Why don't more kids want to be social entrepreneurs?

To drive real social progress, people need to learn about social enterprise at a young age according to Daniella Genas CEO of Aspire4u CIC.

Genas founded Aspire4u CIC in 2007. It’s a company dedicated to providing life-changing opportunities for young people in Birmingham through a diverse range of exciting and innovative projects. Providing career development support to 17-25 year olds, the business offers work experience, training, and volunteering ventures to people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Since 2007 she has obtained several accolades for her work. This includes winning the entrepreneurial category at the prestigious Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards (2013), followed by another triumph at the City & Style Women of the Year Awards, where she was commended for her ‘Outstanding Contribution to Social Change’ (2013).

Educating students about social enterprise is high on Genas’ agenda, but she believes that entrepreneurship should be taught much earlier – from school age, in fact. “When you’re ten you know what a policeman is, what a fireman is, what a doctor is, but do you know what a social entrepreneur is? Do you know you could run your own business? Probably not.” Her belief that schools should implement this area of study is partially because so many students are first introduced to social enterprise at university: “If entrepreneurship was taught from school, imagine the type of business tycoons entering the world when they finish higher education.” 

When Genas started Aspire4u as a 23-year-old, her aim was to launch community-focused events and impactful training schemes offering support for those lacking confidence and direction. Genas’ desire to make a difference partially stems from her own personal experiences. “I’m passionate about proving that somebody like me - who didn’t necessarily have the most privileged upbringing - can achieve success. That kind of sits in with the work I do with young people: I want them to think that as we have comparable backgrounds, it isn’t that far-fetched for them to achieve something similar.”

The company is flourishing now, but Aspire4u’s pathway to success was not without obstacles. “When organisations said no to getting involved, it was frustrating,” Genas recalls. “Especially when you can see the difference your work is doing with young people. It can be really disheartening.” 

Running the business hasn’t been a walk in the park. “We have had some really miserable times, but now Aspire4u is in a really good place - we are in the process of growing, investing, winning awards... Had I given up three years ago, I wouldn’t be here today to experience that.” 

Genas does a great deal of public speaking at educational institutions, reinforcing the importance of social enterprises to the next generation and sharing her accomplishments. “The more social entrepreneurs who are successful and shout about it, the better. Then the general public’s understanding of what social enterprise is will grow.”