I’m in San Diego for a Social Venture Network Conference. SVN is a group of dynamic and inspiring business and non-profit leaders dedicated to creating social change through business. I first joined SVN about fourteen year ago, when I was CEO of Brush Dance publishing, and I’m now a member of the Board of Directors.

I believe that the purpose of business is fundamentally to provide goods or services that meet people’s needs. This is true of more than 99% of all businesses in existence. Businesses that exist merely to provide wealth for the owners, without providing value to customers do exist, but are extremely rare. Of course all businesses need to be profitable in order to be sustainable (just as all non-profits must find a way to be financially sustainable.

Here is a brief description of SVN:
Social Venture Network inspires a community of business and social leaders to build a just economy and sustainable planet.

We work to achieve this mission by
• Providing forums, information, and initiatives that enable leaders to work together to transform the way the world does business
• Sharing best practices and resources that help companies generate healthy profits and serve the common good
• Supporting a diverse community of leaders who can effect positive social change through business
• Creating a vibrant community that nourishes deep and lasting friendships
• Producing unique conferences that promote the exchange of ideas and encourage the development of relationships and partnerships