“What the h**k is a social enterprise?”

Did you know there is no universal definition for a social enterprise or that a social enterprise is not a legal form but a business model? Confused? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

I’ve been working with Social Enterprises for 6 years and the conversation I have the most is “What even is a social enterprise, and what isn’t?!”

Without clarity on the social enterprise business model, budding social entrepreneurs and business owners looking to re-shape their businesses are being stopped at the first hurdle in making an impact through their business.

This webinar series will help debunk the myths and give you clarity and confidence when defining or selecting this business model.

We debunk the common myths getting in your way

Session One: Introduction to Social Enterprise

In the first session, we unpack the challenges around defining a social enterprise and touch upon the common myths at a top-level view on the following topics:

• Definitions

• Legal structures

• Impact models

• Finance and funding

Showcase: We invited Chris Llewellyn from The Bevy to share the reality of setting up and running a social enterprise, including the challenges and the benefits as well as what he’d wished they have known before choosing this business model.

Session Two: Legal Structures for Social Enterprises

Social Enterprise is not a legal structure but a business model. You can set one up using a number of different legal structures. In this session we explore:

• Different legal structures

• Considerations for choosing a legal structure

Showcase: Investors in People changed into a CIC and CEO Paul Devoy shares what he learned and what he’d wished he’d known before making the change.

Special Guest: Having 'accidentally' changed CIC legislation to help it better reflect the values of social enterprise, Adrian Ashton curiosity has sometimes seen him at odds with national policymakers; but appreciated by social entrepreneurs throughout the sector.

All you need to know to make a decision on setting up a social enterprise

Session Three: Social Enterprise Impact Models

In this session we shed some light on the different impact models that exist to inspire you when designing your business. We look at:

• Integrated and separate impact models

• Real-life examples of each model

• Considerations for choosing a model

Showcase: After many years working in the unsustainable fashion industry, Jo-Anne Goddan decided to be part of the solution. An advocate of regenerative manufacturing she has pioneered a 'Circle of Impact' business model that allows her social enterprise, RubyMoon, to contribute to both people and planet.

Special Guest: Having supported businesses in this sector for over 18 years, Fiona Ras has seen Social Enterprises in all their different shapes and sizes. She setup Make Impact, a business consultancy, to support existing businesses to re-shape their models to bring impact into the mix.

Session Four: Funding and Financing Social Enterprises

In this session we shared how to avoid the funding trap and sustain a social enterprise financially. We look at:

• The Broken Market

• The Funding trap and how to avoid it

• Different financing considerations

• How to sustain your business on traded income

Showcase: Ruth Anslow co-founded HISBE CIC with her sister and has experienced a variety of funding channels to get their ethical supermarket off the ground, including successfully crowdfunding twice, sustaining their business on traded income, and raising investment to setup a new store.

Special Guest: Heidi Fisher, Director at Make an Impact CIC, has a background as a Chartered Accountant, and has worked with over 2,100 social enterprises, supporting them to become more sustainable and develop their trading income.