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How The Search Engine Ekoru Is Cleaning Up Our Oceans

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Ekoru.org is a search engine dedicated to saving the planet. The company donates 60% of revenue generated from clicks on sponsored search results to partner organizations who work on climate change issues. Presently, Ekoru has joined forces with Big Blue Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit that helps clean and protect the world’s oceans, and Operation Posidonia, a cutting-edge project by University of New South Wales which is reforesting oceans by replanting seagrass meadows that generate oxygen and trap CO2. In addition, Ekoru’s servers are powered by hydro-electricity, so every search is environmentally friendly.

Founded by husband-wife team Ati Bakush and Alison Lee, who live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with their four children ages 10 and under, Ekoru is supported by a virtual, global team.  Bakush, who is Australian, has a background in developing software for telecommunications and internet service providers. Lee, who is from Malaysia, has enjoyed a career in marketing and communications and was a country marketing manager for Nike. The couple decided to combine their respective areas of expertise in order to build Ekoru, with the intention of making the world a better place.

“We have been personally affected by climate change,” says Lee. “Over the past few years, Malaysia has been blanketed by a cloud of polluted air, a result of the Sumatran forest being burned for commercial purposes. The haze has affected my health and my children's health. Meanwhile, our awareness of plastic pollution has increased while working on Ekoru, and when you know better, you want to do better. We cannot turn away anymore. We have to do something. Ekoru is our way of doing something. To me and my husband, this is not just a career, it is our life purpose.”

Bakush and Lee offer these 5 tips for working successfully as partners in both your personal and professional life:

1. Do not talk about work all the time. It is easy to fall into constantly discussing work when you are living and working together 24/7. It is important to separate work and life.

2. Do not take it personally if the other person is critical of your work.

3. That said, if you have criticism for your partner, be sure that it is constructive.

4. Do not micromanage each other. Trust that your partner knows what they are doing.

5. Do ask each other for opinions and advice, and be open to ideas. Remember, you are working towards the same goal.

The Ekoru founders have faced particular challenges working from home with four young children. They find that it’s not easy balancing parenting and looking after the household with working and being on social media at all hours trying to tap into the most optimal times when people are online. But they manage to get the job done.

To others looking to tap into their life purpose, Lee advises you to find something you are passionate about and then figure out a way to be involved. In addition, she says, “Find a mentor you can talk to and trust. Talk to people who have changed direction and get their advice. Also, be willing to learn. Step out of your comfort zone and be willing to take a risk. Be open-minded!”

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