What is a Social Enterprise?
A Social Enterprise is:
Purpose-Driven Business: Imagine a business that isn’t just about making money. Instead, it has a big heart and wants to make a positive impact on the world. That’s a social enterprise.
Double Bottom Line: Regular businesses focus on one thing: profits. But social enterprises have a double mission. They want to make money (like any business) AND do good things for people and the planet.
Where the Money Goes: When a social enterprise makes money, it doesn’t just stuff it in its pockets. Nope! It uses those profits to help others. Maybe it builds homes for the homeless, trains people for jobs, or cleans up the environment.
Not Just Charity: Social enterprises are like a mix of a business and a charity. They’re not just handing out money; they’re solving problems while keeping their business wheels turning.
Examples: Think of a coffee shop that hires people who’ve faced tough times (like homelessness). Or a company that sells cool T-shirts and uses the profits to plant trees. Those are social enterprises!
So, in a nutshell, social enterprises are like superheroes in business suits—they make money while saving the world!
Government Links:
Queensland Social Enterprise Strategy
Queensland Government - Social enterprises in Queensland
Local Townsville based Social Enterprises:
Social Enterprise Network Townsville
Towards Better is a social enterprise and a boutique training and community development consultancy based in Townsville, Queensland
Youth RESET is a social enterprise delivering trauma-informed wellness programs and resources to youth and adults
Independent Beans - Cranbrook is a social enterprise and inclusive local cafe providing meaningful employment for the local special needs community
Happy Vibes Cafe - Elliot Springs is an all abilities cafe providing inclusive employment- more than just a place to grab a coffee
Life Skills Queensland Life Skills Queensland is a technical place of learning and doing and believes in using their technical skills to encourage, empower and educate others to develop their own abilities.
If there are others, please drop us a link with the details and we will add to the list!