This week I attended Plywood Presents for the third year. It’s a really fun and unique Atlanta conference, in a city where conferences seem to happen around the clock. Plywood centers around social innovation, with the motto, “We will be known by the problems we solve.” Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

While the speakers are great, seeing friends from other local orgs is fun, and some days you just need a break from the norm, my favorite thing is always simply learning about people and companies doing really great things. To me, it’s most inspiring just to share air with people who are changing the world. It’s as if there’s a new horizon, and we’re all standing at the edge of it together.

I can always count on this community to challenge me to be better. And in an every day way, it helps me see new places to put my money where my mouth is—companies and people I can support with my voice and dollars that share my values.

Here are the amazing places and people I learned about this week:

• Amelia Quinn, BeLoved Atlanta
• Gaia Vasiliver-Shamis, Scizzle
• Laura Pritchard-Compton, Urban Perform
• Susan Pavlin, Global Growers
• Sarah Buchanan, Kula Project
• Kohl Crecelius, Krochet Kids Intl.
• Dana Tanamachi, Tanamachi Studios
• Alex Cox and Mark Slagle, Good Spread
• Grace Kim, GOOD/Corps
• Charles Lee, Ideation
• Father Gregory Boyle, Homeboy Industries
• Bryson Vogeltanz, End It Movement
• Nathan Williams, Kinfolk Magazine
• Brad Montague, Kid President
• Alphonzo and Alison Cross, Boxcar Grocer
• Todd Henry, Accidental Creative
• Anil Dash, Entrepreneur
• Midas Whale, Indie Musicians
• Jeff Shinabarger, Plywood People
• MailChimp
• CaseCrown
• Georgia Tech
• KIND
• Epoch 2013
• Green Shortz
• Music to Light the World
• MAD Marketplace
• COLORS
• Nadus Films
• Hope International
• So Worth Loving
• Love Gives Way
• ROAR
• Sustainable Atlanta
• newAnthropy
• Seer Outfitters
• blackcattips
• See.Spark.Go
• Velocity Productions
• thrive Farmers
• Burge & Associates
• Fresh Harvest Delivered
• Remedy Georgia
• Michelle Marie Photography
• XK Macarons
• Atomic Ice Cream Sandwiches

Do yourself a favor, and check out these companies. They are doing some great work, and they need our support. And don’t forget to join us next year at Plywood Presents!