Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Youngblood.
Hi Todd, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After 44 years in a business career, I decided it was time to retire and kick back. The “kick back” part lasted about a week and half… The boredom was intense and I really missed the everyday series of challenges and things that needed to get done. So about a year ago I started Willful Impact.
At first, it was just the podcast – “Telling the stories of those who set out to make the world a better place.” The basic idea was to help Metro Atlanta nonprofits raise funds. Then it became clear I could sell sponsorships for the show and donate all the profit generated. (The Willful Impact Fund, a 501(C)(3), is the vehicle for that.)
Just recently, we added the Willful Impact App for iPhone & Android. Anyone can buy it for whatever price makes sense – anywhere from $10/month to $0. All the profit from the app gets donated too. Think of it as the “Fitbit for Philanthropy.” With it, an individual can track hours and dollars donated, along with related expenses. To maintain your fitness, you track the number of steps you take. To maintain your philanthropy, you track what you donate.
Companies can also sponsor the app for their employees. That business gets more engaged employees and a great addition for all its marketing messages. Something like “Collectively, our firm, its employees and their families donate X dollars and Y hours to serve our community.” Lots of companies also view their Willful Impact Program as a great recruiting and retention tool. Personally, I got a lot of help over the years from all sorts of places in and around my community. I figure it’s now time for me to “Pay my civic rent.” For many years, I benefited from my community. Now it’s my turn to pay it forward.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My career was anything but a smooth road! Whose career is? But all that’s behind me now. While working to make Willful Impact succeed isn’t easy – it’s real work! – it brings a level of personal reward I’ve never experienced before. So struggles? No. I really wish I had more time and smarts to move Willful Impact along farther and faster.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Following a 40+ year as a Sales & Marketing executive, Todd has shifted his focus to “Paying his Civic Rent” by founding Willful Impact LLC, an organization dedicated to raising funds for Metro Atlanta Community Service Organizations. Willful Impact publishes a podcast and blog, helps to incorporate an organization’s “Impact Chain” into its marketing message and provides business consulting services. All Willful Impact profit is donated to qualified 501(c)(3)s.
Todd Youngblood’s career in Executive Management, Sales, Marketing and Consulting focused on selling more, better, cheaper and faster. He now applies that broad, deep business background to help his clients become more creative and, therefore better able to achieve excellence.
In 1976 he became a Marketing Representative with the IBM Corporation and for fifteen years progressed through a variety of field and staff assignments. He then founded and operated an IT Outsourcing firm providing Software Development and Maintenance Services. In 1994, he joined an e-commerce firm serving the insurance and healthcare industries as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. He established The YPS Group, Inc. in 1999 based on his years of experience in Sales Process Engineering – that is, combining creativity and discipline in the design, implementation and use of work processes for highly effective sales teams.
Todd established the Intentionally Vicarious podcast/blog in 2017 based on a life goal he set almost 40 years ago – to have more fun than anyone else he knows. He does so by exploring, questioning, learning, thinking, writing and speaking about what he sees as the immensely fascinating world around him. Todd launched Willful Impact in 2020.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My childhood was amazing. (Thanks, Mom & Dad!) I guess participating in sports is my fondest memory. I made it all the way through four years of Division 1 college football… and then I had to become an adult to pay my bills!
Pricing:
- Willful Impact App – You decide the price. List price is $10/user/month. You pick your discount if you want. 10%? 20%? 100%? You decide!
Contact Info:
- Email: todd@ypsgroup.com
- Website: https://willfulimpact.com/ Also https://willfulimpactapp.com/
