Quite a few of our recent classes have focused on social enterprises and the benefit of social good to society. One company has stood out above the rest in my eyes however, and that is the local business, Save-On-Meats. Save-On-Meats has taken social entrepreneurship to a whole new level and is currently helping to clean up Vancouver’s downtown east side one step at a time. Another social enterprise discussed in class was TOM’S shoes company which donates one pair of shoes to people in third world countries with every pair of shoes they sell. These two clashed in my mind and I started to think about what sets the two enterprises apart. While save-on-meats is providing jobs, cheap local food and helping other local business get on their feet, leading to an immense net social benefit to society, TOM’S is merely donating shoes to those in need. While this is also beneficial to society, there is no progress created and the company, in my opinion, is more like a charity, as they are giving hand-outs to those in need. Save-on-meats encourages progress and development in the lives of local citizens and gives them a chance at a new job and ultimately a new life. In my eyes, Save-On-Meats is a great example of a social enterprise however, I don’t think TOM’S embraces the same level of social entrepreneurship.