Small wins create big impact

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. — A Famous Aristotle Misquote :)

When I think about making an impact in the world, it’s much easier to see how change can be implemented when it comes to business and for-profit ventures, especially in the start-up and technology world. We’ve seen countless examples of disruptive technologies and business models reshaping the world as we know it. But when it comes to things in the public space, I used to think the way to go about it was large-scale, top-down approaches, with the charge being led by the government and delivered through NGOs, public-private partnerships, and the like.

That was me six or so years ago, and being part of a government accelerator program at the time definitely pumped up that belief. But now, coming back into this work, after having spent a good amount of time away from traditional forms of organization and structure, I see a different approach, and perhaps one that is more holistic and sustainable. It’s more relatable, more responsive, and more accommodating. A way that, honestly, might be obvious to many—but it took me some time to see it as clearly as I do now.

Communities are the vehicles for change.

Working closely with communities and learning from different cultures over these last several years, it’s become clear that where large institutions fail, communities emerge as the true vehicle for change. If they are resourceful enough, they will answer the call and serve their own needs, creating their own enterprises and initiatives. As much as they want and need institutional support, life cannot wait and requires action. It requires a response—that is responsibility—sometimes, sooner than support can arrive, and communities will do what they can to take care of things.

When there is food insecurity and a lack of access to fresh produce, community members in the small town of Ellenville, NY, are revitalizing a community park and developing part of it into the town’s first community food garden. Beyond providing food, regenerating the land, and beautifying the space, the garden offers opportunities for re-education about nutrition and health and sharing and teaching valuable skills. Similarly, in New Haven, CT, where gaps exist in the child protective and foster care systems, the Huneebee Project was created to provide underserved youth with therapeutic job skills by teaching them to keep bees and maintain urban gardens. Like Ellenville, this project also fosters education, imparts valuable skills, and benefits the natural environment.

Just a couple of Sundays ago, I had the privilege of serving at Xavier Mission in NYC. It was an amazing experience to be part of an organization that helps others, serving 1,000 hot meals to those in need. Again, there is only so much a city and its government can manage. This is just reality with the system as it is. In any case, standing side by side with volunteers and community members, I witnessed firsthand how small acts of service can collectively make a significant difference.

Underlying it all, these communities and their people share a similar motivation: to improve their conditions and create a better version of the world—their world—and the environment they live in. These grassroots actions show the resilience and resourcefulness of communities. They find ways to meet their needs, often working within the boundaries of what’s allowed but sometimes pushing past those rules and regulations when they limit the ability of a community to improve its health and well-being.

Just as I witnessed during the Mauna Kea Protection Movement, where thousands rallied to protect sacred land, these community-driven efforts remind us that when people unite around a common cause, the impact can be profound.

Together, we can make an impact.

While these actions may seem small and localized, their collective impact is significant. When we step back and look at the broader picture, we see that these small, community-driven efforts add up to something much larger. When united by a common goal, communities become powerful forces for change. This is similar to the concept of the long tail distribution in economics—small, individual actions can collectively create a substantial outcome.

What Amazon.com did for distributing and selling books by focusing on the long tail can also be applied to social impact. By facilitating the collaboration of many small actors—communities and groups working toward a common goal—we can achieve outcomes that align with larger objectives, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

The lessons from Mauna Kea, where community efforts catalyzed a global response, resonate deeply with the examples we see today—whether revitalizing parks in small towns, creating urban gardens, or serving meals at Xavier Mission. When nurtured and combined, these small wins have the power to create lasting change.

Get involved.

The lessons from these community-led actions are clear: small wins, when stewarded and connected across all communities, create big impact. These efforts are not just about improving local environments; they are about contributing to a global movement for positive change.

We can all play a part in this. Whether you’re an individual, a small business, or a large organization, think about how you can support or replicate these efforts in your own communities. Consider how you can collaborate with others to amplify your impact. Together, we can achieve goals that matter.

So, thank you to those who have tirelessly done this work and shown me the power of community-driven efforts. Your dedication has inspired me and helped me see the value of these approaches more clearly.

Hello!

I’m John Gonzales, and I’m like you—just doing my part.

Whether I’m in the boardroom or within communities, I’m focused on how to make an impact. My work spans from helping organizations clarify their vision statements to rolling up my sleeves and digging trenches for social initiatives. I believe in the power of communities and grassroots efforts to create lasting change.

If you’re passionate about driving social impact and want to stay updated on innovative ways to connect small wins into big impact, I invite you to join my journey. Follow me on LinkedIn for stories, insights, and updates.

Interested in being part of a movement that connects small wins into big impact? Subscribe for updates on an exciting new initiative I’m working on, and share your experiences. Visit www.sowonegoodseed.com.

Looking to maximize the impact of your grants? Tahua has empowered mission-driven organizations across sectors like education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and social justice to efficiently administer over $1B in funds. Our platform streamlines grant management, ensuring precision and transparency and freeing up your time to focus on driving real-world change. Whether you're supporting grassroots initiatives or large-scale programs, Tahua turns ambitious goals into measurable outcomes. Discover how Tahua can help you streamline your impact at www.tahua.io.

Need to bounce some ideas on your next strategic and transformational project? Send me a message.

Let’s connect, share ideas, and explore how we can collaborate to amplify these efforts together. Exciting things are on the horizon, and I’d love for you to be a part of it.

I believe that together, we can make a real difference. Let’s turn small wins into big impact—one initiative at a time.