Starting and sustaining a social enterprise has never been easy. A successful social enterprise needs to meet its dual objectives: making a difference and making a living. Here, we highlight seven essential qualities of becoming a successful social entrepreneur.



1)      With a clear vision of creating social impact

Setting a clear vision of creating social impact will guide you and your team to align interests, prioritize values, initiate course of action, and make decisions effectively towards the common goal.

2)      Integrate the resources to realize the social mission

Staying focused on a business idea is important. But it is also crucial to go beyond an idea and turn it into prototype or action. A successful social entrepreneur should also be capable to recognize and take advantage of opportunities to realize their social visions and create social values.

3)      Align social and commercial interests

In order to maximize social impact, you need to draw upon the best thinking in both the commercial and non-profit worlds. The most common problem facing by social enterprises is the lack of business acumen. Successful social entrepreneurs must possess business mindsets and skills to develop strategic and contingency plan, design on marketing and branding strategy, and create a diverse funding mix.

4)      Possess social capital with excellent social networking skills

Excellent networking and the capability to connect or otherwise disconnect segment and resources to achieve the social mission is important. You must have relatively resourceful social networking to build successful partnerships with major companies and establish collaborations with relevant stakeholders.

5)      Reframe risk as an opportunity

Unforeseen opportunities often come from risk-taking. You must be willing to accept an above average degree of risk in creating and disseminating social values. But bear in mind what is the downside of risk-taking and prepare for the worst-case scenario and contingency plans before you take the risky challenges.

6)      Think out of the box

The ability to create and distribute social values through innovation is also one of the keys to drive success for most social entrepreneurs.

7)      With a can-do attitude

Work attitude is as important as work aptitude. Successful entrepreneurs are persistent and never let obstacles deter them. They dream big and keep trying until they can realize their goals. 

Do You Possess the Essential Personalities to Become a Social Entrepreneur?

Many people want to change the world for the better but not everyone possess the essential traits to become a successful social entrepreneur. Some argue that personality-based traits are valued over specific skill-sets for a successful social entrepreneur.
Take the “Pressing the Right Buttons” personality test by Allie Mooney and find out if you have the potential to become an extraordinary social entrepreneur. The most ideal combination for a successful entrepreneur will be those with a mix of "powerful" and "precise" traits.

Reference: http://allisonmooney.co.nz/pressing-buttons/