Social Entrepreneurship - People . Planet . Profit .

What better way in being part of creating a new earth than spending your life and sustaining your livelihood by exploring your potential, and purpose, as well as intertwining it with positively impactful social issues of the global community we are part of.  The ultimate shift in ones belief in their inner strength usually manifests when we recognize our connection and responsibility to the society and environment of the global community we belong to.

We are all Entrepreneurs, to be more accurate Social Entrepreneurs, whether in life, at work, in relationships or in our passion that we follow. Although the product or service we provide is not eagerly defined in relation to Asset = Liability + Capital in personal lives. Every encounter in all the dimension of our lives if driven by the notion of harmony, well-being, survival, leanness, as well as positively impacting those that we are responsible for, and ultimately giving back, and being a productive citizen in sustaining our lives.

Most people shy away from defining their lives in terms of identifying themselves as Entrepreneurs, but having dealt with and assisted numerous clients for the last +20years, whether micro, medium or large scale businesses; as well as Individuals with a passion for Entrepreneurship, I am confident that those that are successful lead their lives as Entrepreneurs. Seeing my own intuitive Social Entrepreneurship skills in sustaining and leading my life; advocating for those things I believed in within the constraints and opportunities of the Global competitive environment; which gradually translating it into my own business, Deldeyoch, proves to me even more, that every individual, if they put their mind to it, can be an Entrepreneur.

As the name implies in the Ethiopian language Amharic, Deldeyoch means bridges. Before venturing towards starting my business, in order to fully grasp what I am passionate in doing, what I am good at and what is needed from me as a citizen of this world, I travelled and explored my inner and outer vision of my life. I can confidently say that if everyone thought like an Entrepreneur, and more accurately a Social Entrepreneur, we would have eradicated poverty, inefficiency and inequalities, one individual at a time.

We define Social Entrepreneurs at Deldeyoch, as driven and unique members of the professional community that have identified a social challenge, need or a problem in the community or in the world, and have come up with a profitable business venture to remedy the issue.  The remedy can be innovative, immediate or long term, small or large scale, and creatively using tools such as ICT, social media and Networking, so as to establishes a profit making Enterprise that is efficient & effective to compete, and sustain itself.

Deldeyoch was incepted in the Pacific North West in Seattle, yet my inspiration and tools came from the Global community; my travels especially in Eastern, Northern and Southern Africa; Market research and data collection while exploring almost all parts of Ethiopia; the vast number of conscious friends and acquaintances I have met on the way; and my personal investment to my education and knowledge, especially my MBA.

Social Enterprises are the largest numbers of businesses that have an overall successful impact in an Economically Emerging continent like Africa. I have been fortunate to have travelled most of Eastern & Southern Africa, as well as parts of Northern Africa. Witnessing the influx on investors, and power hungry government officials as well as African private sector that continuously push the agenda of prosperity only by destroying and acquiring new ways, rather than learning from what is and building on ways of finding a business solution to profit in consideration of the people and planet..

Social Entrepreneurship (“SE”) is a way of leading your life, it shapes who you are; what you surround yourself with in business and life; who your friends are; where and how you sustain your livelihood and make a profit; where you purchase your food and from whom ; and most of all your constant strive to work within yourself to be a better version of yourself. The SE way of life is one of joy and challenge, but we have to instil a sense of discipline, confidence and a support system that can challenge the status quo of how profit is achieved, and teach others that building a business and life that is adequate for your family and those you are responsible for is enough, and sharing with those less fortunate than you is expected.

All we have to do is look around the world, listen to the news, there are environmental and social challenges in the last century that are catastrophic. Human greed such as colonization, Environmental destruction for wealth of a few, 10% of the rich owning most of the business’s in the world, Governmental bureaucratic bias, and such have pushed the Earth further into depression.

I dream of Africa, that has leaders in the private and public sector that think of not just their specific country, region, city, but look beyond to the continent and the future of the next generation, and make decisions & policies that protect those less fortunate than most, build infrastructure that advocates equality, challenge society to incorporate the environment in public and private sector initiatives. And use the media actively to promote ways of remedying social challenges, needs or problems in the community with a profitable business venture.

I am a Social Entrepreneur that has created an Enterprise that brings me a sense of pride and accomplishment, and assists others in structuring their company to have a social and economic positive impact, as well as success. I encourage you to challenge your ways as individuals and business people, to leave this Planet, and People better than you found it while sustaining and excelling in generating your own livelihood rather than being stuck in a cycle of reliance of Aid and hand out. I am  confident that with proper government policy support, and advise from experts like me, as well as tools from a strong support system, Social Enterprises can assists in the economic growth of Ethiopia, and Africa as a continent.

By Dutchess @Deldeyoch