You’re a top notch executive growing your business in the Florida “swing state” political climate, and you want to make a difference.
Of course you do! You are successful, compassionate, and passionate about things you care about. That’s why we work so well together. So how can you best use your resources to leave a lasting mark? That’s a question I ask myself every day which started me looking into impact investing. In this article, we’ll talk about what is impact investing, and whether or not it’s a good fit for you. But first, a little bit about why it’s so important to get involved in Florida politics.
Florida swing state politics and your business
What does Florida swing state politics have to do with your business? Well, a lot, actually. Swing states like Florida are those that don’t seem to have a clear voting direction. In any given election cycle, they can go either way. That means swing states are important to determining federal election results.
The results of a federal election can have a large impact on small nad large business owners and executives, alike. Things like federal regulation and compliance laws for your industry, minimum wage, taxes and more can change from administration to administration. Additionally, small businesses are the backbone of communities in the United States, and choosing a president during pandemic times is certainly an issue that impacts small business owners.
That said, presidential elections aren’t the only ones important to businesses and they may not even be the most important. Small business owners who are involved in the politics of their local community can bring about change in a swing state by showing up to vote for statewide amendments and legislatures and putting money behind causes that allow your community to shape and grow into one you are proud to serve.
What is impact investing?
Impact investing allows business owners and executives to use their capital earnings to magnify positive impacts in the local community and world as a whole. Investing in things like renewable energy, education, low-cost housing, healthcare programs, agriculture co-ops and other public services are all examples of impact investing.
There are three primary traits of impact investing:
- First, is positive intentions. If you go into your investment with the goal of making positive social changes, you are on the right track to make an impact investment.
- Next, you should expect a return on investment. Let’s be clear, impact investing is still investing. It isn’t a charitable donation, which is another smart way to help your community. Impact investments are smart, innovative, and helpful. They are designed to generate a return. Although it’s normal to take under-market returns or to make risk-adjustments.
- Finally, impact investing transcends asset classes. You can make an investment with cash adjacent assets, private equity, venture capital, or other types of asset classes.
How to get started with impact investing?
So, now that you know what impact investing is, how can you get started? Well, the first way you can do that is to engage in conversation with other professionals about the things that are important to you. Nothing gets done unless we talk about the real problems in society and offer solutions. Once you start talking about what’s important to you, you might be able to gain support from others who might want to be in on the investment.
Kristina Maness: Central Florida and Orlando Photography
If you’re like me, you wheels are spinning at the thought of making an important investment in the future of our neighborhoods in Central Florida. While you are researching your next impact investment, think about the press release that follows. When was the last time you took a headshot? If you want to partner with a personal branding photographer who understands your commitment to ethics and community when taking photos for your brand, then you don’t want to miss out on connecting with me, Kristina Maness. Follow me on Instagram by clicking here.