I AM A SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
“I am a Social entrepreneur”
This is the new badge many people flash today. But come o, what exactly does it mean? Is it just another big word which says very little?
I met a lady very recently who got a free ticket to travel to the United State of America and spent about 7weeks without spending a dime. Sounds impossible, right? How did this seemingly ‘too good to be true’ event happen and why? Simple, she solved a problem she identified in her Community. She was creative with her solution and it made impact and got attention.
Back to our earlier question, who is a Social Entrepreneur? Let us take the words one at a time.What is Social? Social is something that relates to human society and her members.Entrepreneurship is described simply as“One-man Business”. You will remember this description from Junior secondary Business Studies (if only I took it seriously back then! Any way, nothing spoil). Putting both words together, we can say a Social Entrepreneur is a person who pursues an innovative idea with the potential to solve a community problem. This individual is willing to take on the risk and effort of creating positive changes in society through his or her initiative(s).
Entrepreneurship becomes a social endeavour when it transforms social capital in a way that affects society positively. Social entrepreneurship is, therefore, a form of entrepreneurship that focuses on the benefits that society may reap rather than on making personal gain. It focuses majorly on healthcare, poverty alleviation and Community development.
Social Entrepreneurship has become increasingly popular recently and is a venture anyone can undertake. The beautiful thing is, unlike in the past when many entrepreneurs chose to accumulate wealth in the private sector and become philanthropists later in life, now entrepreneurs can work to improve social issues through their businesses.
Why become a Social Entrepreneur?
The most important benefit of being a Social Entrepreneur is the fulfillment that comes from the impact you make in society.There is no price tag on improving people’s lives and making the world a better place.
There is always an increase in passion and zeal, which makes you more aware of the needs of others, more creative and innovative in the kind of solutions you proffer to address these needs.
How do I start?
It is super easy. Volunteer. There is always an opportunity to volunteer for organisations. Doing this exposes you to how things work and brings you closer to the community. Volunteerism is the spirit that drives social change. Check out my piece on Volunteerism (click here).
Networking and collaborating with others in the field is a sure way to build capacity and increase your reach.
Final words…
Social entrepreneurship helps you maximize your profession or business. As you meet people and share ideas, you become better. You are able to meet season professionals in different fields in order to learn the tricks of the trade. You are also afforded the opportunity to access incentives that will help you start up your own projects and expand as you go along.
Further reading: “How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas,” by David Bornstein
