When I first heard of social entrepreneurship, it is a very vague word. I do understand the “social” and “entrepreneurship” separately, but I do not truly understand the concept of social entrepreneurship until I came to Detroit. During the first two weeks that I worked with MoGo, a social enterprise, I start to understand the true meaning of social entrepreneurship. In my opinion, is a business model that concerned more about making a positive impact on global issues than making money. Combining business with a do-gooder mentality, social entrepreneurship is an innovational approach for solving cultural and social issues such as alleviating hunger, improving education, protecting animals and improving equality. Similar to traditional entrepreneurship, the social enterprise also has business component that provides funding for its sustainable operation. But the main focus of social entrepreneurship is to solve, to benefit and to help, while entrepreneurship is more profit-centered. Although social entrepreneurship is not profit-driven, it can be non-profit or for-profit organizations. The mission is to use the innovational approach to solve existing social issues, through launching business or project. There are many social issues existing in the world; social entrepreneurship is a new approach, combining making money and doing good, to tackle those issues.
“Entrepreneurship is an equalizer that can and should be the pathway out of poverty.” I overhear Racheal Allen said this in Detroit SOUP, a microgranting dinner supporting social entrepreneurs. At the Detroit citywide SOUP, where four excellent social entrepreneurs pitched their ideas, ranging from art, urban agriculture, social justice, education technology and more, Racheal is one of the social entrepreneurs that day. She pitched her Motherhood Mentors mentorship program in Detroit SOUP. The program matches teenaged mothers with successful mentors who were also teenaged mothers. The mentors give guidance for mentees and help them to plan their life. The reason why Racheal launched such a program is that as a teen mom, she received guidance from her mentor that change her life and she hopes to give back to the community and to help teen mothers in Detroit. She is a great example of social entrepreneurship in Detroit. In fact, the community partner that I am working with is also a case in point. MoGo is a bike-share program that aims to provide accessible bike-hare service in Detroit. It aims to benefit Detroit residents to get around the city in a convenient and affordable way. To make MoGo accessible to everyone, MoGo has a “MoGo For All” program that provides $5 access pass for state benefit program members; it also has an Adaptive MoGo program that offers cycling options for riders of all abilities.
Detroit is a place where social entrepreneurship flourishes, which perfectly matches the Latin mottos Speramus Meliora and Resurget Cineribus in Detroit’s flag, meaning “We hope for better things” and "It will rise from the ashes". I believe social entrepreneurship is an effective approach that will bring Detroit rise from the ashes.
“Entrepreneurship is an equalizer that can and should be the pathway out of poverty.” I overhear Racheal Allen said this in Detroit SOUP, a microgranting dinner supporting social entrepreneurs. At the Detroit citywide SOUP, where four excellent social entrepreneurs pitched their ideas, ranging from art, urban agriculture, social justice, education technology and more, Racheal is one of the social entrepreneurs that day. She pitched her Motherhood Mentors mentorship program in Detroit SOUP. The program matches teenaged mothers with successful mentors who were also teenaged mothers. The mentors give guidance for mentees and help them to plan their life. The reason why Racheal launched such a program is that as a teen mom, she received guidance from her mentor that change her life and she hopes to give back to the community and to help teen mothers in Detroit. She is a great example of social entrepreneurship in Detroit. In fact, the community partner that I am working with is also a case in point. MoGo is a bike-share program that aims to provide accessible bike-hare service in Detroit. It aims to benefit Detroit residents to get around the city in a convenient and affordable way. To make MoGo accessible to everyone, MoGo has a “MoGo For All” program that provides $5 access pass for state benefit program members; it also has an Adaptive MoGo program that offers cycling options for riders of all abilities.
Detroit is a place where social entrepreneurship flourishes, which perfectly matches the Latin mottos Speramus Meliora and Resurget Cineribus in Detroit’s flag, meaning “We hope for better things” and "It will rise from the ashes". I believe social entrepreneurship is an effective approach that will bring Detroit rise from the ashes.
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