OCEAN & NON-PROFIT: How to build an enterprise with a social and environmental impact, with Wietse Van Der Werf (Sea Ranger Service)

​

Hello dear Entrepreneurs for future,

​

Episode 22 is out:

If you are into Ocean, company legal structure, non-profit, or franchising, this episode will probably be very useful for you!

​

Thanks to Asana for supporting this episode. Click here if you want here to learn more about that project management tool or to get your free 30-day premium trial.

​

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​

Would you prefer having a social impact or an environmental impact on the world?

Well, do you know it’s possible to achieve both!

​

In this episode, I have the chance to talk to Wietse Van Der Werf, CEO and founder of Sea Ranger Service.

​

Sea Ranger Service is a social enterprise with a mission to restore 1 million hectares of ocean biodiversity by 2040, whilst training 20,000 young people towards a maritime career.

​

When the common advice for entrepreneurs is to focus on one product only, Wietse developed successfully three products / services with his social enterprise: from marine research services to offering a bootcamp to train people for a new career, and also the construction and design of a new ship certified in the industry with a zero-emission specification.

​

For this episode, Wietse prepared a list of very hands-on tips about

💡 how to create a company with a social & environmental impact 💡

​

Among others, we covered these topics:

✅How to resist the core focus trap and develop 3 successful products at once (this part is my favourite)

✅ Legal: how to structure a social enterprise: mixing for-profit and non-profit companies (to my opinion, this part is a must-hear for entrepreneurs)

✅ How to combine impact and money

✅ How to educate your market

✅ How to not be afraid of governments

✅ How to have a combined sustainable and social impact

✅ How to use Asana as project management tool to increase team productivity

✅ How they developed a franchise model with IKEA to scale their conversation efforts in new countries

​

Are you ready?

Then listen to it with the link below:

​Click here for the link to all podcast platforms & the resources of this episode.​

​

And as usual, your promised newsletter perks below 😄

​

DO'S & DON'TS

​

1. Resist the core focus trap - We focused on multiple activities in our business, which allows us to draw in broad support and develop multiple products. In the case of social enterprises, such backing can be vital.
2. Don’t be drawn into market fit thinking - We essentially created a market where there was none. This is hard work but ultimately pays off: we are setting a new standard for ocean management.
3. Don’t be afraid of government - Government departments and agencies are constantly seeking out scalable solutions that can help them implement environmental and social policies. Consider them as (launching) customers.
4. Do focus on multiple impacts - Environmental and social combined aren’t exclusive. In fact, where they are combined, the relevance of your work grows and even environmental protection can deliver on social economic impacts.
5. Do dream big - It depends on your reasoning for starting a business but as a social entrepreneur, I wish to innovative, apply systems changing methods and change the way ‘things are done’. We are working to make our special zero-emission ships a new industry standard.

​
​

🙏 WANT TO SUPPORT MISSION FIRST? 🙏

​

You'd be fantastic and very helpful if you:

• Forward this newsletter to the entrepreneurs around you,
• Send me your feedback (hit the button reply and tell me: "What do you like about it? How is it helpful for you?")
• Share the episode on your social media and tag me
• Leave a 5* rating and/or a review on Apple Podcast or iTunes​

​

Have a nice listen to the episode and see you in two weeks for the next episode and Do's and Don'ts :-)

​

Keep up the good work,

Gilles

​
​

​