I’m not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!Devin: What is your superpower?Dorian: True empathy toward others would be what I consider my true superpower.Small businesses in underserved communities often struggle to access the capital they need to grow. Traditional banks and investment firms frequently overlook these businesses, leaving them without the necessary resources to thrive. Recognizing this critical gap, FundingHope has stepped in as a solution. As a FINRA-registered, SEC-approved investment crowdfunding portal, FundingHope connects investors with small business owners dedicated to making a difference in their communities.Dorian Dickinson, CEO and Managing Director of FundingHope, understands the power of community investment. “We’re here to step in to help democratize access to capital to the founders who need it the most,” Dorian explained. By prioritizing businesses aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), FundingHope ensures that investments contribute to both economic and social progress.One of the companies currently raising funds on the platform is hūmNET, a startup that has developed a unique mobile app designed to foster human connection. “They’re from a rural community in Vermont and recognize the importance of people being connected,” Dorian shared. Another business, NEIGHBR, focuses on building affordable, eco-friendly housing, blending sustainability with community development. These businesses exemplify the type of impactful enterprises that FundingHope seeks to support.Dorian’s journey into crowdfunding was shaped by his experience working in rural and conflict-stricken regions. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted his international development work, he turned his attention to the economic struggles of small businesses in the United States. “It always circled back to either a lack of investment or disinvestment in the communities and the businesses in the communities,” he noted. This realization fueled his mission to create a platform that fosters local job creation and economic empowerment.Impact investing through crowdfunding offers an alternative to traditional philanthropy, allowing individuals to support businesses without depleting their financial resources. “When we invest wisely, we’re not limited because the money comes back and we can do it again and again,” Dorian emphasized. This sustainable model of investment enables communities to grow without reliance on external aid.FundingHope stands as a testament to the potential of crowdfunding in reshaping the investment landscape. By channeling funds into businesses that create tangible social impact, it provides both financial returns and meaningful change. As more investors recognize the benefits of impact crowdfunding, platforms like FundingHope are poised to drive lasting transformation in disadvantaged communities.tl;dr:FundingHope empowers small businesses in disadvantaged communities by providing access to investment capital.Companies like hūmNET and NEIGHBR are raising funds on FundingHope to drive social impact and innovation.Impact investing enables individuals to support meaningful causes while potentially earning financial returns.Dorian’s superpower is true empathy, which helps him connect with and support entrepreneurs.Practicing empathy daily by engaging with diverse communities can foster deeper understanding and meaningful action.How to Develop True Empathy As a SuperpowerDorian’s superpower is true empathy—the ability to deeply understand others’ struggles and take meaningful action to help them.“I actually put myself in someone else’s shoes, really understand what they’re going through, how they feel when they’re with their family, how they embrace and work through failures,” Dorian explained. His ability to truly connect with people, especially founders from disadvantaged communities, allows him to guide them toward solutions and success.An example of Dorian’s empathy in action is his work with small business owners who lack traditional financial support. Coming from a lower-middle-class background, he understands firsthand the challenges of financial insecurity. “When I’m engaging with a founder who is coming from a disadvantaged community, I relate to them. I understand their position of not having that friends and family network.” By helping entrepreneurs think outside the box to expand their networks, he empowers them to grow both their businesses and their communities.To develop true empathy as a personal strength, Dorian suggests:Focus on others: Take yourself out of the equation and truly listen to people’s experiences.Step into their world: Engage with individuals from different backgrounds to gain firsthand perspective.Feel their struggles: Try to emotionally connect with their challenges to better understand their needs.Provide solutions or encouragement: Offer support in meaningful ways, whether through action or simply by giving hope.By following Dorian’s example and advice, you can make true empathy a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileDorian Dickinson (he/him):CEO & Managing Director, FundingHopeAbout FundingHope: FundingHope is an SEC-registered, FINRA-member investment crowdfunding platform developed to connect everyday investors with founders and small business owners committed to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal targets in disadvantaged and rural communities across America.Website: fundinghope.comCompany Facebook Page: fb.com/fundinghopecrowdfundingBiographical Information:Dorian Dickinson is the Co-Founder, CEO, and Managing Director of FundingHope, a dynamic SEC-registered crowdfunding platform that empowers entrepreneurs in disadvantaged and rural communities globally. With over 15 years of experience in fintech, Dorian is dedicated to democratizing investment opportunities for underserved founders, driving economic development and sustainability programs worldwide. His work spans rural America, Mexico, South America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, with notable initiatives such as improving health, sanitation, and renewable energy access. Dorian has been recognized by the American Farm Bureau Federation and Canada’s Governor General and is a Kentucky Colonel for his outstanding service. Passionate about mentoring, Dorian strives to make capital access accessible to all entrepreneurs.X/Twitter Handle: @DorianDickinsonPersonal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/doriandickinsonLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/doriandickinsonInstagram Handle: @doriandickinsonSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, NC3, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Superpowers for Good Live Pitch – Where Innovation Meets Impact! Join us on March 12, 2025, for the Q1-25 live pitch event, streaming on e360tv, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Watch impact-driven startups pitch their bold ideas, connect with investors, and drive positive change. Don’t miss this chance to witness innovation in action!Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on March 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.SuperCrowdHour, March 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe will be leading a session on "How to Build a VC-Style Impact Crowdfunding Portfolio." He’ll share expert insights on diversifying investments, identifying high-potential impact ventures, and leveraging crowdfunding for both financial and social returns. Whether you're an experienced investor or just getting started, this is a must-attend! Don’t miss it!SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! SuperCrowd25, August 21st and 22nd: This two-day virtual event is an annual tradition but with big upgrades for 2025! We’ll be streaming live across the web and on TV via e360tv. Soon, we’ll open a process for nominating speakers. Check back!Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on EventsIgniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.NC3 Changing the Paradigm: Mobilizing Community Investment Funds, March 7, 2025Asheville Neighborhood Economics, April 1-2, 2-25.Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefitting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. 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