The Power of Social Entrepreneurship!
Lesley Williams
CEO of Welsh ICE. Wishing to connect with anyone who believes in building entrepreneurial communities ??
At Welsh ICE, we have noticed a big rise in entrepreneurs who have ideas to tackle issues affecting our place and communities.
Through our work with the 5 to 9 Club, we understand that entrepreneurship has the power to make positive change in communities. Be it through the local economy, job creation, or even through role model figures - who’ll influence more entrepreneurial aspiration in an area, encouraging locals to take back their towns for themselves, for the benefit of the next generation.
This is what we need now more than ever. We don’t need big chain stores in our towns. We need many micro businesses run by locals, who will employ many more locals between them. When a social vision is added to these entrepreneurial intentions – the community benefits are amplified – which we think is really exciting.
Let’s take 5 to 9 Club alumni, John and Sarah Sutton for example. This husband and wife team are the founders of Clwb Coffi, located in Tonypandy, Rhondda.
The addition of one fresh and welcoming coffee shop/community hub, to a town which had seen better days, has made a massive difference in a short space of time by sprucing up the UK’s named “worst high street”, and improving footfall to the town. They have even employed their first staff member just a few months in - despite the crazy world we currently live in.
As a result of their success , we’re sure that it won’t be long before other shops around this new and eye catching space, will start mirroring different aspects of its appeal - ultimately improving the high-street, and making it a place the locals will once again be proud of.
And later, when the community can find some normality safely again, Sarah and John will be ready with community events and activities to help put Tonypandy back on the map.
John and Sarah attended the 5 to 9 Club to help them to realise their vision – And we are so proud to have played a part in the start up of this social venture.
On the back of this success story, and on noticing that 50% of the attendees on our last online cohort are socially focused - it was a no brainer for us to team up with UnLtd to run our first ever 5 to 9 Club, dedicated to aspiring social business owners.
Who are UnLtd?
UnLtd finds, funds and supports social entrepreneurs, because they believe that social entrepreneurs make such a significant contribution to our economy and society.
The UnLtd 5 to 9 Club is a 9 week afterhours business course, which will take attendees through the fundamental things they need to know about, to make their social business ideas a reality.
Each week, attendees will be inspired by other social entrepreneurial role models, and taught by industry experts, alongside like-minded people in a fun and supportive environment.
Sessions will run every Wednesday evening from October 7th for 9 weeks covering the following topics:
Idea Generation, Branding, Marketing, Putting your Business Online, Sales, Financial Forecasting, Funding, Legal Stuff, Business Planning, Pitching, and the extra social elements to a business model.
And what’s more – On the final week, participants will be invited to pitch their ideas for the opportunity to apply for an UnLtd money award, to take their idea to the next level.
For more information, visit: www.ice.community/the-5-9-Club or drop me an email to: [email protected]
Co-founder of North Wales Dragons recreational football teams, hosting football events to help raise funds and awareness for the benefit of charitable organisations in the UK and the rest of the world.
4 年Lesley Williams My grandfather was also a South Wales miner but came to work in the North. You are so right, entrepreneurs is the answer, whether that be commercial or social. Repurposing high streets is something I would love to see happen, and it can, if business and community came together, what a difference it would make.
Co-founder of North Wales Dragons recreational football teams, hosting football events to help raise funds and awareness for the benefit of charitable organisations in the UK and the rest of the world.
4 年Lesley Williams I went to the Valleys this time last year, went to a cafe and had a chat about life after coal mining. There is a long memory there, but such a desire for things to be better.
Empowering Business Leaders to Achieve Their Growth Ambitions and Defy the Ordinary. 20+ years experience scaling businesses.
4 年There’s also the added benefit that micro and local businesses also in general keep the money in Wales, rather than chains with branches located in Wales pulling profits back to England / other countries. So, not only creating employment ?? but helping the circular economy in Wales by reinvesting profits back into Wales too ?? in a more sustainable way.