From $0 to 2M with Social Enterprise with Quilen Blackwell

The Small Nonprofit

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In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria sits down with Quilen Blackwell, President and co-founder of Chicago Eco House and Southside Blooms. Quilen shares his remarkable journey of founding and growing a nonprofit with a thriving $2 million social enterprise. With a focus on sustainability, community development, and economic resilience, Quilen offers invaluable tips for nonprofits looking to scale effectively.

Key Topics:

• Social enterprise success: from zero to $2 million
• Challenges of scaling a nonprofit and a business
• How Southside Blooms converts customers into donors
• The pros and cons of business-to-business (B2B) versus business-to-consumer (B2C) social enterprise models

Quotable Moments:

• “As a nonprofit, we didn’t want to be dependent on a few big donors telling us what to do. Running it like a serious business gave us the freedom to stay true to our mission.”
• “Focus on the foundation of the business, not just the money. If you’re not ready to handle growth, it can quickly turn from a blessing into a burden.”
• “Our flowers are our ambassadors. They go into spaces we can’t, and they open doors we never expected.”

Actionable Tips:

➜ Start Small: Focus on building a solid foundation before scaling. Test your ideas on a smaller scale to work out any kinks and ensure your model is sustainable.

➜ Invest in Technology: Use technology to streamline operations and customer service, especially when managing a social enterprise. Tools like Routific for route optimization can be game changers in last-mile delivery

➜ Leverage Customer Relationships: Turn customers into donors by integrating donation opportunities into your sales process and engaging them through events like farm tours.

➜ Do B2B and B2C: Diversify your income streams by engaging in both B2B and B2C models. This approach not only stabilizes revenue but also opens unexpected doors for media coverage and large grants.

➜ Prepare for Growth: As your organization scales, be ready to tackle complex challenges, including human resources, compliance, and maintaining quality across a growing operation.

Connect with Us:

• Connect with Maria
• Connect with Quilen: Personal Instagram, Southside Blooms, Chicago Eco House
• Chicago Eco House: Website
• Southside Blooms: Website

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What’s next?

Don’t forget to tune into next week’s episode where we chat about the pros and cons of hiring a Fractional Fundraiser with Nina Horvath!

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