How to be a social entrepreneur: Andy Stoll at TEDxUIowa

Summary

The speaker, a social entrepreneur, shares his journey from university to solving social problems through entrepreneurship. He highlights examples of successful social entrepreneurs, like Muhammad Yunus and Scott Harrison, who have used creative solutions to address poverty, clean water access, and hunger. The speaker encourages students to shift their focus from traditional career paths to identifying and solving real-world problems. By sharing his own experiences, including founding community-driven projects like Public Space One and the 10,000 Hour Show, he emphasizes the importance of taking action and leveraging college as a platform to make meaningful change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social entrepreneurship is about solving social problems using entrepreneurial skills, as exemplified by figures like Muhammad Yunus, Scott Harrison, and others.
• 😀 Muhammad Yunus developed the concept of micro-lending, providing small loans to impoverished individuals, especially women, to start businesses and lift entire communities out of poverty.
• 😀 Scott Harrison transitioned from a high-paying party planner in New York to founding Charity: Water, which helps provide clean drinking water to communities in need.
• 😀 Social entrepreneurs like Jack Bergland and Ben Mil show that innovative solutions can address issues like hunger, access to clean water, and financial transactions in new ways.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the need to focus on solving specific problems rather than adhering to traditional job expectations or titles, like 'social entrepreneur'.
• 😀 College years can be pivotal for discovering the problems you want to solve, as they offer access to diverse resources and people that can aid in experimentation and growth.
• 😀 Instead of asking 'What do I want to be?', focus on 'What problem do I want to solve?' This mindset opens doors to entrepreneurial solutions that impact the world.
• 😀 The speaker's personal journey started with a small event—a party—that solved the problem of disconnected creative individuals, leading to the formation of 'The James Gang'.
• 😀 The 'James Gang' evolved into Public Space One, a nonprofit venue supporting emerging artists, which shows how solving a local problem can lead to bigger community impacts.
• 😀 Solving problems can lead to unplanned success. For example, the 10,000 Hour Show began as a community-driven concert idea and became a successful national engagement tool for the United Way.
• 😀 The key takeaway is that social entrepreneurship isn't about planning success in advance but responding to problems creatively, and using those solutions to make an impact.

Q & A

What is a social entrepreneur?

A social entrepreneur is someone who applies entrepreneurial skills to solve social problems. They aim to address issues like poverty, access to education, and healthcare through innovative solutions, often with a focus on making a positive impact on society.

How did Mohammad Yunus contribute to social entrepreneurship?

Mohammad Yunus, a professor in Bangladesh, created the concept of micro-lending. He loaned small amounts of money to poor people, particularly women, without collateral, which proved to be successful. This model, known as micro-lending, allows individuals to start businesses and repay loans, which has helped lift families and communities out of poverty.

What problem did Scott Harrison aim to solve with Charity: Water?

Scott Harrison founded Charity: Water to address the lack of access to clean and safe drinking water. He recognized that without clean water, people could not work, start businesses, attend school, or take care of their families. His organization has raised millions to build wells and bring clean water to millions of people.

What is the significance of the '10,000 Hour Show'?

The '10,000 Hour Show' was an initiative to encourage community service. The unique concept was that attendees could only gain entry by completing 10 hours of community service. This event inspired widespread volunteerism and was eventually adopted by the United Way as an engagement tool.

How did the James Gang come about?

The James Gang started as a group of students at the University of Iowa who wanted to connect creative people on campus. It began with a party where attendees introduced themselves and their talents, leading to collaborations. Over time, the group expanded, creating venues for artists and starting initiatives that helped solve local community problems.

Why does the speaker emphasize solving problems over traditional career goals?

The speaker suggests that instead of focusing on the traditional question of 'What do I want to do when I grow up?' students should ask, 'What problem do I want to solve in the world?' This approach leads to discovering opportunities for social entrepreneurship and meaningful work, rather than just seeking a traditional job.

How did the speaker's first college experience lead to a social entrepreneurial venture?

During the speaker's first senior year, a group of friends realized that although they knew many creative people, they were all isolated in their respective groups. They organized a party where people could network and share their talents. This led to the creation of Public Space One, a venue for emerging artists, which marked the start of their social entrepreneurial journey.

What was the impact of Public Space One?

Public Space One provided a low-risk venue for emerging artists to showcase their work. It allowed students and local artists to perform, exhibit art, and develop their talents, which contributed to the cultural vibrancy of the community and became a lasting resource.

What is the link between the James Gang and the concept of pragmatism?

The James Gang is named after William James, a philosopher who developed the theory of pragmatism. This theory states that an idea has value only when it is put into action. The group took this approach by focusing on solving real problems, rather than just discussing ideas.

What lesson does the speaker hope students take away from their story?

The speaker encourages students to embrace problem-solving and creative thinking, and not be confined by traditional career paths. College should be seen as an opportunity to experiment, try new things, and collaborate with others to solve important issues, rather than just focusing on a singular major or career track.