You may be familiar with the concept of “pay it forward.” It is the idea that, instead of waiting for someone to do a good deed or a favor for us and then reciprocating that favor, we should instead look for opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.

Now, you may be wondered what this idea has to do with your home staging business.

The truth is that developing a social conscience is vital for today’s businesses. Successful businesses in a variety of industries, as diverse as Starbucks, Microsoft, and AT&T, are known for their charitable contributions.

At CSP® International, we take this idea very seriously—and we encourage our clients to do the same. We encourage each business that we incubate to select a charity to support in some manner—and many of our members are also active volunteers in their community. We even give out an award each year to a business that makes an outstanding contribution to their community.

Christine Rae, our President and CEO, has had a Pay It Forward program in place as a foundation for our company and our graduates since inception. We specifically support a number of charities and encourage our clients and partners to do the same.

Christine explains that “the ‘behind the scenes’ story of my current success as the Founder and President of Certified Staging Professionals® shares some of the difficulties and challenges that unfortunately plague many people – being a single mum, having to create financial security in creative ways, trying careers that just didn’t work out in the long run. It wasn’t easy. But it was worth it… because now I’m now in the position of being able to give back by giving forward… to Habitat for Humanity, Women to Women International, KIVA, One Drop Foundation and Marketers for Good.”

She explains that each of the charities that CSP® supports was chosen because of their commitment to their respective causes and also how they relate to her life experience. Christine notes “I selected charity organizations which are connected to what CSP International™ is all about and for the ease of support by other new entrepreneurs. In a world where having a social conscience is a responsibility having simple, accessible and affordable to organizations to support is a must for every new and struggling entrepreneur.”

“Habitat for Humanity is obvious – CSP®s are staging homes globally every day. To make a difference in local communities is awe-inspiring.

Women to Women International is an organization helping women who have battled unspeakable horror to finally find their voice and place in the world, and it “just makes my heart sing,” Christine explains. As the largest population in the world, women entrepreneurs are the answer for social and economic change. It is only 83 years ago that women were recognized as PERSONS in Canada we cannot afford to wait 83 more years to help others.

KIVA for much the same reason; the organization makes it easy for everyone to help people in under developed countries build their own financial freedom by teaching them how. We believe every new entrepreneur can afford $25 to help a person like themselves. A hand up not a hand out

One Drop Foundation because clean water should be an automatic right not a privilege. Understanding the plight the world’s water table is in, and how it affects everyone on the planet was the catalyst for change in Christine’s life and business. It was the inspiration for our quest for Zero Carbon footprint, our green certification program and the development of Christine’s garden to a certified wildlife habitat. The children are our future, as a mother and grandmother Christine is committed to help saving people who are dying without adequate drinking water.

Marketers for Good represents the new way that marketing and business minds can create powerful change for good in the world. And Christine is honored to be a part of that by donating all profits from her books.

As a business owner, you have the opportunity to make a real impact in your community. Not only is it the right thing to do, but you will find that the relationships you build while serving the community often lead to new business opportunities.

And that is what paying it forward is all about!