Social business enterprises

What makes these initiatives different from a typical private enterprise or business is the social ethos from which they operate. Either through their values and vision, their community-oriented approach, or their aims to bring people within neighbourhoods together, several business enterprises go above and beyond the objectives of a business whose primary aim rests in making a profit.

Many of these social business enterprises facilitate local workshops at low or no cost that invite neighbours to participate, share their skills, and take an active role in their facilitation. Spaces are provided for members of the community to come together, create, sell hand-made or hand sourced items, as well as be a part of the enterprise itself. Personal touches, such as a space for regulars to store their mugs or involving customers in yearly award ceremonies helps engender a sense of ownership and belonging by the people within the local community to the enterprise. It is through their presence as a social business enterprise that supports this circle’s sustainability and reliability as a place of neighbourhood belonging.

Examples:

The Pear- Neighbourhood Node, ANMS Community Garden, Joy of Flora, Willunga Farmers Market (WFM), The Joinery, The Heart of Semaphore, Hope’s Café, Sparkke at the Whitmore, Chatty Café Scheme.