THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVISM

As you grow up in life, you might sometimes look back, and think..

What if you could have been taught earlier how to develop your life situation? How to choose your network, major, career, food, and foremost, your values.

You have followed society's rules, without being aware of what suits you the best!

But now, you have evolved. On the personal and/or professional level, you’re realizing that one of your main values is..

Making a positive change.

However, you believe the only way to do this is by marching and protesting. Or that you have to be involved in politics..which is not true!

You don't need to walk down the streets striking on civil rights. Also, you don't have to compromise your ethical values for the sake of politics!

Except for the above, there are 9 forms of activism.

One of the most powerful ones is the Entrepreneurial Activism!

So, What Do We Hear About Entrepreneurial Activism?

Entrepreneurial activism is an innovative version of capitalism.

It's that leader who makes a social or environmental impact through their business.

Let's take a look at the iconic example of Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia.

After he settled in California, he went into climbing, surfing, kayaking, and so forth.

Then he became an alpinist, he started his business by making hard goods for the outdoor industry.

How Entrepreneurial Activism Leads to Social Change?

Patagonia has made a switch to the conventional world of business.

The company remains profitable while protecting the environment.

The success of Patagonia became a reference, which resulted in a sustainability-based movement!

What Challenges An Activist Entrepreneur Faces?

1. Greenwashing:

It's the act of claiming fake green practices, to boost sales. This can come in the form of using non-certified labels.. etc

Many companies around the world are actively carrying out genuine green actions.

Yet, many of these conscious companies avoid speaking out about mindful initiatives.

Using green words makes them afraid of being perceived that they're persuading consumers.

It takes years to build customers' trust and a minute to destroy it. Thus, greenwashing is so dangerous for the brand image.

Transparent marketing always wins! Patagonia has made a shaking-up style of communication. The “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign has been a pivotal moment for the company.

2. Funding limitation:

In this era, the term sustainable investment is getting trendy. Although, the majority of these “green” investors are still seeking to cash out the same way they used to.

3. Keeping the balance between growth and impact:

Running a sustainability-based business is costly. It's challenging to scale while staying true to its mission.

Patagonia's business strategy focuses on long-term, rather than short-term gain. Therefore, while funding its environmental activism, the company has been remarkably scaling.

What An Entrepreneur Wins by Being An Activist?

1. Extend your market share:

When profit meets purpose, your business will create a shift in consumer behavior.

An activist company reshapes an entire market. Regular customers are increasingly signing up for sustainable consumption.

1. Power of decision:

Governments worldwide are trying to align with the global UN pledge. Today, every type of business must commit to achieving 1% carbon emissions by 2050.

As an activist entrepreneur, you’re re-inventing the way you do business.

Governmental institutions will want your collaboration, to help them reach their sustainability objectives.

3. Solid community:

Values are the only and hardest thing to change within humans. So, your values-driven approach drives customers on the same page as your business.

Entrepreneurial activism builds a strong community. You won't only win customers over, but you'll have retainers! They'll also stand behind your brand's mission and advocate it further.

"Involving the community is imperative to being the purposeful organisation we want to continue to be. I personally think it goes both ways: us being the purposeful organisation because of the community we involve, and the community being foundational to most enviro campaigns we do where eco some of their local work." Elena Foglio, Patagonia's Community Marketing & Impact Coordinator in Italy

In the past, impact-driven people couldn't imagine building sustainable businesses.

Today, it's the best time to start an ethical business. Good news for entrepreneurs who refuse to trade off the well-being of people and the planet for money,

Nowadays, consumers are getting green-savvy. Within this cheesy market, it's an opportunity to stand out through honest communication.