A social enterprise is a business that, rather than just focused on making money, tries to address a social problem. 

It has a double bottom line — to be financially sustainable and to have a measurable impact on a societal issues such as poverty, health and the environment.

From 2019 until his passing in 2022, Rupert Scofield explored the challenges of starting, building and running a social enterprise. Guests include other social entrepreneurs and impact investors who share their insights and experience.

Podcasts

Episode 37: Impact Capital Africa – Emma Parker (41:23)

In this episode of The Social Enterprise Podcast, Rupert Scofield hosts Emma Parker, founder and CEO of Impact Capital Africa. Emma’s company enables the impact investment ecosystem in Zambia, facilitating capital flow into Zambian businesses through consulting, events, and an innovative online project origination platform. Rupert chats with Emma about her career and social entrepreneurial journey, the policy and regulatory environment in developing markets, the profit versus social impact tradeoff, and gender in the corporate space.

Episode 36: The Santiago Partnership, Ecuador (53:56)

In this episode of The Social Enterprise Podcast, Rupert Scofield hosts Rolando Escola and Joel Delp of the Santiago Project in Ecuador. Rolando and Joel are building a social enterprise around one of the most popular flowers in the country in order to support their other social and community work. Rupert chats with them about their mission, motivations, success stories and the decision to focus on a flower business. Originally published February 11, 2021 on www.socentpodcast.org.

Episode 35: The Madan Sara of Haiti – Etant Dupain (48:57)

In this episode of The Social Enterprise Podcast, Rupert Scofield hosts Haitian journalist Etant Dupain. Etant is the executive producer of the new documentary, Madan Sara. The Madan Sara work tirelessly to buy, distribute, and sell food and other essentials in markets throughout Haiti, and are a critical part of the economy. Rupert and Etant discuss the role and importance of these women entrepreneurs, and the motivation behind the documentary. Originally published November 27, 2020 on www.socentpodcast.org.

About Rupert

Rupert Scofield is a Co-founder of FINCA International and served as its President and CEO from 1994 until his passing in 2022. FINCA International itself is the founder and majority owner of a network community-based microfinance institutions and banks across Africa, Eurasia, Latin America, the Middle East and South Asia.

Rupert’s passing on November 27, 2022 was a monumental loss to FINCA and the global community that he dedicated his life to serving. You can read more about Rupert and his final call-to-action here.