This week, I will be sharing with you four interesting social enterprises, both local and overseas examples.
Local
1) Saltsteps
Saltsteps is a local Social Enterprise. Saltsteps runs as a social supermarket model which helps and work closely with the lower-income families in Singapore. Saltsteps obtains donations of surplus goods which did not passed the quality check due to shorter shelf life or mislabel (safe for consumption) and sells these goods to the lower income at subsidized prices. (50%-70% cheaper than retail supermarkets)
Besides providing subsidized services, Saltsteps aims to aid the lower-income via other avenues such as providing job opportunities, aid in resume writing, budgeting etc.
Saltsteps are mainly focusing on three districts, Lengkok Bahru, Henderson, Bukit Ho Swee where HDB flats under the Public Rental Scheme ( 1/2 rooms flats, monthly income does not exceed $1500/month). Saltsteps would distribute flyers which contains an order form. Customers would place a order via a phone call and their items would be delivered to them at (inclusive of a delivery fee at $1).
2) Cat Museum: Lion City Kitty
Lion City Kitty is the first cat museum in Singapore. It is also a social enterprise which aims to raise more awareness about adoption of cats. The Museum consists of the World's history of cats exhibition. It features cats photography, visual art works, photography. There is also an exhibition on the local history of cats as well! There are 9 cats housed in the premise (The Mansion) for museum patrons to interact and play with.
In collaboration with Cat Welfare Society, Lion City Kitty also houses selected cats so that the cats are able to socialize with humans and prepare them for potential adoption.
The museum tickets are sold at $9 each and children under the age of six enjoy free entry.
Overseas
3) Bottle4Bottle
Bottle4Bottle is a social enterprise based in Australia which operates as a online tanning, hair and beauty products wholesaler. For every bottled product sold online, Bottle4Bottle will give a measured amount of milk formula to fill milk bottles.
Their beneficiaries are the Forever Angels Home in Mwanza, Tanzania which houses newly-born infants who are abandoned, lost their mothers during their births or their mothers are too ill to take care of them. Forever Angels Home will try to reunite these children with their direct family members. If not, they will be cared at the center and put up for adoption.
4) Mazí Mas
Mazi Mas is a roaming restaurant social enterprise based in London. Founded by Nikandre Kopcke, she wants to empower women from migrant and refugee communities by providing them with a employment opportunities to work at the restaurant.
Mazi Mas provides the women professional culinary training to improve on their current skills and experience to start their own food businesses or seek other employment opportunities.
Mazi Mas hopes to reduce social isolation, foster community, preserve women recipes, their diverse cultural heritages an celebrate these which makes London unique.
What do these have in common?
The social entrepreneurs have a burning passion for a particular cause, a heart to help others and a desire to leave a positive impact/ initiate a change. It can occur in their own country or at other parts of the world.
Personal Reflections
I feel that these social enterprises take on new, interesting forms of businesses. The social entrepreneurs are able to differentiate themselves from other normal businesses and help their beneficiaries at the same time. I truly hope that the public can continue to show their support to them so that these social enterprises are able to sustain their operations and continue to do good.
Do find other new social enterprise ideas here.
Angel:)
References
Retrieved 24 January 2015, from http://www.saltsteps.com/about.htmlhttp://www.saltsteps.com/about.html
Bottle4Bottle,. (2013). About Us. Retrieved 24 January 2015, from http://www.bottle4bottle.com.au/blog/about-us/
Clark, N. (2014). Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 (NOT the Rich List): Nikandre Kopcke, social entrepreneur. The Independent. Retrieved 24 January 2015, from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/independent-on-sundays-happy-list-2014-not-the-rich-list-nikandre-kopcke-social-entrepreneur-9430832.html
Hassan, N. (2015). Singapore's first cat museum opens. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 24 January 2015, from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-first-cat/1579740.html
Ho, L. (2014). Causes Week 2014: Supermart sells to the needy for less. Straitstimes.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015, from http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/causes-week-2014-supermart-sells-the-needy-less-20141211
Lay, B. (2014). Step aside cat cafes, here comes S’pore’s first cat museum and their cross-eyed mascot cat Harry. Mothership.SG. Retrieved 24 January 2015, from http://mothership.sg/2014/12/step-aside-cat-cafes-here-comes-spores-first-cat-museum-and-their-cross-eyed-mascot-cat-harry/
Mazimas.co.uk,. (2012). mazí mas. Retrieved 24 January 2015, from http://www.mazimas.co.uk/
Mazimas.co.uk,. (2012). mazí mas » ABOUT. Retrieved 24 January 2015, from http://www.mazimas.co.uk/about/
Thecatmuseum.com.sg,. (2015). THE MISSION | The Cat Museum. Retrieved 24 January 2015, from http://thecatmuseum.com.sg/?page_id=9
White, G. (2014). Ironwoman Courtney thinks idea of milk for kids is a beauty. Coffs Coast Advocate. Retrieved 24 January 2015, from http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/ironwoman-courtney-thinks-idea-milk-kids-beauty/2199910/
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