Stories
Three Questions with a Loan Officer
We are always inspired by the many loan officers who impact our clients’ lives, whether for a single encounter or for years. Looking back at some of the amazing stories of these great people, this is one of our favorites… Sarah started her career as a school teacher, but decided to join Opportunity to better serve others in her community. Today, she serves as a loan officer in Uganda, equipping and training entrepreneurs who are working their way out of poverty. We asked Sarah to answer three…
Read MoreMeet Lauren Dillon
We sat down with Lauren Dillon, Founder of Triad Resource Group, to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey and hear her advice for other entrepreneurs. Lauren was one of the original members of Young Ambassadors for Opportunity and is a long-time friend of Opportunity International. Lauren: I’m Lauren Dillon and I’m the Founder and Co-Collaborator of the Triad Resource Group. We’re a fundraising implementation firm; so to liken us to a staffing firm would maybe be a better mistake than…
Read MoreMompreneurs
I am blessed to be able to work for Opportunity International, a job I love, from a home office. My search for advice for moms with home offices introduced me to a new term: Mompreneur. There is a burgeoning industry of tools, advice, support and networking for moms creating their own income opportunities, while also caring for their family full time. This didn’t apply to me, but it certainly made me think of the Opportunity International clients I write about every day. They are the ultimate…
Read MoreCarly Fiorina Steps Down as Global Board Chair of Opportunity International
US Board Chair Mark Thompson to assume new role effective immediately Opportunity International Global Board Chair Carly Fiorina today formally announced her U.S. Presidential candidacy. As a result, she is resigning from Opportunity’s Global Board. “Opportunity is unique among nonprofits for their businesslike approach and sustainable client impact,” Fiorina said. “It has been my privilege to serve as their first Global Board Chair. They are in good hands with the many fine global leaders…
Read MoreThank You, Mom
My mom is superwoman. She is brilliant and funny and compassionate and adventerous. Sure, she drives me crazy some days. And sure, we are both equally bossy and uncompromising. But at the end of the day, I love her and she loves me. My mom taught me just how powerful moms are. She showed me how hard and beautiful and frustrating and wonderful raising little humans can be. She showed me what unconditional love looks like. What true generosity looks like. What it looks like to sacrifice your own…
Read MoreWhy LBL is About So Much More than Food
I spent this week taking the Live Below the Line challenge - eating and drinking on less than $1.50 a day for five days in honor of the 1.2 billion people living below the extreme poverty line around the world. Let me tell you, the challenge is hard. But it is also incredibly eye-opening. Each day, I recorded my insights - the little things I was learning through because of the challenge. And what I quickly realized was that hunger and extreme poverty are about so much more than food. Day…
Read MoreThoughts on Living #BelowtheLine
This week, hundreds of Opportunity International staff, supporters and friends are participating in the Live Below the Line challenge - a challenge to eat and drink on less than $1.50 a day for five days in honor of the 1.2 billion people who live below the extreme poverty line every day. We are excited to celebrate a few of our LBL participants and their insights from the week. Why I'm Trying Not to Cheat by Samantha Snabes Whelp, here it goes. My third year living below the line. Even as I…
Read MoreThe Challenge Begins
This week, hundreds of Opportunity International staff, supporters and friends are taking the Live Below the Line Challenge - spending five days eating and drinking on less than $1.50 a day in honor of the 1.2 billion people living below the extreme poverty line around the world. Together, we are learning more about the daily realities of Opportunity's clients, building awareness about extreme poverty and raising support for Opportunity's life-changing products and programs. This is my third year…
Read MoreMeet David Gardner
David Gardner is a software entrepreneur and early stage investor to new entrepreneurs. This month, as we celebrate entrepreneurship, we asked entrepreneurs to share their insights with us. David, tell us a little bit about yourself. After spending nearly thirty years starting software companies, I have now become an early stage investor and advisor to first time entrepreneurs. What has been one of the most challenging elements of starting your own business? Funding is always difficult. And…
Read MoreMeet Kaelen McCrane
In 2014, Opportunity's Manager of Outreach Allison Kooser sat down with Kaelen McCrane, Young Ambassador for Opportunity and founder of acclaimed fashion company The West is Dead. Kaelen shared his personal journey of entrepreneurship - and offered his lessons learned from creating a business from the ground up. Allison: Kaelen, tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. Kaelen: The company I started with my business partner Will is called the West is Dead. I started it just over three…
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