#mamusicind MED7201 Week 5: Social Enterprise Idea

Patchwork C Brief:

Generate an idea for a new business opportunity that you could pursue which must have a clear social impact to it.

DISCLAIMER: Before anybody goes crazy in the comments field, I would just like to point out that the ideas and thoughts in this post are all THEORETICAL and part of my MA degree. I would appreciate you giving me feedback and help, but in a constructive way if possible.

I haven’t fully decided on my social enterprise idea, but I do know that I would like it to include mentoring young people between the ages of 16-21 in London by activating their bodies and minds – ie through running and creative work.

Ideally, it would be a social enterprise that would work with organisations such as Run Dem Crew, on projects such as RDC Youngers, but if possible – take it one step further.

What I mean by that is that it would be a social enterprise that would help projects such as RDC Youngers blossom by offering them help and support through different experiences.

That might be organising things such as work experiences at different companies within the creative industries (that might last a day or a week or more) which would require us (the social enterprise -SE) to contact companies and get them on board with the idea, but it could also mean an experience such as a concert or a trip, which would require us to either get in touch with events organisers or travel agencies and see if they would like to essentially donate an experience to the project and so on

I haven’t worked out SE would be funded, or how it would generate any income, but it would be providing a social service that I think is needed, especially after an event such as the London riots in 2011, and I think it would be very helpful for small but powerful organisations such as Run Dem Crew.

By enabling them to focus more on what they are good at, running and mentoring young people through running, and offer them support through giving them easy access to different experiences, I believe it would help them and the young people they mentor to progress and realise that there is an amazing would out there with lots of opportunities that they might never even have dreamt of before.

I realise that this idea needs some work, but I do believe that a service like this is needed. We need a way of showing the younger generations that there IS a future for them and that they SHOULD dream big and bold, and do everything in our power to help them evolve and progress.

I have seen the great positive impact RDC Youngers has had on young peoples lives, and I truly believe that if there was a SE that could help a project like that by offering it things like placements at companies that genuinely care about young people, or by offering them experiences they’ve never had, or simply just giving young people access to influential people who might just donate their time in order to share some wisdom.

2 thoughts on “#mamusicind MED7201 Week 5: Social Enterprise Idea

  1. Craig

    Howdy,

    Of the two idea, I prefer this one.

    The App idea is, I think, too niche. The music is a niche, the gender is a niche within the genre, and the App is a niche within a wide variety of music discovery/delivery methods. Seems to me you’re reducing your market at every step.

    The RunDem idea is something you are passionate about (running), which is a great starting position. You are already involved with the organisation so you’ll have a good idea where you can contribute to the culture of the group. It’s an opportunity to bring your skills into their organisation and provide them with an additional service, and possibly and alternate revenue stream. I think this idea is more likely to succeed than the app.

    Hope this helps. Best of luck!

  2. Laura

    Hey Orsi,

    You might to think about an element that not only gives them an experience (such as visiting a company or event) but also gives them tangible skills to work on their own ideas such as business planning, exploring how enterprise works etc. I know these can sounds dry but they can be done in really creative ways and give young people something they can use in the future rather than just a nice memory or experience. I worked with students running enterprise events for 2.5yrs at a music conservatoire and really had to think about how to present these subjects to more creative thinkers.

    Laura x

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