and work on key areas to strengthen your social enterprise. On today’...
2021-02-1131 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastUnderstanding and Coping When You are ‘Hitting a Wall’If you can’t imagine getting through whatever you are going through…...just try imagine getting through the next tiny little bit, the next 5 minutes, hour or day, whatever feels manageable. More information can be found at www.socialchangeleaders.net Are you running out of gas? Do you feel like you are losing steam and need to recharge? Over the past month, we have noticed ourselves and others expressing the feeling of ‘hitting a wall.’ Having a loss of energy and feeling constantly fatigued. As we are still in the throws of the global pandemic and as we ent...
2020-10-0120 min
Social Change Leaders Podcast10 Strategies to Keep Working and Living During COVID-19Try this perspective shift. Instead of seeing “social distancing” and travel bans as panic, try seeing them as acts of mass cooperation intended to protect the collective whole. This plan is not about individuals going into hiding. It's a global deep breath...an agreement between humans around the planet to be still. Be still, in hopes that the biggest wave can pass without engulfing too many of the vulnerable among us. - Dr. Lindsay Jernigan More information can be found at https://www.socialchangeleaders.net/episode/027 There is great uncertainty right now in our w...
2020-03-1821 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastHow A Social Enterprise is Strengthening Families by Supporting Cooperative Co-ParentingIn this episode, you will: Meet Alysha Price and learn how her journey as a mom and co-parent led her to pursue her passions and develop her own social enterprise, The Price Dynamic. Understand how Alysha’s alignment of personal values and her business mission is making her unstoppable on her path to strengthen families, especially those that require cooperative co-parents. Learn about how Alysha decided to take a leap and apply for a Finnovation Fellowship in Minneapolis, Minnesota and how she will use this award will allow herself to scale up The Price Dynamic. Hear about the boo...
2019-11-1437 min
Social Change Leaders PodcastA Community Based Approach To Mental WellnessMore information can be found at www.socialchangeleaderspodcast.net In this episode, you will: Meet Carl Young and learn about his journey into the mental health field and why he started Increasing Life Chances 4 You (ILC4Y) Learn about the unique, community-based approach ILC4Y is taking to reduce mental health stigma, support individuals, families and the community in order to address health disparities Have an opportunity to walk through a worksheet Carl uses to support mental wellness in our communities - worksheet available here: https://mailchi.mp/cc401ade8491/episode5 Hear about some of the ch...
2019-10-1728 min