The Profitable Good: A Bold Playbook for Sustainable Business Growth

1 Foundations of Sustainability in Business
1.1 Introduction: The Lemonade Stand Transformation
1.2 The Power of Four: 4Ps, 4 Pillars, 4 Lenses
1.3 Know Your Strengths: Entrepreneurship Self-Assessment
1.4 Alphabet Soup: The SDGs and the BMC
Chapter Summary
Quiz

2 Customers and Channels
2.1 Suma Qamana: Indigenous Wisdom
2.2 Customer Mapping: Build Value + Relieve Pain
2.3 Building Sustainability
2.4 Case Study: Grove Collaborative
Chapter Summary
Quiz

3 Operations and Infrastructure
3.1 Permaculture as Abundance
3.2 The Human Resources Function
3.3 Supply Chains
3.4 Case Study: Equal Exchange
Chapter Summary
Quiz

4 Financials
4.1 Solidarity Economy: Expanding the Means of Exchange
4.2 Cost Structure: Strategic Purchasing
4.3 Revenue Streams Multiplier
4.4 Case Study: Green Mountain Power
Chapter Summary
Quiz

5 Revisiting the Value Proposition
5.1 Circles of Sustainability: The Bird’s Eye View
5.2 The Pivot: When to Change
5.3 Building Your Blue Ocean: Outperforming the Competition
5.4 Case Study: Tony’s Chocolonely
Chapter Summary
Quiz

6 Leading the Change
6.1 The Sustainability Lens: Pulling It All Together
6.2 Transformational Leadership
6.3 Communicating the Sustainability Message
6.4 Sustainability Leadership Mindset: Self-Assessment
6.5 Case Study: Patagonia
Chapter Summary
Quiz

Glossary
References
Bibliography

Dr. Tamara Stenn is an accomplished economist, entrepreneurship expert, and Fulbright Scholar with over 40 years in business and academia, specializing in sustainable development.

Vibrant Publishers is focused on presenting the best texts for learning about technology and business as well as books for test preparation. Categories include programming, operating systems and other texts focused on IT. In addition, a series of books helps professionals in their own disciplines learn the business skills needed in their professional growth.

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The Self-Learning Management Series is designed to help students, new managers, career switchers, and entrepreneurs learn essential management lessons and covers every aspect of business, from HR to Finance to Marketing to Operations across any and every industry. Each book includes basic fundamentals, important concepts, and standard and well-known principles as well as practical ways of application of the subject matter.

This isn’t a boring recipe book for the usual startup grind, but an approach to entrepreneurship that incorporates the other dimensions of our lives and communities.
-- Drew Hession-Kunz
Lecturer in Entrepreneurial Finance, Boston College

The book is grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to show how responsible practices can drive long-term business success. It provides insight into all the critical facets and theories entrepreneurs must consider—from idea generation and analysis to operations and impact—while illustrating concepts through strong, practical, and relevant examples.
-- Nicole O’Brien, PhD, MSc, BBA
Assistant Professor of Practice, Sawyer Business School,
Suffolk University

The book offers a reliable and conceptually accurate overview of sustainability principles, with a practical orientation that makes the content actionable.
-- Dr. Glory Enyinnaya
Academic Director, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos

This was quite an interesting read, as it examined business models while incorporating sustainability efforts. That’s not something that is commonly touched upon when formulating business plans, so I found that a very unique perspective.
-- Mae B,
Netgalley reviewer

The book is highly engaging and enjoyable to read. The use of the Business Model Canvas as a foundational framework is an excellent choice, as it provides a shared language that can be spoken and understood by a wide range of stakeholders.
-- Salma IDRISSI BOUTAYBI, PhD, Social Entrepreneurship Researcher & Doctoral Sherpa

Dr. Tamara Stenn’s work stands out for its rare combination of rigorous research, human‑centered insight, and a deep commitment to renewable economic solutions. Her leadership, clarity, and vision make her work in this book invaluable in shaping a more equitable and resilient future.
-- Dr. Jeanette Landin, Professor of Professional Studies, Landmark College

Beginners and experts alike will benefit from the frameworks, insights, and extensive practical advice. Dr. Stenn not only invites the reader to develop a personal road map, but also how to build a toolbox for successfully realizing financial, social, and environmental gains.
--Richard "Rick" Hunt, Ph.D, Dorothy Hottel Digges Professor of Entrepreneurship at Virginia Tech

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