This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

In our “This Week in Social Entrepreneurship” series, each Friday we will feature the top stories in Social Entrepreneurship for the week that we find to be noteworthy, novel, and thought-provoking.  What are your favorite stories this week in Social Entrepreneurship?  Let’s start a discussion!

  • It’s holiday season and we can all have a tough time balancing work and family, but it can be especially difficult for social entrepreneurs, who tend to be extraordinarily driven and passionate.  These traits often take a toll on the work-life balance for social entrepreneurs.  At the same time, taking a break from all the long hours and stress is essential for health and happiness.  Ashoka’s Changemakers has some advice for unplugging during the holiday season.  First, when you are with family, be with family.  Ignore your smartphone, unplug, and really BE PRESENT.  Second, take enough time off.  Finally, practice self-empathy.  Take care of yourself! 
  • Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus is at it again—the microfinance guru and serial social entrepreneur is now entering the restaurant business.  He is partnering with a Japanese food and beverage company called Watami Group to start a social business restaurant chain in Bangladesh.  The social business will create jobs, train food service professionals, provide healthy foods and promote local fare.  Yunus is looking to launch and then spread the business, setting up restaurants and training schools for professional schools throughout rural Bangladesh.  Yunus is the epitome of inspiration—setting the bar for what so many social entrepreneurs aspire to become.
  • A few weeks ago, we highlighted McKinsey’s Social Innovation Video Competition—asking users to submit a social innovator that inspires them.  Well, now McKinsey has narrowed the competition down to the top 11 finalists.  Check out the video submissions and vote for your favorite!  
  • Are you a young social entrepreneur?  Some of the most innovative and revolutionary businesses right now were started by young entrepreneurs—Twitter, Facebook, Livingsocial, etc.  This generation has so much potential to change the world.  When we shift our focus to social causes we come up with some really amazing, changemaking ideas.  Mashable has come up with a list of Four Young Social Entrepreneurs to Watch.  Also, Rutgers Business School recently featured alumni entrepreneurs—The Intersect Fund founders—in a recent article and asked them for advice on growing social businesses.  Take a look at these entrepreneurs and their ventures and turn to them for your inspiration and motivation.
  • Speaking of motivation—make sure to check out Fast Company’s 10 Essential Steps to Successful Social Entrepreneurship.  Jeffrey Hollender, founder of Seventh Generation, uses his experience to give some useful advice in ten clear and easy to follow steps.  The standout for me—“make sure that your enterprise introduces something good, not just less bad”.  What’s your favorite piece of advice from Jeffrey?

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Social entrepreneurs, has all this great SocEnt news inspired you to start your own good?  Do you have a social enterprise, a non-profit, or an amazing idea that needs some momentum to take off?  Visit our site to find out how to start your own campaign today.  Still have questions?  We have answers—check out our FAQ section. 

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