Social Ventures Employing Survivors - This is Not Charity
When thinking of social ventures like Destiny Center, Freeset, or Sari Bari, it might be tempting to think of them along the same lines as charity. I not only believe this is incorrect, but also that this perception among some customer segments inhibits the success of these ventures. If the quality of the products is very poor, then the case could be made that buying these products is an act of charity.
But in all the instances I've seen over the last week, the quality of these products ranges from good to excellent with most tending toward excellent. With the added facet that these products are not only not made using exploitative labor as is still a concern with these type of products, but also made by survivors of sex trafficking, it suggests that these products should be highly attractive in the eyes of the growing socially conscious consumer segment.
I believe that these social ventures will begin filling a space between typical consumer products and charity while also occupying new market space at the same time. How to raise the specter of socially conscious consumption in the minds of consumers is thus an emerging trend in my research from this trip.
One of the main challenges faced by these ventures seems to be identifying the right type of product (now and in the medium to long term) that one can produce at a high quality and differentiated from others, usually with other attributes like fair trade certification, eco friendly, etc. thus expanding the potential market beyond those drawn to the cause marketing aspect of being made by survivors of sex trafficking. Of course, the production capacity of each social venture is limited so that is another consideration. What is most desirable seems to be a steady customer base more so than large-scale demand.
This is where my research is focusing and I welcome comments and thoughts related to increasing socially conscious consumption and key customer segments for products made by survivors.
