purpose
The Purpose of the international institute for social entrepreneurship is to inspire, educate, and equip generations of positive social change agents with the tools they need to create economically sustainable social enterprises.
FORMER NAME
The international institute for social entrepreneurship (IISE) was formerly known as Weaver’s Social Enterprise Directory (WSED). WSED has been featured in the following research publications:
Weaver, R.L. (2021). Facilitating business online: The utilization, benefits, and challenges of online social enterprise directories. Social Innovations Journal. Access the article here.
Mbacke, M, Weaver, R.L., & Gallagher, K. (2020). Reflections on applied social enterprise education: Using weaver’s social enterprise directory to teach social entrepreneurship. International Undergraduate Journal of Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change. Access the article here.
Weaver, R.L., Mbacke, M., & Gallagher, K. (2020). Weaver’s social enterprise directory: A tool for teaching social enterprise and entrepreneurship. Annals of Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy.
OPERATION
IISE IS AN ONLINE INSTITUTE THAT OFFERS ONLINE COURSES, COACHING, AND OFFERS BOOKS. WE ALSO DO PAID PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS.
What is a social entrepreneurship?
Figure Source: “Social Entrepreneurship: A Practical Introduction” by Dr. Rasheda L. Weaver
Social Enterprise As a Social Business Intervention
“Social Entrepreneurship: A Practical Introduction” defines social entrepreneurship as the process of using commercial business techniques to generate revenue that is used to combat social problems. The term social enterprise refers to the organizations engaging in the process of combating social problems using entrepreneurial activity. These organizations can be for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, or a combination of both organizational structures.
An example of a social enterprise is Newman’s Own, which sells beverages, mints, and salad dressing and donates all of its profits to different health-based charities through its nonprofit organization - The Newman’s Own Foundation. There are many ways to design social enterprises. IISE teaches you how through books, training, retreats, and workshops.
Offerings
Social entrepreneurship is a journey with different stepping stones. IISE offers different services that inspire, educate, and equip social entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey.
My first book “Social Entrepreneurship: A Practical Introduction” is now available globally!
Being a former university professor, I wrote “Social Entrepreneurship: A Practical Introduction” to be used in and out of the classroom. It is written in an inspirational and general format, but its contents grant you an overview of the growing field of social entrepreneurship. It’s a short read and guide. Each chapter can be read in isolation for targeted information or you can read the whole book from cover to cover.
Are you a faculty member? Request a faculty partner packet.
Experience the Social Enterprise Bootcamp!
The “Ready, Set, Launch: Social Enterprise Bootcamp” is a 5-step social entrepreneurship bootcamp that equips participants with the tools needed to design and launch a social venture. This bootcamp is available via an online course that you can take at your leisure. In the past, we have hosted the bootcamp in person but IISE now offers an online bootcamp.
Step 1: Using Your Gifts to Create Your Dream Life!
Step 2: Financial Planning for Your Business and Life
Step 3: Customer Discovery
Step 4: Asset Mapping and Action Planning
Step 5: 90-Day Action Plan
Bootcamp Testimonials
Curated Coaching for the Social Entrepreneurship Journey
I have studied over 1,000 social enterprises and have found 4 major phases of their social entrepreneurship journey. I TRANSFORMED my findings into a stage-based curated coaching program where I guide social entrepreneurs throughout their journey.
Stage 1: Potential Social Entrepreneur
Stage 2: Nascent Social Entrepreneur
Stage 3: Owner/ Manager Social Entrepreneur
Stage 4: Established Visionary Social Entrepreneur (in business more than 3.5 years
