IMPACT. Make One.
By Remy Greger
As the sun rises on a new day, we each have a chance to make a difference, to effect positive change in the world around us. We have an opportunity to use our skills, our passions, and our wallets to shape the world we live in. Welcome to the era of social entrepreneurship and conscious consumerism, a movement where every dollar spent is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. And it’s not just about money; it’s about ideas, innovation, and inspiration.
The Power of Social Entrepreneurship
At the heart of this movement are social entrepreneurs. These are individuals who build businesses not only for profit but also to solve societal issues. They strive to make an IMPACT (an acronym coined by me, Remy Greger, a social entrepreneur myself) embodying the core principles of Innovation, Mindfulness, Positivity, Awareness, Compassion, and Teamwork.
Innovation is the driving force behind a social enterprise. It’s about finding novel solutions to age-old problems. Mindfulness speaks to being present and aware, making choices that reflect our values and aspirations. Positivity brings hope, even in the face of adversity. Awareness encourages understanding and empathy for the challenges we seek to address. Compassion underpins the desire to make a difference, while Teamwork reminds us that together, we are stronger.
Make an IMPACT: Your Guide to Social Entrepreneurship
Are you ready to make an IMPACT? Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Identify a Social Issue: This could be something close to your heart or a problem you believe needs addressing.
- Create a Unique Solution: Innovate. Find a new or better way to address the issue.
- Develop a Business Model: This model should reflect both your mission and a sustainable way to generate revenue.
- Assemble a Team: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your vision and can contribute to its realization.
- Launch and Learn: Start your enterprise. Be ready to adapt and learn from both successes and failures.
- Measure Impact and Profit: Profits are essential to sustainability, but equally important is measuring the social impact you’re making.
Here is a glimpse of the brand I created called IMPACT and two of the products I used to begin to generate brand awareness and profit. It was fun to come up with the logo an the acronym, along with the business plan. Although I was excited to create an extended line of merch, it made the best sense for me to start small, gain some experience, traction and customer support, and then launch the rest of my offerings, which will include hoodies, sweatpants, framed photography, posters and more.
Starting a mission-based social impact t-shirt business requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and a genuine commitment to making a difference. By following the essential steps outlined above, young entrepreneurs can build a profitable and impactful venture that combines style and purpose. Remember, success lies not only in generating revenue but also in creating a positive social change and leaving a lasting impact on the causes you support.
Profits and ROI in Social Entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship is not a charity; it’s a business model that seeks to balance profits with purpose. Profits ensure sustainability, while the return on investment (ROI) extends beyond financial gain. The true ROI of a social enterprise lies in the impact made, the lives improved, the communities uplifted.
Social Entrepreneurs to Watch
Inspiration is a vital fuel for any budding social entrepreneur. Here are three trailblazers in the field worth following:
Adam Braun, founder of Pencils for Promise, identified a gap in education and filled it. His organization has built over 500 schools in developing countries, providing opportunities for children who otherwise wouldn’t have access to education.
Jess Ekstrom, the author of ‘Chasing the Bright Side’ and the founder of Headbands for Hope, witnessed the power of positivity during her internship at a wish-granting organization. She created her company to give headbands to children with cancer, spreading positivity one accessory at a time.
Sophie Nistico has turned her passion for fashion into a force for good. Her clothing line ‘See the way I see’ started with a line of personally crafted stickers and branched into a unique clothing, accessories and lifestyle brand to raise awareness about and encourage the destigmatization of mental health with a focus on the depth and breadth of struggles those with anxiety can have.
Conscious Consumerism: Your Vote Counts
Now, more than ever, consumers have the power to drive change. We vote with our dollars. Every purchase is an endorsement of the practices, values, and missions of the businesses we support. This is conscious consumerism, where consumers choose to support companies whose values align with their own.
As a conscious consumer, you have an opportunity to support social entrepreneurs and the impactful causes they stand for. You can choose to buy products from companies that prioritize sustainability, support local communities, or promote fair trade practices. By making these choices, you play an active role in shaping the marketplace and promoting positive change.
In essence, conscious consumerism is a powerful avenue for social change, amplifying the impact of social enterprises. It’s a way to ensure your hard-earned money goes towards creating a world you want to live in. It’s about making choices that not only benefit you but also contribute to the greater good.
Make Your IMPACT
Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking to create a mission-based business or a consumer eager to support such initiatives, you have the power to make an IMPACT. You have the opportunity to contribute to a movement that values innovation, mindfulness, positivity, awareness, compassion, and teamwork.
The path to making an IMPACT is not easy, but the rewards are tremendous. Not just in terms of financial gain, but in the knowledge that you are part of something bigger. That your actions are contributing to a more equitable, sustainable, and compassionate world.
Remember, every purchase, every business decision, every innovation can make a difference. In the grand scheme of things, you are not just a drop in the ocean; you are the ocean in a drop. Every ripple you create contributes to a wave of positive change.
So, are you ready to make an IMPACT? Whether you choose to become a social entrepreneur or support one as a conscious consumer, your actions matter. You have the power to shape the world, to create a legacy of positive change.
In the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
So, let’s be that group. Let’s make an IMPACT. Together, we can make a difference.
By Remy Greger
