Being an entrepreneur, especially a social entrepreneur, is a lonely business.
Last week, I was in Nairobi with Andy Lieberman, New Programs Director for the GSBI. We were there to lead a Train-the-Trainers workshop, for our newest program, GSBI Boost. We also participated in Sankalp, a social enterprise conference.
While there, we were fortunate to see some of our GSBI alumni, including Galen Welsch, CEO of Jibu, Daniel Waithaka from Wisdom Stoves, and Nat Robinson, CEO of Juhudi Kilimo. Also last week, I received an email from Abu Musuuza, CEO of Village Energy. All of them expressed great appreciation for what GSBI has brought them, in fact, Abu says he is “forever indebted”. To all of them and everyone that goes through the GSBI, I always say, “you are the gift to us.”
When a social entrepreneur resolves to solve a huge, intractable issue like a broken education system or rapid deforestation, they risk everything. They fully dedicate their lives and the uncertainties are enormous. They are working on really tough problems, in very challenging places. Yet, they get up every morning full of passion, fight, slog, cajole, and convince. Then they do it again the next day, and the next, and the next. It can be a lonely struggle.
We are humbled by the social entrepreneurs we work with. Every day they are faced with issues that we can’t even begin to fathom living here in Silicon Valley. And still they are very appreciative of what GSBI provided for them. We give them the support they need to be investment ready through our structured curriculum that comes alive through our executive level mentors.
And once a program ends, that isn’t the end of our relationship; these social entrepreneurs are part of the GSBI family, and we continue to provide support to them in many different ways, including oftentimes, long-term relationships with their mentors.
This Valentine’s Day, let’s show some love to social entrepreneurs who are creating a better world. They are making a difference!
