Jasmine Crowe is an award-winning entrepreneur, TED Speaker, children’s book author, and leader who, while working to make the world a better place, founded Goodr, a tech-enabled sustainable food waste management company that strives to eliminate hunger and save food from landfills. Jasmine’s goal is to foster change and create awareness about today’s most pressing socio-economic challenges including poverty, food waste and hunger.
What does “entrepreneurship” mean to you?
Jasmine Crowe: Entrepreneurship to me means living a dream and turning your idea into a vision and constant execution.
How did your company come to be?
JC: I started Goodr after years of feeding people experiencing homelessness and hunger on the streets of downtown Atlanta. When a video of my work went viral on social media, people began asking me who donated the food, the answer was no one and, as I began to research, I learned more about food waste and became upset. My a-ha moment was understanding that there was too much food going to waste while so many people were going hungry.
How has your business changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
JC: Yes, I would say it has evolved. At the start of the pandemic, we were very busy with business closures and capturing excess food for donation. After that we had a pivot and began to focus on hunger relief which was the second part of my mission.
What is your proudest and darkest moment so far?
JC: My proudest moment is seeing people have access to food through the dignity that we provide. It’s a dream come true. My lowest point has been fundraising; it’s very hard to convince people to believe in your dream.
How is your company changing the landscape?
JC: I believe Goodr is disrupting the waste industry. 27% of everything in landfills today is food and we are a food waste management company focused on ending this problem, I think Goodr is going to change the way the waste industry works today.
What do you wish you knew when you started? Is there anything you would do differently?
JC: I wish I knew that entrepreneurship would be lonely. I would put my self-care first and not always the company.
What advice/credo do you live by as you grow the business / what is your professional and personal mission statement?
JC: I live by the advice that joy comes in the morning. No matter how bad the day may be, I always know that there’s a new day on the horizon and miracles can happen anytime. My personal mission statement is Plan Your Work, Then Work Your Plan.
Where do you find inspiration when faced with challenges?
JC: I find inspiration from motivational quotes, journaling, my vision board, and my daughter.
What does “success” look like for you? What do you think will help you achieve it?
JC: Success looks like creating opportunities for others. Job creation, helping others elevate and achieve their dreams. What will help me achieve this is continuing to do the work, stay focused, and never lose sight of why I started and my grand vision for this company.
Has personal or professional “success” changed for you since the COVID-19 pandemic?
JC: No, I would say things have been steady, personal success I did get engaged and have my daughter so that is something I can thank the pandemic for.
What’s it like to work alone or with your partners? What advice do you have for fellow entrepreneurs about building and leading teams?
JC: I am a solo founder and with that I would say it comes with a lot more work, there is no one to split the burden with so it means showing up every day and being the best you can be, it also means bringing on the best team members to support you. My advice to fellow entrepreneurs on leading teams is to ask for and give feedback often.
Many entrepreneurs continue to perfect their daily routines to support their work and greater vision; would you mind sharing your morning routine or a regular ritual that grounds your work each day? How has it changed in recent months?
JC: I try and mediate even if just for five minutes every day, I journal once a week, I work out, I take time for myself to do things like get a message or have a solo dinner date. I always listen to business podcasts, read books, and meet with my leadership coach.
What keeps you motivated during this time?
JC: I am always motivated at the chance to solve a very old and huge problem in hunger. I am motivated by the feeling that I get when I know I am giving people hope in their darkest hours.
What kind of an entrepreneur do you want to be known as, as in, what do you want your legacy to be?
JC: I am a social entrepreneur and I want to be known as an entrepreneur that worked her whole life to solve hunger and reduce food waste.
What is a quote or some words of wisdom that help get you through the tough days?
JC: “Joy comes in the morning.”
Have you experienced mentorship in your career? Do you feel it was easily available to you?
JC: I have enjoyed working with mentors, I wouldn’t say it was easily available, but I think with social media and the internet you can have mentors you never meet.
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