David Bolno: You Can't Make a Mark in Business Without Also Making a Mark on the Community

It's no secret that people define "success" in ways that are unique to the individual.

For some people, it all comes down to how much wealth they've amassed or how many fancy material possessions they have. Others look back on their career and think about what they've achieved, or what goals they set out to accomplish that they did successfully.

Then, there are some who look to what they've been able to give back to those around them. Not just their family members, but to the communities they grew up in and that they care about as well. Some even try to tackle all of these things at the same time. 

For entrepreneur David Bolno, success has always been about making the most positive impact that you can on all that you encounter. Whether that is through philanthropy and charitable giving or volunteer work, or by being active in politics, doesn't actually matter. When you're in a position where life has given you a lot, what you give back - and where you choose to give it to - is just as important as what you did to earn it all in the first place. 

The Journey of a Thousand Miles...

The path that David Bolno took to get to this point is impressive in more ways than one. For starters, while working full-time, he also attended law school at the esteemed Temple University. He earned his law degree Cum Laude. Prior to that, he had earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and even had Distinction in his major.

These days, David Bolno works closely with some of the most famous names on the planet in a wide range of different fields. He's personally worked for entertainers, musicians, athletes, and more. He's offered his innovative blend of services to record companies, recording studios, and generally high-net-worth people from across the globe.

More than anything, he wants to help his clients achieve the highest possible return on their investment - an investment in both themselves and those around them. He wants to preserve their wealth so that they can focus less on themselves and more on making a meaningful impact to their communities. He helps them in as many ways as they can - from business affairs to personal wealth to tax planning and absolutely everything in between. He has experience both in the United States and internationally. All it takes is one look at his resume to see why he's become so sought after by so many over the years.

But again, all of this is just one small part of a much larger story. For David Bolno, making an impact on his clients meant making an impact on the business community at large. Once he was able to do that, he was able to truly focus his efforts on something that was even more near and dear to his heart: the communities that have already given him so much.

David Bolno's on the Importance of Impact

For David Bolno, one of the reasons why philanthropy in general is so important has to do with the complicated problems that communities face on a daily basis.

Think for a moment about how diverse our neighborhoods are. That challenges that one community faces may vary wildly from the next, even though they're in a relatively close geographic area. Because of that, there is truly no "one size fits all" approach to solving society's problems. It is going to take a thoughtful, specific approach to not only how we choose to make an impact, but where.

In other words, there's only so much support that the local, state, or federal governments can give to our communities. At a certain point, those of us who are fortunate enough to do so need to be able to devote their time, care, and attention to helping others. That is precisely what David Bolno has always made it a priority to do.

Again, many of the challenges being faced by these communities vary depending on where you're talking about. One area might be gripped by poverty. Others may be dealing with massive environmental challenges. Others still may have a lack of access to necessary healthcare or services like education.

All of these things need development, and it takes people who live and work in those communities - who understand them and who have a vested interest in them - to truly start to give back.

This is a perfect example of why philanthropy isn't just important - it's crucial. By helping people identify where progress is critical, those with a charitable spirit (along with non-profit organizations) can help accelerate it. They can devote the energy that is needed to support the causes that will enact real, positive change in the most effective way possible.

For David Bolno, it's clear that philanthropy is an opportunity to have influence on real, lasting, social change. When one organization within a community receives the support they need to further a cause, it creates a snowball effect in the best possible way. First, those funds (or volunteer hours, or whatever other resources you can provide) absolutely help the people who live in those communities. Second, it shows other organizations that they, too, can make an essential effort.

In other words, action inspires action. People who are leaders in a community like David Bolno therefore have a responsibility to lead by example. To show not only how vital it is to give back when you can, but to show what positives come from that effort. 

An Investment in Community is an Investment in the Future

In another sense, making an impact on communities is perhaps the most important way that philanthropy as a concept intersects directly with the work David Bolno has done in his career.

Remember that in his "day job," he's a successful entrepreneur who helps high-net-worth individuals build a better future for themselves. It's not just about preserving wealth - it's about leaving behind a legacy for future generations. Thankfully, that legacy extends far beyond just the amount of money in someone's bank account - or at least in David Bolno's opinion it does.

By far, one of the best ways to leave behind the type of legacy that future generations can be proud of is to pour as much time, energy, passion, and perseverance into philanthropic work today. For high-net-worth individuals, it can be something as seemingly straightforward as starting a non-profit organization or other type of foundation to rally behind a cause that you believe in. That organization will carry on the goodwill of your name long after you are gone.

Of course, not everyone is a high-net-worth individual, and that's okay because there are ways that others can give back, too. Even if you don't necessarily have the money to spare to make a donation, you can still help set up chairs at a local event that benefits the community. You can participate in gatherings where community members get together with local leaders to discuss the real issues that matter to them. You can spend time every day looking for opportunities to help other people, or even just a single person.

As David Bolno has always said, the chance to help someone is always there - you just have to know where to look.