Tara Russell is the CEO & Founder of Create Common Good (CCG), a social + entrepreneurial venture using food to change lives. CCG provides training and employment to refugees and others in need while bringing broader access to quality foods. She also co-founded NightLight International, which serves women at-risk in Bangkok, Thailand.
Tara's career spans Fortune 500 companies and international NGOs. She is passionate about the intersection of business and social impact, as well as the importance of harnessing individual gifts and talent for the greater good.
You've got an interesting background. Footwear developer, process engineering manager, and now CEO of a nonprofit. Tell us about your path.
I've always loved to learn, and mostly to "learn by doing." I was really fortunate throughout my first career at GM, Intel, and Nike being on every end of the consumer product business—from product development to manufacturing, even into technical sales and marketing. I've worked with incredible mentors in the US and also in Shanghai, China, who have taught me a ton. I always found myself stuck between the traditional corporate world and international volunteerism. I felt like I didn't fit fully in either. So ten years ago, I took the plunge into the abyss of what Thoreau calls "living the life you've imagined" and tried to combine both.
What is the change you are trying to make in the world?
I believe each of us has tremendous, unique gifting—we were all made to do something great. I'm passionate about mobilizing individuals, organizations and companies to take a hard look at their innate DNA structure (personal giftings, organizational or corporate unique infrastructure and assets) to really find their sweet spot and understand how to best impact the world for good.
Your nonprofit, Create Common Good, uses food to change lives. Tell us about it.
I believe that food is a gift of love, and we use food as a powerful vehicle to transform lives. Food is a central part of each of our stories and food naturally brings people together creating community, opportunities to nurture and nourish, and great memory building moments.
At Create Common Good, we do two primary things—we train people and we feed people. We provide training and employment to refugees and others in need. Essentially, we've looked at both the market's desire for fresh, conveniently prepared local food products, and also the platform that would be most natural to build and equip at-risk refugees. Food is something that feels like home to the refugees we serve. So many of them have experience growing, packaging, preparing or serving food, so that's what we do. We operate small-farms, and add value through food production and catering.
What's the favorite dish your executive chef at Create Common Good makes?
Oh come on...ANYTHING Brent (Chef Brent Southcombe) makes is delicious! Since I'm hugely a veggie girl, I would have to say any salad that he makes. But I also love his risotto. And his beets. And his polenta. And his salmon….and…you get the picture.
Are you disrupting a market through innovative products or new ways of doing business?
We're trying to teach individuals and companies that you (and they) were made to do something great. Our non-profit social enterprise model is helping “do-gooder” groups understand that you can attack real market demands and needs with socially innovative models that change lives. We want to harness the power of business for lasting transformation, and build a more financially sustainable engine for change in the process.
What's your definition of “social entrepreneur”?
Social entrepreneurs are stubborn, perseverant, foolishly ambitious people willing to rock the boat. People who ARE committed to growing the financial bottom line, but also committed to tackling tough social and environmental issues. Social entrepreneurs owe their "shareholders" much more than just a financial return on investment, and like any entrepreneur, fight tooth and nail to grow their mission and build movements.
What's the biggest change you've made in your professional career?
I stopped chasing titles and resume builders and started chasing change-making opportunities, even as they continue to be a gamble.
So, you're a bit of a gambler. Is it scary?
When I left the corporate world, I gave up certainty for uncertainty, recognizing that the risk of being somewhere without purpose and passion at work was far greater than the risk of failing. Every day is a little bit like Christmas morning as a kid when you're pioneering new, unchartered space through your work. I'm having a lot of fun. I used to view uncertainty as somewhat dangerous, and now I see it as exciting.
Change is hard—any tricks you'd like to share for making it easier?
I highly suggest running or biking (play outside in any form), plenty of good wine (and grub), and very frequent dance parties with children. We all need to remember what it's like to “dance like nobody's watching” and reconnect with the child inside of us. Laughter is really important in the journey.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
I think being able to teleport would be pretty cool.
If you could "teleport" anywhere right now, where would you go?
Miami! It's an international city that just happens to be in the U.S. I'm doing a good bit of work down there, and the trip is a beast from the Pacific Northwest. Otherwise, probably Soho in London…love it there.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would love to be able to pause and focus more easily. I'm innately inclined to do ten (or so) things at once. I always see forward to new/more opportunities (and needs), which sometimes makes it hard to savor a moment and be fully present where you are.
Favorite color?
Green. And red. Or red. And green.
What are you reading right now?
I just finished The Solution Revolution. Now I'm reading Multipliers, The Purpose Economy, and plan to read Adam Grant's Give and Take soon. I always enjoy Inc. Magazine and Fortune, and Tyson, my 8-year old's comic book series (he likes to write) is to die for. I like Simon Sinek's daily inspirations, Seth Godin's blog, and Steve Grave's blog as well. And my daughter Lucy writes me love notes many days, which is a definite highlight.
What are you listening to right now?
Ray LaMontagne, NEEDTOBREATHE, lots of indie rock, but mostly the things my kids ask me to download on iTunes - Happy, Killin' It, The Man (my son's own personal, self-identified theme song), lots of Imagine Dragon, Everything is Awesome and a strong dose of the Frozen soundtrack!
Who inspires you?
Amelia Earhart. Martin Luther King Jr. Jesus. Norman Vincent Peale. Harriet Tubman. Desmond Tutu.
Any secret you'd like to share?
I started a food fight in elementary school. And I'm thinking I could start a really, really good one these days. :)