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When it comes to building a social enterprise, there will always be two sides to the coin. On one hand, there’s business; on the other, there’s purpose. It takes finding that perfect balance between the two to find true success in both. But how do you know when it’s time to focus on one or the other? Let’s find out.
On this episode of the Grow Ensemble Podcast, we’re sitting down with Paul Hargreaves, CEO of Cotswold Fayre. A B-corp business owner, ambassador, and now author, it’s safe to say that Paul knows a thing or two about creating a successful purpose-driven business.
He brings a legacy of more than two decades in the social enterprise industry, and is sharing some of the unique challenges, lessons and experiences that he’s faced over the years. From lessons in becoming a better leader to walking the line between business and purpose, Paul’s story is a must-listen for any social entrepreneur.
We cover a lot, but you can expect to hear about:
- Paul’s move from charity work to creating a purpose-driven business
- His tips for maximizing your business’ potential to create positive change
- The role of happiness in work, life and leadership
- Why he believes that good business might just have to come before a better world
- Paul’s upcoming book, Forces For Good
It’s going to be a good one, so take a listen here or head over to your favorite podcasting app to get it rollin’.
Episode Links:
- Paul Hargreaves — https://uk.linkedin.com/in/paulwhargreaves [0:00:14]
- Cotswold Fayre — https://www.cotswold-fayre.co.uk/ [0:00:15]
- B Corporation — https://bcorporation.net/ [0:00:23]
- Forces for Good on Amazon — https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forces-Good-Creating-purpose-driven-businesses/dp/1912300214 [0:00:46]
- Forces for Good on Audible — https://amzn.to/2UkUInR
- iTunes — https://www.apple.com/za/itunes/download/ [0:01:12]
- Oxford University— http://www.ox.ac.uk/ [0:08:33]
- John Elkington — http://johnelkington.com/ [0:22:38]
- Article about the “triple bottom line” — http://www.johnelkington.com/archive/TBL-elkington-chapter.pdf. [0:22:42]
- B Corp Summit — https://bcorpsummit.net/ [0:29:12]
Show Topics:
- The scope of producers Cotswold Faye buys from and the retailers they sell to. [0:01:39]
- Being a B Corp company and Paul’s aim as
ambassador of influencing other businesses. [0:01:50] - When and how his inclination toward this type of business started. [0:02:27]
- How he realized that businesses are an effective way of bettering the world. [0:04:31]
- The heart of Cotswold Fayre as a means of uplifting the community. [0:05:10]
- Switching over from charity work to running a business. [0:06:36]
- Why he believes there is much more to work than just living for the weekend. [0:09:28]
- Paul’s practical suggestions for ensuring that employees enjoy their work. [0:10:34]
- The important balance between growing a business and fulfilling a mission. [0:12:18]
- The need to ensure that the charity your business claims to do is grounded in reality. [0:13:30]
- Why every employee should know exactly what the purpose of the company is. [0:16:20]
- How change groups enable them to improve and remain purpose driven. [0:17:05]
- What Paul’s daily occupation entails. [0:18:19]
- More about Paul’s book, Forces for Good. [0:20:12]
- Introducing the fourth bottom line to John Elkington’s concept. [0:22:56]
- More about Paul’s specific plans and purpose for 2019. [0:27:43]
- What Westerners can learn from Eastern cultures about living authentic, simple lives. [0:30:34]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
- “I then realized, actually, businesses are a better way, potentially, of changing the world, maybe a more effective way of changing the world for better.” — Paul Hargreaves @cotswoldfayre [0:04:31]
- “I’ve always strongly believed that work should be a place that empowers people and releases them and develops their creativity.” Paul Hargreaves @cotswoldfayre [0:09:00]
- “If you aim to be a person or a business that changes the world for better, you also have to be prepared to change yourself and vice versa.” Paul Hargreaves @cotswoldfayre [0:21:42]
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