I’m talking to you about something that I was working on when I was in as many
I was working on when I was in as many
I was working on when I was in as many of you ncssm students are experiencing
of you ncssm students are experiencing
of you ncssm students are experiencing now your shoes three years ago kind of
now your shoes three years ago kind of
now your shoes three years ago kind of metaphorically and like kind of
metaphorically and like kind of
metaphorically and like kind of literally I was working on a project
literally I was working on a project
literally I was working on a project called fresh fire that I started as a
called fresh fire that I started as a
called fresh fire that I started as a senior here then now my friends and
senior here then now my friends and
senior here then now my friends and teammates have continued through our
teammates have continued through our
teammates have continued through our college career that are still continuing
college career that are still continuing
college career that are still continuing now so I’m going to talk to you today
now so I’m going to talk to you today
now so I’m going to talk to you today about social enterprise in my experience
about social enterprise in my experience
about social enterprise in my experience with social enterprise through the lens
with social enterprise through the lens
with social enterprise through the lens of this project called fresh fire so if
of this project called fresh fire so if
of this project called fresh fire so if you don’t know what social enterprise is
you don’t know what social enterprise is
you don’t know what social enterprise is and or you have literally no desire to
and or you have literally no desire to
and or you have literally no desire to participate or start a social enterprise
participate or start a social enterprise
participate or start a social enterprise then you have a lot in common with me at
then you have a lot in common with me at
then you have a lot in common with me at age 16 so social enterprise basically
age 16 so social enterprise basically
age 16 so social enterprise basically refers to the idea that businesses can
refers to the idea that businesses can
refers to the idea that businesses can be used as arbiters of social change or
be used as arbiters of social change or
be used as arbiters of social change or just arbiters of finding ways to better
just arbiters of finding ways to better
just arbiters of finding ways to better communities and improve outcomes for
communities and improve outcomes for
communities and improve outcomes for people and the environment so fresh fire
people and the environment so fresh fire
people and the environment so fresh fire we hope and we try to make it as such is
we hope and we try to make it as such is
we hope and we try to make it as such is an example of a social enterprise I’ll
an example of a social enterprise I’ll
an example of a social enterprise I’ll tell you a little bit about fresh fires
tell you a little bit about fresh fires
tell you a little bit about fresh fires an organization and then I’ll go into a
an organization and then I’ll go into a
an organization and then I’ll go into a little bit of background and tell you
little bit of background and tell you
little bit of background and tell you how to the story of fresh fire and then
how to the story of fresh fire and then
how to the story of fresh fire and then I’ll end out with some classic
I’ll end out with some classic
I’ll end out with some classic reflections on my time working on this
reflections on my time working on this
reflections on my time working on this project so fresh fire is an organization
project so fresh fire is an organization
project so fresh fire is an organization that’s goal is to connect grocers with
that’s goal is to connect grocers with
that’s goal is to connect grocers with shoppers in order to help reduce food
shoppers in order to help reduce food
shoppers in order to help reduce food waste and generally encourage
waste and generally encourage
waste and generally encourage sustainable habits so this is done
sustainable habits so this is done
sustainable habits so this is done through as you’re saying a mobile
through as you’re saying a mobile
through as you’re saying a mobile application that relays information on
application that relays information on
application that relays information on time sensitive markdowns and grocery
time sensitive markdowns and grocery
time sensitive markdowns and grocery stores on food that’s about to expire or
stores on food that’s about to expire or
stores on food that’s about to expire or is cosmetically imperfect or just in
is cosmetically imperfect or just in
is cosmetically imperfect or just in general needs to be liquidated from the
general needs to be liquidated from the
general needs to be liquidated from the shelves so that’s that’s like the gist
shelves so that’s that’s like the gist
shelves so that’s that’s like the gist of it and so it started the story really
of it and so it started the story really
of it and so it started the story really starts on my first day of classes at
starts on my first day of classes at
starts on my first day of classes at ncssm I made my way to mr. rashes
ncssm I made my way to mr. rashes
ncssm I made my way to mr. rashes calculus class where I met a girl named
calculus class where I met a girl named
calculus class where I met a girl named shred the she was the only girl in my
shred the she was the only girl in my
shred the she was the only girl in my calculus
calculus
calculus and I immediately knew she was like a
and I immediately knew she was like a
and I immediately knew she was like a really cool person like one of those
really cool person like one of those
really cool person like one of those people that you like me and you’re like
people that you like me and you’re like
people that you like me and you’re like wow like if she didn’t like have to try
wow like if she didn’t like have to try
wow like if she didn’t like have to try to be like fun in class but anyway I was
to be like fun in class but anyway I was
to be like fun in class but anyway I was immediately attracted how smart she was
immediately attracted how smart she was
immediately attracted how smart she was and how she really seemed to care about
and how she really seemed to care about
and how she really seemed to care about what she talked about and so when a
what she talked about and so when a
what she talked about and so when a month and a half later she asked me to
month and a half later she asked me to
month and a half later she asked me to join a group of her and three other
join a group of her and three other
join a group of her and three other girls to do a Conrad spirit of
girls to do a Conrad spirit of
girls to do a Conrad spirit of innovation challenge project I didn’t
innovation challenge project I didn’t
innovation challenge project I didn’t know what that was and many of you may
know what that was and many of you may
know what that was and many of you may not know what that is it’s basically a
not know what that is it’s basically a
not know what that is it’s basically a competition where you design a product
competition where you design a product
competition where you design a product based under a different categories to
based under a different categories to
based under a different categories to improve something broadly I didn’t know
improve something broadly I didn’t know
improve something broadly I didn’t know what it was but I was in sort of that
what it was but I was in sort of that
what it was but I was in sort of that stage of ncssm where everything is
stage of ncssm where everything is
stage of ncssm where everything is really magical and new and full of
really magical and new and full of
really magical and new and full of promise and so I said okay yeah I’ll do
promise and so I said okay yeah I’ll do
promise and so I said okay yeah I’ll do it so these four other girls and I
it so these four other girls and I
it so these four other girls and I created two projects junior year I kind
created two projects junior year I kind
created two projects junior year I kind of saw them through to fruition meaning
of saw them through to fruition meaning
of saw them through to fruition meaning like until they work weren’t accepted
like until they work weren’t accepted
like until they work weren’t accepted but whatever and we had so much fun are
but whatever and we had so much fun are
but whatever and we had so much fun are like ideas ranged from like like a
like ideas ranged from like like a
like ideas ranged from like like a shower timer alarm to like a bicycle for
shower timer alarm to like a bicycle for
shower timer alarm to like a bicycle for airplanes our videos included Teenage
airplanes our videos included Teenage
airplanes our videos included Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costumes and a
Mutant Ninja Turtle costumes and a
Mutant Ninja Turtle costumes and a minute long blooper section at the end
minute long blooper section at the end
minute long blooper section at the end it was a pretty awesome group to be a
it was a pretty awesome group to be a
it was a pretty awesome group to be a part of I’m we had so much fun and we
part of I’m we had so much fun and we
part of I’m we had so much fun and we created this culture of just like a lack
created this culture of just like a lack
created this culture of just like a lack of competition between us and that we
of competition between us and that we
of competition between us and that we were really all on each other’s team and
were really all on each other’s team and
were really all on each other’s team and all working towards the same goal of
all working towards the same goal of
all working towards the same goal of having fun and just learning stuff and
having fun and just learning stuff and
having fun and just learning stuff and just trying stuff out so when senior
just trying stuff out so when senior
just trying stuff out so when senior year rolled around we were like this is
year rolled around we were like this is
year rolled around we were like this is a great team let’s try it for round two
a great team let’s try it for round two
a great team let’s try it for round two this time we’ll be like a little maybe
this time we’ll be like a little maybe
this time we’ll be like a little maybe like a little bit more serious about it
like a little bit more serious about it
like a little bit more serious about it and so we SAT one fall evening and Brian
and so we SAT one fall evening and Brian
and so we SAT one fall evening and Brian conference room which for any of you who
conference room which for any of you who
conference room which for any of you who go here are you know well and we knew
go here are you know well and we knew
go here are you know well and we knew well at that point but we didn’t know is
well at that point but we didn’t know is
well at that point but we didn’t know is it would be spending like pretty much
it would be spending like pretty much
it would be spending like pretty much like every night there for the next six
like every night there for the next six
like every night there for the next six months until like one when they kick you
months until like one when they kick you
months until like one when they kick you out and have to go back to your room but
out and have to go back to your room but
out and have to go back to your room but we sat in the conference room we tried
we sat in the conference room we tried
we sat in the conference room we tried to think of what in our community we’d
to think of what in our community we’d
to think of what in our community we’d notice that could be relevant for us to
notice that could be relevant for us to
notice that could be relevant for us to innovate around or to think about and
innovate around or to think about and
innovate around or to think about and find ways as a student to address and
find ways as a student to address and
find ways as a student to address and what we found in doing some kind of like
what we found in doing some kind of like
what we found in doing some kind of like academic research was some astounding
academic research was some astounding
academic research was some astounding statistics about North Carolina
statistics about North Carolina
statistics about North Carolina and please excuse me because I think
and please excuse me because I think
and please excuse me because I think I’ve said this like pitch words that I’m
I’ve said this like pitch words that I’m
I’ve said this like pitch words that I’m about to say like at least like 12 times
about to say like at least like 12 times
about to say like at least like 12 times but North Carolina ranks among top
but North Carolina ranks among top
but North Carolina ranks among top states in the nation in terms of
states in the nation in terms of
states in the nation in terms of percentage of citizens who are
percentage of citizens who are
percentage of citizens who are experiencing food shortages which like
experiencing food shortages which like
experiencing food shortages which like ironically is like also a mouthful to
ironically is like also a mouthful to
ironically is like also a mouthful to say and also ranks among top stays the
say and also ranks among top stays the
say and also ranks among top stays the nation in terms of childhood obesity
nation in terms of childhood obesity
nation in terms of childhood obesity rates so clearly there is this gap in
rates so clearly there is this gap in
rates so clearly there is this gap in effective food distribution and this gap
effective food distribution and this gap
effective food distribution and this gap we were hoping to close or better
we were hoping to close or better
we were hoping to close or better understand or target through sort of
understand or target through sort of
understand or target through sort of like an interactive solution you know
like an interactive solution you know
like an interactive solution you know where high school students you didn’t
where high school students you didn’t
where high school students you didn’t want to target institutions we don’t
want to target institutions we don’t
want to target institutions we don’t really understand exactly what’s going
really understand exactly what’s going
really understand exactly what’s going on and at the same time you’re doing
on and at the same time you’re doing
on and at the same time you’re doing even more research we realized that
even more research we realized that
even more research we realized that grocery stores were throwing out upwards
grocery stores were throwing out upwards
grocery stores were throwing out upwards of like two thousand dollars worth of
of like two thousand dollars worth of
of like two thousand dollars worth of food a day depending on the scale of the
food a day depending on the scale of the
food a day depending on the scale of the grocery store and food that could just
grocery store and food that could just
grocery store and food that could just like hadn’t been sold and could be
like hadn’t been sold and could be
like hadn’t been sold and could be recovered and this food was going to
recovered and this food was going to
recovered and this food was going to landfills where was making up an
landfills where was making up an
landfills where was making up an estimated twenty percent of landfill
estimated twenty percent of landfill
estimated twenty percent of landfill methane emissions which is really bad
methane emissions which is really bad
methane emissions which is really bad for the environment and so after kind of
for the environment and so after kind of
for the environment and so after kind of trying to like grow up with all these
trying to like grow up with all these
trying to like grow up with all these different things and try to better
different things and try to better
different things and try to better understand this like gap I’m talking
understand this like gap I’m talking
understand this like gap I’m talking about we that’s how we eventually came
about we that’s how we eventually came
about we that’s how we eventually came the idea of okay well what if we like
the idea of okay well what if we like
the idea of okay well what if we like use technology is a way to like connect
use technology is a way to like connect
use technology is a way to like connect groceries to consumers they can come
groceries to consumers they can come
groceries to consumers they can come take advantage of these discounts on
take advantage of these discounts on
take advantage of these discounts on foods that are near expiring these
foods that are near expiring these
foods that are near expiring these discounts that already happened and just
discounts that already happened and just
discounts that already happened and just find a way to better communicate them so
find a way to better communicate them so
find a way to better communicate them so people can take advantage of them so
people can take advantage of them so
people can take advantage of them so that these healthier foods which is
that these healthier foods which is
that these healthier foods which is typically what these perishable foods
typically what these perishable foods
typically what these perishable foods are your meats your fruits or vegetables
are your meats your fruits or vegetables
are your meats your fruits or vegetables you’re like dairy so these foods can be
you’re like dairy so these foods can be
you’re like dairy so these foods can be more attractive and that they’re at a
more attractive and that they’re at a
more attractive and that they’re at a lower price point and more accessible
lower price point and more accessible
lower price point and more accessible and the slick encourage healthier habits
and the slick encourage healthier habits
and the slick encourage healthier habits it’s not sounded like really great test
it’s not sounded like really great test
it’s not sounded like really great test and we’re feeling pretty good about
and we’re feeling pretty good about
and we’re feeling pretty good about ourselves so we applied to
ourselves so we applied to
ourselves so we applied to entrepreneurship class here and we found
entrepreneurship class here and we found
entrepreneurship class here and we found our way to the UNC social
our way to the UNC social
our way to the UNC social entrepreneurship conference in the
entrepreneurship conference in the
entrepreneurship conference in the spring ended up winning that conference
spring ended up winning that conference
spring ended up winning that conference which was kind of like war for us but
which was kind of like war for us but
which was kind of like war for us but what it allowed us to do through that
what it allowed us to do through that
what it allowed us to do through that conferences allows the exposure to
conferences allows the exposure to
conferences allows the exposure to people all across the triangle to the
people all across the triangle to the
people all across the triangle to the UNC Board of Governors to people who
UNC Board of Governors to people who
UNC Board of Governors to people who invested their time their energy and
invested their time their energy and
invested their time their energy and sometimes their money and us to allow us
sometimes their money and us to allow us
sometimes their money and us to allow us to get incorporated right after our
to get incorporated right after our
to get incorporated right after our senior year ended and it was all kind of
senior year ended and it was all kind of
senior year ended and it was all kind of unexpected and a little bit scary for us
unexpected and a little bit scary for us
unexpected and a little bit scary for us we were five girls who are going to four
we were five girls who are going to four
we were five girls who are going to four different colleges but after we
different colleges but after we
different colleges but after we had expanded this the sort of like
had expanded this the sort of like
had expanded this the sort of like culture and community that we created
culture and community that we created
culture and community that we created between ourselves and that we’d found to
between ourselves and that we’d found to
between ourselves and that we’d found to ncssm those who go here know that you
ncssm those who go here know that you
ncssm those who go here know that you know maybe sometimes it can be a
know maybe sometimes it can be a
know maybe sometimes it can be a pressure cooker but it also allows like
pressure cooker but it also allows like
pressure cooker but it also allows like for so much creativity through thrive
for so much creativity through thrive
for so much creativity through thrive here so we embrace that environment here
here so we embrace that environment here
here so we embrace that environment here we’re able to find that community
we’re able to find that community
we’re able to find that community through reaching out to people and to
through reaching out to people and to
through reaching out to people and to sharing our story and so we decided I
sharing our story and so we decided I
sharing our story and so we decided I guess we’re gonna do this like we don’t
guess we’re gonna do this like we don’t
guess we’re gonna do this like we don’t have enough reasons not to we like
have enough reasons not to we like
have enough reasons not to we like hanging out with each other like could
hanging out with each other like could
hanging out with each other like could be a good excuse to stay in touch and we
be a good excuse to stay in touch and we
be a good excuse to stay in touch and we might actually be able to make something
might actually be able to make something
might actually be able to make something happen so we did it and we went off to
happen so we did it and we went off to
happen so we did it and we went off to our respective colleges and we jumped
our respective colleges and we jumped
our respective colleges and we jumped right in we’re like okay we’re going to
right in we’re like okay we’re going to
right in we’re like okay we’re going to apply to every competition ever because
apply to every competition ever because
apply to every competition ever because we don’t know exactly how to do this
we don’t know exactly how to do this
we don’t know exactly how to do this without money and we don’t know exactly
without money and we don’t know exactly
without money and we don’t know exactly how to do this without recognition or
how to do this without recognition or
how to do this without recognition or how to call up a grocery store and be
how to call up a grocery store and be
how to call up a grocery store and be like hey I know that like you’re one of
like hey I know that like you’re one of
like hey I know that like you’re one of the largest grocery store chains in like
the largest grocery store chains in like
the largest grocery store chains in like America but like we really appreciate it
America but like we really appreciate it
America but like we really appreciate it if you would like listen to us and let
if you would like listen to us and let
if you would like listen to us and let us test in your store and maybe
us test in your store and maybe
us test in your store and maybe videotape so we don’t get kicked out
videotape so we don’t get kicked out
videotape so we don’t get kicked out late last time and it was harder it was
late last time and it was harder it was
late last time and it was harder it was really hard we actually met a lot of
really hard we actually met a lot of
really hard we actually met a lot of resistance from grocery stores but we
resistance from grocery stores but we
resistance from grocery stores but we kept winning competitions because we got
kept winning competitions because we got
kept winning competitions because we got really good at telling her story and we
really good at telling her story and we
really good at telling her story and we are really excited about it and other
are really excited about it and other
are really excited about it and other people got excited about it and so um we
people got excited about it and so um we
people got excited about it and so um we had this long phase of working really
had this long phase of working really
had this long phase of working really hard and trying to find tech developers
hard and trying to find tech developers
hard and trying to find tech developers because we were a tech company without
because we were a tech company without
because we were a tech company without anyone who knew how to code and then we
anyone who knew how to code and then we
anyone who knew how to code and then we yeah so we were kind of doing the most
yeah so we were kind of doing the most
yeah so we were kind of doing the most and like stretching as far as like all
and like stretching as far as like all
and like stretching as far as like all five of us could and reaching into our
five of us could and reaching into our
five of us could and reaching into our university networks and trying to make
university networks and trying to make
university networks and trying to make connections and trying to like literally
connections and trying to like literally
connections and trying to like literally calling up everyone in the Triangle area
calling up everyone in the Triangle area
calling up everyone in the Triangle area who like knew anything about grocery
who like knew anything about grocery
who like knew anything about grocery stores or food waste or technology or
stores or food waste or technology or
stores or food waste or technology or anything to listen to us and to have
anything to listen to us and to have
anything to listen to us and to have conversations with us it was really
conversations with us it was really
conversations with us it was really inspiring but when we joined a
inspiring but when we joined a
inspiring but when we joined a fellowship at UNC we had these
fellowship at UNC we had these
fellowship at UNC we had these facilitators who SAT my friend Gabrielle
facilitators who SAT my friend Gabrielle
facilitators who SAT my friend Gabrielle and I down and said so like we notice
and I down and said so like we notice
and I down and said so like we notice that like you keep having these
that like you keep having these
that like you keep having these successes and we also notice in class
successes and we also notice in class
successes and we also notice in class that you like exhibit a lot of like
that you like exhibit a lot of like
that you like exhibit a lot of like insecurities about your organization
insecurities about your organization
insecurities about your organization because like whatever no we’re doing and
because like whatever no we’re doing and
because like whatever no we’re doing and so we realized that we were
so we realized that we were
so we realized that we were having all these like successes like
having all these like successes like
having all these like successes like successes meaning like we were winning
successes meaning like we were winning
successes meaning like we were winning things and people were telling us like
things and people were telling us like
things and people were telling us like good job but at the same time like this
good job but at the same time like this
good job but at the same time like this is what was keeping us afloat when in
is what was keeping us afloat when in
is what was keeping us afloat when in reality like on an organizational level
reality like on an organizational level
reality like on an organizational level we had a lot of weaknesses and things
we had a lot of weaknesses and things
we had a lot of weaknesses and things you needed to sort out so those are cool
you needed to sort out so those are cool
you needed to sort out so those are cool like reflective time at a time we
like reflective time at a time we
like reflective time at a time we started to realize like how unique we
started to realize like how unique we
started to realize like how unique we really were so we were an all-girl team
really were so we were an all-girl team
really were so we were an all-girl team we were a huge startup team just sort of
we were a huge startup team just sort of
we were a huge startup team just sort of she usually have like two people who
she usually have like two people who
she usually have like two people who were kind of running the show we had a
were kind of running the show we had a
were kind of running the show we had a flat organizational structure which
flat organizational structure which
flat organizational structure which everyone says is really bad they’re like
everyone says is really bad they’re like
everyone says is really bad they’re like no you need to have hierarchy so you can
no you need to have hierarchy so you can
no you need to have hierarchy so you can make decisions quickly and we’re like
make decisions quickly and we’re like
make decisions quickly and we’re like well we’ve never made decisions quickly
well we’ve never made decisions quickly
well we’ve never made decisions quickly so like we don’t really know what that
so like we don’t really know what that
so like we don’t really know what that means and then we’re also like very
means and then we’re also like very
means and then we’re also like very collaborative we didn’t really
collaborative we didn’t really
collaborative we didn’t really necessarily have like broken down roles
necessarily have like broken down roles
necessarily have like broken down roles which people also told us was something
which people also told us was something
which people also told us was something that we should do but um we’d all kind
that we should do but um we’d all kind
that we should do but um we’d all kind of work on everything and collaborate
of work on everything and collaborate
of work on everything and collaborate with each other and I know anything
with each other and I know anything
with each other and I know anything about like business social dynamics
about like business social dynamics
about like business social dynamics which like continue to be a problem and
which like continue to be a problem and
which like continue to be a problem and we were just like super new to it and we
we were just like super new to it and we
we were just like super new to it and we were like unique in that way but anyway
were like unique in that way but anyway
were like unique in that way but anyway this allowed us to be really reflective
this allowed us to be really reflective
this allowed us to be really reflective and to try to be more intentional with
and to try to be more intentional with
and to try to be more intentional with the way we like moved forward also at
the way we like moved forward also at
the way we like moved forward also at this time we were invited to the Clinton
this time we were invited to the Clinton
this time we were invited to the Clinton Global Initiative University conference
Global Initiative University conference
Global Initiative University conference which was like crazy and gossipy Chelsea
which was like crazy and gossipy Chelsea
which was like crazy and gossipy Chelsea Clinton which was like crazy and we got
Clinton which was like crazy and we got
Clinton which was like crazy and we got mentorship and like a kick-ass design
mentorship and like a kick-ass design
mentorship and like a kick-ass design team and we started feeling like okay
team and we started feeling like okay
team and we started feeling like okay like things are good like things are
like things are good like things are
like things are good like things are happening now like we naik now look like
happening now like we naik now look like
happening now like we naik now look like an official company and I would yeah and
an official company and I would yeah and
an official company and I would yeah and so going into the next year we were even
so going into the next year we were even
so going into the next year we were even more stoked but kind of stoked in the
more stoked but kind of stoked in the
more stoked but kind of stoked in the way that like you like wow this is like
way that like you like wow this is like
way that like you like wow this is like a really long process like I’m stoked
a really long process like I’m stoked
a really long process like I’m stoked whenever I like have conversations as
whenever I like have conversations as
whenever I like have conversations as people and then I go back home and I’m
people and then I go back home and I’m
people and then I go back home and I’m like wahab early tired but I come back
like wahab early tired but I come back
like wahab early tired but I come back and I’m stoked again and so we finally
and I’m stoked again and so we finally
and I’m stoked again and so we finally found our like tech person we were
found our like tech person we were
found our like tech person we were looking for in our class attend cssm our
looking for in our class attend cssm our
looking for in our class attend cssm our friend Mitch was really good at coding
friend Mitch was really good at coding
friend Mitch was really good at coding and bought into the idea and so he liked
and bought into the idea and so he liked
and bought into the idea and so he liked drawing on board for a little while and
drawing on board for a little while and
drawing on board for a little while and tried to help us make our dreams reality
tried to help us make our dreams reality
tried to help us make our dreams reality and we got into accelerator program and
and we got into accelerator program and
and we got into accelerator program and we spent six months like really
we spent six months like really
we spent six months like really intensely doing the accelerated program
intensely doing the accelerated program
intensely doing the accelerated program thing and then now finally we have the
thing and then now finally we have the
thing and then now finally we have the product it’s been like three years since
product it’s been like three years since
product it’s been like three years since we started the idea and now we actually
we started the idea and now we actually
we started the idea and now we actually have the thing that like we can actually
have the thing that like we can actually
have the thing that like we can actually test like try to make this
test like try to make this
test like try to make this thing happened we’ve been trying to make
thing happened we’ve been trying to make
thing happened we’ve been trying to make happen for so long so that’s where at so
happen for so long so that’s where at so
happen for so long so that’s where at so we have this thing it now it feels like
we have this thing it now it feels like
we have this thing it now it feels like scary to have because now we actually
scary to have because now we actually
scary to have because now we actually have to test it and make magic happen
have to test it and make magic happen
have to test it and make magic happen but we also have our team me shred the
but we also have our team me shred the
but we also have our team me shred the Mona Gabrielle and Jennifer and we also
Mona Gabrielle and Jennifer and we also
Mona Gabrielle and Jennifer and we also have this crazy network of people spread
have this crazy network of people spread
have this crazy network of people spread out across time and across place like
out across time and across place like
out across time and across place like literally across continents of people
literally across continents of people
literally across continents of people who are invested in us who care about
who are invested in us who care about
who are invested in us who care about what we’re learning who care about the
what we’re learning who care about the
what we’re learning who care about the problems that we’re trying to solve and
problems that we’re trying to solve and
problems that we’re trying to solve and who care to listen to us and who are
who care to listen to us and who are
who care to listen to us and who are just an early on our team so that’s
just an early on our team so that’s
just an early on our team so that’s pretty sick and now I just kind of want
pretty sick and now I just kind of want
pretty sick and now I just kind of want to give you like I wouldn’t say like
to give you like I wouldn’t say like
to give you like I wouldn’t say like discouraging but like just a more real
discouraging but like just a more real
discouraging but like just a more real glimpse into what it really looks like
glimpse into what it really looks like
glimpse into what it really looks like to work on a social enterprise and I’ve
to work on a social enterprise and I’ve
to work on a social enterprise and I’ve titled this section do not start a
titled this section do not start a
titled this section do not start a social enterprise so no it’s so I’ll
social enterprise so no it’s so I’ll
social enterprise so no it’s so I’ll start and give you a just a few reasons
start and give you a just a few reasons
start and give you a just a few reasons for why this is especially challenging
for why this is especially challenging
for why this is especially challenging so I would say do not start a social
so I would say do not start a social
so I would say do not start a social enterprise if you are trying to make
enterprise if you are trying to make
enterprise if you are trying to make money and I say this because I’ve
money and I say this because I’ve
money and I say this because I’ve actually like netted a loss and this
actually like netted a loss and this
actually like netted a loss and this like three year journey that we’ve been
like three year journey that we’ve been
like three year journey that we’ve been on like we invested some money into
on like we invested some money into
on like we invested some money into fresh bar in the beginning and I have
fresh bar in the beginning and I have
fresh bar in the beginning and I have like yet to come away with salary but
like yet to come away with salary but
like yet to come away with salary but it’s the way we designed it in as
it’s the way we designed it in as
it’s the way we designed it in as students we’re not financially dependent
students we’re not financially dependent
students we’re not financially dependent on it and it’s not making money yet so
on it and it’s not making money yet so
on it and it’s not making money yet so it seems relevant and useful but that’s
it seems relevant and useful but that’s
it seems relevant and useful but that’s definitely something that people who go
definitely something that people who go
definitely something that people who go into social enterprises like
into social enterprises like
into social enterprises like consistently come bring to the forefront
consistently come bring to the forefront
consistently come bring to the forefront do not sort of social enterprise if you
do not sort of social enterprise if you
do not sort of social enterprise if you would like to feel like you are not
would like to feel like you are not
would like to feel like you are not wrong because at the end of every day
wrong because at the end of every day
wrong because at the end of every day we’re usually wrong about something
we’re usually wrong about something
we’re usually wrong about something whenever we do more research realize
whenever we do more research realize
whenever we do more research realize were wrong however we talk to people in
were wrong however we talk to people in
were wrong however we talk to people in grocery stores about our assumptions
grocery stores about our assumptions
grocery stores about our assumptions about them we realize but wrong and this
about them we realize but wrong and this
about them we realize but wrong and this consistent cycle of recognizing that we
consistent cycle of recognizing that we
consistent cycle of recognizing that we know like pretty much nothing and we’re
know like pretty much nothing and we’re
know like pretty much nothing and we’re also unique in this way because most
also unique in this way because most
also unique in this way because most entrepreneurs and well I won’t say most
entrepreneurs and well I won’t say most
entrepreneurs and well I won’t say most a lot of entrepreneurs go into they’re
a lot of entrepreneurs go into they’re
a lot of entrepreneurs go into they’re like entrepreneur thing because they
like entrepreneur thing because they
like entrepreneur thing because they have skills that are relevant to what
have skills that are relevant to what
have skills that are relevant to what they’re trying to create or they’re like
they’re trying to create or they’re like
they’re trying to create or they’re like already been in the industry and like we
already been in the industry and like we
already been in the industry and like we have none of those things so we
have none of those things so we
have none of those things so we consistently learn over and
consistently learn over and
consistently learn over and over again that we know no nothing do
over again that we know no nothing do
over again that we know no nothing do not go into social enterprise if you
not go into social enterprise if you
not go into social enterprise if you want to be like constantly like excited
want to be like constantly like excited
want to be like constantly like excited and motivated because it’s unrealistic
and motivated because it’s unrealistic
and motivated because it’s unrealistic unrealistic expectation not that it’s
unrealistic expectation not that it’s
unrealistic expectation not that it’s not awesome because as you can tell like
not awesome because as you can tell like
not awesome because as you can tell like this is like me being really excited
this is like me being really excited
this is like me being really excited about this thing I’ve worked on but
about this thing I’ve worked on but
about this thing I’ve worked on but every day is like pretty hard like I
every day is like pretty hard like I
every day is like pretty hard like I reminded of some like I think it’s like
reminded of some like I think it’s like
reminded of some like I think it’s like a tumblr quote it’s like does not matter
a tumblr quote it’s like does not matter
a tumblr quote it’s like does not matter how slow you go but you must not stop I
how slow you go but you must not stop I
how slow you go but you must not stop I think it’s a Confucius quote and I feel
think it’s a Confucius quote and I feel
think it’s a Confucius quote and I feel like that’s really relevant to the story
like that’s really relevant to the story
like that’s really relevant to the story of at least our experience in social
of at least our experience in social
of at least our experience in social enterprise if not everyone’s do not go
enterprise if not everyone’s do not go
enterprise if not everyone’s do not go into social enterprise if you are afraid
into social enterprise if you are afraid
into social enterprise if you are afraid of being bad at things that kind of
of being bad at things that kind of
of being bad at things that kind of echoes on my earlier point we’re about
echoes on my earlier point we’re about
echoes on my earlier point we’re about it a lot of things I talked about the
it a lot of things I talked about the
it a lot of things I talked about the social dynamic thing in in the business
social dynamic thing in in the business
social dynamic thing in in the business world we’re not great at it yeah and
world we’re not great at it yeah and
world we’re not great at it yeah and we’re also not graded coding and we’re
we’re also not graded coding and we’re
we’re also not graded coding and we’re also not great at asking people for
also not great at asking people for
also not great at asking people for money and we’re not created a lot of
money and we’re not created a lot of
money and we’re not created a lot of things and you get better at them but as
things and you get better at them but as
things and you get better at them but as someone who was reflecting on this
someone who was reflecting on this
someone who was reflecting on this experience I would say don’t go into
experience I would say don’t go into
experience I would say don’t go into this if you don’t ever want to be bad at
this if you don’t ever want to be bad at
this if you don’t ever want to be bad at things because you would be sad about
things because you would be sad about
things because you would be sad about that do not go into social enterprise if
that do not go into social enterprise if
that do not go into social enterprise if you want concrete tasks one of the
you want concrete tasks one of the
you want concrete tasks one of the biggest things I’ve learned throughout
biggest things I’ve learned throughout
biggest things I’ve learned throughout this process is how to manage ambiguity
this process is how to manage ambiguity
this process is how to manage ambiguity literally last summer I was working on a
literally last summer I was working on a
literally last summer I was working on a fresh borrow all summer and I would wake
fresh borrow all summer and I would wake
fresh borrow all summer and I would wake up and I’d be like I sit in my bed until
up and I’d be like I sit in my bed until
up and I’d be like I sit in my bed until I like the last possible minute when all
I like the last possible minute when all
I like the last possible minute when all my roommates are leaving I’d be like
my roommates are leaving I’d be like
my roommates are leaving I’d be like what do I do today to like contribute to
what do I do today to like contribute to
what do I do today to like contribute to this team and like move the project
this team and like move the project
this team and like move the project forward you create your own metrics of
forward you create your own metrics of
forward you create your own metrics of success you create your own idea of what
success you create your own idea of what
success you create your own idea of what failure is you create your an idea of
failure is you create your an idea of
failure is you create your an idea of what you need to do to move a project
what you need to do to move a project
what you need to do to move a project forward that doesn’t have anything
forward that doesn’t have anything
forward that doesn’t have anything tangible to move forward oh don’t go
tangible to move forward oh don’t go
tangible to move forward oh don’t go into social enterprise if you want not
into social enterprise if you want not
into social enterprise if you want not to have moral dilemmas in your work I
to have moral dilemmas in your work I
to have moral dilemmas in your work I think this is a common misconception
think this is a common misconception
think this is a common misconception because social enterprise seems like oh
because social enterprise seems like oh
because social enterprise seems like oh like I can feel confident that what I’m
like I can feel confident that what I’m
like I can feel confident that what I’m doing is good but for example when we
doing is good but for example when we
doing is good but for example when we started to go ask grocery stores and
started to go ask grocery stores and
started to go ask grocery stores and really do like more intensive research
really do like more intensive research
really do like more intensive research on how we could do this thing we
on how we could do this thing we
on how we could do this thing we realized that a lot of grocery stores
realized that a lot of grocery stores
realized that a lot of grocery stores have donation platforms whereby they can
have donation platforms whereby they can
have donation platforms whereby they can like donate
like donate
like donate stood food too like food shelters or
stood food too like food shelters or
stood food too like food shelters or yeah if like food banks and realized
yeah if like food banks and realized
yeah if like food banks and realized that that was something that kind of
that that was something that kind of
that that was something that kind of struck us because they didn’t want to
struck us because they didn’t want to
struck us because they didn’t want to interfere what the system was already
interfere what the system was already
interfere what the system was already doing something good and so that’s
doing something good and so that’s
doing something good and so that’s always something that comes up in
always something that comes up in
always something that comes up in different ways and social enterprise
different ways and social enterprise
different ways and social enterprise work I don’t start a social enterprise
work I don’t start a social enterprise
work I don’t start a social enterprise if you don’t want to hear people’s
if you don’t want to hear people’s
if you don’t want to hear people’s feedback however negative because it
feedback however negative because it
feedback however negative because it happens that’s like a leaf rule well
happens that’s like a leaf rule well
happens that’s like a leaf rule well that’s yeah well that’s a lot ah and
that’s yeah well that’s a lot ah and
that’s yeah well that’s a lot ah and maybe it’s cheesy to say what I’ve
maybe it’s cheesy to say what I’ve
maybe it’s cheesy to say what I’ve learned is so much more valuable I’ve
learned is so much more valuable I’ve
learned is so much more valuable I’ve learned how to work with a team through
learned how to work with a team through
learned how to work with a team through like really stressful situations and how
like really stressful situations and how
like really stressful situations and how to manage these ambiguous tasks and how
to manage these ambiguous tasks and how
to manage these ambiguous tasks and how complex like systems are for example the
complex like systems are for example the
complex like systems are for example the system of food distribution is so
system of food distribution is so
system of food distribution is so complex and being able to be involved in
complex and being able to be involved in
complex and being able to be involved in it in a business sense has made it so
it in a business sense has made it so
it in a business sense has made it so much more relevant to us and has allowed
much more relevant to us and has allowed
much more relevant to us and has allowed us to learn so much more about it um
us to learn so much more about it um
us to learn so much more about it um I’ve learned about policies and programs
I’ve learned about policies and programs
I’ve learned about policies and programs other countries other people are doing
other countries other people are doing
other countries other people are doing to try to combat the same problems and
to try to combat the same problems and
to try to combat the same problems and how cool it is to be in a community
how cool it is to be in a community
how cool it is to be in a community where you can work together while you
where you can work together while you
where you can work together while you work separately to accomplish a common
work separately to accomplish a common
work separately to accomplish a common goal of what universities will help I’ve
goal of what universities will help I’ve
goal of what universities will help I’ve learned that even if you know nothing
learned that even if you know nothing
learned that even if you know nothing you can have confidence to go problem
you can have confidence to go problem
you can have confidence to go problem solve and to take whatever skills you
solve and to take whatever skills you
solve and to take whatever skills you have and to ask questions and to figure
have and to ask questions and to figure
have and to ask questions and to figure things out and of course we’ve learned
things out and of course we’ve learned
things out and of course we’ve learned to be assertive we’ve learned to be
to be assertive we’ve learned to be
to be assertive we’ve learned to be assertive and protecting what is most
assertive and protecting what is most
assertive and protecting what is most important to us in conversations and the
important to us in conversations and the
important to us in conversations and the business deals that we make we work hard
business deals that we make we work hard
business deals that we make we work hard to protect what’s important to us the
to protect what’s important to us the
to protect what’s important to us the integrity the creativity the honesty
integrity the creativity the honesty
integrity the creativity the honesty that we care so much about and that that
that we care so much about and that that
that we care so much about and that that overarching mission of trying to do
overarching mission of trying to do
overarching mission of trying to do something good for the community and so
something good for the community and so
something good for the community and so I’ll just leave you with few quick
I’ll just leave you with few quick
I’ll just leave you with few quick points of me reflecting and trying to be
points of me reflecting and trying to be
points of me reflecting and trying to be inspirational and offer something back
inspirational and offer something back
inspirational and offer something back to you from my experience we hit a lot
to you from my experience we hit a lot
to you from my experience we hit a lot of roadblocks like I talked about
of roadblocks like I talked about
of roadblocks like I talked about earlier we had this period where like
earlier we had this period where like
earlier we had this period where like things were going like really well we
things were going like really well we
things were going like really well we were hitting these pluses but we had a
were hitting these pluses but we had a
were hitting these pluses but we had a lot of like minuses deep inside in our
lot of like minuses deep inside in our
lot of like minuses deep inside in our organization and now it seems like there
organization and now it seems like there
organization and now it seems like there are so many obstacles but this community
are so many obstacles but this community
are so many obstacles but this community that we’ve created is like keeping us
that we’ve created is like keeping us
that we’ve created is like keeping us afloat and keeping us excited and
afloat and keeping us excited and
afloat and keeping us excited and energized
energized
energized is even we don’t want to be know that
is even we don’t want to be know that
is even we don’t want to be know that your dreams are supported in a place
your dreams are supported in a place
your dreams are supported in a place like ncssm especially or whatever high
like ncssm especially or whatever high
like ncssm especially or whatever high school you go to or wherever you are
school you go to or wherever you are
school you go to or wherever you are your dreams are really supported here
your dreams are really supported here
your dreams are really supported here and that’s so special and I encourage
and that’s so special and I encourage
and that’s so special and I encourage you to keep that wherever you go after
you to keep that wherever you go after
you to keep that wherever you go after you graduate in CSM is literally just
you graduate in CSM is literally just
you graduate in CSM is literally just the beginning especially for my journey
the beginning especially for my journey
the beginning especially for my journey it’s okay to be unique I talked about
it’s okay to be unique I talked about
it’s okay to be unique I talked about how non-traditional we were and I
how non-traditional we were and I
how non-traditional we were and I encourage you and your uniqueness not to
encourage you and your uniqueness not to
encourage you and your uniqueness not to be afraid to enter into industries like
be afraid to enter into industries like
be afraid to enter into industries like social enterprise it’s okay to be a
social enterprise it’s okay to be a
social enterprise it’s okay to be a finished product but also work in
finished product but also work in
finished product but also work in progress which is a quote i barred from
progress which is a quote i barred from
progress which is a quote i barred from someone but I don’t know the source
someone but I don’t know the source
someone but I don’t know the source that’s how I feel about our project
that’s how I feel about our project
that’s how I feel about our project that’s how I feel about myself and
that’s how I feel about myself and
that’s how I feel about myself and that’s what I encourage you to think
that’s what I encourage you to think
that’s what I encourage you to think about and to be okay with when you enter
about and to be okay with when you enter
about and to be okay with when you enter a world and which like you don’t have
a world and which like you don’t have
a world and which like you don’t have this safe exciting place to call home
this safe exciting place to call home
this safe exciting place to call home don’t waste inspiration I wrote in a
don’t waste inspiration I wrote in a
don’t waste inspiration I wrote in a journal of the other day that I saw Ana
journal of the other day that I saw Ana
journal of the other day that I saw Ana generally of the day that I found I’m so
generally of the day that I found I’m so
generally of the day that I found I’m so inspired and I’m so selfish click
inspired and I’m so selfish click
inspired and I’m so selfish click consume so much media so many TED talk
consume so much media so many TED talk
consume so much media so many TED talk can I go home at the end of the day and
can I go home at the end of the day and
can I go home at the end of the day and I don’t know what to do with it so I
I don’t know what to do with it so I
I don’t know what to do with it so I encourage you if it’s not social
encourage you if it’s not social
encourage you if it’s not social enterprise that that’s been pretty
enterprise that that’s been pretty
enterprise that that’s been pretty life-giving to me find your team find
life-giving to me find your team find
life-giving to me find your team find your team of people that care about you
your team of people that care about you
your team of people that care about you and your learning and your growth find a
and your learning and your growth find a
and your learning and your growth find a team of people that you care about
team of people that you care about
team of people that you care about finding people that are invested in
finding people that are invested in
finding people that are invested in helping you learn how to be a better
helping you learn how to be a better
helping you learn how to be a better citizen of the world and to better find
citizen of the world and to better find
citizen of the world and to better find your place in it thank you
your place in it thank you
your place in it thank you [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
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[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] you
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