Purpose Before Profit: Nina Mistry Of GoThriveGo.com On The Benefits Of Running A Purpose-Driven Business
An Interview With Chad Silverstein
Clear Mission and Vision:
A clear mission and vision inspire and guide our team, attracting customers and partners who share our values. This is the heart of our business, driving passion and commitment.
Our vision is to support survivors and put them first. We are survivor-led and survivor-focused. This helps us to prioritize activities, goals, and projects
In today’s competitive business landscape, the race for profits often takes center stage. However, there are some leaders who also prioritize a mission-driven purpose. They use their business to make a positive social impact and recognize that success isn’t only about making money. In this interview series, we are talking with some of these distinct leaders and I had the pleasure of interviewing Nina Mistry.
Nina Mistry is the founder and CEO of GoThriveGo.com a self-help app for survivors of abuse and trauma. She has 20+ years of experience in inventing and building digital products and apps that are used by millions of people every day.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Igrew up in a middle-class family in Mumbai, India. Mumbai is the city of dreams. A city that never sleeps. It’s big, it’s fast, it’s crowded, and it’s competitive. To stand out in the crowd, I would have to show exceptional talent.
I was always an inventive and creative person who was free in her thoughts and expression. I graduated at the top of my class and the top of the country in art and design. Even before I graduated college, I had secured my first job as a graphic designer. This was during the dot-com boom. I was transferred to London, UK, where I lived and worked on some fantastic creative projects. I found myself at the intersection of design and innovation and was drawn towards creating digital solutions that solve big social problems. Later, I had the fortune of working on projects with big companies like Target and Microsoft with very talented people. I was successful in my career and quickly grew up in the managerial ranks.
I traveled the world for work and saw firsthand how women were treated in many societies. Abuse is widely prevalent, and women experience it every day, but it’s never discussed or shared openly as it is hidden in the shroud of shame and guilt.
Even today, in many parts of the world, women are considered nothing more than a depreciating asset whose liability is passed on from father to husband. So many women are raised to believe that they must only aspire to be dutiful, obedient, and willfully subservient to their husband’s every wish and command. Women silently endure both physical and mental abuse, yet they continue to raise their daughters to be prepared for the same fate.
The untold fact about abuse is that it leaves a footprint of trauma in every aspect of one’s life. An act of abuse and the trauma it creates in one’s life often perpetuates a vicious cycle of ongoing decline in mental and physical well-being. This may result in a lack of career aspirations and diminished financial stability, which makes you more vulnerable to further abuse.
My career brought me to Toronto, Canada, where I currently live. Both the #MeToo movement in 2017 and the Jefferey Epstein case in 2019 truly brought it front and center for me. I became keenly aware of the prevalence of sexual abuse and the vital role it plays in the diminishing quality of life in women and wanted to contribute towards a solution.
In 2019, during the pandemic, I volunteered to be a peer counselor at the Toronto Rape and Crisis Center. This experience changed my life. My biggest insight was that no matter what part of the world we are in, the stories of abuse are the same. I realized that more than anything else, survivors suffer from memories that haunt them. They severely lack the tools and resources to cope with their symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and the current government-provided counseling and crisis line services are inadequate. At present, there is a 6 to 8 month wait to receive government-funded counseling. Private therapy is expensive and costs an average of $150 per session. Many crisis lines offer only 20 minutes of peer counseling per caller due to the sheer number of calls they receive. Working the crisis line, at the end of a 20-minute call, I felt frustrated that there wasn’t anything more I could do to help callers through their trauma. Through my research, I realized that even though this problem is growing exponentially, very few digital resources are available to help survivors. That’s when the idea of Go Thrive Go (GTG), a self-therapy app for survivors, was born.
Can you share the most interesting story that has happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
The most interesting thing that continues to happen to me is how often men and women come to me and thank me for what I am doing and then say, “I know just too well what you are talking about. I am a survivor.”
A week ago, I returned from a visit to India. While in Delhi, I met up with a colleague from a previous workplace. He asked me about Go Thrive Go and the work we are doing. During our conversation, he shared that for many years he had been abused by a close family member. This is not uncommon, as most people are abused by those they know and trust.
Just before leaving for India, I went to buy a mattress. One of the salesmen assisting me asked about my work, and as soon as I mentioned Go Thrive Go, he shared his story of narrowly escaping abuse at the hands of his pastor. Sadly, his friends weren’t as fortunate, and they endured abuse for years.
Abuse is far more common and happens more often than most people think. The statistics say 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men globally are abused before the age of 15. This means if three women get together, one may be a survivor of abuse. I hear this every day.
I have had colleagues, old friends, close and far relatives, and schoolmates share their heart-wrenching stories with me and thank me for what I am doing. I have heard countless stories, and the silent cries of countless courageous people who continue to live their lives honorably, while still reeling from the impacts of the trauma they have faced.
It is these stories that keep me going and give me the courage and validation to build more resources and tools.
As a successful leader, it’s clear that you uphold strong core values. I’m curious: what are the most important principles you firmly stand by and refuse to compromise on? Can you share a few of them and explain why they hold such significance for you in your work and life?
This is a very important question, and it forms the core of our operating philosophy. I hold myself and our team to high standards in whatever we set out to do.
Our operating principles are honesty and integrity which creates the fertile ground on which we build our relationships of trust. For me, these are of prime importance.
Respect is also very important to me. We believe in offering respect, and receiving respect, and have it reflected in everything we do including how we treat our colleagues, clients, partners, and more.
Finally, we believe in guarding our ability to innovate and creative freedom. This is the foundation on which we build everything else. When one is free in their mind, one can imagine and problem-solve with ease and creativity, which can bring about great social change.
What inspired you to start a purpose-driven business rather than a traditional, for-profit enterprise? Can you share a personal story or experience that led you to prioritize social impact in your business?
What drove me to start a purpose-driven business was to solve a big, persistent problem that hasn’t been addressed.
My experience as a crisis line peer counselor greatly influenced the creation of this business and how it operates. I have spoken to hundreds of survivors. Many called me daily, and I understood how profoundly trauma impacted their lives. I noticed how the trajectories of people’s lives changed because of trauma.
For example, a young girl who is sexually abused in school may never feel safe in an academic environment. This may lead to her giving up her education altogether. This in turn will lead to less lucrative career choices, a diminished sense of self-worth, a lack of financial resources, and further abusive and vulnerable situations. 20 years later, this girl may be calling the crisis line to talk about her abuse and all that she has suffered as a consequence. It is not hard to wonder that if only she had the right tools, guidance, and support, her life would have had more positive outcomes.
So many of my callers would simply ask me, “Will this emotional pain ever stop?” “Will I ever feel normal?” And finally, “Can you give me a tool that will help me cope and make me feel better!”
This is the reason I built this company and the app. We charge for the use of the app so that we are self-sustaining, but our priority is healing not profit.
Witnessing GTG help change people’s lives is what gets us out of bed every morning.
Can you help articulate a few of the benefits of leading a purpose-driven business rather than a standard “plain vanilla” business?
I feel that more and more business owners are drawn to being purpose-driven. Running your own business very quickly becomes an intrinsic part of your life. Spending 10–12 hours each day living, dreaming, and growing your business becomes easier l when you feel driven by the positive impact it makes in people’s lives.
One of the greatest benefits is the sense of fulfillment I get from hearing stories of people who benefit from GTG.
Building any business from the ground up is challenging and full of obstacles. GTG’s mission has helped me become resilient in navigating challenges. For me, it’s also a sense of leaving a lasting legacy. I hope to leave the world a little better than I found it!
How has your company’s mission or purpose affected its overall success? Can you explain the methods or metrics you use to evaluate the impact of this purpose-driven strategy on your organization?
Our mission is to empower survivors to cope, heal, and ultimately thrive. We are proudly made by survivors for survivors. Most of our staff come from diverse backgrounds, genders, and ethnicities. Through this platform, they can create resources for other survivors as they navigate their own personal healing journeys. This is a powerful movement and the key reason why our application is so relevant and directly addresses the needs of our users.
We have always been very clear in our vision and mission within the founding team. This has been critical in receiving grants from the social impact ecosystem and also significant in attracting private funding from like-minded impact-driven angel investors who see value in creating a solution that positively impacts people’s lives.
Can you share a pivotal moment when you realized that leading your purpose-driven company was making a significant impact? Can you share a specific example or story that deeply resonated with you?
There are many such moments, but I think the one that sticks with me was in our early days of launching the app. We were in the beta-testing phase and had not advertised it much. I noticed that there were a few people who had signed up to use the free trial of the app. I was interested to know how they found it and if they were finding it beneficial, so I observed how often they were using the app. After the trial ended, I noticed that a few of them signed up for the annual subscription. As anyone who has built and brought an app to market knows, this is the ultimate validation. I decided to give this user a call and see if they were willing to share their experience.
Our call was beautiful; she said she saw my videos on the app often so felt like we were old friends. She shared many of her own stories and experiences. She shared about her past and her troubled childhood. I was filled with the familiar sense of pain that I often feel when hearing the stories of survivors. She also shared how her trauma had led her to have emotional challenges that had resulted in creating difficult situations with colleagues and her relationships. Survivors often find it challenging to have relationships, and this makes it even harder to cope with trauma because one needs a support system to heal.
She said that through this app, she was finally able to let go of her shame and guilt and stop judging herself for her emotional outbursts. She said that the tools on the app gave her the understanding that she was not alone and that it was not her fault.
Ultimately, she thanked me for helping her free herself and live a new life. As we were hanging up, she said she wanted to contribute money towards the app. Her reason was that she wanted the same relief to be brought to more people who were suffering just like her.
As I hung up the call, I was sure in my heart that this was what I wanted to do and that it was making a significant difference for people.
What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs who wish to start a purpose-driven business?
- Make sure you are solving a real problem. If you have signed up users who will buy your product before you build it, that’s when you know you are building the right product.
- Research and be close to your users and buyers. It is very important to know how your customers think, behave, and buy. This is crucial while you build and deploy your products.
- Have a cash flow and runway for at least 18 months.
- Define Your Mission and Values: Clearly articulate your mission and core values. This will not only guide your decision-making but also attract like-minded customers, employees, and partners who resonate with your purpose.
- Measure Impact: Develop metrics to measure your impact. Whether it’s social, environmental, or economic, having clear metrics will help you track progress and demonstrate the value you’re creating to stakeholders.
- Build a Strong Network: Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and other entrepreneurs who share your vision. A strong network can provide valuable insights, support, and resources as you navigate the challenges of building a purpose-driven business.
- Be transparent and authentic. Transparency builds trust. Be open about your goals, challenges, and progress with your stakeholders. Authenticity in your communication will foster a loyal community around your brand.
- Stay adaptable: The business landscape is constantly evolving. Be ready to pivot and adapt your strategies based on feedback and changing circumstances. Flexibility can be crucial to long-term success.
- Invest in Your Team: Your team is your greatest asset. Hire diverse people who are passionate about your mission and invest in their growth and well-being. A motivated and aligned team can drive your purpose-driven business forward.
- Leverage technology: Use technology to scale your impact. Whether it’s through digital marketing, e-commerce, or data analytics, leveraging the right tools can help you reach a wider audience and optimize your operations.
What are your “5 Things You Need to Create a Highly Successful Purpose-Driven Business.”? If you can, please share a story or example for each.
Creating a highly successful, purpose-driven business is a blend of heart and science, combining human touch and kindness with effective processes and strategic planning. Here are five crucial key elements:
Clear Mission and Vision:
A clear mission and vision inspire and guide our team, attracting customers and partners who share our values. This is the heart of our business, driving passion and commitment.
Our vision is to support survivors and put them first. We are survivor-led and survivor-focused. This helps us to prioritize activities, goals, and projects.
Deep Understanding of Our Market and Customers:
We have researched and interviewed hundreds of survivors and heard many stories. These stories helped us decide on the functionality of the app, and the most common challenges survivors face, and create solutions around them. Knowing our market and customers allows us to identify real problems and create solutions that meet their needs. This connection, driven by empathy and genuine concern for customer well-being, builds loyalty and drives our business growth.
Sustainable Business Model:
We explored various financial models, including being a non-profit and relying solely on grants or becoming a self-sustaining service that pays for itself and, in turn, others who work on the app, and we chose the latter. The reason was that we wanted it to be an empowering organization that is built by survivors for survivors. We have many contributors and contractors (all survivors) who work on the app, and we pay them for their services. This makes us sustainable, and we can, in turn, invent and innovate more to help more survivors.
Strong Organizational Culture:
A strong, values-driven culture attracts and retains passionate employees who are dedicated to our mission. It fosters collaboration, innovation, and a sense of belonging, blending kindness, respect, and teamwork with structured support and development.
Some of our best ideas have come from our staff, as we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive culture.
Strong Team of Founders and Staff:
Having a team of founders and staff who are guided by the same social cause, mission, and vision is vital. In our team, we know that each of us is working towards the same goals with shared values and a unified purpose. The alignment of the team with the mission ensures consistent decision-making and reinforces the business’s core values, fostering trust and collaboration both internally and with external stakeholders.
Focusing on these five elements created a purpose-driven business that thrives on both heart and science. We are certain this approach will ensure financial success while making a meaningful, positive impact on society.
Imagine we’re sitting down together two years from now, looking back at your company’s last 24 months. What specific accomplishments would have to happen for you to be happy with your progress?
I would love to see the following progress in the next 24 months.
Global Reach
To expand our app’s reach, allowing people from all over the world to access, use, and thrive with it. This means having the app available in many languages. Grow our user base exponentially and see impactful stories from diverse regions, demonstrating the app’s ability to support survivors globally.
Development of Relevant Digital Tools
Build and launch more relevant digital tools specifically designed to help survivors. These tools are user-friendly and tailored to meet the unique needs of survivors, providing them with critical resources and support to aid their recovery and growth when they need it the most.
Inclusivity
Include practitioners representing all diverse communities and ethnicities. This inclusivity ensures that we address the varied needs of survivors from different backgrounds, making our support system more comprehensive and culturally sensitive.
Global Community and Network of Survivors
Establish a thriving global community of survivors from all countries, embodying the “Survivors Helping Survivors” ethos. This community will become a vital source of support, encouragement, and empowerment, enabling survivors to connect with and assist each other in meaningful ways.
Self-Sustainability and Job Creation
Achieving self-sustainability and ensuring long-term viability. We want to succeed in creating more jobs for survivors, offering them not just employment but a chance to rebuild their lives and contribute to GTG’s mission.
Celebrating Survivor Healing
Celebrate the healing journeys of survivors, recognizing and honoring their progress and resilience in various ways.
These accomplishments would reflect significant progress toward our mission, demonstrating our commitment to supporting and empowering survivors worldwide.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
We are in the midst of a gender-based violence crisis:
Every 48 hours, a woman or girl is killed in Canada due to gender-based violence. Crimes like rape, intimate partner violence, child abuse, and child trafficking are not only prevalent but alarmingly on the rise (Canada). These heinous acts leave lifelong scars on survivors, disproportionately affecting women and children.
Technology’s Dual Role:
While technology can unfortunately facilitate these crimes through means like online grooming and exploitation, it also holds the potential to be a powerful tool for prevention and support. Currently, there is a significant gap in technology designed specifically to aid survivors of these crimes, let alone prevent them.
My vision with Go Thrive Go is to harness technology to eradicate rape culture and significantly reduce gender-based violence. We aim to create tech solutions that:
- Predict and Prevent: Develop applications that use predictive analytics to identify potential threats and alert individuals or guardians about vulnerabilities.
- Immediate Support: Implement features that help women and children navigate potentially dangerous situations in real time.
- Community and Education: Foster a global community of developers, survivors, and advocates working together to create and improve these technologies.
I envision a movement where people from various technical backgrounds come together to create innovative solutions. This includes:
- Alert Systems: Apps that notify parents or guardians if their child is in a vulnerable situation, potentially saving lives and preventing abuse.
- Predictive Tools: AI-driven tools that assess risk factors and provide early warnings to individuals about possible threats, empowering them to take proactive measures.
- Support Networks: Platforms that connect survivors with resources, support groups, and emergency services instantly.
Inspiring Collective Action:
Imagine a world where we leverage the collective brilliance of technologists, activists, and communities to build a safer future. By focusing our efforts on developing technology that not only supports survivors but also prevents violence, we can create a transformative impact.
Call to Action:
Join me in this mission. If you have technical skills, a passion for social justice, or simply a desire to make a difference, let’s collaborate. Together, we can build tools that save lives, support survivors, and ultimately create a world where gender-based violence is a relic of the past. Your involvement could trigger a ripple effect, inspiring innovations and systemic changes that benefit countless individuals worldwide.
In Summary:
Through Go Thrive Go, we are not just aiming to support survivors but to stop these crimes before they happen. By creating predictive, preventative, and supportive technologies, we can significantly reduce the incidence of gender-based violence and build a safer, more equitable world for everyone. Let’s harness the power of technology for good and inspire a global movement of change.
How can our readers further follow your work or your company online?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-mistry2020/
https://www.instagram.com/go_thrive_go/
This was great. Thanks for taking time for us to learn more about you and your business. We wish you continued success!
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein, a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience as the Founder and CEO of multiple companies. He launched Choice Recovery, Inc., a healthcare collection agency, while going to The Ohio State University, His team earned national recognition, twice being ranked as the #1 business to work for in Central Ohio. In 2018, Chad launched [re]start, a career development platform connecting thousands of individuals in collections with meaningful employment opportunities, He sold Choice Recovery on his 25th anniversary and in 2023, sold the majority interest in [re]start so he can focus his transition to Built to Lead as an Executive Leadership Coach. Learn more at www.chadsilverstein.com
Purpose Before Profit: Nina Mistry Of GoThriveGo On The Benefits Of Running A Purpose-Driven Bus was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.