The Power of an Ask

Have you ever received a gift that changed your life? Carrie Rich did. On her twenty-sixth birthday, her boss gave her a $100 gift card and challenged her to use it to support young entrepreneurs who use their businesses for social good.

At first, Carrie felt overwhelmed. What could she do with just $100? But then she realized that if everyone contributed a little bit, it could add up to something incredible. So she decided to reach out to her network and ask for their support. She sent an email to every person she had ever corresponded with, explaining the challenge and inviting them to join her in making a difference.

To her surprise, the response was overwhelming. Within a few weeks, anonymous gifts had poured in, totaling $2 million. But the challenge now was what to do with the money. Carrie had no vehicle to accept the funds, and she didn't know what to write in the email subject line. She had never asked anyone for money before.

Inspired by a quote from John Wesley to "do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, for all the people you can, for as long as you can," she came up with a subject line: The Global Good Fund . And thus, a new organization was born.

What can we learn from Carrie's story? Even a small gift can have a big impact if we use it wisely.? A small gift or donation may not seem like much, but when combined with others, it can make a significant impact. It's important to think creatively and strategically about how we can use our resources to make the biggest difference.

We shouldn't be afraid to ask for help and support, even from people we don't know well. While it can be uncomfortable to do so, it can also be incredibly rewarding. It's important to remember that we all have something to contribute, no matter how small it may seem. Sometimes the most unexpected events can lead to the most incredible outcomes. Carrie's story reminds us that sometimes all we need is to take that first step and reach out to our network.

So, next time you have an idea or a goal that you're passionate about, don't be afraid to make the ask. You never know where it may lead you. The power of an ask can be truly transformative, both for ourselves and for those around us. Venture forward and see where it takes you.

Watch the full episode to hear more from Carrie: https://youtu.be/lQWuOUgCdLQ ?