We had the good fortune of connecting with Staci Wright and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Staci, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for HeartProfit emerged from one of the most challenging times in my life. I had lost my business, my marriage, and the luxurious lifestyle I once enjoyed, all due to a devastating lawsuit. I found myself as a middle-aged single mom to two young daughters, burdened with over $500,000 in debt, and feeling utterly lost.

During this difficult period, I noticed that helping others through volunteer work improved my mental health. As I immersed myself in service, I saw three troubling trends: the worsening mental health crisis, a shortage of mental health professionals, and temporary solutions that failed to address root causes.

These realizations ignited a passion within me to find sustainable solutions. As an entrepreneur, I believed in the power of business to drive meaningful change. This belief was the foundation for HeartProfit, a movement dedicated to solving the mental health crisis through the workplace. By educating business leaders, setting compassionate workplace standards, and supporting social impact ventures, HeartProfit aims to create a new era of business where profitability and purpose coexist.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
HeartProfit is the leader in the Compassionate Era of Business. What sets us apart is our unique approach to business, where we integrate care, compassion and connection in our businesses while also maintaining performance and sustainability. We are proving that profitability and care can coexist, offering the best of both worlds while leaving behind the limitations of traditional business models that prioritize profit at all costs.

What I am most proud of is the community we’ve built around HeartProfit. We’ve managed to create a movement that brings together individuals from all walks of life, united by a shared commitment to fostering meaningful and sustainable change. This community-driven approach not only helps us overcome funding challenges but also amplifies our impact.

Getting to where we are today has not been easy. As a bootstrapped and crowdfunded business, we’ve had to get creative with a grassroots approach. This means utilizing social media, hosting live events with guest speakers each month, and relying on word-of-mouth referrals. One of our innovative strategies includes our ‘gift of the month’ club, which is part of our crowdfunding platform. Each gift comes from a HeartProfit company and shares the story behind the product, making it a fun way for people to spread the word through gifting and storytelling.

Securing funding has been another major challenge. Unlike traditional businesses that rely on external investors, we’ve chosen to retain profits within the business to drive positive impact. To address this, we embraced crowdfunding, offering a monthly subscription program ranging from $4.99 to $200. This allows individuals to engage at a financial level that aligns with their means and share in our mission.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way include the importance of resilience, creativity, and community. Our journey has shown that collective action, fueled by shared values, can propel our vision forward and bring about meaningful change.

What I want the world to know about HeartProfit is that we are committed to creating a better future by addressing the root causes of the mental health crisis and providing sustainable solutions. Our story is one of transformation, both personal and collective, and we believe that by working together, we can make a significant impact on the world.

HeartProfit represents a new era in business where compassion and profitability are not mutually exclusive but are instead powerful allies in creating lasting change.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting the area and I wanted to show them the best time ever, I would definitely plan a week full of fun, interesting, and relaxing activities. Here’s an itinerary that highlights some of my favorite spots and a few wonderful businesses run by friends.

Day 1: Arrival and Relaxation
– Check-in: Settle in at a cozy hotel or charming Airbnb in Sherman.
– Dinner: Head to Milieu Wine Bar in Sherman. This tiny hole-in-the-wall place is brimming with character, love, and fantastic wines. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and catch up.

Day 2: Art and Wine
– Morning: Start the day with a pottery painting session at Pickles & Pottery in Sherman. It’s a fun and creative way to spend the morning.
– Lunch: Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local cafe.
– Afternoon: Visit Hawaiian Fluid Art to paint wine glasses and charcuterie boards. It’s a unique and enjoyable experience that lets you take home a piece of art as a souvenir.
– Dinner: Try out a local restaurant for dinner, perhaps something with a relaxed vibe and great food.

Day 3: Spa Day
– Morning: Begin the day with some pampering at Spa 31 in Sherman. Whether it’s a massage, facial, or other treatments, it’s a wonderful way to relax and rejuvenate.
– Lunch: Have a light lunch at a nearby eatery.
– Afternoon: Spend the rest of the day exploring Sherman, perhaps checking out local shops and sights.
– Dinner: Head to Velvet Taco for dinner. Their gourmet tacos and delicious elote are a must-try.

Day 4: Nature and Culture
– Morning: Drive to Dallas and visit the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The beautiful landscapes and gardens are perfect for a morning stroll.
– Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Dallas, maybe one with a great view or interesting menu.
– Afternoon: Explore some of Dallas’s cultural spots, like museums or galleries.
– Dinner: Choose a popular Dallas restaurant for dinner, enjoying the city’s vibrant culinary scene.

Day 5: More Local Fun
– Morning: Enjoy a leisurely morning, perhaps with a brunch at a local spot in Sherman.
– Afternoon: Visit some local attractions or parks in Sherman. Maybe even catch a local event or festival if one is happening.
– Dinner: Try another local favorite restaurant for dinner.

Day 6: Day Trip
– Day: Take a day trip to a nearby town or attraction. This could be a scenic drive, a visit to a historic site, or another interesting activity in the area.
– Dinner: Return to Sherman and have a relaxing dinner at another recommended restaurant.

Day 7: Wrap-Up and Departure
– Morning: Have a relaxed breakfast, maybe at Milieu Wine Bar if they offer morning service or another quaint spot.
– Afternoon: Spend the day doing anything you might have missed or wanted to revisit.
– Evening: Enjoy a final dinner at a special place in Sherman, celebrating a fantastic week together.

This itinerary blends relaxation, creativity, nature, and culinary delights, ensuring a memorable visit filled with fun and interesting experiences.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a heartfelt shoutout to the incredible partners and founding members who have been instrumental in the HeartProfit journey. Their belief in this vision from the very beginning has been unwavering and truly inspiring.

I am immensely grateful to my partners: James Behmke, Brian Hickey, and Lauren Skidmore. Their dedication and support have been crucial in the development of this movement.

Additionally, I want to recognize the founding members whose commitment and hard work have been the backbone of our success: Kimberly Brem, Amber Holley, April Dawn, Tina Gardner, Cheryl Plauche, Rena Douglas, Jennifer Patton, Carlos Rivas, Lisa Gaouette, and April Murray-Bravo.

Each one of these individuals has contributed significantly to the mission of HeartProfit, and I am deeply thankful for their continued support and passion for creating meaningful change.

Website: www.heartprofit.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartprofit/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacireneeceo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550536352198

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