RISE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: THE UNUSUAL ACCOUNTANTS
The purpose-driven business series features a different Business for Good to showcase their unique giving stories. We hope these stories inspire you with interesting, new and joyful ideas on how to integrate giving into your business.
Making a difference to 12 different organisations, providing education to hundreds, with just $200 a month? The math just makes sense to these ‘unusual accountants‘.
INTRODUCING…RISE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS!
WHO: Dominic Papaluca from Rise Business Solutions
WHERE: Perth, Australia
WHAT: We are a sole-practitioner firm employing six accountants and two administrative staff. We have been servicing farmers in greater Western Australia and small businesses in Perth since June 1994.
CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF WHY YOU DECIDED TO START GIVING?
I have always felt that it is up to those who are doing well, to help those who aren’t doing so well. It is relatively easy for us living in the 1st world to forego a small amount, and redirect those funds to something positive which could help those in need.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT(S) TO GIVE TO AND WHY?
Anything involving education. I feel that educating people is a gift for life as it empowers people to take care of themselves.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE IMPACT B1G1 HAS HAD ON YOUR COMPANY AND ITS CULTURE?
Everybody in our organisation feels proud to work here, and they feel part of it, because they all have the opportunity to choose projects that mean something to them. We selected 3 projects each, then discussed them all as a group. From that discussion, we decided that education was our big thing, and narrowed down the projects from here. We give to about 12 projects in all, and it averages out at around $200 per month.
WHAT’S THE BEST EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD THROUGH YOUR GIVING ACTIVITIES AND BEING A PART OF B1G1?
It makes me feel good about myself, and I’ve gotten to know Paul Dunn – he is an inspiration.
WHAT QUESTION WOULD YOU WISH THAT WE’D ASKED AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ANSWER?
Question: Do your clients notice that you are giving?
Answer: YES. They all comment and I can see in their faces that they are surprised that we are not a bunch of money-hungry, self-centred accountants! They normally say “It’s unusual to see accountants doing that sort of thing, but I’m impressed that you do.”