Pursuing Passions & Entrepreneurship | Jessica Jackley | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Jessica Jackley shares her journey of co-founding Kiva and the power of microfinance in empowering entrepreneurs in poverty-stricken areas.

Transcript

FEMALE SPEAKER: Jessica is an entrepreneur and investor focused on financial inclusion, the sharing economy, and social justice. She's best known as a co-founder of Kiva, the world's people-the-people microlending website. In her new book, "Clay Water Brick" that she's going to share about today, she shares her personal story of co-creating a tool ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖤 Poverty is not limited to lacking basic needs but also includes a lack of access to opportunities and freedoms.
• ❓ People's ability to envision and pursue a better future is crucial in overcoming poverty.
• 😚 Social change starts by getting close to the people one wants to serve and being a good listener.
• 👯 Stories that showcase resilience and resourcefulness resonate the most with people.
• 🏛️ Transparency and honesty are essential in building trust and support from individuals and communities.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Patrick improve his life using clay bricks?

Patrick used his resourcefulness to create clay bricks, which he sold to earn money. He continuously improved his brick-making skills and eventually built a successful business and a new home for himself.

Q: Why did Fatuma struggle to improve her life despite receiving microfinance loans?

Fatuma lacked the vision and belief in herself to use the loans effectively. She buried her money out of fear and did not reinvest in her business or personal well-being.

Q: What is the definition of entrepreneurship according to Jessica Jackley?

Jessica defines entrepreneurship as the pursuit of opportunity without regard to current resources, focusing on envisioning a better future and taking steps to achieve it.

Q: How did Kiva scale and overcome challenges in its early years?

Kiva faced challenges with skepticism from traditional for-profit and nonprofit sectors. However, they persevered by believing in their vision and finding support from lenders and field partners in microfinance organizations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jessica shares the story of Patrick, a young man from Uganda who used clay bricks to improve his life and lift himself out of poverty.

• She also shares the story of Fatuma, who had difficulty using microfinance loans to improve her life due to personal barriers and limiting beliefs.

• Jessica highlights the importance of having a strong vision for the future and pursuing opportunities without regard to current resources.