By Guest Contributor Will Adoasi
Increasingly businesses want to make a difference in the world as well as make a profit. Considering social impact is also important for consumers and many are taking their buying decisions after looking at a company’s track record in this area.
Here are some examples of UK businesses with business models based around social impact. They are all selling very different product but are all making a difference in Africa.
Dapaah Chocolates
Keeping up with family traditions, this sibling trio noticed that despite producing as much as 20% of the world’s global supply of cocoa, Ghana does not have a single chocolate brand that is internationally recognised. With profits from their sales they are aiming to build a sustainable chocolate factory in rural Ghana. This will help add value to Ghana’s cocoa economy, create new jobs, opportunities, and better wages for local cocoa farming communities.
Website: https://www.dapaahchocolates.co.uk/
Vitae London
Established in 2016 and endorsed by Richard Branson, Vitae is Latin for life and they’re the watch brand changing lives. With every watch Vitae London donates a solar lamp to a child in Sub-Saharan Africa meaning they don’t have to travel for hours or burn harmful fuels to study in the evening. Vitae has recently launched its new Elmington Range on Kickstarter so you can help an African child and own a beautiful watch ahead of everyone else and with over 50% off.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vitaelondon/elmington-watch/
Kaleidoscope Beauty
The jewellery brand with philanthropy at its heart. Their unique pieces are hand-made by Kenyan artisans determined to turn their lives around. From young mothers, to reformed criminals and street boys, Kaleidoscope gives them the right tools, training and an opportunity for a career, and a sustainable source of income.
Website: https://kaleidoscopebeauty.co.uk
Sunmo Snacks
Having recently landed a contract with Selfridges, this start-up creates plantain-based hand-cooked snacks that are absolutely delicious, 100% natural, and suitable for all; whether you’re vegan, living gluten free, or just ravenous. Every pack of Sunmo you buy provides a meal for an orphaned child in Nigeria – the country that inspired their plantain obsession.
Website: https://www.sunmosnacks.com/
GiveMeTap
This brand makes reusable water bottles – with a difference. Every bottle sold provides clean drinking water, for five years, to someone living in Africa. For every bottle sold, they donate directly to their NGO partners in Africa to install pumps in rural communities.
Website: https://www.givemetap.com
When you make a purchase from companies such as these you are doing more than supporting UK entrepreneurs. You will be making a genuine, tangible difference to people in the countries involved. It’s a win-win.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Will Adoasi is a social entrepreneur and founder of Vitae London, an ethical watch brand that offers fashionable, quality watches at affordable prices. Within the company’s DNA is the desire to advance social justice.
Vitae London works within several Sub-Saharan African provinces to help give children access to education. For example, with every watch sold from the new Elmington collection a child is gifted a Solar Lamp from local charity Pen to Paper Ghana. This means the children don’t have to travel for hours or burn harmful fuels in order to study in the evenings.
Web | https://www.vitaelondon.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/vitaelondon
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/vitaelondon
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/vitaelondon/
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/vitae-london
Learn more about ethical businesses
The Ethical Business Book by Sarah Duncan
The Ethical Business Book us a digestible, relatable and practical guide to encourage all of us to make changes where possible. Perfect for middle ground individuals, this book will provide you with the direction to help society and the planet whilst preserving the bottom line and making your business highly commercial. Written by Sarah Duncan, a business development consultant and trainer with over 30 years of experience, this book is part of the bestselling Concise Advice series. Learn more.
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