There’s a growing trend in the business world: social entrepreneurs are combining the age-old goal of earning money with the desire to effect social change.
Social enterprises use entrepreneurial principles to develop a business for the greater good of society, whether addressing environmental concerns or eradicating poverty, and many causes in between.
It’s a business endeavour that’s becoming increasingly popular in the province – Hungry Heart Café and Ever Green Recycling are just a couple of local examples.
Two events in St. John’s this week aim to explore these kinds of opportunities further.
Chelsey MacNeil, director of social enterprise at Choices for Youth, says these events are “all about generating opportunities.”
On Thursday, “Social Buying for Social Good” is a networking and interactive panel event to bring together and celebrate social enterprises in the community. It will take place from 7-9 p.m. at the ALT Hotel in St. John’s.
On Friday, “Social Buying Symposium” aims to connect national experts with local decision-makers and businesses in an effort to further develop business policy and practice for social good. This event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., also at the ALT Hotel.
“Buying from a social enterprise is an opportunity for governments, private industry and consumers to have a direct impact on their community,” said MacNeil. “It is about making our dollars go further to solve social challenges.”
Several national leaders in social enterprise will be in town for the events, including David LePage, co-founder of the Social Enterprise Institute, and Andy Horsnell, vice-chairman of the Social Enterprise Council of Canada.
Choices for Youth and Stella’s Circle are hosting the events in partnership with Buy Social Canada.
