The document provides guidance for starting a social enterprise or nonprofit organization. It outlines five initial steps: 1) Start with identifying a specific social or environmental problem to address. 2) Deeply research and understand the problem and who can help provide insight. 3) Do homework on what already exists to address the problem and where needs are greatest. 4) Zoom in on a specific part of the problem's cause and effect chain to focus on. 5) Start small when testing solutions and funding models, which may involve grant funding or generating revenue from products/services. The document also lists resources for support, including from The School for Social Entrepreneurs and other organizations.

1. Start with the
problem!
Sophie Hobson, SSE

2. About the School for Social
Entrepreneurs
We help 1,000 people a year develop the skills, strengths and
networks they need to tackle society’s biggest problems.

3. 3
Madeline Alterman
ARTBOX LONDON

4. 4
Asha Patel
INNOVATING MINDS

5. 5
Josh Turner
STAND4SOCKS

6. Your first steps
Where to begin?
1. Start with the problem
2. Deep-dive the problem
3. Do your homework
4. Zoom in
5. Show me the money! (Start small)
Sources of support

7. Start with the
problem
7
What is the change you wish to see
in the world?
Share with the person next to you
what it is and why you want to
tackle it
(It’s fine if you don’t know yet! Pick
a cause you care about instead)
Photo by Ian Espinosa on Unsplash

8. Deep-dive the
problem
8
• You need to understand your
cause deeply
• Social/environmental problems
are messy and complex
• There are no quick fixes
Who can help you better understand
the problem?
Photo by Adrian RF on Unsplash

9. Do your
homework
9
What’s already out there?
How can you explore other models
being used to tackle the problem?
How can you find out where you are
most needed?

10. Zoom in
10
What specific part of the
cause-and-effect do you want to
focus on?
Too broad: ‘Ending homelessness’
More achievable: ‘Helping people
experiencing homelessness towards
employment by providing training’
Photo by Marten Newhall on Unsplash

11. Show me the
money!
11
But start small!
How will you make money?
(product/service)
Who will pay?
How can you test your assumptions
on a small scale?
Will you need additional grant
funding?
Share ideas
Photo by Aneta Pawlik on Unsplash

12. Sources of support
12
When you’re starting up…
The School for Social Entrepreneurs:
─ Lloyds Bank & Bank of Scotland Start Up Programme
─ Specific short courses (e.g. legal structures)
─ Online guides: www.the-sse.org
UnLtd: grants & support programmes
Social Enterprise UK: guides, accreditation & membership
B-Corps: don’t have to be social enterprise

13. Questions & keep in touch!
Twitter: @SophieHobson | @SchSocEnt
www.the-sse.org