Comments on: Innocent Smoothies Richard Reed - Inspiring Entrepreneur http://www.startbreakingfree.com/318/innocent-smoothies-richard-reed-inspiring-entrepreneur/ How to Quit Your Job and Start Your Own Business Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:49:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Brian Armstrong http://www.startbreakingfree.com/318/innocent-smoothies-richard-reed-inspiring-entrepreneur/#comment-1510 Brian Armstrong Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:28:13 +0000 http://www.startbreakingfree.com/318/innocent-smoothies-richard-reed-inspiring-entrepreneur/#comment-1510 Thats true Nick, many have argued (and I tend to agree) that capitalism often does far more good than any charity could...in terms of providing jobs, giving people wealth, propelling technological breakthroughs in medicine, etc. John Stossel had an interesting piece where he argued that Michael Milken (the guy who invested junk bonds) actually did far more good for the world than Mother Teresa, primarily because of the jobs he created and wealth that he built. Here is a great talk of his: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1876894381231272307&q=john+stossel&ei=XkN8SICBNZ6sqgOD_5CeCw Thats true Nick, many have argued (and I tend to agree) that capitalism often does far more good than any charity could…in terms of providing jobs, giving people wealth, propelling technological breakthroughs in medicine, etc.

John Stossel had an interesting piece where he argued that Michael Milken (the guy who invested junk bonds) actually did far more good for the world than Mother Teresa, primarily because of the jobs he created and wealth that he built.

Here is a great talk of his:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1876894381231272307&q=john+stossel&ei=XkN8SICBNZ6sqgOD_5CeCw

]]> By: Brian Armstrong http://www.startbreakingfree.com/318/innocent-smoothies-richard-reed-inspiring-entrepreneur/#comment-1508 Brian Armstrong Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:19:56 +0000 http://www.startbreakingfree.com/318/innocent-smoothies-richard-reed-inspiring-entrepreneur/#comment-1508 What if the 10% profit was the difference in cash flow that could have helped you stay afloat in a down turn, or reinvest in a new product line to grow the company. What if you had to decide between donating the 10% to charity or giving your employees raises to retain good talent? My point is just that there is a conflict of interest to both want to donate and make money at the same time. What if the 10% profit was the difference in cash flow that could have helped you stay afloat in a down turn, or reinvest in a new product line to grow the company. What if you had to decide between donating the 10% to charity or giving your employees raises to retain good talent?

My point is just that there is a conflict of interest to both want to donate and make money at the same time.

]]> By: Nick http://www.startbreakingfree.com/318/innocent-smoothies-richard-reed-inspiring-entrepreneur/#comment-1504 Nick Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:31:18 +0000 http://www.startbreakingfree.com/318/innocent-smoothies-richard-reed-inspiring-entrepreneur/#comment-1504 If you are capable of MAKING money (as opposed to TAKING) by inventing a better product or providing a better service you are already doing humanity a huge service. I'm not concerened with helping others in the first place, but if you feel compelled at least look at logically. You always talk of how businesses scale, and the same holds for charity. If you are a "great person" and nurse thousands of people thats fine. If you are an "asshole" and invent a product that helps every single person in the world for your own profit, regardless of what anybody thinks about you, you are in reality a much better person than the first. Henry Ford was a better person than Mother Teresa etc etc. If you are capable of MAKING money (as opposed to TAKING) by inventing a better product or providing a better service you are already doing humanity a huge service.

I’m not concerened with helping others in the first place, but if you feel compelled at least look at logically. You always talk of how businesses scale, and the same holds for charity. If you are a “great person” and nurse thousands of people thats fine. If you are an “asshole” and invent a product that helps every single person in the world for your own profit, regardless of what anybody thinks about you, you are in reality a much better person than the first. Henry Ford was a better person than Mother Teresa etc etc.

]]> By: Stewart Macdonald http://www.startbreakingfree.com/318/innocent-smoothies-richard-reed-inspiring-entrepreneur/#comment-1499 Stewart Macdonald Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:35:32 +0000 http://www.startbreakingfree.com/318/innocent-smoothies-richard-reed-inspiring-entrepreneur/#comment-1499 "...not very good at charity." The company in the video is donating 10% of profits to charity. I can't really see how donating to charity in any capacity could be seen as being "not very good at charity". Stewart Side note: 110% of the profits from my web site are donated to an Australian environmental charity: http://www.bushheritage.com.au/ “…not very good at charity.”

The company in the video is donating 10% of profits to charity. I can’t really see how donating to charity in any capacity could be seen as being “not very good at charity”.

Stewart
Side note: 110% of the profits from my web site are donated to an Australian environmental charity: http://www.bushheritage.com.au/

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