I'm a firm believer that we can't depend only on our politicians and heads of state to improve our world. It's up to civilians -- you and me -- and the businesses we create and buy from, to actually advance the public good in the world that we all share.

Statistics demonstrate that women are more inclined to invest their earnings back into their family, which can include their children's education. Providing a microloan to a woman affects communities and local economies in a large way to create a ripple effect of change.

I encourage you to find a philanthropic cause that provides meaning in your life. For Dermalogica, and for me personally, it has always been about women entrepreneurs.

Looking at the world picture, professional and corporate success must embrace global activism and advocacy for women.

joinFITE.org (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship) is a new microlending website by Kiva.org to benefit women entrepreneurs in low income areas of the U.S. and 56 other countries.

An entrepreneur herself, Wurwand came to the United States with a small amount of money and a dream of independence, and hustled to make it big.

Looking back, I can see now the effect on my life of that moment as a 5-year-old, watching the village woman take my rupee.

Jane Wurwand told me her life story. In many ways, it's a story of entrepreneurship that could go up on Kiva.org alongside the other 480,000 entrepreneurs we've funded over the years.