“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mom would say to me ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ ”
—Mr. Rogers
I love business. Don’t you?
There’s just something intrinsically fascinating about the way goods and services flow, even in times of crisis.
In the spirit of “looking for the helpers” I’ve been keeping my eye out for companies, big and small, that are consistently creating value, coronavirus or not. And I’ve found some pretty awesome examples.
So while everyone else focuses on the negative, check out these positive examples of people making a difference in the world!
Infarm
Imagine farms right inside stores. That’s what Infarm has made possible. Instead of having to transport produce over thousands of miles, customers can buy their veggies directly from the farm at the store!
MasterClass
I loved this from the moment I heard Sara Blakely was teaching Entrepreneurship. If you could learn online from someone, don’t you want it to be a well-known expert in the subject? That’s what Masterclass does. You can pick out one course you like, or get access to them all!
Old Fourth Distillery
Based in Atlanta, this distillery has been giving away hand sanitizer to anyone who drops by. With access to ethanol, Old Fourth Distillery is perfectly set up for making effective sanitizer. And this business is only one of multiple distilleries that have taken to creating this simple value for the people of their cities.
ClickUp
Not only is Clickup a tool that allows you to organize practically everything, it also allows you to collaborate with other people and organize things together. Oh, and it’s not just one tool—it’s multiple apps that all come together on one platform. Just what we need with everything being focused online!
GoodUnited
GoodUnited helps nonprofits build Facebook fundraisers. Their platform allows people to quickly and simply manage fundraisers by harnessing the power of Facebook Messenger. (Did I mention they’re hiring?)
Loom
Loom has always been a favorite of mine—it’s a simple way to record great-looking screenshare videos. But they’ve stepped up their game, making Loom Pro free for education. They’ve also cut the price of Loom Pro in half, and changed the free trial period from 14 to 30 days.
Platform Marketing
Platform is a marketing agency for real estate agents. Instead of focusing on the negatives during this time, they’re helping their clients create awesome videos like this one celebrating the good in the world.
Crash
With millions of people currently on the job hunt, Crash couldn’t be around at a more opportune time. This platform allows you to create customized pitches for companies, and manage all your portfolio projects and tech tools in one place while you showcase your skills to potential employers.
Zipline
If you’re a fan of drones, you’ll love Zipline just as much as I do. Their drones deliver hundreds of medical products every week in Ghana and Rwanda—that’s over 60,000 drops since the company launched in 2016. Hopefully they’ll soon be able to launch here in the U.S. as well!
Ordermark
Ordermark is a platform that helps restaurants manage online orders. With many restaurants currently unable to offer the option of dining in, it’s crucial for them to be able to reach customers online and offer take-out options. They’re also managing a bank of resources that are valuable to restaurants during this time.
Chipotle
If you don’t know what Chipotle is already, you’re missing out. They have the greatest burrito bowls on the planet in my opinion. But they’re not just on my list because of their cilantro lime rice and queso. They’re also offering free delivery!
Zoom
In case you haven’t noticed, everyone’s talking about Zoom right now. That’s because they’re filling an important role in online education and online communication in general. Imagine what life would be like without the ability to quickly and easily connect with dozens of people over video chat!
Ceterus
Ceterus is an online accounting service. Their automation technology cuts down the time businesses need to spend bookkeeping. And at this time when small businesses need financial advice more than ever, Ceterus keeps this page up to date with all the information they need regarding loans, taxes, and more.
Here’s the thing—there are still great companies still out there getting things done. So instead of focusing on what’s wrong with the world, let’s celebrate what’s right with it.
Now go order that Chipotle burrito. 😉
