How small businesses change communities, with Tim Delaney
Thu Feb 05 2026
There's a story that we tell ourselves about who gets to do good in the world. So, charities, nonprofits, the third sector, they're framed as the moral ones, so the people who care. But that means that business is often cast as something that you tolerate at best and mistrust at worst. It's necessary, like we've gotta make money and keep the world spinning, but it's a little bit suspect.
They're always out for profit and not really caring about people. That's the idea. And look, I understand where the story comes from. I spent 15 years working in the voluntary sector. I've seen firsthand the good that charities can do, especially when people are in crisis, and they need support now, not in 10 years' time.
In this episode, I'm talking to Tim Delaney, a business consultant, whose work history has spanned international development and small business ownership.
We get into the idea that charity and business aren't opposites, and that treating them as such can actually limit long-term impact in communities, both close to you and far away. We talk about what happens when communities are seen just as recipients of help, rather than a place where people want to build livelihoods, about jobs, dignity, agency, and the kinds of impact that don't make headlines, but change lives all the same.
Find Tim on threads
Find Tim on Instagram
Listen to Tim's podcast, Power of Biz, here:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-buying-for-financial-independence/id1823816760
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kBagDg0jmHwOmPJggAnGH?si=tJbpjTI1SYmEXUAa6z52xQ
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There's a story that we tell ourselves about who gets to do good in the world. So, charities, nonprofits, the third sector, they're framed as the moral ones, so the people who care. But that means that business is often cast as something that you tolerate at best and mistrust at worst. It's necessary, like we've gotta make money and keep the world spinning, but it's a little bit suspect. They're always out for profit and not really caring about people. That's the idea. And look, I understand where the story comes from. I spent 15 years working in the voluntary sector. I've seen firsthand the good that charities can do, especially when people are in crisis, and they need support now, not in 10 years' time. In this episode, I'm talking to Tim Delaney, a business consultant, whose work history has spanned international development and small business ownership. We get into the idea that charity and business aren't opposites, and that treating them as such can actually limit long-term impact in communities, both close to you and far away. We talk about what happens when communities are seen just as recipients of help, rather than a place where people want to build livelihoods, about jobs, dignity, agency, and the kinds of impact that don't make headlines, but change lives all the same. Find Tim on threads Find Tim on Instagram Listen to Tim's podcast, Power of Biz, here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-buying-for-financial-independence/id1823816760 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kBagDg0jmHwOmPJggAnGH?si=tJbpjTI1SYmEXUAa6z52xQ Looking for more? Follow Peta on Instagram Find Peta on LinkedIn Hire Peta to work on your copywriting and brand messaging