http://news.ubc.ca/2014/06/30/upward-arc/

http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Global_Reach/ARC_Initiative

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I believe that initiatives such as the Arc can be best summarized by the proverb: “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” Keeping this in mind, it is imperative to acknowledge that social enterprises differ greatly from many of the social causes of the United Nations. Where
many social ventures do not address the underlying factors of an issue, the Arc provides tools that enable entrepreneurs in developing countries to achieve sustainable growth in the hopes of creating a positive ripple effect in the area. In this regard, I believe that the Arc Initiative arguably supersedes many of the charitable efforts of the United Nations, creating a necessity for it even if the UN was fully funded.

The legacy that Arc has left behind in various communities is a testament to Jeff Kroeker’s goal of “building capacity, building relationships and ultimately, building a better future.” Having just learnt about the Arc and the lasting impacts that it has on communities in Africa and South America has opened my eyes to the array of opportunities available at Sauder. Programs such as this are key components of the global commerce community. I would like to get involved with a social enterprise one day; hopefully using my knowledge to contribute to the business communities in developing nations, while at the same time gaining valuable lessons from the experience. 

http://www.economist.com/blogs/schumpeter/2014/02/our-schumpeter-columnist

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The above article discusses what it means to be an entrepreneur and the implications for our economy. It elaborates on two different types of entrepreneurs: “replicative” entrepreneurs are people who set up small businesses similar to other small businesses in the industry whereas “innovative” entrepreneurs are disruptive innovators who reinvent the industry. The article notes that the latter type of entrepreneurs are vital for the growth and health of an economy.

I recently had the privilege of listening to two successful entrepreneurs share their experiences and insights with our COMM 101 class. For the majority of my life, this was not a career that I envisioned myself pursuing. I believe that financial security is optimally achieved through a traditional corporate job at a well-established company. However, listening to the trials and tribulations of Zimt and Tagga opened my eyes to the viability of a career as an entrepreneur. The passion and enthusiasm that Amielle and Emma had towards their companies has inspired me to not rule out pursuing my own passions and inclinations in terms of building a career. With that being said, I still possess lofty professional aspirations and I do not think it is practical or wise to start a company for the sake of starting a company. If I were to one day pursue this path I would strive to be an “innovative” entrepreneur, attempting to balance my desire for professional success with the yearning to be in charge of my own career path.