The terms social good and entrepreneurship are becoming more and more tied as entrepreneurs start to realize their potential to change an industry, their environment, or even the world. That being said, many young entrepreneurs stay away from social good or philanthropic issues because traditionally, non-profit initiatives don’t exactly make someone the next Mark Zuckerberg.
Ultimately, young entrepreneurs must understand that being a social entrepreneur or focusing on social good doesn’t mean that you have to focus on charity or non-profit work. Social good is the idea that we can use the technologies and communities we build to help others and improve the environment that surrounds us as a whole.
While my words may sound noble and hopefully inspiring, I understand that being an entrepreneur can’t always be noble and many of us do have to focus on building a company and brand. With that in mind, here are some benefits to being a social entrepreneur…
1. Puts you into a separate class on entrepreneurs
Over the pass several weeks there has been an influx in publicity and features on social entrepreneurship. Mashable recently featured 4 social entrepreneurs, including YEC founder, Scott Gerber while Forbes’ latest cover features social entrepreneur, Jacquline Novogratz of the Acumen Fund.
Being a social entrepreneur is a very hot topic right now and allows you to differentiate from the pack on thousands of young entrepreneurs that continuously battle for notoriety and coverage. Being a social entrepreneur gives you the branding edge that many are in search of.
2. People help those who help others
No entrepreneur finds success on their own. Whether they have a mentor, community, or just a couple friends, a support system is incredibly important for an entrepreneur as they try to grow their business and brand. A common problem is just finding those in your community to help you push forward.
Social entrepreneurs are able to find that support quicker because people generally help those who are already helping others. Helping social entrepreneurs is more supporting a cause, movement, or idea rather than a business and that is something many are able to support more than a simple business plan.
3. Be the change you wish to see
The drive a4nd motivation that possesses an entrepreneur shouldn’t be money (few entrepreneurs have ever succeeded with the pursuit of fortune being their driving factor) but rather a desire to solve a problem or change the world around them. Being a social entrepreneur means that you are being the change you wish to see in this world – it’s a way to leave your mark on the environment that surrounds you which is enough motivation for even the best and wealthiest entrepreneurs. Solving social problems and issues in the world is what entrepreneurs do – but those causes are not absent of passion and understanding of what needs to be done.
I fully understand that being an entrepreneur isn’t easy and advocating for social good doesn’t always bring the best profit margins, but as I alluded to before, this is more than raising awareness for a cause – This is finding ways to be a positive change. Whether its running a fund for young entrepreneurs like the Gen Y fund our allowing someone to get their nursing degree online or MBA online, there are many lucrative ways to help others while seeing success.
Carrying the mindset of a social entrepreneur allows you to follow your passion, find motivation, and then capitalize on your drive and efforts. In short, every entrepreneur should look towards being a social entrepreneur as social entrepreneurs are the one’s who shape the world into their vision and understand how to impact others through their vision and ideas.
Bio: Harrison Kratz is the Community Manager for MBA@UNC, a top online MBA program from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He sticks to his entrepreneurial roots as the founder of the global social good campaign, Tweet Drive. Feel free to connect with him on Twitter, @KratzPR!
