Global Currents’ Beverley Pomeroy's success fueled by giving
Global Currents is the ultimate “momtrepreneur” success story. In 2007, Beverley Pomeroy started PincGiving, a peer-to-peer pledge website that enabled online charitable donations. In the four years since, the company rebranded as Global Currents and has grown by 20 per cent every quarter. Through her work with Global Currents, Pomeroy has moved into grant prospecting and grant writing, advocating via social media, and founding the Life On Purpose online television network.
Her many projects have led to speaking engagements at the UN Informal Regional Network, Social Media for Social Good, SXSW, Social Venture Institute, and the Transatlantic Forum in NY. She has been recognized for her achievements by a number of prestigious organizations:
-Top 40 Under Forty recipient (2009)
-Finalist for Stevie Award for Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneurs (2009)
-YWCA Women of Distinction Award: Entrepreneurship and Innovation (2011)
In my years as a business consultant I’ve seen many people struggle to start and maintain profitable businesses, so I’m always intrigued by stories like these. How did Beverley Pomeroy create such success in a short time? I gave her a call, asked a few questions about her accomplishments, and put together some points that I thought would be of interest to entrepreneurs who have an idea that they’re planning to bring to life.
Derive inspiration from your passions
The driving force behind Pomeroy establishing Global Currents was her desire to create a living legacy for her daughter Sophia, who had been born with a life-limiting illness. She had been on the receiving end of philanthropy and wanted to do something to give back. Establishing Global Currents has enabled Pomeroy to create a career based on her passion. She feels that the satisfaction of earning a living by running a successful business is reward enough in itself, but knowing that she is helping people make a difference has made the experience that much more special.
Dedicate yourself to innovation
Pomeroy credits continued innovation for much of the success of Global Currents. When she started the company, online peer-to-peer donation was a new sector. While this was a benefit in that there was very little competition, there was also a lot of skepticism about the security of raising money online.
By committing herself to following developments in online technology and always striving to ensure high security standards while making the platform easier to use, Pomeroy was able to stay one step ahead of her competition and turn Global Currents into one of the most secure, user-friendly online donation platforms available.
Serve the needs and desires of your clients
Pomeroy believes that the cornerstone of her success is the inherent desire in most people to give and influence their communities in a positive way. Global Currents has enabled them to do so. The various types of online donation platforms offered by Global Currents are easy for organizations to install on their websites and integrate with social media. Donors are able to easily contribute money to their favourite causes and can be confident in the security of the platform. By streamlining both the donation and collection ends of the process, Global Currents has played a major role in redefining grassroots philanthropy.
The story of Global Currents is an inspiration to anyone who has ever dreamt about turning their passion into a career. By following her heart, Beverley Pomeroy gained strength from tragedy and turned it into an innovative, thriving business that not only supports her family, but also provides charitable and not-for-profit organizations with tools that facilitate helping others in need.