by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Profit can be realized in more than just monetary terms. It can come in the form of positive social change.
While individuals often engage in social entrepreneurship, almost 50 entrepreneurs, business owners and nonprofit leaders began discussions Thursday on a more grassroots and community-based approach toward solving societal issues.
“This is the beginning of that conversation,” said Carlton Robinson, Human Capital Management partner.
“I’m all in on this,” he said. “Finally, we brought this forward.”
While social entrepreneurship has varying meanings, Robinson defined the term as using business or entrepreneurship to impact social issues on many levels, including education, assisting other small businesses, improving the quality of life and addressing poverty.
Robinson used the analogy of bricks to make his point for a more widespread effort.
A single organization, or brick, can contribute to a cause, but a combination of groups can form a foundation.
“We have some opportunity to do some really great things collectively,” said Robinson. “We have some gaps in our foundation that we can fill.”
Robinson is spearheading the effort to create such a group and Thursday’s meeting with community and business leaders at the University of North Florida was a starting point in the conversation with the goal of obtaining information, he said.
Attendees were divided into working groups to answer two questions in the realm of social entrepreneurship: what they or their companies are doing well in the social entrepreneurship area and what gaps do they see preventing the idea from prospering.
After 30 minutes of discussion on each topic, the answers varied.
As for what is being done well, several groups had positive comments on the resource partners, such as Leadership Jacksonville, available to identify issues. Partnerships and mentorships were also a positive.
Current gaps presented by the groups include a lack of both local and global awareness of issues, lack of trade skills and a quality work force, the number of school dropouts and a lack of a unified vision on some fronts.
“Nobody wants to jump outside the box,” said one of the presenters.
The information on both sides will be compiled into a report over the next 90 days to use in helping establish a permanent program that can assist small business owners on the topics.
Earlier in the morning program, Robinson and others discussed the perception of Jacksonville as being a nonfriendly environment for entrepreneurs. Robinson said the area has everything needed, including resources, to show that the perception is false.
From a corporate perspective, Yetunde Oyewole, Jacksonville Port Authority Small and Emerging Business programs coordinator, agreed.
“We have the potential here,” said Oyewole. “We have everything here for entrepreneurs to thrive.”
Robinson said support for entrepreneurs and sustainable small business leads to more imports and exports of all levels, adds local resources and increases diversity.
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