We, from small communities to global networks, need entrepreneurs to build things that are less about making a profit, and more about contributing to society. This need led to the rise of social entrepreneurs; individuals who pay attention to the areas of lack in their communities and seek ways to fill those gaps while still making a profit. Our selection of social enterprise quotes share some of their stories and may inspire you to stake similar steps.
Social entrepreneurs are starters; they build social enterprises. They tackle challenges and take initiatives. Social entrepreneurs are risk-takers and they play key roles in sustaining the small economies of their communities. They all face challenges, especially young starters. Some of the significant hurdles they have to overcome include financing, team building, creating ideas that sell, and loneliness which is a long-standing problem that's often been tossed aside.
Whether you are an existing social entrepreneur or a beginner, challenges are inevitable. Here are some of the best social enterprise and entrepreneurship quotes from top industry experts to help you stay ahead, build and innovate creative ideas that impact lives.
74 Social Enterprise Quotes
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Maria de la Soledad Teresa O'Brien is an American broadcast journalist and progressive producer. She is the chairwoman of Starfish Media Group and runs PowHERful foundation with her husband, Brad Raymond, which mentors women and sponsors their college tuitions.
Many small businesses collapse because their founders did not spot the right opportunities in their markets. To be successful as an entrepreneur you need to develop a knack for digging up opportunities even when they are not evident. You can achieve this by asking the right questions.
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Dr Orison Swett Marden is an American inspirational author and founder of Success magazine. Many know Marden for his books on financial success. Marden emphasizes that financial success is a result of cultivating one's personal development.
Entrepreneurs struggle to grab opportunities because they often look in faraway places. It is important to acknowledge and study your business environment before looking elsewhere. Sometimes this isn't enough. You need to ask questions your competitors aren't asking to gain the pole position in your business niche.
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Brad Feld is an American blogger, author, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist at Foundry Boulder. Feld co-founded Techstars, a start-up accelerator, in 2006 and Foundry Group in 2007. Feld has authored books focused on entrepreneurship, technology venture capital, and startups in general. He is also a member of the Xconomist, a group focused on providing news on business, life sciences, and technology.
A board can push a company to maintain or disregard its social objectives. The board is responsible for steering a firm and ensuring it’s sailing at a good speed in the right direction. Since organizations entrust their directors with the role of decision-making, a company’s success depends on their input.
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Elaine Marie Welteroth is an American journalist and New York Times best-selling author (amazon). Welteroth is a dynamic public speaker and has spoken on topics ranging from integrative technology and global health to activism and culture.
Work-life balance requires healthy prioritization between the personal areas of your life, such as family, friends, hobbies, social activities, e.t.c., and work requirements. Though we may think this approach to be good for improving productivity, this clear separation can have a different impact. Especially with less time and brainpower dedicated to your work. Sometimes, the social inspiration for your work comes from the ability to look at everyday interactions as an innovator and solution provider.
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Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao is an Indian film actor and TV personality known for his works in Telugu cinema. Rama Rao is an active philanthropist who donates to disaster victims.
Public speaker Terri Trespicio in a TED talk, said, "Passion is where your effort and energy meets someone else's needs." She was right. As individuals, we all have things that pique our interests. Whatever that is, turn it into a money-making craft. Use your efforts and skills to meet the needs of others. It's the perfect way to kick-start your entrepreneurial journey.
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John D. Carmack is an American computer lead programmer, video game developer, and engineer. He co-founded the video gaming company, id Software.
Carmack believes making a profit while impacting positively society is the way to go. As his social enterprise quote suggests, any venture that does not solve problems or have any sustainability value is not worth undertaking.
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Leslie Calvin "Les" Brown is an American motivational speaker, author, former radio DJ, and former television host. Brown was a recipient of Toastmasters International's Golden Gavel and an Ohio House of Representatives from 1976 to 1981. Brown is famous for encouraging people to follow their dreams.
Entrepreneurs have keen eyes for opportunities. They think of solutions when faced with obstacles. They ask challenging questions to offer additional value to their societies. To be successful as an entrepreneur, Brown's social enterprise quote advises making the most out of each second. Because in each moment lies an opportunity to help others.
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Clarence Seedorf is a Dutch professional football coach and former player. He is considered as one of the most successful midfielders of all his generation. Seedorf is involved in many social development projects and is part of a selected team of philanthropists who supports the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
It is not enough to make a profit as an entrepreneur. A successful entrepreneur is a person who is also focused on driving economic growth and innovation. This includes generating economic wealth, benefits, and advancements for society at large.
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Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali poet, writer, music composer, and painter from the Indian subcontinent. He reshaped Bengali literature as well as Indian art. Tagore is considered a 'towering figure' in Indian politics and culture and is widely celebrated around the world. He opposed imperialism and supported self-help and education.
Social challenges and problems won't go away unless you tackle them head-on. If the challenge is overwhelming, chop the problem down into smaller bits to reduce anxiety. Then identify practical solutions that you can offer to solve one bit at a time.
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Brendon Burchard is a New York Times best-selling author and "the world's leading high-performance coach." His book High Performance Habits (amazon) became a Wall Street Journal best-seller and was on Amazon's top three "Best business and leadership books of 2017" list. Burchard is considered one of the most influential leaders in the field of personal growth by Oprah Magazine.
Poorly motivated people can cripple the soundest organization. Rensis Likert describes motivation as "the core of management". A lack of motivation dips individual performance and breeds a negative attitude towards business.
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Julie Sweet is an American business bigwig and CEO of Accenture, a multinational professional services company. She is also a member of the Global Management Committee for Accenture. Sweet advocates for diversity, inclusion, and parity in the workplace. She previously worked for TechNet Executive Council, a network that promotes growth.
Social enterprises go out of their way to help individuals and communities. Connecting with communities through the services or products you provide as a social entrepreneur not only gives your business a huge boost but makes you a consumer favorite.
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Many consider Thomas Edison to be America's greatest inventor. He was a businessman and the innovator behind many devices in areas such as electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures.
Opportunities are difficult to spot because we don’t expect them to occur naturally. Many people expect a eureka moment after thousands of hours of intense research. This kind of thinking throws you into a difficult corner. Be open-minded as a social entrepreneur and see everything around you as a tool to not only create economic stability but impact lives.
Conclusion
As an entrepreneur or social entrepreneur, you will face numerous challenges on any typical day. Consider these practical tips to help you navigate your daily encounters.
Be open-minded.
Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Go out of your way to help your target customers
Participate in more social activities that are focused on individual and society building.
Keep a keen eye out for opportunities because they are all around you.
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