Paul Dunn on Purpose, Profit, and the Power of Giving
- demi243
- Sep 5
- 5 min read
In a world where business is often measured only by profit, Paul Dunn stands out as someone who’s redefined what success really means. In this inspiring conversation on The Strategic Bookkeeper Podcast, Jeannie Savage sat down with Paul — a four-time TEDx speaker, co-founder of B1G1: Business for Good, and a true icon in the accounting and bookkeeping world — to explore how giving can transform not only your business, but your entire life.
For decades, Paul has been on a mission to prove that business can be a force for good. His initiative, B1G1, has already facilitated over 381 million giving impacts worldwide — a staggering achievement that continues to grow every day.
From Hewlett-Packard to Human Impact
Paul’s story is extraordinary. Originally from the UK, he began his career with Hewlett-Packard in Australia as one of its first employees in the region. He went on to build one of Australia’s first computer companies and later founded Results Corporation, a firm dedicated to helping businesses grow strategically and ethically.
But his true transformation began in 2007, when he met Masami Sato, a young entrepreneur from Japan with a revolutionary idea.
She asked him a question that changed his life:
“What if every time business was done, something good happened in the world?”
That question became the foundation for B1G1 (Buy 1, Give 1) — a global movement that allows businesses to link everyday actions to life-changing giving impacts. Instead of waiting for “one day” to give back, B1G1 makes it possible to give every day, through small, measurable acts that add up to extraordinary change.
The Magic of Micro-Giving
What makes B1G1 so powerful is its simplicity. As Paul explained, it’s not about giving big — it’s about giving often.
“What if we could create a system where businesses could tap into giving — not through huge donations, but through tiny, meaningful acts that happen every single day?”
Today, more than 470 vetted projects across the globe are available for B1G1 members to support. Businesses can link specific actions — like signing a new client, completing a project, or receiving a Google review — to a giving impact.
For example, Jeannie shared how her bookkeeping practice celebrates every new client, service upgrade, or review by triggering a B1G1 donation. This creates a tangible connection between business success and global good — and clients love it.
It’s a ripple effect that turns routine transactions into meaningful contributions. As Paul said, “Every time you do business, something great happens in the world.”
Why Bookkeepers Have a Unique Power to Create Change
During the conversation, Paul highlighted something that resonated deeply with Jeannie — the unique influence bookkeepers have compared to accountants.
Having spent decades working with accounting professionals, Paul admitted that his understanding shifted after attending a bookkeepers’ conference years ago.
“For the first time, I realised how powerful and important bookkeepers truly are. Accountants might see clients once a year for tax time, but bookkeepers? They’re in the trenches monthly, connecting, supporting, and making a real difference.”
He went on to say that bookkeepers are often the heartbeat of small business — they’re the ones who see the struggles, celebrate the wins, and keep the financial engine running. And because many bookkeepers are women, Paul pointed out, they bring empathy, care, and community into their work in ways that extend far beyond numbers.
Jeannie agreed wholeheartedly. As she explained, bookkeepers aren’t just helping businesses stay compliant — they’re transforming lives. By helping families gain financial clarity, reduce stress, and increase profit, they’re changing futures — “one business at a time.”
Legacy, Family, and the Ripple Effect
One of the most touching moments in the conversation came when Paul shared how one B1G1 member described their why:
“We’re creating a business our kids will be proud to be part of.”
That, Paul said, is what legacy really means — building something that positively impacts others and endures beyond you.
Jeannie connected deeply with that sentiment. She spoke about her own purpose: to help bookkeepers, especially women, achieve financial independence and confidence so they can build lives filled with freedom, purpose, and joy.
She shared that her work is about helping others put themselves first — because when you do, you show up as your best self for your family, your team, and your clients. It’s that ripple effect — one empowered bookkeeper influencing dozens of clients, families, and communities — that creates real, lasting impact.
How B1G1 Works for Bookkeepers
For bookkeepers who want to start giving, Paul explained that B1G1 is built for ease and accountability. Every project undergoes rigorous vetting — with up to 90% of applications rejected — to ensure every dollar goes exactly where it should.
Members can choose causes that align with their values, automate their giving through client milestones, and access a suite of marketing assets and widgets that integrate directly into their brand story.
Bookkeepers can, for example:
Give every time a new client joins
Donate when a client upgrades their service
Celebrate each Google review with a giving impact
These small actions add up fast — and create a brand story that clients genuinely want to be part of.
As Jeannie pointed out, this is more than a feel-good strategy. It’s smart business. B1G1 gives bookkeepers a clear point of differentiation in a crowded market. Clients want to work with businesses that care, and giving creates instant emotional connection.
Connection Is Why We’re Here
Paul closed the conversation with a quote from Brené Brown, whose work both he and Jeannie admire deeply:
“Connection is why we are here. It gives our lives purpose and meaning.”
That, he said, is the heart of everything — connection. Between bookkeepers and their clients. Between businesses and the world. Between purpose and profit.
And perhaps his most powerful reflection was this:
“When your vision becomes more powerful than your memory, your future becomes more powerful than your past.”
It’s a reminder that the work bookkeepers do every day is about more than numbers — it’s about creating futures worth believing in.
A Call to Bookkeepers Everywhere
Jeannie ended the conversation with gratitude and a challenge.
If you’re a bookkeeper or accountant, she said, consider this: your work already changes lives. Why not make that impact global?
Through B1G1, you can tie your daily business activities to something bigger — something that not only grows your practice but gives meaning to every transaction.
For Jeannie, it’s simple:
“We’re saving the world one business at a time. And B1G1 makes it easy.”
To learn more or join the movement, visit www.b1g1.com.
Author: Jeannie Savage
Listen in to Episode 131 here:
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