Hello CauseGirl and welcome small-business super-fan, Laura Clise who shares the motivation behind her Seattle-based social enterprise and tech start-up, Intentionalist. Making up for lost ground as an LGBTQ youth in search of belonging, she pursues what really matters: creating connections to one another and community through her work. Laura reveals her dorky-side and we talk post-college a cappella groups, nerdy fashion, and how to order chocolate in any country as well as what makes her such a force for good: the incredible vision she holds for how we can all be more intentional with our dollars to foster greater inclusion and belonging. And who doesn’t love to talk about eating, drinking and shopping? We touch on allyship in support of the #StopAsianHate movement and she shares her journey and advice and even a holiday gift guide for intentional giving to diverse and businesses local and beyond. ‘Tis the season!

Here to teach us how to spend like it matters, this is Laura Clise’s story:

In this episode…

⭐ Nerd alert! Pocket squares and college a cappella. You’re welcome.

⭐ Learnings from a coming of age and coming out experience before Jojo or Ellen

⭐ A broad framework for allyship and where we go from here for the AAPI community

⭐ The power of a grandma with a successful small business gives rise to intergenerational wealth and Intentionalist

⭐ What happens when you run out of excuses not to try and are brought face-to-face with your deepest insecurities. Oh yeah, and Apple.

⭐ This surprising new source of inspiration that is hyper-local

⭐ How to start an impact opportunity

More about Laura Clise

Laura is the Founder & CEO of Seattle-based social purpose enterprise and tech-startup Intentionalist. Prior to founding “Yelp with a soul,” she led sustainability and corporate responsibility at Weyerhaeuser, Plum Creek and served as the President of the Plum Creek Foundation. Laura’s sustainability experience also includes roles leading sustainable development, supplier diversity, external communications, and corporate citizenship at AREVA Inc., preceded by work for the U.N. Global Compact, Intel Corporation, and Business for Social Responsibility.

She began her career in brand management at General Mills and subsequently worked for McMaster-Carr Supply Company, where she led the international sales operations department.

Laura received an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a BA in International Relations from Carleton College.

Laura serves on the Athlete Ally Board of Directors, the IslandWood Board of Directors, and is a member of the Net Impact Corporate Advisory Council. She is also a frequent speaker on sustainability, diversity and inclusion, multi-stakeholder partnerships, energy policy, climate change mitigation, change management, and employee engagement.

Laura was named to the Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ) Power 100 list which recognizes people who are changing the public discourse and inspiring meaningful change in their industry and in their community. She was also recognized by PSBJ as one of the Outstanding Voices for her efforts toward economic justice.

Her life’s work has been about bridging different communities and her work at Intentionalist shows the power of supporting local, minority-owned businesses with the ultimate purpose of ending injustice, homophobia, racism and economic inequality…talk about someone who can restore our faith in humanity…

Laura now adds “Official CauseGirl” to her impressive list of credentials.

Call to Action

• Laura’s Broad Framework for Allyship: Awareness, Education, Action:
  • Allyship is a verb that starts with awareness. To be effective we have to be aware and then we need to be aware about the history of Asian people in America and institutionalized racism towards the Asian community in America. The path for Asian Americans hasn’t been any more or less difficult than any other marginalized communities, but to advance more inclusive and equitable communities, we need to be aware. We need to recognize that it is our responsibility to continue to educate ourselves and then ask ourselves what are our opportunities for action, big (formal policy) and small (1-1 conversations). And then look specifically for the AAPI Community.
• In wanting to start an impact opportunity or social enterprise, start by taking one small step. Take action. Find ways to test small hypotheses. Do the research upfront that allows you insight towards formulating your solution while understanding the broader landscape.
• As we enter gift giving season, it’s a critical time for main street small businesses. Shop small. Buy local. Be intentional. Head to Intentionalist for shopping guides for different people on your list, whether that’s an activist, an environmentalist, a foodie, or your kids. There’s something for everyone here.
• Go to Intentionalist.com and click “add a business” to add your favorite local business to help build the community and support the mission.

People, Links and Resources

Homophonic, Seattle-based a cappella awesomeness!

Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry (Laura’s Necklace) Afro-Latinx Jeweler and Environmental Scientist based in Seattle

The Aspen Institute First Movers Fellowship Program

Athlete Ally, New York-based non-profit that partners with the sports community to end homophobia, transphobia and other forms of hate

Intentionalist website.

Frelard Tamales helps flower farmers in Seattle community.

Apple & Intentionalist Partnership on City Guides App

WNBA Commitment to Social Justice and Dallas Wings #IAM social campaign, which ran throughout the 2020 season with proceeds benefitting Black Lives Matter.

Judy Samuelson, Vice President, Founder and Executive Director, Aspen Institute Business & Society Program and Author of The Six New Rules of Business: Creating Real Value in a Changing World

Nancy McGaw, Deputy Director, Aspen Institute Business & Society Program

The 2021 Intentionalist Holiday Gift Guide: https://intentionalist.com/holiday-2021/

Special Edition Community Blend Coffee in Partnership with Fulcrum Coffee: https://intentionalist.com/product/community-blend-coffee/ –

Intentionalist on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Laura Clise featured in Forbes

Be an investor in Intentionalist! https://wefunder.com/intentionalist

Quotes from this Episode

“Allyship is a verb, not a noun. Allyship isn’t a label that we self-declare. It’s an action that starts with awareness.”

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

“When diverse cultures come together, community is possible.”

Connect with Us!

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⭐ Let’s keep the conversation going! Find Elena here on Facebook and LinkedIn, and @CauseGirlGlobal on Twitter and Instagram.

⭐ Find Laura on LinkedIn, @Intentionalist_ on Twitter and Instagram.

⭐ We’d be so grateful to hear your takeaways from this conversation. Share your takeaways on Twitter and Instagram or email me directly at elena@thecausegirl.com.

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