We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Trisha Bailey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dr. Trisha, thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.
My epiphany for serving the underserved occurred in my thirties when I began to travel for a purpose. My journeys took me to Southeast Asia, where I met remarkable business owners who weren’t focused solely on profit but on using their enterprises as vehicles to provide jobs, education, and skills to their communities. Witnessing their unwavering commitment to social impact, I felt compelled to support and empower these visionary leaders.
Growing up in a small town, I always felt the urge to see the world. I didn’t want to visit the “easy” destinations that I could save for later; instead, I ventured to places like Southeast Asia and Africa. During my travels, I met ordinary people teaching life-changing skills with almost no resources, empowering others to lift themselves out of generational poverty.
These experiences motivated me to pursue my Ph.D., where I studied the socioeconomic impacts of social enterprise. Seeing the real-world success of these business-driven solutions, I knew it was my calling to bring the story of social enterprise to a broader audience. Today, I’m honored to work with these next-generation change-makers and share the good news of social enterprise with the world.
Dr. Trisha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My business, Trisha Bailey, Ph.D., is a platform dedicated to being the change we wish to see in the world.
Did you know that between 1990 and 2015, a billion people were lifted out of poverty, largely through job creation? Most of that happened through small businesses with fewer than ten employees. These are the kinds of businesses we work with.
We consult, mentor, and connect social entrepreneurs across Africa and Asia to foster sustainable development through socially responsible businesses. These entrepreneurs lift individuals out of poverty through job training and wealth creation, empowering them to build sustainable livelihoods.
What sets us apart is the way we bring together mission-minded executives in the U.S. and connect them with these social entrepreneurs. We offer opportunities for executives to partner through sponsorships, aligning them with a deeper purpose and allowing them to create a legacy of real impact.
These partnerships are more than just donations; they’re about empowering people to help themselves by providing the tools and education needed for long-term success.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the collaborative impact we create. The ripple effect is profound—just one social entrepreneur, supported by a mission-minded leader, can change the lives of 25 people, including their trainees and dependents. It’s a cycle of empowerment that continues to grow.
Over the past 12 months, we’ve worked with thousands of social entrepreneurs in over 30 countries, and we’re on track to change the lives of close to 4,000 more people over the next year.
Our main goals for the coming year include uplifting 100 social entrepreneurs annually, helping ten mission-minded leaders uncover their purpose through sponsorships, and raising $100,000 in recurring revenue to fund programs like the Avant-Garde Entrepreneur Academy, which provides online and in-country training in places like Nepal, Pakistan, and Nigeria.
What truly drives me is the belief that social entrepreneurs are our next greatest generation. These are individuals who often come from the base of the economic pyramid, but their commitment to their communities is unparalleled. They are passionate and dedicated, making them powerful agents of change.
My in-depth studies during my PhD, which focused on the socioeconomic impact of social enterprise vocational training, showed a 95% effectiveness rate in increasing family income, personal confidence, and trainee retention.
For potential sponsors or collaborators, the message is clear: if you’re looking for a way to make a multi-generational impact without needing to sacrifice endless time or money, this is the opportunity. You can create change from the comfort of your home by partnering with us and being part of something much bigger than yourself.
At Trisha Bailey, Ph.D., we’re committed to driving systemic change and making a meaningful difference in the world. Together, we can empower others and create lasting, sustainable development that benefits everyone.
Have you ever had to pivot?
The most significant pivot I ever had to make was a decision that, at the time, felt excruciating, but today I’m so grateful for it. My role now working with social entrepreneurs in developing countries, is without a doubt my destiny—and it would never have happened if I’d made the wrong decision four years ago.
I had built several businesses, but one in particular—federal contracting—was on track to make millions. But at the time, I felt completely depleted. I was running another business at the same time and also getting my PhD. I had grown so used to the exhaustion that I thought it was just how life as a business owner was supposed to be.
One Friday, during a rare moment of quiet, I joined an online workshop on getting unstuck in business. As I listened, I felt a powerful clarity: I’d never feel true joy in a business that clashed with my values of freedom and solitude. Though the business was a sure financial success, the decision to step away became clear—I needed to align my work with my purpose. This choice was challenging but ultimately led me to the work I’m passionate about today.
After the workshop, I spent some time journaling, then went for a walk to clear my head. I couldn’t wrap my mind around walking away from something I had spent five years growing that was still on a tremendous upward track. But over the next eight days, something extraordinary happened.
I received sign after sign from my spirit that it wouldn’t be possible for me to keep doing this for the money and keep my soul. I had been asking my spirit over and over, “Can I keep doing this?” and the answer was always yes. But when I finally changed the question to, “Is keeping this business what’s best for me?” the answer was an immediate no.
I’ll never forget stepping onto a sidewalk one day, seeing a trash can, and having this vision of throwing a winning lottery ticket right in the trash. The business was a sure thing, and my partner was counting on it for his retirement, but I knew then I had to get out.
Walking away was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but it’s the reason I’m doing the work I was meant to do today.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe my reputation in the market has been built on a few key principles: authenticity, alignment with values, and the deep commitment I have to social entrepreneurship as a force for good. Walking away from a highly profitable federal contracting business to follow my true purpose was a pivotal moment that solidified my belief in the power of values-driven leadership.
I think that decision—choosing to stay true to myself and my core values—resonates with the people I work with, and that has been key to building trust and credibility.
My focus on connecting social entrepreneurs across Africa and Asia with mission-driven executives in the U.S. has set my work apart. These partnerships go beyond transactions—they are impactful collaborations tackling systemic issues like poverty and trauma.
I also think the transparency and impact of the work has been critical. When you can show that 98% of every dollar goes directly to supporting social entrepreneurs and their trainees, and when you share real stories of transformation—like that of David in Uganda, who built a computer from discarded parts and is now teaching coding to kids with no formal education—that kind of impact blows people away.
People see the tangible difference their partnership is making, and they feel connected to something larger than themselves.
I would be remiss to ignore the credibility brought by my PhD, which focused on the socioeconomic impact of social enterprise. By leveraging both academic knowledge and hands-on experience in global development, I can offer unique insights and data to support the effectiveness of social enterprise programs. With an effectiveness rate of over 95% in increasing family income and improving self-confidence, these results are hard to ignore.
Ultimately, I think my reputation has been built on creating genuine, impactful partnerships and staying true to the vision of empowering others to help themselves. That’s what has made my work resonate with both social entrepreneurs and the executives who support them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.trishabaileyphd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trishabaileyphd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075844075484
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishabaileyphd
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/trishabaileyphd
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@trishabaileyphd
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Trisha Bailey, PhD