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Meet the social entrepreneurs who are using business to disrupt the status quo and rebuild their communities
Our communities are facing the fallout from the demise of vital industry, bankrupt economies, bad policy or policing, and political mismanagement. People are looking for answers, and the "same old" simply won't do.
In the Business of Change is a practical and inspirational guide that showcases how social entrepreneurs from places such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver, who are weary of waste, injustice, and government inaction, are using business savvy to tackle challenges in their communities.
Part storytelling, part lessons learned, coverage includes:
- Profiles of remarkable individuals and companies in such diverse sectors as employment, food, art, education, and social justice
- An overview of lessons learned and real impacts on the ground
- Tips for getting started, connecting to the local community, and scaling up.
In the Business of Change is for everyone who wants to rebuild their communities and believes that business can be a powerful, positive force for change.
"This book will help you be a more powerful changemaker for the good –and that's what's required of all of us in today's reality where value comes from contributing to change, not from repetition. Elisa's storytelling will also delight you."
— Bill Drayton, CEO, Ashoka
"Compelling storytelling and actionable insights from social entrepreneurs working across a range of sectors make this a highly useful and inspiring book for anyone trying to effect positive social change in their communities."
— Katherine Milligan, Head of Schwab Foundation forSocial Entrepreneurship, World Economic Forum
"An inspirational cheat sheet to the future investment and business opportunities in the social enterprise space, spilling over with the sort of inspirational stories that get entrepreneurs and investors out of bed in the morning. Powerful stuff."
— Carla Javitz, President and CEO of the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund (REDF)
"A veritable treasure trove, bursting with real-life examples and ideas to fire the imaginations and actions of new and established entrepreneurs looking to forge businesses that will change the world for the better. Get it, read it, live it."
— Bob Willard, author, The Sustainability Champion's Guidebook and The New Sustainability Advantage
"Elisa is a potent force and leading journalist in the Canadian social entrepreneurship sector. Her contribution is central to intelligent and thoughtful advance of the field. Her clear-eyed and highly respected voice is essential to driving forward a refreshing new perspective on how pragmatic social change works in an everyday way. Accessible and engaging, Elisa's work always shows us insights to the future. Her integrity, commitment, and long-term vision infuse this essential reading, which is for all of us who want to be players ensuring a viable future, that is safe, fair, and prosperous."
— Joel Solomon, Chairman and Co-founder of Renewal Funds,author, The Clean Money Revolution
"This panoramic survey of dozens of innovative social enterprises should serve as a valuable source of inspiration to future generations of entrepreneurs. Elisa Birnbaum's broad, open-minded approach to the topic provides hundreds of examples of ways businesses can be redesigned to do good."
— Bryan Welch, entrepreneur, Foster Care Technologies,B the Change Media, and Ogden Publications
"In the Business of Change is an unfettered look into the social enterprise movement from one of its biggest champions. More than just a primer, this book introduces us to the innovators and changemakers who are rethinking social problems, and how we can learn from their struggles and celebrate in their successes, all while embracing the power and impact of profitability."
— Maria Kim, President and CEO, Cara
"Elisa has assembled a fabulous primer on social entrepreneurship, chock-full of inspiring tales of courageous leaders who are using tools and techniques of business to right social and environmental injustices in their communities. Keep this one on your shelf.... You'll go back to it often."
— Mike Rowlands, CEO Junxion Strategy, and Director,Social Venture Network
"This highly readable book by Elisa Birnbaum explains what lies behind one of the most important global trends of the 21st century, the rise of social entrepreneurship. The consummate storyteller, Elisa chronicles leading social entrepreneurs and demystifies how to build purpose plus profit enterprises. This is a book for every entrepreneur and changemaker."
— Tim Draimin, Executive Director,Social Innovation Generation (SiG) National
As a senior journalist, producer and recovering lawyer, Elisa Birnbaum has carved a strong niche as a storyteller of social impact. Author of In the Business of Change, profiling social entrepreneurs around the world and their lessons learned, Elisa is also the publisher & editor-in-chief of SEE Change Magazine, a digital publication of social entrepreneurship – and the host of its podcast.
Elisa was a regular columnist on matters of social entrepreneurship for Canada’s national newspaper, The National Post and was published in the Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Reuters, Zoomer, Elle Magazine, among other publications. She’s the creator & producer of the Canadian History of Social Change - a digital storytelling project, funded in part by the Government of Canada, documenting social change movements in Canadian history and their key players.
Elisa is also a communications consultant, helping businesses tell their stories more effectively for greater impact. A former television producer, she worked at TVO and the CBC and holds degrees in political science and law. An ardent animal lover, one of Elisa’s proudest achievements is rescuing her now 9-year-old pup Marley, with whom she shares a fondness for long walks, watching the sunset and many, many treats. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Introduction
Chapter 1: Sustain This: The Rise of Social Entrepreneurship
Chapter 2: Innovate or Bust
Chapter 3: From Crisis to Opportunity
Chapter 4: The Power of Partnerships
Chapter 5: Community Engagement
Chapter 6: Perchance to Scale
Chapter 7: Toward Financial Sustainability
Chapter 8: Storytelling
Chapter 9: Measuring Social Impact
Chapter 10: Support Systems
Conclusion
Resources
Index
About the Author
A Note about the Publisher