Clay Water Brick is a memoir written by Jessica Jackley, an entrepreneur and philanthropist known for co-founding Kiva, a microfinance platform that allows people to lend money to small businesses in developing countries. In this book, Jackley shares her personal journey of starting Kiva and the challenges she faced along the way. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of Jackley’s life and work.
Part 1: The Beginning
In the first part of the book, Jackley talks about her childhood and how her parents instilled in her the values of social justice and helping others. She also shares how her experiences traveling to developing countries as a child inspired her to want to make a difference in the world. Jackley then goes on to describe how she and her co-founders started Kiva and the initial struggles they faced in getting the platform off the ground. She talks about the importance of building a strong team and the challenges of managing growth and scaling the business.
Part 2: The Middle
The second part of the book focuses on the growth and success of Kiva. Jackley talks about the challenges of maintaining the company’s culture as it grew and the difficulties of managing a global organization. She also shares some of the stories of the people Kiva has helped, including some of the more challenging cases they have encountered. Jackley also talks about her decision to leave Kiva and start a new venture, ProFounder, which aimed to help entrepreneurs in the US access small business loans.
Part 3: The End
In the final part of the book, Jackley reflects on her experiences with Kiva and ProFounder and shares some of the lessons she has learned along the way. She talks about the importance of resilience and persistence in the face of adversity and the value of taking risks and trying new things. Jackley also shares some of her thoughts on the future of microfinance and the potential for technology to transform the industry.
Conclusion
Overall, Clay Water Brick is a thoughtful and inspiring memoir that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creation and growth of a successful social enterprise. Jackley’s story is a testament to the power of determination, perseverance, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world. Whether you are interested in entrepreneurship, social justice, or simply looking for a motivating read, Clay Water Brick is a must-read book.
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