Being a Social Entrepreneur - Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

In the last few years, more and more people started their adventures as social entrepreneurs! How cool is it to start your own social enterprise?

Becoming a business owner has many benefits, but the journey can be bumpy. At SPEAK, we provide you with a solution based on social franchising, called: Take SPEAK to Your City. Through this program we provide you with all the guidance and support you’ll need to become a social entrepreneur. Doesn’t that sound good??

You can start your process today, but first, take a look at the most common mistakes social entrepreneurs make and how to avoid them. This way, you'll be fully prepared to take on this amazing challenge!

One of the most common mistakes social entrepreneurs make is thinking that they can easily do it all on their own, but that is not the case. You will need other people to complement your skills and to help you whenever you need with the large amount of tasks you’ll be required to handle.

Secondly, even though being the owner of your own time is amazing, do not think that being a social entrepreneur is a bed of roses. Despite being an amazing experience, you will need to put effort into the project and set priorities, because taking too much on your plate can? have a negative impact on your business.

Another common mistake is thinking your initial plan will not change. That is not the case. Not all things will go according to plan. Thus, be aware that you must adapt during the process in order to survive.?

Not having a clear vision for your enterprise is also a mistake you should try to avoid. You will need to express the goal and vision of the business to the outside world as clearly as possible. Make sure to take some time to choose your brand name and ensure it’s not too generic or too difficult to pronounce, for example.?

First-time social entrepreneurs are rarely concerned with communication. However, communication problems may happen, not just?within your team but also with the consumers you want to reach. So, try to minimize these problems as much as possible by ensuring a steady communication flow and making your message as clear as possible.?

Lastly, rushing the process is a no go. If you get the feeling the product or service is not ready to be launched, don’t do it. Wait until you feel satisfied with the result, because if you rush the process and launch it anyways, the impact may be less significant than desired.??

Now that you’ve got a clear idea of some entrepreneurship Do’s and Don'ts, are you ready to? kick-off this challenge? Great! Start the process of having your social enterprise with SPEAK today by?clicking here to learn more about Take Speak to Your City!