When people want to make something better, they usually find something to add to it. They will put an addition on their home, new tires on their car, or a couple more vegetables in their garden. But when it comes to yourself and your life, sometimes you do not have to bring in something new to make it better. Sometimes you are better because of the people who are already in your life, the things you have done or have yet to do, or even the way you feel. Because of this, Cathy Haffner and Ginny Hutchinson founded, Better Because, a place where people can “focus on positive ideas, [and] create their own words on why their life is a little bit better.”

Ginny and Cathy met almost 25 years ago while working at the same corporate jobs fresh out of college. While their lives continued and they went their separate ways in the professional field, the two remained friends and helped each other through the ups and downs that have come their way during the years.

The idea for Better Because started in November 2008 when Haffner and Hutchinson quit their jobs (on the same day) and were catching up over dinner.

“We’re both action-oriented people and believe in the motto, ‘If it’s to be, it begins with me,” says Haffner.

Hutchinson adds, “We were fed up with all the negative clouds in life—depression, divorce and recession. As friends and mothers we wanted to take action and help educate children in need around the world.”

They put these ideas into motion and now the world has been blessed with the Better Because Foundation, in order to help people express ways in which they are better. The duo reports that they would like for the BBF to act as a “platform to support global education.”

For now, the vision and mission of Better Because is to “spread joy and make the world a better place.” They hope to “inspire people to share their stories to live life a little better, igniting and reinforcing a Global Positive Movement.”

“To develop our vision and mission, we leveraged our corporate experience,” said Haffner. “Assess the current environment, carve out a niche, and find our “points of differentiation” to accomplish our mission. In times like these, people need positive focus more than ever.”

Hutchinson found inspiration elsewhere.

“I was inspired by attending Seeds of Compassion in Seattle (April 2008),” she says. “Listening to His Holiness the Dali Lama, a phrase struck a chord with me. [He] said, ‘It’s up to each of you to participate in life. Every individual can make a positive difference in the world.’ At that point, I questioned what I was doing to make a difference in the world.”

In the future, Haffner and Hutchinson plan on putting out a Better Because documentary and writing a series of seven books that will go deeper into the various facets of life. Currently, their book, Better Because of You is available and it offers “bite-sized tips to making life a little bit better.” On the website, www.BetterBecause.com, you can also find apparel and home accessories. All of the Better Because purchases will benefit education for people in need around the world.

Hutchinson and Haffner encourage you to share your “better because” story, just as they have shared theirs. Hutchinson says she is “better because of my relationships, from my husband, kids, friends, and my dog, Jake.” Haffner says she is better because “of my family. They make me laugh and have brought the greatest joy to my life.”