The Beyond Capital Podcast

In 2019, women-owned companies represented 42% of all American businesses. Additionally, the number of women-owned businesses increased by 21%, while all businesses increased by 9%.

In this episode, we speak with Suzanne Lerner, the co-founder and President of Michael Stars, a fashion brand based out of Los Angeles. She is an activist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, serving on several nonprofit boards including the ACLU of Southern California, the ERA Coalition, and the Ms. Foundation.

"Social impact was always in our DNA. We were like a mini B Corp: we cared about our employees, we cared about paying a living wage. We cared about paying their health insurance and sick days. We really were walking the walk," says Suzanne. "Looking at my investments, I wanted to start using my voice. It just can't be about only making money an investing in things you don't agree with."

Show Notes

In 2019, women-owned companies represented 42% of all American businesses. Additionally, the number of women-owned businesses increased by 21%, while all businesses increased by 9%. 
 
In this episode, we speak with Suzanne Lerner, the co-founder and President of Michael Stars, a fashion brand based out of Los Angeles. She is an activist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, serving on several nonprofit boards including the ACLU of Southern California, the ERA Coalition, and the Ms. Foundation.
 
"Social impact was always in our DNA. We were like a mini B Corp: we cared about our employees, we cared about paying a living wage. We cared about paying their health insurance and sick days. We really were walking the walk," says Suzanne. "Looking at my investments, I wanted to start using my voice. It just can't be about only making money an investing in things  you don't agree with."

What is The Beyond Capital Podcast?

Tune into the Beyond Capital Podcast to discover how the C-Suite thinks about social impact as a business grows. Learn about how social values and causes integrate into a company's operations, product, culture - and ultimately - its success.

Eva and Ed have built, scaled and sold companies worth millions. We are active early-stage investors with more than 20 current investments. We sit on private and public-company boards, and we believe strongly in business as a force for good.

From the CEO of a company serving two and a half million healthy school meals a week to one of the world’s first and most successful recycling entrepreneurs, in each episode our candid conversations show how and why profit can be married with purpose. Inspiring leaders will articulate their philosophies and share the mark their business will leave on the world. You will be inspired by these stories to explore your own possibilities for social impact because money and meaning can co-exist!