Giveback Collective Love: Jenny Nuccio
Jenny Nuccio is a woman, wife, mother, mentor, leader, podcast host, and global social entrepreneur.
Her story working in Kenya started 10 years ago and is now unstoppable as she continues to make an immense impact on the world around her. How inspiring is she?!
People. Purpose. Profit. Planet. Partnerships. These are the 5 P’s according to the School of Ethical Impact, that are crucial to who and what Imani Collective is all about. Jenny is a Co- Founder of The School of Ethical Impact who works closely with organizations, individuals, and beneficiaries through a 12 module online course. It is here where these clients work with The School of Impact to create ethical impact within their own business model.
Jenny Nuccio is the Founder and CEO of Imani Collective who create many products like pillows, backpacks, banners, and more! Imani Collective is a non-profit and social enterprise model that is dedicated to increasing women empowerment while decreasing generational poverty in Mombasa, Kenya. They achieve this goal by offering education and employment opportunities which is how their products are created!.
A new update to Imani Collective, which is a NGO and 501(c) organization, but has also added it as an LLC business as it grows into a much bigger company, making it a hybrid model. She hopes that this “can be a model for many other aspiring social entrepreneurs about how to innovate with what is in front of them and to think outside of the box of how organizations/companies can be conducted.”
Some questions that are asked while making sure Imani Collective stays true to its values are:
What is our purpose and does this align with our missional values at heart?
Who are our people we are serving?
How are we leveraging profit for good?
How are we impacting the planet?
Who are we partnering with to make a greater impact for the kingdom?
By answering these questions, Imani Collective can rise above and continue to support the workers salaries, uphold dignified work, as well as have holistic programing and skills training for the artisans. The mission states:
“Together, we unleash greatness within artisans + their communities by crafting ethical lifestyle products that cultivate holistic empowerment and opportunity.”
Jenny Nuccio has an amazing outlook on the type of future she wants for her community, and is one of the reasons why she became a Giveback Partner with Kurandza in 2021.
“I love being part of the Giveback Collective at Kurandza because it’s aligned with my heart of seeing women being empowered and doing that at a young age. So the fact that they concentrate on education, that they’re looking at the girl child and they’re empowering her is just the beauty of what that ripple effect is going to be for generations to come. I like to be a part of that change and to be a part of those ripple effects. It’s an honor to be a part of the Giveback Collective.”
How have you made creating an ethical impact part of your business model?
Ethical impact is all about doing the right thing even if it is not easy. At Imani Collective, we care deeply about the impact we are creating so in everything we are looking at what is best for our people and our communities. Our business is not just about the output of profit but how are we then leveraging our profit to do good and impact tenfold.
What inspired you to join Kurandza’s Giveback Collective?
Many of the women I work with did not get the chance that Kurandza is creating for young girls. They did not get an education and were told they did not deserve one. They grew up in oppressed situations that told them they were something they were not. We have had to fight hard for them, to be the voice for them that tells them yes they can and give them the opportunity to learn, grow and become well into their thirties. I joined the giveback collective because Kurandza is preventing this – they are empowering at a young age and for that I celebrate. Education is a vital part of the future and it changes generations and I would never miss an opportunity to support young girls being shaped into strong women of the future.
What’s one piece of advice you would share with a fellow female entrepreneur who is starting out right now?
Never forget to reflect how far you have come because when the world tells you no or another door closes – look back at the journey and keep believing in yourself. We need you in this world, so dig deep and grab a hold of that tenacity – you got this.
What prompted you to choose Kurandza as one of the organizations you support when there are so many great causes out there?
The ripple effect of change it is created. When you can empower a girl – you are changing generations. You are changing the world.
What's next on the horizon for Imani Collective? For Jenny?
Imani Collective is only beginning and I am excited about the continued impact and growth of our brand. We have many beautiful impact initiatives and product launches this year – so be on the look out. And for me? Just always looking to keep inspiring, sharing my story and using my voice for good.