This year at the South by Southwest Interactive festival in Austin, TX, Lauren Bush Lauren–founder of FEED Projects–held an informative and compelling session about social entrepreneurship, and the global impact of social business for good.
Since the birth of the social media craze, businesses have been trying, succeeding, and failing at figuring out exactly how to make social work for a brand. Lauren Bush Lauren has figured out her own way. She founded FEED Projects; a business focused on providing meals for those around the world who have little access to nutritious food, has been prevailing against all odds as a social business since 2006.
FEED began as one product; A bag that provides meals to one child in school for one year. That number “1” is emblazoned across the entire back side of the bag, to let wearers and passerby know exactly what impact they’ve had on someone’s life. Today, the company has expanded products to clothing and accessories, and has product lines in Target and Whole Foods; with no physical stores. That’s right, the business is run online through social outlets and brand partnerships exclusively.
This is the new face of entrepreneurship; a business with a meaningful mission or purpose. These brands connect with a generation of tech users, who are aware of world issues and have no idea of how to help. Lauren was able to uncover this need in young people, and target them to help do good for others. With her background in fashion design, she created trendy, quality products that let people know exactly how much they’re contributing- represented by a number on every single item. To date, FEED projects have donated over 75 million meals.
So what does this mean for you? It means that there’s more than one way to do business. Inspiring social good has launched companies like TOMS and FEED, but these companies have also shown the power of the social audience. Social and virtual business opportunities are not to be underestimated, or ignored. What are you doing, to make sure you don’t fall behind?
To learn more about FEED, or to make a purchase, please visit feedprojects.com
Balaji has spent over 18 years in the IT Services Industry. With an experience encompassing Services and Product Marketing, he has successfully managed globally distributed Marketing and Product teams. He’s an analytical marketer with strong understanding and experience across marketing strategy, demand generation, field marketing, technology partner marketing, account based marketing, digital marketing, event management, analysis and third party relationship, PR/Media, people management, etc.
