Ways to Create Social Impact in Your Community and Why It Matters. Part 2
Here is what 19 thought leaders had to say.
I try to create a social impact by sharing my experience and knowledge with others. I don’t sell courses or position myself as an expert; I simply demonstrate how I overcame the challenges I faced and offer advice. After over 20 years as an entrepreneur, I realized that my experience should not be kept secret, because I also started from scratch once and wanted support. Therefore, whenever I see someone asking for advice on LinkedIn or whenever someone sends me a message, I respond. I want to see more capable entrepreneurs and successful start-ups because, in my opinion, the new generation can change the world. They have incredible ideas, creative potential, and ambition, and I am happy to help them on their career path.
Dmytro Kudrenko, Co-founder & Email Marketing Expert, Claspo
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One of the ways I make a social impact with EVhype is through my efforts to promote and work towards expanding equitable access to EV charging infrastructure in the communities that need it the most. In many parts of the country, particularly in low-income and rural communities, there are not enough places to charge an EV, which slows the adoption of electric vehicles. At EVhype, we’ve sought to draw attention to these gaps by mapping out locations and partnering with local governments and business owners to add charging stations to these underserved areas.
By continuing to work towards universal access to EV charging, we are working to level the playing field and make sustainable transportation an option for all, regardless of where you live. This is part of our commitment to advancing the future of clean energy, alongside creating a more transparent tokenized system that mitigates emission output – a pioneering development that we believe will enable every part of society to actively participate in the green revolution.
Rob Dillan, Founder, EVhype.com
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Raising awareness about responsible gaming is my way of creating social impact in a field that is often dominated by entertainment.
I take it upon myself to convey not only the bright, entertaining side of slots, but also the ethical side. With over 10 years of experience as an editor in the gambling industry, I understand well that my content can influence people’s behavior. That is why in each text I consciously integrate references to responsible gaming, the importance of budget control, and also provide links to support resources for those who may be facing gambling addiction.
I believe that an editor does not just convey information – he shapes the culture of perception. And even if you write about slots, there is always room to support the player, to make the content honest, humane and responsible. This is my small but real form of social impact.
Rick Slot, Editor in Chief, Slotozilla
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I am proud to support emerging digital artists and creators, particularly those from small or developing countries. Although our company works with many freelancers and designers, not all of them are well-known. However, if we recognize potential and quality, we always allow beginners to sell their work on our platform. After all, those who are just starting usually do not have the finances to advertise or sell on popular marketplaces. This is one way in which we help people to turn their skills and ambitions into a decent income. I constantly mention designers on our blog and social networks.
It may seem insignificant, but to me, it is a significant step forward in understanding the concept of collaboration. I want to see a world where creative professionals are not disadvantaged by low pay. Due to stress and unstable finances, we lose a lot of talent when people simply give up. However, if we support people and provide them with the necessary tools and space, they will be able to express themselves and improve our world (in our case, make it more beautiful).
Serhii Antropov, Head of Marketing, 3DModels
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One of the ways I do that is by democratizing knowledge access—demystifying complicated or technical information to make it accessible and usable for all, irrespective of their background.
Why it matters:
Misinformation and knowledge gaps can potentially widen inequality, especially in areas like education, healthcare, technology, and finance. By demystifying these hindrances—whether through easy explanations, multilingual resources, or accessible presentation—I am giving individuals and communities the power to make well-informed decisions and improve their lives.
Xi He, CEO, BoostVision
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One specific way I create social impact is by democratizing access to mental health care through tech-enabled therapy, especially in underserved and marginalized communities. At Anywhere Clinic, we’ve built a model that brings affordable, culturally competent, and trauma-informed mental health support directly into people’s homes—often through telehealth and even through our 24/7 AI therapy chatbot.
For many people, especially in rural areas or communities with stigma around mental health, seeing a psychiatrist felt out of reach. By removing physical, financial, and emotional barriers, we’re helping more people get the care they deserve—not just when they’re in crisis, but for ongoing healing and self-empowerment. That ripple effect—helping individuals regulate their emotions, strengthen their relationships, and show up more fully in their communities—is how I believe we begin to create lasting, systemic change.
Dr. Sam Zand
Founder & Psychiatrist, Anywhere Clinic
linkedin.com/in/samzandmd
www.anywhereclinic.com
Dr. Sam Zand, CEO/FOUNDER, Anywhere Clinic
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One specific way we create social impact at Ridgeline Recovery is by providing accessible addiction treatment to underserved communities in Columbus, Ohio.
When I founded Ridgeline, I knew that many people struggling with addiction—especially those in low-income or marginalized communities—face enormous barriers to treatment. These aren’t just financial; they’re also emotional, cultural, and systemic.
To address this, we partnered with local organizations, shelters, and churches to extend outreach efforts and offer sliding-scale or state-funded recovery programs. But we didn’t stop there. We designed our center to feel welcoming, trauma-informed, and judgment-free. We offer peer support services led by individuals in long-term recovery themselves—people who reflect the communities we serve. That connection builds trust and fosters real transformation.
The result? Not only are we seeing higher program retention rates, but we’re also helping individuals rebuild their lives—reuniting families, stabilizing employment, and reducing relapse cycles in areas hardest hit by addiction. That ripple effect is what true social impact looks like.
My belief is simple: If you want to make a difference, build systems that remove shame, increase access, and meet people where they are—literally and emotionally.
Andy Danec, Owner, Ridgeline Recovery LLC
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One specific way I create social impact is by helping high-achieving women of color reconnect with their bodies and regulate their nervous systems so they can recover from stress before it turns into burnout. My work challenges hustle culture by centering rest, mindfulness, and capacity–offering a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive alternative to the belief that our worth is tied to how much we produce. Through both therapy and corporate wellness workshops, I equip people with tools for emotional resilience that not only improve their own lives, but also shift the culture in their homes, communities, and workplaces toward something more grounded, connected, and sustainable.
Shani Gardner, LCSW, Psychotherapist and Burnout Prevention & Resilience Strategist, Soulful Grace Therapy
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Volunteer Your Time and Expertise: Offer your skills to nonprofits, community organizations, or social enterprises. Your contribution can make a real difference through mentoring, consulting, or hands-on volunteering.
Susan Peppercorn, Executive/Career Coach, Susan Peppercorn
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One unique way The Happy Food Company generates social impact is through our “Hampers of Hope” program. For every hamper that is purchased, we donate a care package to individuals living in our local community in need, like seniors living alone or families experiencing health challenges. This program turns every purchase made by the customer into a moment of kindness, and the comfort is extended beyond the recipient of the gift.
As we continue to connect social good in our business model, we not only help cultivate internal values of empathy, but we also encourage customers to join in giving back through their purchases; in some cases, even members of the community are inspired to give more and they also can. This reveals the significance of community where if everyone does a bit of good to their community shared goodwill can play a role of a circle which will strengthen relations with in the community and fundamentally demonstrate that success in business along with social responsibility can be truly combined and, perhaps, lend itself to the notion, etc. that meaningful positive change is achievable through conscientious entrepreneurship.
Mary Case, Founder, The Happy Food Company
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“One specific way I create social impact is by developing free, accessible legal guides that empower underserved communities,” says Amir Husen, Content Writer & Associate at ICS Legal. “I collaborate with nonprofit clinics and legal-aid organizations to identify common pain points—like navigating housing disputes or applying for public benefits—and then craft clear, jargon-free articles, infographics, and downloadable checklists. By publishing these resources on community websites and sharing them via social media, we remove barriers to critical information and help individuals make informed decisions without fear or confusion.
Beyond content creation, I train volunteers to host virtual “know-your-rights” workshops, amplifying reach through interactive Q&A sessions. Participants leave with concrete next steps and confidence in using the materials. Over the past year, our guides have been downloaded over 5,000 times, and workshop attendees report a 40% increase in self-advocacy. This blend of educational content and hands-on engagement drives measurable impact—helping people assert their rights and improving access to justice across socioeconomic boundaries.”
Amir Husen, Content Writer, SEO Specialist & Associate, ICS Legal
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For me, the heart of creating real social impact lies in connection.
And I don’t mean just chatting or networking with others or your clients. I mean truly connecting with empathy and humility.
Every single day, we are creating social impact, and we don’t need to be a coach to do so. Every word we speak, every action we make, and every choice we make, it all sends a rippling effect into the world.
When we show up fully present, listen deeply, and lead with compassion, we don’t just help one person, we create a ripple effect that touches many more lives.
I believe that if we want to make an impact, we do it one connection at a time.
And it all starts with you taking your first step to connect.
Antony C, Founder & Coach, Coach Days
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I make a point to support local businesses and mutual aid groups instead of big chains. Even small things—like buying from a neighbor who bakes or donating to a community fridge—can add up.
Danuta McPherson, Founder & Creative Director, Whiptails Dog Apparel
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I publish detailed impact reports every 90 days, and I don’t clean them up to make us look better than we are. In the Q1 2025 report, I addressed the fact that we went through 18,470 plastic droppers in a single quarter, most of which ended up in landfills. That wasn’t something I tucked away in a footnote or summarized vaguely. I laid out exactly why we were still using them, including the failed results from our switch tests with biodegradable alternatives that didn’t hold up under shipping stress and temperature swings.
I broke down the material failures, shared supplier feedback, and even included images from our leak testing so people could see the issue firsthand. I added timelines and projected targets for replacing the droppers, along with the cost hit we’re expecting during that transition. It wasn’t a great look, but it was honest, and that matters more. Publishing those details shows what’s broken and what we’re doing to fix it, step by step. Accountability like that shapes every decision we make after the report goes out.
James Myers, Sales Director and Office Manager, VINEVIDA
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Honestly, I’m a strong believer in solving your own problems. We spend too much energy blaming others. We should improve our own productivity, skills, physical and mental health, and morality before finger pointing.
Ammar Naeem, Marketing Manager, Astrill
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One specific way I create social impact is by sharing practical solutions and automation methods on Reddit whenever I figure out something that’s hard to find or not widely known. For example, I’ve built several automations for content marketers and posted the exact code and step-by-step process online. This way, anyone can use what I’ve built to solve similar problems or improve their own workflows. I like knowing that something I figured out can help a wider community reach their goals more easily.
Enes Karaboga, Head of Content, Caracal News
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Empowering Communities Through Accessible Mental Health Knowledge
One specific way I strive to create social impact is by actively demystifying psychiatric conditions and promoting mental wellness through accessible education. I firmly believe that a lack of understanding is often a significant barrier preventing individuals and families from seeking help, and it critically fuels societal stigma.
To counter this, I dedicate time to creating and sharing clear, relatable information. This includes writing blog posts on various mental health topics relevant to both adults and children—addressing everything from anxiety or ADHD to the nuances of teen communication or the impact of screen time. I then share these insights widely, particularly on platforms like Facebook.
Furthermore, I engage directly with public curiosity and concern by answering questions to the best of my knowledge on forums such as Reddit and Quora. My presence on other platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and X, though less frequent, also aims to support this educational outreach by broadening the reach of these mental health messages.
The core goal across these efforts is to translate complex psychiatric concepts into everyday language, meeting people where they are. By empowering individuals with knowledge, they can feel less isolated, become more likely to seek timely support for themselves or their loved ones, and engage more effectively in their wellness journey. This commitment to education, I believe, contributes to building healthier, more informed communities where mental health is understood and prioritized.
Ishdeep Narang, Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist, ACES Psychiatry, Orlando, Florida
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One specific way I aim to create social impact is by helping small businesses and local entrepreneurs improve their online visibility without needing massive budgets. By offering accessible SEO and content marketing strategies, I empower them to reach more customers and compete with larger brands.
I also run occasional free workshops for small business owners, focusing on digital marketing basics—things like optimizing Google My Business profiles, building a simple website, and understanding organic search. Many of these business owners don’t have the resources to hire a full agency, so equipping them with knowledge makes a real difference in their ability to sustain and grow.
For me, social impact is about sharing knowledge in a way that creates practical value—especially for those who are often overlooked in the digital space.
Eugene Leow Zhao Wei, Director, Marketing Agency Singapore
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One of the ways we create social impact is by building genuine relationships with the communities we serve. We aren’t just about fixing pipes or installing heaters; we’re about being a reliable part of people’s daily lives. By offering honest advice and fair pricing, we help homeowners avoid unnecessary costs, which makes a real difference, especially for families managing tight budgets. We also hire local talent and provide ongoing training to our team, which supports local employment and helps develop skilled tradespeople right here in Langley and Surrey.
Beyond that, we try to be mindful of the environment by recommending energy-efficient heating systems and water-saving plumbing solutions. It’s not just about the job today but about helping our clients make smarter choices that benefit their homes and the planet long-term. We take pride in being a family-run business because we treat our clients like neighbors, with respect and care. That kind of trust and connection is at the heart of what we do and creates a social impact beyond plumbing and heating. It’s about strengthening community ties and supporting sustainable living. That’s something we believe truly matters.
Gary Bregani, Owner, Willowbrook Plumbing & Heating
Check out all we offer at www.CoachCert.com
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