Local Sustainable Economies

6-part regional online discussion series, 2022

PART 3 - New Directions for Business: The shift toward triple bottom lines

Wednesday, September 21, 4:30-6pm

There is a growing number of entrepreneurs who are creating new enterprises, or evolving existing ones, to align purpose, values, and profit. In this event, speakers will share their insights as to why more businesses are wanting to be socially and environmentally impactful and what the benefits are for our communities.

At this event, you'll gain insights, connections, and learn more about:

• companies that are passionate about sustainability,
• the impact of B-Corporations,
• multi-sector partnerships,
• social enterprises designed to create positive social, environmental, or cultural value, as well as
• investment and mentoring opportunities for ensuring success.

SPEAKERS

Elly Green, Elly Green.com

Elly has over 20 years of project-based work experience supporting non-profits and emerging organizations pursue innovation, social enterprise and impact- driven work. Her work was key to the success of Georgian College’s Centre for Changemaking and Social Innovation programs, including SENCO (Social Enterprise Network Central Ontario). She will share insights about the breadth of SEs in SGB, their benefits, and the potential for growing more.

Cathryn Love, Executive Director, Catapult Grey Bruce

Catapult Grey Bruce is propelling opportunities at home by empowering established entrepreneurs with connections, knowledge and space to take their business to the next level. Located in the Sydenham Campus in Owen Sound, it is unlike any in the Bluewater Region and the perfect place for like-minded business owners to gather, learn and get new ideas to grow their business.

Jacquie Rushlow, Founder, The Keep Refillery, Creemore, Meaford and Kingston

Passionate about sustainability, Jacquie is the founder of a business that is helping to reduce plastic pollution. Their mission is to rid the world of single use plastic, one community at a time by way of refilling all your home and personal care needs. Her thriving business is filling the need for a growing number of residents, who want to reduce their own environmental impacts and support a sustainable future.

Jacklyn Tuckey, Associate Lawyer, Barriston Law – B-Corporation, Collingwood and Barrie

Jacklyn is the Chair of Barriston’s B Corp Committee. The firm believes in using business as a force for good, which is what originally motivated the company to undergo the B Corp assessment and continue to improve the way they operate as a firm and member of their communities. She practices law in the areas of civil/commercial litigation with a particular focus on construction law and has experience obtaining favourable outcomes for her clients through negotiation, litigation, mediation, arbitration and adjudication.

MODERATOR

Stuart Reid, Executive Director, Community Foundation Grey Bruce (CFGB)

Stuart has over 30 years experience in community service through his leadership in the non-profit, visual arts, and philanthropic sectors. As Executive Director of CFGB, he oversees the foundation’s work in social impact investing, supporting creative investment in organizations that build a vital, healthy, and resilient community. In the year ahead, CFGB will be participating in the Investment Readiness Program, supporting social purpose organizations to build their capacity to access social finance and participate in the larger social finance ecosystem.

JOIN THIS IMPORTANT CONVERSATION!

Potential outcomes:

• Broaden awareness and knowledge about new kinds of businesses
• More interest in nurturing and investing in enterprises working to do good
• More businesses and entrepreneurs going beyond profit as a single bottom line
• Understanding the Social Finance ecosystem, which includes Social Enterprises and B-Corporations. (see The Institute’s Social Finance Primer https://tisgb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Updated-Social-Finance-Primer.pdf )
• Mapping existing Social Enterprises in our region
• Building the audience for the Green Economy Hub event and feasibility study for a Green Economy Hub in SGB
• Outlining the feasibility for a Social Enterprise/BCorp Network and Platform in Southern Georgian Bay for knowledge exchange, coaching and mentoring, and networking
• Inspiring potential entrepreneurs

We hope that you can join us and participate in the question and answer period with our speakers and on the chat.

It's time to get excited about, and stand behind sustainable and socially impactful businesses in SGB!

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