Extreme Makeover: Business Edition

Social enterprises are unique types of businesses that aim to solve social or environmental problems while also making a profit. Unlike traditional for-profit businesses, social enterprises prioritize their mission over maximizing profits. At the same time, they are different from charities because they generate their own income instead of relying solely on donations or government funding.

Your Task:
Reimagine a Business as a Social Enterprise
Think about a large company like Walmart, fast food chain like McDonald's, online retailer like Amazon, a big oil Compay like Exxon, or clothing website like Shein. If it became a social enterprise, what would it look like?

For Example:
Walmart's Current Mission Statement is “We save people money so they can live better.” This mission focuses on providing low prices and convenience, which benefits customers Walmart is a for-profit business focused on delivering low-cost goods to customers, but it doesn’t operate with a primary social or environmental mission.

1. Company Mission: Choose a business you are familiar with and create a new mission statement for the company that focuses on solving a social or environmental issue.

2. Describe the Impact: Write one to two paragraphs explaining why the company should adopt this new mission. Discuss how the company would need to change its operations to align with the mission, who would benefit from these changes (e.g., employees, communities, the environment), and why this shift would make a meaningful difference.

Want to learn more about social enterprises and try your hand at being a social entrepreneur? Join the Social Entrepreneurship for Teens Changemakers Challenge!