The Power of Female Magnanimity: Successful Entrepreneurs with Businesses that Help Others

“A little bit of kindness goes a long way.”

This age old proverb usually means that even the smallest act of charity can have the biggest impact to the lives of beneficiaries; that a meal handed out to a homeless person could very well be the only one they have in days.

But this sentence can also have another meaning–one that these female entrepreneurs prove to be true: it’s possible to attain success when your heart is in the right place.

1. Madeline Haydon

Madeline created nutpods based on a personal need: a dairy-free coffee creamer that functions the same way as commercial creamers, but minus all the unhealthy trans fat and added sugar. She used a few simple ingredients to develop her first recipe for nutpods. Since then, her brand has grown to become the market leader in this space, amassing a cult-like following of health-conscious consumers who appreciate having easier access to vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, Whole30 approved, and kosher creamer that they can use to give their coffee and tea a smooth, creamy boost. Since its founding, nutpods has continuously put up various efforts to help alleviate food insecurity, including providing healthy food for those with intolerance. Madeline also makes sure that the company provides financial and volunteer support to causes that empower young girls to be future leaders.

2. Sarah Bowmar

Despite being busy with her multiple endeavours, certified nutrition specialist, personal trainer, prenatal and postpartum trainer, and CEO of Bowmar Nutrition and Apex Protein, Sarah Bowmar, never forgets to give back. In fact, she says it’s one of her main motivators for doing the things she does. She says she does not have a set preference for her outreach efforts, but loves to fill in gaps that others leave behind. From donating hundreds of pairs of socks to a local battered women’s shelter, to providing over 30,000 meals, hygiene kits, books and school supplies to indigent communities in South Africa and Mozambique, and even running her very own non-profit that gives inner city children the chance to experience nature, she always looks for ways to address needs that other institutions tend to look over. 

3. Soom Sisters

Amy, Shelby, and Jackie founded Soom Foods on the premise of bringing quality tahini and tahini products closer to people and encouraging them to discover the many ways that it can be used to make dishes more delicious. Soom Tahini is enjoyed by both restaurant chefs and home cooks from all over the world, and has led countless individuals to have better appreciation for this versatile, nutrient-dense ingredient. The sisters also run a couple of outreach efforts focused on providing access to food in underserved communities, as well as supporting healthy eating initiatives and the empowerment of female entrepreneurs.

4. Heather DeSantis

Former Miss Ohio International and CEO of PR agency, Publicity For Good (PFG), Heather DeSantis, has always been passionate about making positive social change. Armed with the knowledge she got from attending Georgetown University’s Institute of Philanthropy and Voluntary Service (IPVS), the Forbes 30 Under 30 Nominee built PFG so that she can help purpose-driven brands grow, increase their ROI, and make more impact. Aside from this, her agency also regularly does pro bono work for non-profit organizations and hosts outreach programs. PFG was recently awarded by Bulldog PR Awards with Bronze Midsize Agency of the Year (2021) and Heather was recently named as one of PRNEWS Top Women in PR 2021 Entrepreneurs Award.

5. Thara Phrashad

Thara’s foray into yoga was inspired by her desire to help others have access to the same benefits she was enjoying from the practice. Ultimately, this was what encouraged her to leave show business and open FireShaper Tenafly. But this was not enough. Her physical studio allowed her to reach people around her, but did nothing for those who she cannot reach physically. This is why in 2020, she created Spirit Warrior Nation, which allowed her to help everyone from all over the world. Currently, Thara serves students not just in the U.S., but in Canada, London, Dubai, and everywhere else in between. In addition to this, she also regularly hosts donation classes and Facebook fundraisers to raise awareness for different causes. This year she chose to focus much of her efforts to helping the Desai Foundation and their incredible efforts to provide support during the Covid-19 pandemic in India.  

6. Ebony Ruffin

Giving back does not necessarily have to always be physical. Sometimes, it can come in other beneficial forms. Such is the way that Ebony Ruffun, founder of 

Ruffin Consulting Services, decided to help others. The issue she wishes to tackle? The outdated mindset that stops people from enjoying the benefits of having life insurance. Through her business, Ebony is changing the narrative of life insurance from a death benefit to a wealth benefit. She does this by helping people better understand how they can benefit from life insurance through a simple and easy-to-understand approach. From spreading life insurance information, to offering no shame, no guilt, no embarrassment, purely ethical, professional, and confidential consultations, Ruffin Consulting Services shows everyone that there is more to life insurance than the death benefit. The work of Ruffin Consulting Services has been highlighted in Forbes, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Nerdwallet, Intuit, Insurance News Net and more. In addition, she is also involved in efforts that support local organizations who help homeless women and children, as well as single parents seeking to obtain a college degree.

7. Susan Chen

After spending a decade feeling overworked, over-traveled, and fatigued, Susan was on the verge of burnout due to her high-demand Wall Street job. Years of accumulated stress slowly began to overshadow feelings of innate bliss and happiness. Then, Susan found Vedic Meditation, and, within a short time of practicing, she began to feel relaxed and happy in her everyday life again–while still enjoying the best years of her career. Susan has now dedicated her life to showing others that success does not have to come at the cost of feeling happy and vibrant. She has trained hundreds of executives and entrepreneurs in Vedic Meditation and teaches people from all walks of life how to establish an enjoyable, effective meditation practice in their lives.

8. Amanda Mineer

Veterans Law Group is one of the most respected advocates for disabled veterans within the legal community. They are known for representing and helping physically and/or psychologically disabled veterans and their families obtain the maximum level of VA disability benefits through their meticulous work, which often leads them to evidence that even veterans don’t realize they had. They help everyone who they can to navigate the bureaucratic maze of the disability claims process. VLG’s expertise in the field has allowed them to help thousands of Veterans get the benefits they deserve for over 16 years. And as if that wasn’t enough, Amanda Mineer also recently launched a new radio program called The Veterans Voice, which answers questions from wounded warriors and their families who are struggling to obtain the maximum level of benefits they can for their service to the country. The said program airs on KABC 790 LA.

9. Maryann Walsh

As the founder of Walsh Nutrition Consulting, Maryann helps countless individuals and companies worldwide promote health-focused products and programs. That aside, the company is dedicated to making more profound and relevant positive impact to those around them. Before the pandemic hit, WNC had been focused on helping victims of domestic violence in South Florida through sponsorship efforts. Maryann also established the Walsh Nutrition Consulting Scholarship last year to award one student a $5000 scholarship towards their dietetic internship in becoming a Registered Dietitian. Most recently, Maryann provided a course she created called The Entrepreneurial RD completely free of charge to over 600 Registered Dietitians and nutrition students. The course, which sells for $200 and provides Registered Dietitians with 20 continuing education credits, was offered in April 2020 when Covid-19 hit and Maryann saw many of her fellow dietitians and nutrition students being furloughed, losing their jobs or losing opportunities for continuing education. Numerous universities and dietetic internship programs granted students credit for the course in place of other educational experiences that had to be cancelled as a result of the pandemic. 

10. Lynda Monk

For Lynda Monk charity and volunteerism has been a family affair since she was a little girl. Her mother was deeply involved in their local church and her father was a member of community clubs that did good work for youth. Lynda herself has been volunteering since she was a teen, and has helped countless individuals as a social worker. As the director of the  International Association for Journal Writing Linda is able to share the healing and transformational benefits of personal writing to the world, which the world needs now more than ever. 

Since the beginning of Covid-19, IAJW has been giving out free memberships to individuals in need, in order to provide them access to the benefits of writing and belonging to a community. IAJW believes that journaling is a powerful tool for healing, peace, health, and growth individually and collectively.  Lynda has a dream, along with her colleague, Jackee Holder, to start a volunteer project of 1 Million Women Writing, to empower women worldwide to go to the page for inspiration, wellness and wisdom from within.