THUNDER BAY – BUSINESS BLOGGING – A relatively new trend in Canada, a Social Enterprise is a for-profit businesses with a mission; a venture that uses business strategy to drive social, environmental, and economic change.
Local business owner, Jesse Buob, uses the social enterprise model to partner his party tent rental business with Habitat for Humanity, donating a portion of the proceeds directly to local Habitat operations in Thunder Bay. The partnership was a natural fit for Jesse, who was a Habitat International volunteer in Thailand before starting 2 Shelter Tent Rentals.
“Rebuilding a home in Phuket inspired me to continue my activism in Thunder Bay. I was looking to start a business as a way to make a living but also give back to the community. ”
A natural entrepreneur and long time Entrepreneur Centre client, Jesse procured the rental business after realizing a need for steel framed tents that can be set up on any surface and allow maximum capacity. 2 Shelter not only provides tents of all sizes, but tables, chairs, and rope lighting available to rent as well.
Jesse is a successful alumni of both the Summer Company and Starter Company programs at the Entrepreneur Centre. He used his Starter Company grant to help cover some insurance costs and boost 2Shelter’s marketing with a new website, logo, and print material.
Jesse’s also used the Entrepreneur Centre’s Digital Resources service to help maximize his reach on social media and learn how to make edits and updates to his website.
Sustainable social enterprises provide jobs for youth, women, newcomers, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, and those with mental health or addictions problems. There are about 10 000 social enterprises operating in Ontario that employ an estimated 160 000 people, according to the Ontario government.
Melissa Cook, of PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, adds, “As a business structure, social enterprise is quickly becoming the backbone of a solid enterprise model that contributes not only to the economic sustainability of our community, but also to generating a profit that, by its very nature, stays within and supports our community as a well-woven fabric. Social enterprise transforms businesspersonhood from traditional entrepreneurship to one that hybridizes business leadership with community activism.”
Learn from other local entrepreneurial activists as they share their knowledge and experience at the Change-Maker’s Café on Wednesday June 10th.
Got an idea for your own social enterprise? The Entrepreneur Centre helps business owners like Jesse with writing a business plan, securing funding, and marketing their businesses. They also provide free workshops and seminars and have youth programs specifically for young entrepreneurs. Their one-to-one business counseling, comprehensive information, consulting, and referral service make them a great ‘first-stop’ if you’re starting a business or even thinking of starting a business. All Entrepreneur Centre (EC) services are FREE and confidential. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (807)625-3960 or visit www.EntrepreneurCentre.ca.
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