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 about 1.looking at a need and seeing an opportunity 2.being resourceful 3.finding innovative solutions 4.empowering the community 5.hybrid business model 6.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 options 1.purpose and motivation 2.social and economic aims 3.legal structure 4.enterprise integration 5.mission orientation 6.profit orientation 7.governance

social enterprise development continuum

key success factors 1.patience 2.measuring 3.right people 4.strong marketing 5.commitment

barriers to success 1.managing costs 2.obtaining capital 3.trade-offs 4.long break-even point 5.measuring 6.finding viable opportunities 7.marketing 8.integrating the environmental bottom line

moving forward

thank you. Contact: Josina Vink

Questions? Josina Vink Research Analyst, SHS Consulting