Published on: Unite 4: Good Capitalism of the 21st Century needs (and is getting) a massive makeover, and perhaps no one knows that better than Steve Down. The serial entrepreneur has built a veritable empire with profitable businesses that give back to worthy causes. Rather than simply writing a check to charities, Down creates companies that actually give back automatically…
Each year, Think Realty honors the leaders and change-makers of real estate who represent the best the industry has to offer. These individuals are nominated by their peers, and the finalists are determined by an independent panel of judges who are former Think Realty Honors recipients themselves.
Their stories range from new investors just beginning (and exponentially growing) to true industry veterans with decades of experience, from single-family investors focused on just a few neighborhoods to multifamily moguls buying millions of dollars’ worth of real estate at a time, and from major industry players employing hundreds of real estate experts to one-man (or -woman) operations making a difference with just the energy of the CEO alone.
Between the Spruce Goose, an indoor water park and sprawling vineyards, the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum already has a lot to offer. But now partially under new ownership, the McMinnville museum might have a lot more to brag about.
A hotel, amphitheater and campground are among the big ideas in the works at the Evergreen campus, which will host a grand opening of its new event center spaces on Wednesday. All of it comes courtesy of Falls Event Center LLC, a Utah-based company that purchased several museum buildings and a sizable chunk of land during a bankruptcy sale last summer.
Utah-based Steve Down Cos. initially bought land in Rocklin for its new event venue – called The Falls Event Center – but the organization sold that property and instead built its center in Roseville.
Roseville’s city leaders had expressed interest in using the facility, Down said, and government business is important to making his business pencil out. The Falls in Roseville, 240 Conference Center Drive, opened in January and it’s Down’s second event center in the region. His group opened the The Falls in Elk Grove, 8280 Elk Grove Blvd., in October 2014.
In this session of the Great Work Insights Podcast, Todd Nordstrom speaks with Steve Down, a cause capitalist and serial entrepreneur. Steve speaks on the power of providing sustainable change through for-profit businesses built on a model of giving through connection with non-profit partners. He is the owner of several successful companies, including Even Stevens Sandwiches, Steve’s Hotel, Financially Fit, CE Karma, The Falls Event Centers, and Storm Maker Media–each built around a life-changing giveback.
Tune in to Asenath Horton’s podcast: “Buy One Give One with Your Business Through Cause Capitalism | Hustle and Grow with Steve Down.
To hear Steve Down tell it, The Falls Event Center is just the beginning for him in Roseville.
The center, which opened Jan. 28 at 240 Conference Center Drive and had its ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, hosts a mix of corporate and social events. There’s a large ballroom, a patio and a small theater on-site.
There’s also space nearby where Down, 59, says he would like to build something that could make a difference for homeless people locally.
“My legacy is what I call ‘cause capitalism,’” Down said.
Steve Down is a cause entrepreneur and cause leader set on giving back to the community. In the process of forming several successful companies, each founded on a unique giveback model, Steve has been blessed to become wildly successful by being a force for good. Take a look around and learn more about Mr. Down and how each of the Steve Down Companies incorporates life-changing giveback into local communities.
The cause-centered business model is one that has gained popularity in recent years. What Steve Down calls “cause capitalism” is what he sees as the capitalism of the future. “Capitalism must become kinder, gentler, and more compassionate,” says Steve Down. When businesses are centered on a cause, they often achieve wild success.
If you’re paying attention, you’ll have noticed there is a recent trend in many business industries. This trend is what some are calling “Conscious Capitalism.” What this means is that business owners are focusing on more than day-to-day business and profitability. Rather, they are focused more on cause, community, and mission.
