This story dates back to September of 1997 where a young man was starting his high school career and started to realize that he would need a few dollars in his pocket. He wasn’t in grade 6 anymore and allowance was no longer an option. He needed a plan for some quick cash so he did what any 13 year-old would do. He went to his local Army Surplus store and bought several Zippo lighters with the money he had saved up. He haggled with the cashier, got a wholesale discount and then resold those very same lighters for a profit the next day at school - and thus his first business was born! 

This young man was in fact me; an inquisitive, motivated individual with a passion for business. The reason why this story is relevant is because it stemmed a branch of small businesses that were focused on one thing and one thing only; money. Over the next years I was involved in a number of businesses, from running a telemarketing office to hawking cheap apparel online. What I am trying to get at here is that I was only interested in my own greed and did not take anyone or anything into consideration around me. This is easily correlated to big business of today; seeking out huge profits but destroying individuals, communities, and even countries in the process. The good news however is change is possible, from a small scale all the way up to the top.

Over the past year I made a transition into the world of finance but did not feel comfortable in this environment. I knew that I wanted to be involved in something where I was making a difference and thanks to a one Pablo Salzman I am now working at rethos.com with the business development team.

It has come to my attention that more and more companies are slowly making the transition towards a socially responsible attitude; just as I had done not too long ago. I realized that entrepreneurs and businesses leaders should have a platform to share their stories and talk about what they are doing to make the world a better place to live in now and for the future. Thus, the Innovator awards were born; to recognize the most impressive and interesting socially responsible entrepreneur stories. I ask you to go to rethos.com and share your story with the world! From life changing “green technologies” to something as small as using more CFL bulbs in the office, we want to hear about it! If just one entrepreneur/individual gets inspired we've done our job.

Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns at nathaniel@rethos.com.