Social Entrepreneur Works to Empower Changemakers
Homegrown social enterprises are doing their part to create positive change in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) landscape.
They are doing this by empowering local communities to pursue their business dreams and improve their quality of life.
Meet Noellie Garand.
As the managing director of her social entrepreneurship consultancy Soleya, she trains local women entrepreneurs free of charge to develop the basic skills they need to run their enterprises, in areas such as business registration, bookkeeping, customer service, business strategy and continuity planning. Ms Garand’s business, which was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been committed to supporting low income women business owners so they could build sustainable livelihoods.
Her work also involves providing grants to women entrepreneurs who require financial resources they do not have to bring their business ideas to life.
She said entrepreneurship was about more than just making a profit. It was also about giving back and maximising social impact. “You need to have a triple bottom line, which is the impact you have on your community and the environment,” Ms Garand said.
“Now, I have the ability to share my profits, so I organise pro bono business training and give grants.” Ms Garand has supported many women MSME owners through the Soleya platform, including those who specialise in traditional Fijian art like masi artist Wati Maraiwai Talavutu of Creations 23.
“Wati’s masi pattern was selected by Tourism Fiji for their new logo. “She wanted to open a shop.
“She has knowledge and is a very good artist. She knows how to run a business, but she had no cash to upgrade her business.
“So, I gave her a $2000 grant so she could paint her shop, add some shelves, and start operating it.
The social entrepreneur also said that she believes in an inclusive business environment in which anyone can start and run their own business, and in turn, create economic opportunities for others.
“I’m a social entrepreneur, I support all types of businesses and I’m more than ready to support businesses that contribute to their communities.”