Ep. 57 Community as a Business Model: A Conversation with Bri Leever
6/17/25
Are you an entrepreneur seeking to create something that transcends merely selling a product or service? What if community as a business model could help you grow a purpose-driven, sustainable business from the ground up?
In this episode of the DO GOOD X Podcast, hosts Kimberly Daniel and Stephen Lewis are joined by Bri Leever, founder of Ember Consulting, to explore how community as a business model creates a lasting impact, not just profit. Bri shares how she helps entrepreneurs build and grow online communities that align with their values and drive meaningful results.
Bri delves into what it takes to build a thriving community the right way, beginning with clarity, intentionality, and a solid foundation that supports a sustainable business. She warns against a common mistake many entrepreneurs make: trying to launch multiple community types at once. Instead, she emphasizes the power of focus and simplicity when getting started. With clear strategies, real-world examples, and a practical mindset, Bri helps show why community as a business model is more than a trend—it's a long-term path to purpose and profit. Listen now and visit DO GOOD X for resources to help you grow your impact-driven community.
In This Episode
- (00:00) Intro: Meet Bri Leever
- (04:30) How to build a community as a business model the right way, starting with clarity and alignment
- (08:18) Approaching the launch with confidence and delivering what you promise to secure a sustainable business model
- (18:20) The significant change in online communities has been technology and discussion of the challenges, creating multiple community types at once
- (25:11) Bri differentiates between ROI and impact as two key outcomes of a community
- (30:10) Bri shares her process and the platforms she uses
- (34:37) Bri discusses best practices entrepreneurs should employ to grow their community
Key Takeaways
- Community can be more than just a marketing tool—it can be the business model. Rather than solely focusing on profit, this model centers on building trust, loyalty, and impact, creating long-term sustainable business value.
- To build a thriving community, the entrepreneur must start with a clear understanding of what kind of community best serves their business goals and what value they can consistently provide to members. There’s no one-size-fits-all; communities can vary in structure, purpose, and engagement style.
- One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is trying to build multiple types of communities simultaneously. Instead, they should choose one community type that best serves their business and focus on doing it well before layering in complexity.
About The Hosts
Kimberly R. Daniel
Kimberly R. Daniel catalyzes entrepreneurs and organizations to do good. She is co-founder and project director of DO GOOD X, a community that provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive change. Kimberly also helps purpose-driven organizations clarify and design compelling brand and communication strategies. With over 15 years of experience in developing and leading communications efforts, she is committed to creating effective processes and authentic, “sticky” community-centered brands.
In addition, Kimberly has nearly ten years of experience as a certified life coach. She has facilitated workshops, spoken to communities, and written about innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on social impact. She co-authored A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation (2021).
She is deeply passionate about purpose, meaning, and the common good in any aspect of her work.
Social Media to Connect:
Stephen Lewis
Stephen Lewis is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) and the creator and co-founder of DO GOOD X. This community provides programs and support for faith-driven social entrepreneurs whose businesses focus on positive change.
He is an organizational change strategies and leadership development specialist focused on inspiring the next generation of faith-inspired leaders and entrepreneurs to live and work purposefully. Stephen co-authored "Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose" (2020) and "A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation" (2021).
Social Media to Connect:
