Videos that wrecked me for good and moved me to action #1

Over the next few months I am going to post some of the videos that have absolutely wrecked me for good after watching them. Videos that shifted something inside of me. There is no doubt about it, there are some major injustices in the world. It can seem overwhelming, but the fact is if we work together great things can happen. These experiences and videos are all a part of why my wife and I decided to go into social business. Coming up with a crazy idea that by offering vacation rentals that build homes for the poor we could build a sustainable business that has a lasting impact.
         I can imagine many thousands of other social businesses rising up creating a new capitalism that brings homes to the homeless, clothes to the naked, food to the hungry. Entrepreneurs are by definition problem solvers. It is a fact that the worlds biggest problem is injustice. I am believing for a generation of social entrepreneurs to rise up and solve these problems!

This first video is a clip of a documentary that I watched a few years ago about the devastation in Uganda called Invisible Children. There are children that have been abducted and forced into being in a militia that goes around killing thousands of innocent people. The clip you are seeing is of children commuting into the city center every night to sleep because they are afraid that if they stay in their homes for fear of being taken in the middle of the night by the rebel army. 

I know it is not fun or exciting viewing. But I hope you let it wreck you for good and move you to action. I believe someone watching this to burst forth with innovative and creative sustainable ideas. Though I highly beleive in creating social businesses giving to charity is also something very important. The organization who created this is doing excellent work in Uganda. Check out what they are doing- http://www.invisiblechildren.com. You can also go to You Tube and watch the full documentary. They have it broken up into 6 or 7 parts, just type in - Invisible Children Pt 1.

If this moves you spread the word. Change starts in our lives and gives us a BIG WHY to doing what we do. Spread this video and blog to more people so they may get inspired, creative, and passionate!

The what and why of a social business

       What is a social business? One group defines it, “As with all businesses, they compete to deliver goods and services. The difference is that social purpose is at the very heart of what they do, and the profits they make are reinvested towards achieving that purpose.” (Social Enterprise Coalition). A business with a purpose woven into its fabric from the beginning. Strategically created, not only, to maximize sales, but to maximize impact as well. 

“About 1.1 billion people are living in inadequate housing conditions in urban areas alone.” (Un Habitat)

“...an estimated 100 million homeless people around the world, available data suggest that increasing proportions are women and children.” (Un Habitat)

The growth of the social business sector is incredibly important to changing the inequalities of the world. If set up correctly, it offers the best of both charitable organizations and efficient business. One challenge that charities face is the continual lack of funding; forcing them to spend their valuable time and effort on fundraising activities. Which takes away efforts to impact their cause.  A social enterprise can overcome this by producing continual revenue through their products and services and directing a portion, or all, of their profits into their chosen cause. 

      Imagine a world where the majority of businesses began operating with a social mission at their forefront. Imagine what kind of change that could bring to those with no future, no homes, no water, no education, and no food. Imagine what it would be like if you knew you were impacting humanity in a great way simply by grocery shopping, or in our case by renting vacation home.  

     That is what I find so inspiring about social enterprise and exactly why part of our business, blogs and podcasts will be dedicated to highlighting other great social businesses to begin using. There are many with equal products, or better than the competitor, but that are doing good by it. It is truly the best of both worlds. Muhammud Yunus, nobel prize winner, states that we can create a new form of capitalism. I like that. 

    Our company, Ethic ! Travel, is mainly focused on providing incredible vacation rentals but we are also dedicated to working with and highlighting other great social businesses, or companies that hold CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) highly. 

To find out more about our company, how we are making a difference, or to find some incredible vacation rentals please visit us at - www.ethictravel.com


Take a moment and sign up to this Blog to learn more about social business.

Social Enterprise Coalition, retreived Sept 1, 2010, http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/pages/about-social-enterprise.html.

Un Habitat, retreived Sept 1, 2010: 06:08, http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp typeid=19&catid=282&cid=789.

Ethic ! Travel Blogging Beginnings

I am pleased to announce our new blog! You will absolutely want to subscribe to this to receive current vacation rental deals, travel stories and tips, as well as interviews and suggestions regarding other social businesses. I am very much looking forward to building an online conversation with each one of you.