JEZE August 2012 : Page 87
that work Charity shopping? involves in! We’re 87 Pay It Forward Adam Ross wants you to shop—with purpose. Shortly after snagging a degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, entrepreneurial-minded Adam Ross moved to Atlanta with the inkling that he would make good here. But, in the meantime, bills needed paying, so Ross took up selling commercial real estate—aff ording him connections that lead up to his lightbulb moment. Brunching with corporate execs in 2008, the chat turned to big-brand givebacks. Ross ID’d a gap between how companies and consumers interact on the charitable front and began to form a pretty simple notion: Everyone digs philanthropy. And everyone, Ross speculated, also buys stuff . The ball started to roll. Flash-forward four years, and ideas have been fl eshed out and capital acquired. Ross has set up shop in Buckhead and settled down with wife Gwen, and their new baby, Charlotte. And now, with the birth of his brainchild, Socialvest, all signs point to this being a very good year for 33-year-old Ross. Here’s how it works: Shop online for merch from 600-plus retailing juggernauts, like Best Buy, Bloomingdale’s, amazon.com, iTunes and Target; bank a percentage (predetermined by each retailer) of every purchase in your very own account; then directly donate the amount saved to any of (wait for it) 1.5 million causes. The whole process is deceptively simple—and highly addictive. “You’re going to buy stuff anyway,” Ross summarizes. “Buy your shoes; buy your sweater; buy a television or a plane ticket—but make it matter. Why not give back, and show that you care? That’s what this idea is all about.” So, in a nutshell: We get to snag the goods; get paid; help those in need—and keep the whole thing simple, no-strings-attached and fun? Get clicking. @ socialvest –Written and photographed by Austin Holt
Pay It Forward
Adam Ross wants you to shop—with purpose.<br /> <br /> Shortly after snagging a degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, entrepreneurialminded Adam Ross moved to Atlanta with the inkling that he would make good here. But, in the meantime, bills needed paying, so Ross took up selling commercial real estate—aff ording him connections that lead up to his lightbulb moment.<br /> <br /> Brunching with corporate execs in 2008, the chat turned to big-brand givebacks. Ross ID’d a gap between how companies and consumers interact on the charitable front and began to form a pretty simple notion: Everyone digs philanthropy. And everyone, Ross speculated, also buys stuff . The ball started to roll.<br /> <br /> Flash-forward four years, and ideas have been fleshed out and capital acquired. Ross has set up shop in Buckhead and settled down with wife Gwen, and their new baby, Charlotte. And now, with the birth of his brainchild, Socialvest, all signs point to this being a very good year for 33-year-old Ross.<br /> <br /> Here’s how it works: Shop online for merch from 600-plus retailing juggernauts, like Best Buy, Bloomingdale’s, amazon.com, iTunes and Target; bank a percentage (predetermined by each retailer) of every purchase in your very own account; then directly donate the amount saved to any of (wait for it) 1.5 million causes. The whole process is deceptively simple—and highly addictive.<br /> <br /> “You’re going to buy stuff anyway,” Ross summarizes. “Buy your shoes; buy your sweater; buy a television or a plane ticket—but make it matter. Why not give back, and show that you care? That’s what this idea is all about.” <br /> <br /> So, in a nutshell: We get to snag the goods; get paid; help those in need—and keep the whole thing simple, no-strings-attached and fun? Get clicking. @socialvest –Written and photographed by Austin Holt<br /> <br />
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