FROM NEED TO OPPORTUNITY

[social enterprise rural alliance]

BUILDING VIBRANT RURAL COMMUNITIES

a social enterprise is:

“a business engaging in the sales of goods and services to work toward a primarily social and/or environmental purpose”

Parrsboro Band Association

Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op

Career Development Services

Nelson Car Share Co-op

Nelson Cares Society

The Right Stuff

West Kootenay Social Enterprise Society

what it’s really about1. looking at a need and

seeing an opportunity2. being resourceful3. finding innovative solutions4. empowering the

community5. hybrid business model6. being accountable to the

community

where does it fit?

rural pressures

blended value

key benefits

provide missing services increase revenue increase community control entrepreneurial culture community-based diversify sources of funds social connections

possible market opportunities for rural social enterprises

design options1. purpose and

motivation2. social and economic

aims3. legal structure4. enterprise integration5. mission orientation6. profit orientation7. governance

social enterprise development continuum

key success factors

1. patience2. measuring3. right people4. strong marketing5. commitment

barriers to success1. managing costs2. obtaining capital3. trade-offs4. long break-even point5. measuring6. finding viable

opportunities7. marketing8. integrating the

environmental bottom line

moving forward

thank you.

Contact:Josina Vinkjvink@shs-inc.ca

Questions?

Josina VinkResearch Analyst, SHS Consultingjvink@shs-inc.ca