EP. 44 Measure Impact, Not Just Revenue

Kristin Kagetsu, CEO of Saathi Pads, is making the world a better place by providing those in need, basic necessities. This MIT engineer could have worked in many different cutting-edge industries, but her passion is to leave this world better than she found it. Kristin, Tarun (Co-Founder) and the Saathi Team work everyday to improve access, for women in need of sanitary pads. Kristin shares that this luxury is something we take for granted in the West, where we can simply go into a store, use self-check out and go about our day. In places like India, there is not only a lack of these sanitary products, but stigmas and culture taboos that prevent women from easily accessing these basic health and wellness needs. Kristin also shares that her journey is not only with sanitary products in mind, but to help other companies build more sustainable ways to manufacture. Lessons learned at Saathi, has showed Kristin and her Team that we can all help each other produce goods more responsibly.  Whether that is using incentives to deter plastic use or using waste from banana farmers to create sanitary pads, there are ways to produce more sustainably, that will actually help bring more economic prosperity to all involved.  Even though Saathi is a “For Profit”, its purpose and mission are more akin to a non-profit or NGO.  Kristin believes that making a profit is crucial to the sustainability of good companies, but the metrics which success is measured should rest on positive impact- Not just revenue.  Growing a company just to sell to another company, doesn’t seem to interest this entrepreneur.  Kristin shares the importance of company legacies and how we should all strive to leave the world with a lasting positive impact.