Social enterprises are businesses that create positive social or environmental change. They create employment opportunities and reinvest their profits back into their business or the local community and here in the UK they contribute over £60 billion every year to the UK economy.
By starting a social enterprise you will be joining an already large movement of people who are disrupting traditional business models, showing that there is a fairer, greener and more inclusive way to do business.
Join us for this interactive online event where you will hear all about the practical advice and support you need to get your started on your journey into social enterprise.
This session will cover:
What is social enterprise?
- Facts & figures about the size of the social enterprise movement
- What makes it different from other businesses -pros & cons
- Information you need to start a social enterprise
Practical advice and support in setting up a social enterprise
- Understanding the journey
- How to build a team around you
- Financial planning and funding strategy
- What makes a great social business
- What support is available
Sharing their knowledge and expertise, guest speakers Sue Dovey from Sue Dovey Associates, and Rachel Hobbs from the Wales Cooperative Centre will be leading the session. We will also be hearing from inspiring women entrepreneurial role models Ally Elouise and Marguerite Pearce who have already set up their own social enterprises, followed by an opportunity to ask them any questions.
Guest Speakers
Sue Dovey, Consultant and Financial Coach
Sue has a progressive career in the not-for-profit sector from 1997 to 2021. Initially as a volunteer at Citizens’ Advice, subsequently CEO roles from 2004. Sue was the CEO of Action Hampshire for 15 years, including Head of School for Social Entrepreneurs Hampshire. Sue is passionate about ethical business & social entrepreneurialism, having supported over 200 social enterprises to set up through the work of the School for Social Enterprise. She has extensive governance experience, directly through board roles and indirectly, through advising other not-for-profits. She is particularly interested in increasing confidence, skills & employability of women.
Rachael Hobbs, Business Advisor at Social Business Wales, part of Cwmpas
Rachael gives 1-2-1 business advice, support and mentoring to social enterprises and those who wish to start them. She has had three of her own companies, as well as 8 years in the private sector as a sales and marketing manager for a large German engineering business, specialising in international marketing, contracting and export of capital goods. Rachael has a degree in Business and Marketing from Bangor University and is a Chartered Marketer. She has a personal interest in businesses with a core environmental focus and those that create opportunities for women and people with protected characteristics.
Role Models
Ally Elouise, Founder of Prom Ally CIC
Prom Ally CIC is a non-profit social enterprise that provides the free loan of a prom outfit to families and teenagers struggling financially. All dresses are pre-loved and donated from individuals after their own prom night or even from prom or wedding shops. Eco Wardrobe is a sustainable formal-wear hire site which encourages people to hire outfits for events instead of buying new and inputting into fast fashion. We provided outfits for wedding guests, the races, awards shows, Uni balls and much more! All money raised from Eco Wardrobe hires fund Prom Ally CIC’s free prom dress service.
Marguerite Pearce, Founding Director and Operations Manager of Y Tŷ Gwyrdd
Marguerite is passionate about the outdoors, nature and respecting and protecting the environment we live in, sharing ideas and developing collaborative innovative projects to help drive positive change. Y Tŷ Gwyrdd is a community benefit society based in Denbigh and is a vibrant community hub with a re-fill shop offering affordable and accessible zero-waste goods; an inspiring and welcoming space created to celebrate and promote local people and initiatives, tackle the climate emergency and facilitate a circular economy. It has created a positive and empowering environment to encourage stimulating, progressive discussion and action. Y Tŷ Gwyrdd are evolving organically, working collaboratively on projects focused on community cohesion and wellbeing, and interconnectivity of local businesses, organisations and individuals.
