In this episode, Charles dives deep into the world of purpose-driven entrepreneurship with Lee Rhodes, a trailblazing female founder who transformed her personal battle with cancer into a $30 million empire that's revolutionizing business philanthropy. Lee unveils her groundbreaking approach to integrating charitable giving into every sale, demonstrating how companies can maintain profitability while making a meaningful impact in people's lives. From her early days receiving a small hand-blown glass vessel during chemotherapy to building Glassybaby into a beacon of hope and healing, Lee's journey is a testament to the power of authentic mission-driven business. She dissects her evolution from a mother of three battling cancer to a CEO who's donated $15 million to charity, all while maintaining a commitment to American craftsmanship and living wages. Charles and Lee engage in a candid conversation, exploring the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and the revolutionary approach of making charitable giving a core business function rather than an afterthought. They unpack the counterintuitive decision to maintain American production despite pressure to outsource, the transformative power of point-of-sale giving, and why understanding the human impact of small gestures can create massive business success. Lee's insights crackle with practical wisdom as she breaks down her unique business model, from turning bank loan rejections into opportunities to maintaining authenticity in hiring and growth decisions. She challenges conventional business wisdom, advocating for a radical shift from end-of-year giving to integrated philanthropy that resonates with businesses ready to make a difference in the world. KEY TAKEAWAYS: • Master the art of integrating charitable giving into your business model from day one • Learn why giving at point-of-sale is more powerful than end-of-year donations • Discover how to overcome gender-based obstacles in business financing and growth • Understand the power of authentic mission-driven leadership in building customer loyalty • Explore strategies for maintaining core values while scaling your business impact Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. KEY POINTS: 2:04 Cancer Catalyst: Lee reveals how a cancer diagnosis with three young children sparked the creation of a $30 million empire. 4:11 Gender Barriers: Exposes the reality of women entrepreneurs facing systematic loan rejections and credibility challenges. 15:03 Survival Strategy: Details practical insights for managing chemotherapy while building a business empire. 19:31 Investment Journey: Chronicles the path from bank rejection to finding investors who believed in her mission-driven approach. 25:17 Purpose-Driven: Explores how maintaining unwavering purpose guides critical business decisions, including rejecting Chinese manufacturing. 35:50 Team Empowerment: Shares the delicate balance of leading with vision while letting your team take ownership of decisions. 38:18 Revolutionary Giving: Unveils Glassybaby's unique model of integrating charitable donations at the point of sale rather than year-end.
Full Episode
Welcome to the I Am Charles Schwartz Show. Today, we're diving into the extraordinary journey of Leigh Rhodes, a female founder who defied every odd to build a $30 million empire while battling cancer and raising three young children.
In this episode, Leigh tears down the walls of traditional business thinking, revealing how she transformed a moment of clarity in a chemotherapy room into Glassy Baby, a company that's revolutionizing the way business approaches charitable giving. She exposes the raw truth about being a woman in business.
From banks refusing loans to investors waiting for her husband to show up and how she turned these obstacles into opportunities. Get ready to discover how Lee built a company that's donated $15 million to charity by rejecting conventional wisdom and making giving a core part of every sale, not just an end of year afterthought.
If you're ready to learn how one woman proved that profit and purpose can coexist, creating a business model that both sustains artisan jobs in America and supports those battling cancer, this episode is your blueprint. Lee shows us how a single insight about $4 parking fees for cancer patients grew into a movement that's changing lives one hand-blown glass at a time. The show starts now.
Welcome to the I Am Charles Schwartz Show, where we don't just discuss success, we show you how to create it. On every episode, we uncover the strategies and tactics that turn everyday entrepreneurs into unstoppable powerhouses in their businesses and their lives.
Whether your goal is to transform your life or hit that elusive seven, eight, or nine figure mark, we've got the blueprint to get you there. The show starts now. All right, guys, welcome back. This podcast I'm excited about because this individual, Leigh, has broken all the rules. She's had a ton of stuff against her, be it health, be it gender, be it all that.
We're going to get into it, and she's still built a $30 million empire. Welcome to the show. I'm so happy you're here.
Thank you for having me. I really appreciate it.
Absolutely. So let's tell the audience a little bit about you. Some people, which I don't know why they don't know about you, but tell the audience a little bit about you and what you've done.
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