A successful social entrepreneur does not just have a good idea — they also have the practical business knowledge to turn that idea into a reality. A social entrepreneur’s solution considers market demand and research, finances, resources, and the restrictions and opportunities in their community and country.
7 Steps to Becoming a Successful Social Entrepreneur
- Write a mission statement.
- Research the field.
- Conceptualize your unique offering.
- Reach out to team members for feedback and support.
- Develop your business model.
- Identify initial funding sources.
- Write an action plan (and stick to it)
The 10 Most Successful Social Entrepreneurs
- Bill Drayton.
- Rachel Brathen.
- Shiza Shahid.
- Blake Mycoskie.
- Scott Harrison.
- Muhammad Yunus.
- Jeffrey Hollender.
Social entrepreneurship is the process by which individuals, startups and entrepreneurs develop and fund solutions that directly address social issues. A social entrepreneur, therefore, is a person who explores business opportunities that have a positive impact on their community, in society or the world.
One example of social entrepreneurship is microfinance institutions. These institutions provide banking services to unemployed or low-income individuals or groups who otherwise would have no other access to financial services.
Social entrepreneurship involves starting mission-based enterprises that dedicate some or even all of their profits toward furthering a cause—giving their customers a purpose behind every purchase.
Inspiration for others. Social entrepreneurs provide inspiration for other people who may be searching for purpose and meaning in the work they do. Products and services that make a social change help the people who use those products and services not only better their lives but also discover meaning within them.
The Community Social Entrepreneur
Social entrepreneurs on this scale are usually individuals or small organizations. Microfinance loans are one example – offering financial solutions to local people with no access to banking. These entrepreneurs work directly with members of the community.
How do social enterprises work? By selling goods and services in the open market, social enterprises reinvest the money they make back into their business or the local community. This allows them to tackle social problems, improve people’s life chances, support communities and help the environment.