Why would a successful criminal defense attorney leave a lucrative career to start a chocolate company? That’s the incredible story of Shawn Askinosie, founder of the award-winning Askinosie Chocolate. In his book Meaningful Work, Shawn shares his insights into doing work with heart and creating a business with a soul. Named one of the 25 best small companies in America by Forbes, Askinosie Chocolate sources 100% of their beans directly from farmers and shares profits with them. On this episode, Shawn shares how to find your calling, what to consider when contemplating a career move, and why businesses thrive when work is meaningful.
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Show Notes
- Why he decided to leave his career as a successful criminal defense lawyer to start a chocolate company (2:08)
- How he discovered his calling (3:50)
- The bridge between idea, action and plan (5:30)
- Shawn’s advice for people who want to transition in their careers (6:18)
- How to find meaning in your current work (8:45)
- How Shawn was able to transfer his skills to a new career (11:33)
- The biggest challenges in starting his own business (15:50)
- What makes Askinosie Chocolate different (18:16)
- The problem with making philanthropy and charity a silo within a company (19:16)
- 2/3 of people at work are disengaged (21:46)
- The problem with the one-for-one business model for giving (26:02)
- The difference between direct trade and fair trade (28:40)
- The impact Askinosie Chocolate has made on the communities they work in (32:40)
- The value of reverse scale: “get better at staying small” (34:49)
- The difference between being and doing (37:56)
- The role faith played in Shawn’s journey (41:05)
Resources / People Mentioned
- Meaningful Work by Shawn Askinosie
- Askinosie Chocolate
- America’s Best Small Companies (Forbes)
- Assumption Abbey
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
- Becoming Human by Jean Vanier
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Adam Grant on Finding Motivation and Meaning at Work
- Bob Goff on The Transformative Power of Love
- Jenn Lim on Delivering Happiness at Work
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