Needs don't always lead to demand via Seth's Blog

Well said, Seth.  It's not supply and NEED it's supply and DEMAND.


One of the accepted holy grails of building an organization is that you should fill a need. Fill people's needs, they say, and the rest will take care of itself.

But... someone might know that they need to lose some weight, but what they demand is potato chips.

Someone might know that they need to be more concerned about the world, but what they demand is another fake reality show.

As my friend Tricia taught me, this is brought into sharp relief when doing social enterprise in the developing world. There are things that people vitally need... and yet providing it is no guarantee you'll find demand.

Please don't tell get confused by what the market needs. That's something you decided, not them.

If you want to help people lose weight, you need to sell them something they demand, like belonging or convenience, not lecture them about what they need.

Cupcakes for a Cause

Food (particularly sweets) and philanthropy might be two of my favorite things in life....and when I found something that put those two together, it was love at first sight!

Thanks to @lboroush for sending me my first ever 'e-cupcake' from Cupcakes for a Cause.  With each cupcake you create and send for free the organization will donate $1 to help children and families affected by cancer.  You can create your own (super fun) or use some of the pre-made cakes (for those less artistic) and then send them to friends and family with an individual message.

Easy as pie (or cake in this instance)!

If only they were edible. Alas, my sweet tooth has to come to terms with these virtual times...

Send_an_e-cupcake_-_cupcakes_for_a_cause_-_benefiting_cancercare_for_kids-3
My work of art above.