The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast #13 - Is Profit or Purpose The Key To A Successful Social Enterprise? A Conversation With Paul Hargreaves CEO of Cotswold Fayre
Mar 12, 2019
Paul Hargreaves, CEO of Cotswold Fayre and B Corp ambassador, shares his journey from charity work to building purpose-driven food businesses. He discusses hiring for social impact, balancing growth with mission, communicating purpose without overclaiming, embedding purpose across teams, and leadership as small daily acts. The conversation highlights practical stories and upcoming books and projects.
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Business Born To Fund Charity Work
- Paul started Cotswold Fayre by selling artisan Cotswolds food to London delicatessens to fund his charity work.
- Early hires included an ex-drug addict, ex-alcoholic and ex-criminal, reflecting his original social mission in hiring choices.
Jobs Are A More Sustainable Path To Change
- Paul realized business can change lives more sustainably than charity because jobs give people a stable path out of poverty.
- He shifted from charity to building a business that could employ and rehabilitate people at scale.
Grow Business And Mission Together
- Grow the business and the mission in parallel so purpose and viability reinforce each other.
- Avoid running ahead on mission or business alone; alignment came for Paul after years of adjustments.
