We wanted to do Business As Unusual...
The late Anita Roddick wrote a landmark book called Business As Unusual documenting how she built The Body Shop from small shop to large empire on the belief that business could be done for the common good. She never foresaw how great her business would grow but even more poignantly, she never foresaw how much her vision would inspire and encourage others to consider doing the same.
We believe like her that Business can be inspired by meaning and values.
Profit need not be at the centre. People and Principles ought to be.
Stage One: Ensure our Sustainability
The point about a social enterprise is very much like the point of a business: make it profitable so it can stand on its own two feet. Our first goal is to reach a total revenue that allows us to pay our staff fair wages, ensure that we can take care of them comprehensively and pay our suppliers and creditors on time. Donations at this stage will be encouraged but not forced among the partners and investors as well as staff of Food for Thought.
Stage Two: Invest our Profits
Once we have achieved profitability, a minimum 10% of our profits will be set aside to be invested into five designated areas as follows. Donations from staff, partners and investors will still be encouraged but not enforced as before.
Stage Three: Promote our Culture
Our ultimate dream is not just to invest but to share our dream and build a new culture of social responsibility among our customers.
We want to gather all like-minded customers who believe in our vision to travel with us in our little journey to make the world a better place.
We envision customers accompanying us on trips to see where our money is invested be it in Malawi, Cambodia or a one room flat in Singapore.
We envision customers donating their talents to the organisations and causes that we support.
We envision mentoring the next generation of social entrepreneurs.
...so here’s what we did, are doing and will do.
Total Money Donated since starting July 2007:
$1743.73 (as of Feb 2008)
What We Invested in:
via World Vision Singapore
(as of Feb 2008)
Projects in Discussion:
Mentorship and consultation provided to university student-run anti-hunger NGO, Food for All
Total Money Donated since starting July 2007:
$45 x 9 each month
(starting Oct 2007)
What We Invested in:
Sponsorship of 9 children and their communities under World Vision Singapore’s
Area Development Projects
- Thailand
- Bohol, Philippines
- Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia
- Vietnam
- Laos
- Cambodia
- Myanmar
Total Money Donated since starting July 2007:
$1000 (Oct 2007)
What We Invested in:
School of Thought 2008 Financial Aid Program
(as of Feb 2008)
Total Money Donated since starting July 2007:
$200 (Oct 2007)
What We Invested in:
SMU student project to develop curriculum to promote long term environmental awareness among children through Cherie Hearts Childcare Centre. (Oct 2007)
