Crystal Flaman's card reads: Social Entrepreneur.
 
"I'm a professional speaker, trainer, business coach, and consultant," says Kelowna-based Flaman of Inspiring Success Inc., "but I didn't want to put any of those on my business card. I wanted to put 'social entrepreneur' because it indicates that I'm using my business skills to make a positive change in the world."
 
From the past 24 speaking, training, consulting, and coaching jobs Flaman has had, she has donated part of her fees - $10,000.00 in total - to the charity Room To Read.
 
Combined with the $10,000.00 she personally put up to kick-start the effort, Flaman has forwarded $20,000.00 to Room To Read to pay for a school in Tasarou, Nepal, that will house 182 kindergarten to Grade 6 students.
 
"The school is also almost done. It's so exciting," she said. "At the end of every speech or job, I mention that a portion of my fee is going toward this school and encourage others to check it out (inspiredtogivenow.com) to see if they are interested in donating too."
 
Flaman is also using her upcoming participation in an Ironman triathlon as a $500,000.00 fundraiser for Room To Read. Including the $20,000.00 that's already gone into building the school in Nepal, the total is currently at $100,000.00.  She has been accepted as one of the few athletes sanctioned to use the Ford Ironman World Championships in Hawaii Oct. 11 as a charity fundraiser. "The organizations liked the Room To Read cause," said Flaman. Donations to it can be made through the inspiretogivenow.com website.
 
The fundraising will also get a boost because she will feature in an Outdoor Life Network TV series that is profiling the charity athletes getting ready for the triathlon.
 
Flamnan is not new to this kind of fundraising. In 1994 she and her twin sister Carla were the first to ride a tandem bike across Canada, raising $500,000.00 for the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation. They did for their mom, who underwent open heart surgery in 1992.
 
Flaman, who also owns the Kelowna International Hostel, says everyone can be a social entrepreneur on some level. "That's why I position myself through my business as a conduit for others to donate," she said. “Plus my goal is simply to help people become the best they can be. My training on managing change, customer service, teamwork, and leadership are really about people being the best they can for themselves, their co-workers, and their customers."
 
Such a message is not meant to create workers or bosses, but better people because they realize what they do is important. That feeling ripples into a good attitude, happy demeanour, and better relationships at work and home.