Progress by 1,000 Cuts — How to Change the World

When I started Looksharp, like most social entrepreneurs, I did so because I wanted to make the world a better place. I remember the first time a student sent us an email saying they had found a job on our site (her name is Katie) and I remember the immense pride I felt knowing we helped change someone’s course.

As the company grew, the occasional match scaled into hundreds of thousands of students who found internships and jobs through our platform and I couldn’t be happier with the impact.

But as the business grew so did my world view. I realized that students don’t just need jobs, they need reduced education costs to help with college debt, they need mentors to guide them into the work world, and they need a government and community that is aware of their challenges and that supports their growth.

And this is true not just in education, but environmentalism, health, equal rights and every other major movement.

Ultimately, the world isn’t changed from a single venture or politician, it is changed by 1,000 cuts (big and small) that break down the barriers to change.

So whatever you are doing, keep working that angle.

Some people are meant to be politicians, others to run non-profits, and others to be good friends — if each of us creates a net positive impact (big or small), the world will end up in a better place.