598. Invest in Your Values and Do Just Fine

Joel Solomon

Joel grew up in a family devoted to making the world better, but it was at his dying father’s side that Joel made the crucial first step onto his own pathway toward a life that matters to future generations.

Joel Solomon is the author of “The Clean Money Revolution: Reinventing Power, Purpose, and Capitalism.” He’s the chairman of Renewal Funds, a $98-million mission venture capital firm. He has invested in over 100 early growth-stage companies in North America, delivering above market returns while catalyzing positive social and environmental change.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

“I’ve been involved in the investing business for more than 30 years. First, it was personal, with a bit of family money I inherited, but gradually, over time, it became professionalized as I realized that there was a huge opportunity to advance the field of investing to be more aligned with values, mission and purpose.”

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

“A woman who inherited an amount of money much larger than I invited me to join her in the visioning, strategizing, and implementation of putting out tens of millions of dollars toward creating models which prove you could invest in alignment with your values. And that you can do fine financially. We wanted to show there are ways to be creative with philanthropy. With relatively small amounts of money—spread among good entrepreneurs and organizations—you can have a positive influence on the values that matter to you.”

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

“Live to be the very best ancestor you can be. I’m not talking bloodline ancestry. I’m talking about being alive at this time in the history of the planet, doing the very best you can to see that people who come after you will have it even better.”

On His Bookshelf

The Clean Money Revolution: Reinventing Power, Purpose, and Capitalism, by Joel Solomon and Tyee Bridge

Steps to Success from Joel Solomon

1. Take time to understand who you are, what makes you tick, what you care about.

2. Do your best to think backward from your deathbed about the legacy you would like to leave. What contribution best represents what you want your life to accomplish.

3. Figure out your emotional, psychological and spiritual self to start to understand your meaning, purpose and direction.