1. Transform Lost Hours into Social Impact

Today I recorded a podcast with Fikret Zendeli who shared about the untapped potential for meaningful engagement from unproductive Friday afternoons.

Through his Social Friday initiative, he encourages companies to repurpose these hours for volunteering. It's an approach which not only counters the usual dip in productivity but redefines what productivity means in a modern workplace.

It’s not just about output; it’s about impact.

2. Strengthen Teams Through Shared Volunteer Experiences

Implementing a Social Friday leads to stronger bonds within the workplace.

As employees come together for a common cause, they forge deeper relationships with one another, leading to increased engagement and job satisfaction. This sense of unity and purpose transcends the typical work environment. It also provides a sense of gratitude and empathy, which are useful for innovation.

When employees connect on a personal level, the entire company culture shifts towards more collaborative and meaningful interactions.

3. Uncover New Solutions Through Community Engagement

Volunteering exposes employees to new perspectives and challenges.

It also broadens awareness and understanding of your community. Fikret's shared how they sponsored an English teacher for disadvantaged kids after a service project made them realize this is what they needed most. You can't create change around an issue you don't understand.

Volunteering allows individuals and organizations to address the root causes of problems rather than just the symptoms.

1. They Focus on Customer Discovery

One must prioritize understanding what customers truly desire.

Many entrepreneurs fall into the allure of endless planning and designing without ever testing their assumptions against real-world feedback. It's easy to get lost in building a solution, crafting technology, or developing content, yet these tasks often yield little valuable insight.

When you're just starting the best thing you can do is increase direct engagement with your target audience, learn from them, and iterating your product or service.

2. They Expand Their Audience

Expanding your audience is crucial for sustainable growth.

While it's comfortable to focus on the familiar, reaching out to new potential customers is where the challenge and opportunity lie. By actively seeking to grow your audience, you engage with a broader spectrum of perspectives and needs. This effort involves moving beyond easy tasks and embracing the difficult work of connecting with people who might be interested in your solution.

It's not just about numbers; it's about enriching your understanding of the market.

3. They Prioritize Sales and Commitments

Securing a sale or commitment is the ultimate validation of your venture.

Many founders shy away from this step, preferring the safer grounds of internal development and planning. But a sale is a powerful indicator of your product's viability and market demand. It forces you to confront the reality of the marketplace and provides the most direct form of feedback

A focus on sales not only proves your concept but also fuels your journey forward.

Ditch the Addiction to Getting

Typically, we work hard to get stuff, because we think that's what we want.

But these wants have been hijacked by the world of advertising. The technology behind advertising is so sophisticated - and we all know this. At least, I've never heard anyone even try to dispute the addictive nature of social media.

And yet, knowing this doesn't fix our addiction.

Create Space for Presence, Joy and Connection

I had the pleasure of being on a ServiceSpace volunteering call today.

ServiceSpace is an incredible volunteer run organization sharing small acts of kindness around the world. The space that they cultivate around generosity and gratitude, and respect makes me feel connected to something larger that myself.

In this space, I realize this sense of belonging and purpose that I've been missing.

Allow Truth to Arise Through Generosity

When we shift the focus from ourselves to others, something inside us changes.

Perhaps when we stop pushing ourselves to get something, the constant seeking drops away. When you're being generous, you're not looking for anything in return, and so you tend to show up as your authentic self. You make your contribution, and the size of it doesn't matter, because it's your gift to give.

In embracing generosity, we uncover a profound truth, reconnecting us with the deep-seated joy of being part of a larger, interconnected tapestry of life.

What Do Organizations Look Like That Are Tackling Trafficking?

No single organization tackles the complexities of human trafficking alone. I was impressed to learn that Columbus, Ohio has a number of diverse organizations working to reduce this in many different ways. Here's some examples of local organizations, and what they do:

• Catch Court is a special docket in the justice system which provides women arrested for solicitation a chance to expunge their record when they complete the program.

• She Has a Name is a faith based abolitionist organization that provides free trainings for the public to understand what human trafficking looks like, and how they can make a difference through local organizations.

• Freedom a la Cart is a social enterprise cafe and catering company which employs and empowers survivors of human trafficking.

• The Roosevelt Coffeehouse is a non-profit social enterprise coffee house which raises awareness and supports initiatives tackling human trafficking.

• The SOAP Project distributes bars of soap with National Human Trafficking Hotline number to hotels in areas that are at higher risk for trafficking.

• There are a number of shelters, and half-way homes supporting survivors and women with drug related issues.

What I really admire, is how social enterprises in Columbus thrive by collaborating with local legal systems, shelters, and community organizations. This synergy creates a supportive network, ensuring that every aspect of a survivor's recovery journey is addressed.

This collaboration is key for any social enterprise, because they are just one piece to the puzzle. So, connect, find a gap, and create a difference where you can.

Start By Looking at The Boundaries of Traditional Support

Therapy and education are the usual ways groups support those on the spectrum.

In schools, specialized ed teachers provide tailored support. Mental health professionals may help through therapy or medication. Support groups and apps exist, but largely for children or young adults still in school.

When you look more closely, there is a gap serving adults on the spectrum.

Bridging the Employment Gap through Social Enterprise

Auticon is a social enterprise combating underemployment of adults with Autism.

By recognizing the unique strengths of the autistic mind, particularly in analytical and technical tasks, they place workers in technology roles. They hire their employee to ensure consistent benefits, and they coach both the employee and the remote teams they work with.

I like this approach when a social enterprise builds an employment model and provides their employees with the support they need to grow and thrive.

Cultivating Mutual Understanding for Inclusive Growth

It's important to treat Autism (or any difference) not as a condition to be cured but as a part of what makes someone their unique self.

Social enterprises play a pivotal role in building these sorts of bridges, in the way that Auticon coaches both employees and employers. This fosters mutual understanding, and empowers both individuals and the organizations they join.

It's about building a world where everyone can communicate effectively and contribute meaningfully.

Let's break it down with something specific: Homelessness

I have a bad habit of writing in general terms, because social impact is very broad, so let's illustrate with homelessness.

For a social entrepreneurship to tackle homelessness, it means you have a business model. For example:

• A business which hires homeless and gives work experience and training.

• A business which sells something, like the Big Issue - that both provides income to sellers and supports local shelters

How is this different from a charity?

A charity generally relies on donations and grant funding for their philanthropic mission. For example:

• A church which runs a food pantry.

• A volunteer organization handing out blankets.

• A homeless shelter providing housing.

Further, all charities are non-profits, but a social enterprise can be either for-profit or non-profit.

Can a social enterprise be a charity?

Yes. The Salvation Army operates with both grant funding, and revenue from their thrift stores. They are a social enterprise in the sense that they have a business model (selling goods through their thrift stores), and they are a non-profit charity in the sense that they are registered 501(c)(3) which exists for a public benefit.

But a social enterprise doesn't need to be a charity. For example, Confier Realty is a for-profit company creating high-quality, affordable & sustainable housing for those in low income brackets, including those at risk of homelessness.

1. Start With a Brain Dump

I really struggled with coming up with an idea each day.

The Endless Idea Generator from Typeshare didn’t work for me. I needed a seedling of my own. After the first week, I realized I could find my seed by free-writing non-stop for about 600 words, not worrying how it sounded.

This produced something I could start working on.

2. Create Structure with ChatGPT

Quite often, I would take this word dump and append the following ChatGPT prompt:

Using the words and concepts from above, please write a short atomic essay, under 300 words long, about [my topic]. Write it with 3 headlines, and under each headline a 1-3-1 structure, with one informative sentence, a paragraph with 3 sentences about the headline, and 1 final sentence that brings it together. As much as possible use my words and tone of voice from the story above.

After ChatGPT, I had something I could edit and revise in Typeshare.

3. Learn how to Practice, Because Then You Know the Path Forward

For all of you who joined me in this journey, thank you.

I noticed that the real magic comes from the interactions, which will be my focus next time. But this time, I spent my focus just writing, and not even on headlines or hooks. My breakthrough was learning what consistent writing habit looks like.

It's not like riding a bike yet, but once you know how to practice, then you can improve, and if you can improve you can make anything happen.

1. Start by Examining Existing Employment Opportunities

We started Wild Tiger Tees with a t-shirt printing model, which was so easy to start.

Screen printing t-shirt business is straightforward, making it easy to understand our costs and profits (which is super useful for a first-time entrepreneur). However, it's not a great model for a work-program that relies on growth for social impact. Had we done our research ahead of time, this would have been clear.

For a work program, start by looking at common low-wage job opportunities.

2. Look at Industries That Naturally Grow

The most successful product based work program model is the Homeboy Industries.

But they also face barriers to growth, because products are hard. Instead industries like restaurant & cafes, cleaning companies, creative companies, warehouse & delivery services and other B2B professional services are more likely to scale.

Focus on other businesses that naturally scale to employ over 100 people.

3. Engage in Strategic Partnerships

One major downside to our work program, was there was no path to employment.

T-shirt screen printing skills are not in high demand. We would have had more success working with local partners, and using our work program to provide skills that could lead to an internship with those local partners. This would have given us a feedback loop to let us know if we were focusing on the right skills in the right way.

Remember, social impact is best built in collaboration with others in your community.

1. Validate Your Idea Long Before You Launch Your Kickstarter

The first time I tested my card deck was at the launch party for my Kickstarter.

I learned a lot from that, and incorporated that feedback into my designs. But had I gotten feedback earlier, my designs would have evolved significantly. I also would have taken a different approach to pricing and packaging, and built up a larger audience of support. (And recorded a different video for my Kickstarter.)

For any entrepreneur, you succeed by continually getting feedback on your idea.

2. Master the Art of Connecting with New Audiences

To be successful on Kickstarter you need a robust visibility strategy.

My campaign was mostly funded by people in my network. Had I been more coordinated, I would have arranged those donations in the first 24 hours to boost attention. I didn't even prepare a media kit to make it easier for those in my network to share, and I didn't realize the importance of partnering with other projects.

Visibility is about finding new audiences, and making your project easy to share.

3. Focus on Making Your Presentation Shine

I've heard crowdfunding is a great way to validate an idea, but it's not.

It's a great way to validate whether you can reach a wider audience, and that doesn't necessarily reflect the quality of your idea. The skills to present your product are different from those needed to build and develop your project. So focus on developing a high quality story and quality of your video, along with rewards that make sense, and great copy for the page and updates during your campaign.

For a successful Kickstarter, get feedback on your story and presentation, and get professional help where necessary to make it shine.

Social Impact Work is Not Grueling

Social impact work is often perceived as a daunting task, but I disagree.

The most challenging work I've done was volunteering on a suicide crisis line. It meant engaging with tough issues that required thoughtful listening and attention. Even so, I grew as an individual and felt incredible being part of something bigger than myself. My social enterprise work is the same today - we are collaborating and growing as individuals to lift up those around us.

At its core, it is a journey of self-actualization and sharing that with others.

Social Impact Work is a Playground for Possibility

Contrary to belief, social impact work is incredibly uplifting.

Working with diverse groups, from youth experiencing homelessness to individuals emerging from prison, I've learned that people are just people. But really, it's taught me so much about myself, and how I'm not that different.

Most of the time, "change" is really about building connections, fostering growth, offering support, and celebrating progress.

Ultimately, It's a Journey of Mutual Growth

But the true change in social impact work is about the work you do on yourself.

You can't really change another person. But people are inspired when they see you change, and it tends to inspire their own growth. When you work on yourself, then that change ripples out and creates that possibility for others.

At it's core, this work is about shared experiences and collective upliftment.

My Personal Quest for Connection

My social entrepreneurship journey is not just about solving social issues.

While volunteering for the Samaritans in London (a national UK suicide crisis line), I was struck by the profound sense of loneliness among the callers who dialed in. Even more so, I was shocked by the parallels of my own loneliness, even though I had friends, family and a support network. It made it clear how our unique experiences inherently separate us from others, causing us to feel lonely.

It left me wondering how to create a sense of belonging within this shared condition.

Something Bigger Than Ourselves

Our day often gets filled with tasks, trying to survive and for personal gain.

During my volunteer work, the moments of true connection weren't about personal gain but about being part of something larger. I love that feeling of being part of something, and contributing without expectations of something in return.

For a long time, I wondered how I could spend more time in this space.

Financial Stability Intertwined with Emotional Wealth

Most jobs are not something you would do for free.

But social entrepreneurship offers more. It can provide work that offers the chance to direct our efforts in a way that resonates with our personal values and aspirations. And if we can align work with our true nature, then we can intersect our livelihood with personal fulfillment and social impact.

In turn, this will foster a world where we feel a sense of belonging and purpose.

Understand the Need First

Emily Kane Miller of Ethos Giving shared on my podcast how to collect metrics.

Start by understanding what stakeholders truly need. Engaging in conversations with partners, clients, and customers. It's about pinpointing what your stakeholders value most, rather than getting lost in a sea of irrelevant data.

Make every metric you track a stepping stone towards profound impact.

Choose Metrics That Matter

Select metrics that narrate the growth and essence of your enterprise.

Internally, identify numbers that signal your business's health and trajectory, aiding strategic decisions. Externally, consider what stories will resonate with the public so you can showcase your year-over-year growth and impact. The goal is to strike a balance between actionable insights and compelling narratives

Your metrics should tell the story of how your business and impact will grow and change.

Simplify and Seek Consistency

Opt for simplicity and consistency in your tracking methods.

While it’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring everything, focus on metrics that are both insightful and manageable over time. You want regular, straightforward feedback mechanisms, like simple forms or direct questions. Consistency not only lends credibility to your data but makes it easier to maintain for a long period of time.

The art of metric selection lies in understanding needs, choosing metrics that resonate, and embracing simplicity and consistency.

Discovering the Catalyst for Change

The journey to create impact often begins not with a roar, but a whisper of curiosity.

Venturing into community work introduces you to a world of needs and opportunities. Over time this transforms your perception and ignites a desire to make a difference. Connecting with others in your community enriches the stories that light your world, and these shared connections lead to change.

It's this understanding and connection that lights the spark in a change maker.

Balancing Self-Care with Building Community

In the beginning, engaging your in community takes a conscious effort.

I get it, time is precious. Yet, those who serve our community find a fulfillment that transcends what we feel relaxing at home. We do need rest to recharge, but activities such as volunteering can often energize us in even deeper ways.

The joy derived from our community often becomes an incredible source of energy.

Inspiring Involvement: Beyond the Tangible Rewards

Community service is not about the rewards.

There is a profound, often unexpected joy that comes from connecting, contributing, and sharing with those in our community. But it's really hard to connect if you show up trying to get that experience of joy. Oddly, when you show up as a gift to those you serve, that joy flows almost naturally.

The challenge is to take action & show up, and allow the unique rewards to arise on their own, in their own way.

Understand How You See the World is a Choice

Reality is not an absolute but a personal narrative shaped by our perceptions.

Often, we take our interpretation of the world as the truth, and forget to consider that there might be another way to see the world around us. From my experience sharing in groups, it becomes obvious quickly how different our perceptions are.

This understanding is crucial; realizing that our perception is merely one version of reality allows us to question and reshape it.

The Power of New Stories: How to Craft and Embrace Alternatives

True change begins not with battling the external world, but by redefining our view.

Transformation begins by consciously crafting a new reality and seeking evidence to support it. This might feel like self-deception at first, but it's a strategic reorientation of focusing your attention. When you do this, collect evidence that supports your new reality and write it down. (Writing it down is key!)

Over time, as this alternative reality takes root in our consciousness, the problems we originally had will quite often just evaporate.

The Liberation from Old Stories: The Path to Lasting Change

Much of our suffering comes from our reactions to the world, fueled by our stories.

By altering these narratives, we don't just change our perception; we transform our interaction with life's challenges. The discomfort we feel is usually a product of reinforcing negative stories about sensations we're not paying attention to. When we shift our narrative, we stop feeding our discomfort, allowing it to fade away.

And... it's much easier to play this game and change your story then try to force the world to change to fit your reality. (Hint: only one of these actually works.)

I started a side hustle work program for youth experiencing homelessness in 2018, employing our guests to screen print t-shirts. I didn't know how to run a work program, and I didn't know how to screen print t-shirts.

Want to know a secret?

I didn't have to.

We often think we need to learn something before we can do something. There are so many success stories worldwide, and we measure ourselves against success. Obviously, we weren't experts because we hadn't started.

But you never get to be successful without starting.

Finding the Answer is Easier Than You Think

When you know the question, you can find the answer.

When you know the question, you ask friends, other successful entrepreneurs, and Google... and they tell you or direct you to the right place. But you won't know the question until you start because there are so many pieces to starting a business.

Even if you researched beforehand, you probably wouldn't know what you need.

Partnerships are Key

Partnerships don't need to be complicated legal agreements.

They can be as simple as people who share your passions, who you take out for a drink or coffee. Most cities have local foundations, community development organizations & chambers of commerce. If you're making a social impact with your business, find a non-profit aligned with your mission, and you'll have an unending magical resource. People don't compete for good. They collaborate.

Show up and participate in your community; you'll find all the support you need.

1. Understanding the Importance of Profit in Social Enterprises

Initially we focused solely on our mission with youth experiencing homelessness.

The idea of making a profit felt almost contradictory to our cause. We poured our hearts into the program, often ignoring profit. We could easily balance our books, but over time the lack of profit made it feel more like volunteering than a business.

Even in a social enterprise, financial health is crucial to sustain and grow the impact.

2. The Necessity of Financial Sustainability Beyond Breaking Even

Designing a break-even business seemed ideal initially, especially for our t-shirt screen printing social enterprise.

We managed finances based on variable costs, allowing flexibility in scaling our operations. Yet, consistently breaking even hindered our growth and capacity to expand our impact. Achieving a modest 20% gross margin was a step forward, but it taught us that focusing on financial growth is essential, even for non-profits.

Over time, my co-founders drifted away because we couldn't afford to be 100% in our business, and we had no path to hiring a full-time employee.

3. Scalability Matters Even in Social Ventures

Our t-shirt screen printing initiative faced scalability issues typical in product manufacturing.

With only a few employees and limited space, expansion was daunting. To scale up, we would have needed to reinvent our operating model, including covering additional costs like rent. This experience highlighted the importance of choosing a business model that allows for growth without compromising our mission.

I've learned that balancing profit with purpose is necessary for a social enterprise to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of our mission.

I live and breathe this stuff, so it catches me off guard when someone asks, "What do you mean by Social Enterprise?" - it's easy to forget it's still not common place.

A Social Enterprise is Business That Exists to Solve a Social Issue

A social enterprise exists because they are tackling a social issue like poverty, homelessness, human trafficking, the environment, mental health, equality...

AND... they have a business model, with revenue that funds a significant portion of their impact. Some common models include:

• Hiring: Greyston Bakery (they bakes brownies for Ben & Jerry's & hires those with barriers to employment, such as those who are formerly incarcerated)

• Donation: Goodwill, Salvation Army

• Volunteer: Wikipedia

• Upcycling: TerraCycle

• Microfinance: Kiva

• Co-operative: Equal Exchange

• Buy-one give-one: TOMS Shoes (in the beginning)

• Pay-what-you-can: Jon Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen

• Socially responsible marketing: The Body Shop

They can be either non-profit or for-profit companies - unlike other non-profits, they're not entirely dependent on grants, and have more control over their impact. Unlike other for-profits, their impact is ahead of their profit, which can make growth difficult. So, if you see one, support them, and you'll make the world a better place.

Here are 3 business insights I've learned from Michael Gerber's 'Emyth Revisited'.

1. Understand the Value Beyond Transactions

Creating value in business isn't just about the products or services sold.

It's about the experience provided at every level. For instance, an unexpected compliment to a colleague or a thank-you note to a stakeholder can be powerful.

These gestures create an enriching environment that extends beyond transactions.

2. Consistency is the Key to Sustainable Impact

Consistency is the backbone of value creation.

In 'Emyth Revisited,' the stress is on delivering experiences in a reliable manner, setting and meeting expectations. I've felt this challenge personally, especially in areas like email communication, where my response times fluctuate. Maintaining a consistent level of engagement and follow-through is crucial.

Consistency ensures those we touch can rely on us and the values we stand for.

3. Actionable Strategies for Everyday Impact

Implementing value and consistency in business operations can be transformative.

Setting specific, achievable goals for regular engagement with team members, clients, and stakeholders is a start. For example, scheduling weekly check-ins or creating a structured approach to email management can help with consistency.

Small, regular actions create reliability and trust, which help you more than big sweeping gestures that occur inconsistently.

1. Discover Agency Through Self-Reflection

Journaling can be the shovel that begins to unearth your hidden potential.

Reflecting on personal experiences and thoughts through journaling, as I did with Morning Pages (from the Artist's Way), can be profoundly revealing. It shines a light on mental blocks that may be holding you back. Introspection helps you understand that the barriers in your path are often of your own making.

Journaling brings into focus how you architect your own barriers and potential.

2. Ignite Curiosity with New Ideas

For me, starting a podcast was like planting seeds in fertile ground.

It was a gateway to exposing myself to new ideas that fueled my curiosity. An early podcast with the CEO of the Star House, a drop-in-center for youth experiencing homelessness, changed the course of my life. And each conversation teaches me something new, and it's these new ways of seeing the world that propel me forward.

Following curiosity isn't just a trait, but a vehicle for growth and discovery.

3. Embrace Collaborative Dynamics

GiveBackHack, the weekend launchpad for social innovation, taught me so much.

It showed how I didn't need to have all the answers; together, we built and innovated beyond our individual capacities. And I realized, true agency comes not just from individual action but from the synergistic power of collaboration.

The process of self-reflection, pursuing curiosity, and engaging in collaborative efforts forms a continuous cycle of growth and development.

Here's what I learned from a recent podcast with Emmanuel Trinity Nsaabanye, founder of era92 Creative, on how to build trust in Africa.

The Trust Challenge in Africa's Social Enterprises

era92 Creative is a social enterprise born out of the Kosovo slums, on a mission to upskill 10,000 youth. Despite its positive impact - Trinity shared that one of their biggest challenges is overcoming the trust barrier.

This distrust is rooted in a history of scams originating from "Africa".

The Impact of Poverty and Corruption

Poverty and corruption are driven by poor wages and lack of resources.

era92's mission will provide education and employment as a direct response to these systemic issues. But, how do you grow, without the trust?

Building Trust through Transparency and Success Stories

Rebuilding trust requires a solid track record, transparency, and success stories that resonate.

era92's professional and positive presence on platforms like Instagram showcase their commitment and results. Highlighting success stories, combined with transparent operations, can gradually rebuild trust. And over time testimonials from clients with help their credibility and impact soar.

Ultimately, when you're in it for the long term, then you make your work about quality, so that your reputation carries you forward.