Lessons from Building a Social Enterprise with Team Swataleem [#TBS Eps 34]
Public Education Enthusiast and Founders of Swataleem Foundation Ananya Tiwari and Vaibhav Kumar discuss about their learning from building a Social Enterprises, Raising funds, Building their team and myths about development sector for aspiring social entrepreneur.
Important Questions from the Episode
1. Why did you guys start Swataleem? (02:40)
2. Haven’t you been told by your family to first earn money then think of social service? (09:59)
3. How does being part of a community of problem solvers help? (13:47 )
4. Why did you directly start working in the social sector? Why not take up a well paying job and then work on the side on Swataleem? (16:08)
5. How did you fund to build Swataleem? What are you major funding streams? (18:17)
6. What kind of leanings have you had around crowd funding? (22:42)
7. Any fundamental mistakes that you made in raising funds that aspiring social entrepreneur can learn from you to not make? (26:29)
8. What factors do you consider while recruiting people? (31:23)
9. How do you measure intangible factors like drive, adaptability etc while hiring?(34:36)
10. Any learning about good hiring basis mistakes you have made? (37:36)
11. What kind of feedback loops have you developed to evaluate the work you are doing is making a difference? (40:11)
12. How do you decide what kind of interventions will really help you solve the problems that you are solving? (44:44)
13. Any myths about Social Enterprise that you would want aspiring social entrepreneurs to be aware of? (49:10)
14. 3 big Takeaways (57:21)
3 Big Takeaways from the Episode
1. Big changes take time – As Vaibhav mentioned, the process of convincing himself and his family about pursuing a career in development sector did not take place overnight. It was a result of many conversations and smaller decisions that he made over a period of time. Understanding this is important because we often look for quick results or immediate gratification, which is not available when you are trying to make a big shift in life
2. Importance of Community – Most people I have had at The Break School have pursued journeys that fills them with a lot of self – doubt. This is natural, when you are doing something unconventional. You are bound to feel alone and have a lot of questions and reasons to quit. This is where a community of like minded people plays a crucial role. The realization that you are not alone and there are others who are also solving difficult problem, gives you the strength and hope to keep moving forward. So find your communities. And if there isn’t one, build it.
3. Own your trade offs – As Vaibhav aptly said, when you choose to go into development sector, you must be aware that it is as much a selfish decision as it is go work in a corporate for money. Or in other words , when you make a decision, own it. Do it because it gives you joy and satisfaction. Do not expect anyone to come garland you. If you quit a well paying corporate career to work in a village because you want a lot appreciations, you will mostly likely not stay in the village for a long time