STORIES THAT INSPIRE: RON AND MARLYS BOEHM

Year Started Impact Investing: 2008

Primary Investment Focus: Early stage social and environmental for-profit business

Background: Ron and Marlys Boehm use their business know-how to provide financial and development support to budding social entrepreneurs in developing economies. Typically, the entrepreneurs they work with have a viable product or service, have proven that the concept works and want to take it to the next stage. Ron and Marlys are very aligned with the entrepreneurs, particularly those who are passionately committed to keeping their social mission alive.

Impact Trigger

Ron and Marlys Boehm began their impact investment journey after a business liquidation event. Initially interested in pure philanthropy, the Boehms sought guidance on how they should approach their giving strategy. Their education really began during an organized family trip to Africa where they saw “first hand” nonprofits and for-profit ventures addressing a wide range of issues, including education, economic development and the environment. Marlys recalls, “We started to realize that we couldn't save the world one check at a time. We also found that we were gravitating toward economic development issues, which makes sense given our business background. That along with the recognition of market realities that happen in a non-profit world led us to go down a different path than pure philanthropy.”

Investment Approach

Marlys: We basically jumped into impact investing with both feet. In order to learn a lot, we started off with lots of small investments. We developed an approach along the way where we start small and then add to the company. At this point, we've done over 90 investments in about 40 plus companies.

Along the way we realized that we couldn't agonize for a year making a decision over one investment and we don't want to take critical time away from the entrepreneur. We try to give a “no” in a day and a “yes “within 5 days and fund within two weeks. We also look for reasons to say yes instead of no.

Ron: We have five steps that take us from consideration to investment. The first is based on a feeling. Is this an area we feel positive about? Does it make sense to make an investment at this time? Will investing make a real difference?