Announcing my new venture: Purpose Group

Since 2013 I’ve been running a bit of an experiment, trying to build a purpose-driven (for profit) business that truly believes in business as a force for good. Dragon Army is a purpose-driven digital engagement agency, and I’m so proud of what we’ve built. We’ve worked hard to get it right – often stumbling, never quitting – and I believe we’ve created a foundation and commitment that has allowed us to build a truly special business.

Along the way, I’ve also had the great fortune to create other purpose-driven businesses, including 48in48, The A Pledge, and Ripples Media.

At this point, and as I revisit my personal Purpose – to have an outsized, positive impact on the world – I believe it is time for me to change my trajectory in order to take what we’ve learned at Dragon Army and my other businesses and apply those lessons to more companies. Part of my goal is to show leaders that a business can be both profitable AND stand for something bigger than itself; that you don’t have to sacrifice growth in order to do right by your employees and make a positive impact on the world.

And so I am excited to announce the launch of Purpose Group, a different kind of private equity fund. Yes, we will be buying businesses and providing a return to our shareholders, but the core idea is to acquire companies and instill in them a sense of Purpose and a new way of operating. We call it our Purpose Playbook, pulled from the four books I’ve written in my Turnaround Leadership Series.

My Purpose Group team :)

Along with co-founders Jonathan Morgan (CFO) and David Cummings, and an incredible advisory board (Kashi Sehgal, Sanjay Parekh, Raj Choudhury, and Bharath Parthasarathy) we will be focused on creating more purpose-driven, employee-focused businesses in the world.

I’ve officially stepped down from my role as CEO of Dragon Army, putting the company in the very capable hands of Jenn Leahy. Jenn is an extraordinary leader who believes in this “purpose” stuff as much as I do 😃  I will still be involved, remaining as Executive Board Chair and helping Jenn and the leadership team with our PVTV (Purpose, Vision, Tenets, & Values) and growth.

Here are three ways you can learn more about Purpose Group:

1. Purposegroup.us
2. This podcast I recorded with Kashi Sehgal
3. The Atlanta Business Chronicle launch article

Thanks as always for your support and friendship.

And as always, I hope you’re happy.