By reading the articles that came from Prep 20, I gained deeper thoughts about the real meaning of social entrepreneurs as well as the Arc Program that was funded by Sauder School of Business.
It is clear that all businesses have to make profits in order to survive in the society. Besides of making money, the social entrepreneurs are trying to creating their businesses’ value to contribute to the world. Like charity, some Africa programs are built by these people. What they intend to do is to help the people from extreme conditions to survive and to create social values to the whole society.
Let us take the Salem’s Ethiopia as a convincing example. It said that Mrs. Kassahun was worried about how to expand her business meet the current demand her craft product. By taking Arc Initiative program, her problem was solved perfectly; She taught more women how to make the basket by hand and this way helped her gain more labour to run the business. More people gain the skills about hand-making and the market demand could be fulfilled at the same time. Obviously, this is a win-win solution.
On the other hand, I think the most attractive idea about the social entrepreneurs is to create the social value. Even though United Nations would fully funded, companies are still lacking new idea and thought. No more creative opinions, no more values can be generated anymore.
References:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/day-to-day/can-fair-trade-boutique-expand-without-alienating-customers/article4405520/
http://skollworldforum.org/about/what-is-social-entrepreneurship/
http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Global_Reach/ARC_Initiative