On this episode of the DO GOOD X podcast, host Stephen Lewis speaks with Dr. Argrow “Kit” Evans-Ford, a visionary leader, spiritual director, and social entrepreneur dedicated to healing and empowerment. As the founder of Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope, Dr. Kit provides a safe space and sustainable employment for women healing from violence in the Quad Cities. She is also the force behind Autistic & Loved, a social enterprise that creates sensory-friendly products and resources for children with autism and sensory processing disorders—including the innovative chewery pendants. With an unwavering commitment to community-driven impact, she shares her journey of growing two mission-driven businesses, leadership challenges, and partnerships' power in scaling social enterprises. Tune in as Dr. Kit offers wisdom on listening to your heart and community to create meaningful, lasting change.

IN THIS EPISODE:

(00:00) Dr. Kit reflects on the growth of the organization

(05:20) The challenges in growing a mission-driven businesses

(08:51) The value of partnerships and the creation of the foundation

(15:31) Securing resources for a mission-driven business and the benefits of working with DO GOOD X

(21:06) Head to DO GOOD X to explore resources

(28:55) Stephen’s takeaways

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The success of Argrow’s House and Autistic & Loved is to listen to the community's needs. By understanding and responding to what women healing from violence and autistic children require, they have been able to shape programs and products that have a meaningful impact.
• A significant challenge in scaling mission-driven businesses is trusting others to share the vision. You must build strong, trustworthy teams and form partnerships with like-minded organizations, allowing both businesses to expand and better serve their communities.
• Aligning funding sources with mission and values is essential for maintaining an organization’s core purpose. Securing resources that genuinely support the vision without compromise ensures long-term impact. Trust-based philanthropy, strong networks, and community support are crucial in sustaining meaningful social ventures.

RESOURCES:

Autistic & Loved - Website

Argrows House - Website

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

GUEST BIO

Dr. Argrow “Kit” Evans-Ford is a spiritual director, social entrepreneur, and founder of Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope, a safe space offering free services and employment for women healing from violence in the Quad Cities. She also founded Autistic & Loved, LLC and the Autistic & Loved Foundation, creating sensory-friendly products and resources for children with autism. An award-winning author, Kit has received the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Public Service and the Tom Locke Innovative Leader Award. She lives in Bettendorf, Iowa,...

Welcome to the DO GOOD X podcast, where hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis explore building and maintaining resilient, purpose-driven ventures. In this episode, we’ll discuss key lessons from entrepreneurs— from past podcast conversations and our experience working with founders. Whether you're in the early stages of building your business or scaling an existing one, these insights will help you avoid common pitfalls, take action on your ideas, and embrace the mindset needed for success. We’ll cover why getting your idea out of your head and testing it is crucial, how the biggest risk is not taking a risk, and how entrepreneurship can drive meaningful change for future generations. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to start, this episode is for you—because done is better than perfect. Let’s dive in! Remember, you can access practical tools and tap into resources available in the DO GOOD X community.

IN THIS EPISODE:

(00:00) Building a purpose-driven business

(02:59) Testing your idea

(04:28) Striving for perfection and accepting risk

(12:13) Does my business address a market or social need

(18:26) The work of the DO GOOD X Community

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Many great ideas never materialize due to fear, perfectionism, time constraints, or a lack of funding. The best way to validate an idea is to create a simple, tangible version—a sketch on a napkin or a basic prototype—and share it with potential customers and partners for feedback.
• Entrepreneurship is inherently uncertain, but the real risk is never trying at all. By taking small steps—starting as a side hustle or testing an idea on a small scale—you can determine if entrepreneurship is right for you. Course correction is always possible, but you won’t know unless you take the first step.
• Beyond personal success, entrepreneurship can shape future generations and create meaningful change. By building businesses that address real challenges, entrepreneurs contribute to a better world for their communities and future generations.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

DO GOOD X - Leah Hernandez

DO GOOD X - William McNeely - Part One

DO GOOD X - William McNeely - Part Two

Welcome to the DO GOOD X podcast, your trusted source for insights and inspiration to help you build impactful businesses! In today’s episode, hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis are joined by Sweta Govani, a go-to-market expert who guides businesses through the crucial $0 to $1M stage. Sweta dives into the strategies, challenges, and key insights for entrepreneurs looking to turn their vision into a thriving business. She explores everything from building a strong product-market fit to scaling operations and leveraging marketing for maximum impact. Whether you're just starting or aiming to hit that next milestone, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you grow your business and make a lasting impact. Tune in for expert advice and practical strategies that can transform your entrepreneurial journey!

IN THIS EPISODE:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:05) Sweta Govani shares her background and what prompted her to start coaching

(10:11) Sweta defines Go-To-Market

(16:43) Overcoming the barriers of business growth for entrepreneurs

(22:09) Sweta’s tips on essential learning paths and resources

(27:15) To achieve business growth, try to get into your customer's shoes

(29:17) Sweta answers the off-the-cuff questions, and the hosts share their thoughts about this episode

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The transition from $0 to the first $1 million in revenue is crucial for many founders, especially those starting with limited resources. This stage is often overlooked but is fundamental to building a solid foundation for long-term success. Founders in this phase require holistic support, focusing on strategy, market fit, and sustainable growth.
• The entrepreneurship journey can be transformative, especially for those driven by a strong sense of mission or purpose. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to stay true to their vision, breaking through barriers and creating impactful businesses that resonate with their passion and target market.
• Many entrepreneurs fail to identify their ideal customers, leading to mismatched products and wasted resources. Founders must know who they are building for, engaging with potential customers early to validate ideas, refine offerings, and create solutions that meet market needs.

RESOURCES:

DO GOOD X - Website

DO GOOD X - Podcast

DO GOOD X - LinkedIn

DO GOOD X - YouTube

DO GOOD X - Spotify

DO GOOD X - Instagram

Happy Paying Customers

Lean Canvas - Website

The Mom Test - Book

GUEST BIO:

Sweta is a go-to-market expert helping founders grow from $0 to their first $1M. With over 15 years of experience across marketing, tech startups, and mission-driven work, she’s led growth at early-stage companies, including two where she was the first marketing hire. Sweta's career began managing a massive email program that generated $40M annually. Today, she focuses on supporting underestimated tech and tech-enabled startup founders to acquire their first 100 happy-paying customers through her Founder-Led Marketing Club. There, founders receive one-on-one support from Sweta and peers. She’s also passionate about helping entrepreneurs design go-to-market micro-tests, avoid common mistakes, and build customer-funded businesses that generate lasting wealth.