What Is Social Entrepreneurship? – Steps To Become A Successful Social Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurship is an age-old professional discipline and has been there for ages. There are different types of entrepreneurs. While some want the freedom of becoming their own boss and doing what they love, there are others who like to make a lot of money by building an empire. However, in the past few years, a new type of entrepreneurship has emerged called social entrepreneurship.
In this article, firstly, you will learn some general details of social entrepreneurship. Next up, we will discuss some of the major aspects of social entrepreneurship that make it different from other entrepreneurship options. Furthermore, you will also learn how to become a social entrepreneur with a few steps. Hence, to learn more, read on through to the end of the article.
What Is Social Entrepreneurship?
The central goal of any social entrepreneurship is social responsibility. Hence, any such business strategizes its steps accordingly. At the start, a social entrepreneur applies the principles and guidance of any other startup. However, the focus is on directly generating a social change or impacting a social cause.
According to a definition provided by Coursera –
“Broadly speaking, social entrepreneurship is a new, innovative business venture that influences change. A social entrepreneur has a specific cause that they care about, and they develop a business model around making a positive impact. The main goal is to create lasting social change through business.”
This type of entrepreneurship, although it uses the principles of any other business, the goal is to make a social change. The primary motivation of any social entrepreneur is to alleviate and solve a kind of systemic social or cultural problem that is limiting the development of society.
What Are The Major Aspects Of Social Entrepreneurship?
Everyone knows that the motivation of most entrepreneurs in society is to earn profit. However, this motive of the entrepreneurs does not prevent them from impacting society positively.
As Adam Smith, the 18th-century Scottish Economist and Philosopher, rightly puts it in his book The Wealth of Nations –
“It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity, but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities, but of their advantages.”
Here, according to Smith, when an individual pursues his own best interest, he would be guided to make decisions that benefit others. This is the major philosophy and mindset that works behind social entrepreneurship.
Any social entrepreneurship can operate in different ways, including profit, non-profit, hybrid business, and others. As a social entrepreneur, you can prefer the funding and structure of your business, depending on your goal, as well as your business model. The following are the major areas in which social entrepreneurs show their interest:
- Agriculture
- Education
- Gender equality
- Renewable energy
- Environmental sustainability
- Economic development
- Health care
- Community development
How To Become A Social Entrepreneur? – Steps To Follow
According to the information given in Investopedia,
“Social entrepreneurs try to fix problems. More specifically, social entrepreneurs identify a problem that the people in the previous section face. Usually, during the brainstorm phase of an entity, the social entrepreneur will link the two together.”
If you want to become a social entrepreneur, you will need to follow the steps given below:
1. Start Researching
As you are doing right now, start knowing what are the major aspects of social entrepreneurship and the various ways through which you can make a difference in society. You will also need to learn some of the key requirements that you need to have in place to start your business.
2. Know Your Market Inside Out
We have already discussed that a social entrepreneur tries to solve a problem that is prevalent in society and, at the same time, makes a profit. To do that, you will have to know your market, the exact problems, and areas of concern so that you come up with useful solutions.
3. Get Some Advice From An Expert
Getting a mentor as you run your startup is beneficial. Apart from that, you must also consider taking a course about social entrepreneurship from a reputed institute. Furthermore, you can also interview someone who is already making a social change with his/her business.
4. Have A Clear Goal In Your Mind For The Social Cause
Your social mission will help you run your business despite various odds that come your way. Apart from that, investors will also ask you questions about it, and you will need to be obvious about your goals. You might also face questions from journalists as well.
5. Financing Your Enterprise
Any venture, social or not, runs on funds and investments. There are many bigger organizations that are willing to give you money to start your business if they are convinced by your idea. You will also need to have startup business insurance beforehand to protect your enterprise.
6. Legalization Of Your Enterprise
The legal aspects related to a social enterprise can be a bit complicated. The way you set up your enterprise can directly affect how much you make through your business. Hence, you need to consider every document carefully before you register your business and protect it legally.
7. Have An Online Presence
Having an online presence, at least on social media platforms, has become a necessity for every business. Provided you are a social entrepreneur, you need to show the world that you are solving a social problem. This will also allow you to get customers fast, including social support, and you can make more funds as well.
Wrapping Up
If you want to make a big social change by becoming an entrepreneur, then social entrepreneurship is the best option for you to choose. Hope this article was helpful for you in getting a better idea of what this type of entrepreneurship actually is and how to start.
Just follow the steps given above, and you will be able to achieve success within a short span of time, provided you stick to the basics and grow your business. What do you think is a major success factor for social entrepreneurs? Share your views about it in the comments section below.
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