What is a Social Entrepreneur?

social entrepreneur |sōSHəl äntrəprəˈno͝or|

noun

a person who uses innovative business practices in order to solve social problems and/or effect social change
 
Defining a social entrepreneur is not easy because there are so many different social issues and ways of tackling those issues. Social entrepreneurs are not just activists or business people. They are innovators who are using their skills and knowledge of business and finance to implement positive change in the world. Whether it is poverty, the environment, disease, or another global problem, there are knowledgable people in business who commit their lives to solving it. Listed below are just a few of the many notable social enterprises that have made a tangible difference in peoples’ lives across the globe.

 
• Craig Calfee and Bamboosero. He’s taken his passion and experience in the bike-building world and turned it into an environmentally sustainable business that benefits local Third World economies.
• Blake Mycoskie and Tom’s Shoes. They produce stylish footwear and donate shoes to children locally and internationally.
• Coleman Assembly and Packaging, a company run by Gardner-Athol Area Mental Health Association, supplies high-quality assembly services to businesses while giving jobs to the disabled and to people enrolled in substance abuse and school-related programs.

The goal of this site is to be a resource for potential social entrepreneurs to explore what kinds of work they might like to do so as to narrow that broad definition. The blog section gives visitors a better idea of how key influencers in the industry have tackled social issues that concern them, and the resources section features a comprehensive rolodex of key contacts for any budding social entrepreneur. If you want to learn more about the the industry and are considering getting an education in order to be a part of it, check out the become a social entrepreneur page and learn about SNHU’s online program.