May 2018 I was accepted onto the Badiri Social Entrepreneurship International Scholarship Programme with the School for Social Entrepreneurs London,
2018 Cohort 1
I decided to apply for the scholarship program after Servane Mouzan CEO of Ogunte kindly tweeted about it during March.
I attended a taster session and was invited to an interview.
I was successful in my interview and was accepted onto the programme.
Sally Heard CEO of SSE Cornwall and Sabeena Ahmed
Badiri Social Entrepreneurship Scholarship Programme, NAMA and the School for Social Entrepreneurs first Cohort 2018
The Good Hotel - Sustainable Tourism in London visited July/August 2018
The scholarship programme was held at the Good Hotel which was previously used as a Dutch prison.
Excel Marina and view of the O2 Arena London
Badiri Academy ladies take a walk around Excel Marina -
Sustainable Tourism in London visited July/August 2018
Day 1 SSE Bag and gifts at The Good Hotel 30th July 2018
Our first day was full of surprises, we all received a gorgeous School for Social Entrepreneur bag full of gifts from social enterprises based in London and the UK.
Many thanks to Sweet Cavanagh, Harry Spectre, Change Please Coffee, Bees Wax Candles and Miss Macaroons for their generosity.
Day 1 SSE Gifts - Miss Macaroon box at The Good Hotel 30th July 2018
Day 1 SSE Gifts - Harry Specters Chocolates at The Good Hotel -
30th July 2018
Day 1 SSE Gifts -Change Please Lucy's Blend Coffee at The Good Hotel
30th July 2018
Sweet Cavanagh Bracelet
We were privileged to meet with the CEO of SSE Mr Alistair Wilson for our first witness session,
Sadly, I don't have any photographs of him. We learnt about his life and how his failures had encouraged to him to operate successful businesses.
I think the most prominent and important question I understood from his presentation was what can go wrong with your business and how it can fail?
I think we should always think positively but its important to understand what can go wrong and prepare for those difficult questions and prepare accordingly.
Our first expert session was interesting and challenging. We were introduced to Mr Vegard Olsen a life coach who gave reason to explore our hearts, minds and souls and answer those life long questions 'Who You Are, Your Purpose and Your Why?'
Day 1, WHO AM I? Session with Vegard Olsen at the Good Hotel, London -
30th July 2018
Day 1, WHO AM I? Session with Vegard Olsen at the Good Hotel, London -
30th July 2018
Day 1, question cards, Session with Vegard Olsen at the Good Hotel, London - 30th July 2018
Day 2 and our expert session was thoroughly enjoyable one. We met social business consultant Reetu Sood who introduced us to the Social Business Canvas.
I've started to use mine and hope to post a photograph of it at different stages until it is completed.
Later in the afternoon we met with the ambitious and lovely Naomi Mwasambili CEO of Chanua.
Naomi was so passionate about mental health and supports many different initiatives around the world. She is truly an inspirational lady.
Once again the day was full of activities and the morning flew by.
We spent 2 hours making a start to fill our canvases.
A pdf copy of the Social Business Canvas
Day 2, Expert Session with Naomi Mwasambili at the Good Hotel, London -
31st July 2018
Day 3 began with a lively and interactive expert session with Jennifer MacKay.
Jen taught us how to present our social enterprises using our voice, body, words and passion.
WE were all asked to answer and present a question to the group in a short speech form.
My question was 'What makes female entrepreneurs successful?'
I think I answered the question well as feedback was positive.
I must practice using my fingers for the 1, 2, 3 breakdown of points.
During the afternoon we travelled on the Emirates Airlines cable cars. As someone who suffers from vertigo I completed the task by singing on the way and back.
In the evening we had dinner with our respective mentors and shared our stories.
I spent over 3 hours talking with Jo. She is an exceptionally gifted life coach and NLP trainer.
Jo Van Osch who resides in Birmingham, UK.
Jo has established her business Soulfully Connected over a period of 20 years.
Day 3 - Jo van Osch signing my fairtrade guest book - August 1st 2018,
the Good Hotel London, UK
I look forward to our 3 sessions together and hope to learn more about Jo and her business.
Day 4 was an exceptionally long and hot where we were given a talk about Stour Space by the lovely Juliet Can and introduced to Theory Of Change by Lee Robinson.
We also enjoyed a boat ride along the Olympic Park.
The evening ended with dinner with colleagues at the School for Social Entrepreneurs which I did not attend because my shoulder was playing up and was sore.
Day 4 Visit to Stour Space, Hackey Wick, London - 2nd August 2018
Day 4 Visit to Stour Space, Hackey Wick, London - 2nd August 2018
Day 4 Visit to Stour Space, Hackey Wick, London, Beautiful Canvas
2nd August 2018
Day 4 Visit to Stour Space, Hackey Wick, London - 2nd August 2018
Day 4 Visit to Stour Space, Hackey Wick, London, Director Juliet Can's presentation about Stour Space - 2nd August 2018
Day 4 Visit to Stour Space, Hackey Wick, London, Lee Robinson's presentation about The Theory of Change - 2nd August 2018
Day 5 began with an intensive ALS session with Isabelle, Sally, Amy and expert Janie Wilson.
We worked in our groups and I chose to share my issue with my peers.
We will be joining 3 other ALS sessions over the coming months.
Day 5 SSE Head Office London, Our first ALS session 3rd August 2018
For the second part of our programme we travelled to Cornwall to study with the School For Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall team.
We were very fortunate to stay at the ArtHouse, Falmouth.
Corella Hughes owner and curator of the beautiful ArtHouse Falmouth, Cornwall stayed August 2018
The Arthouse Living Room Falmouth, stayed August 2018
Sabeena Ahmed at the beautiful ArtHouse Falmouth, Cornwall
August 2018
The Arthouse Dining Room, Falmouth stayed August 2018
The Arthouse Garden, Falmouth stayed August 2018
Najat at Pendennis Castle visited 5th August 2018
Sabeena Ahmed with Ayesha and Najat at Pendennis Castle Falmouth visited 5th August 2018
A visit to Falmouth Beach with my sister Irem and the ladies - August 2018
The SSE Cornwall team and Tracey Roose - August 2018
Day 6 we were introduced to the SSE Cornwall team and Tracey Roose Chief Executive of Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Sciliy was our witness expert.
What a lovely bunch of compassionate ladies.
Tracey Roose Chief Executive of Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Sicily witness session
Shared Purpose Quote - Seth Carguilo
'Shared purpose goes way deeper than vision and mission, it goes right into your gut and taps some part of your primal self. I believe that if you can bring people with similar primal purposes together and get them all marching in the same direction, amazing things can be achieved.'
- Seth Carguilo
How many NOs should you be seeking to get?
2% of sales are made on the first contact
% of sales are made on the second contact
% of sales are made on the third contact
% of sales are made on the fourth contact
% of sales are made on the fifth to twelfth contact
Think BIG!
'I think the key
is for women
not to set limits.'
-
Later that afternoon we were introduced to Steve Neale founder of the Limbic Performance System.
Steve Neale - Creator of the Limbic Performance System
The Limbic Performance System Diagram
Day 7 we were introduced to Louise Treacher Founder of 4GeorgeLtd's who conducted a presentation about sustainable income model streams.
Later that afternoon we were introduced to Tim Van Berkel founder of The Cornish Seaweed Company.
Louise Treacher Founder of 4GeorgeLtd's presentation about sustainable income model streams
Social Entrepreneurs - Seth Godin
'It's tempting to reserve the new term 'social entrepreneurs' for that rare breed that builds a significant company organized around the idea of changing the culture for the better.
The problem with this term is that it lets everyone else off the hook. The prefix social implies that regular entrepreneurs have nothing to worry about, and that the goal of every un-prefixed organization and project (the 'regular kind') is to only make as much money as possible, as fast as possible.
But that's not how the world works.
Every project causes change to happen, and the change we make is social. The jobs we take on, the things we make, the side effects we cause—they're not side effects, they're merely effects. When we make change, we're responsible for the change we choose to make.
All of us, whichever job or project we choose to take on, do something to change the culture. That social impact, positive or negative is our choice.
It turns out that all of us are social entrepreneurs. It's just that some people are choosing to make a bigger (and better) impact than others.
It's a spectrum, not a label.'
- Seth Godin
Louise Treacher Founder of 4GeorgeLtd's presentation about sustainable income model streams and types of finances and income
Louise Treacher Founder of 4GeorgeLtd's presentation about pitching your business to funders
DO THEY CARE?
Evidence of need
What you are going to do
What impact will you have
Why I should care?
Tim Van Berkel Director of The Cornish Seaweed Company visits SSE Cornwall August 2018
Tim Van Berkel of The Cornish Seaweed Company promoting his best selling products visits SSE Cornwall August 2018
Day 8 We were introduced to Dan James Development Director at the Eden Project.
Dan James Director of Development at the Eden Project
Context
The Eden Story
Eden on Prescription
Deep Roots New Shoots
It's Great Outdoors
video tba
video tba
Photo Gallery
The Eden Project Tour with Dan Ryan - BSEP Academy visited
August 2018
The Eden Project Tour with Dan Ryan, Sunflowers - BESP Academy
visited August 2018
The Eden Project Tour with Dan Ryan, Sabeena and Najat - BSEP Academy visited August 2018
The Eden Project Tour with Dan Ryan, statue - BSEP Academy
visited August 2018
The Eden Project Tour with Dan Ryan - BSEP Academy ladies,
visited August 2018
The Eden Project Tour with Dan Ryan Entrance to the Rainforest Biodome-
BSEP Academy ladies, visited August 2018
The Eden Project Tour with Dan Ryan Entrance to the Rainforest Biodome-
BSEP Academy ladies, visited August 2018
The Eden Project Tour with Dan Ryan, large waterfall - BSEP Academy ladies, visited August 2018
The The Eden Project Tour with Dan Ryan, murial - BSEP Academy ladies,
visited August 2018
The The Eden Project Tour with Dan Ryan, the lily pond - BSEP Academy ladies visited August 2018
We ended our day with farewells and a beautiful dinner at the Mediterranean Biome.
group photo here
We began the day by introducing ourselves to ladies and NAMA representatives who were unable to attend the UK tour.
We reflected about what we had learnt about the UK tour and how we used the tools and examples in our work.
Session on Funding and Finance with Louise Treacher in Cornwall was very informative and useful.
Day 2 - 7th August 2018 - Expert Session with Louise Treacher funding streams for soc ents, SSE Cornwall 2018
I expressed the sustainable funding presentation was important however there is are limitations of funding in the UAE and I hope Tanu and Shalabh will be able to provide more information during our time in Dehli.
Day 1 - Revisiting your SMART objectives,
BSEP and SSE 2018
Revisit your SMART Objectives
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-based
We all spoke about our social enterprise concepts and how our ideas were had evolved.
Day 1 - Introductions
BSEP and SSE 2018
Maitha explained that she had acquired an events trade license from Dubai Economic Department which was reasonably priced at 2000 AED but one would require an Emirati sponsor.
The photographer came to take beautiful photographs of our afternoon session.
The second part of the afternoon session was brain storming ideas for social enterprises.
Day 1 - Presentation about soc ents in the UK,
BSEP and SSE 2018
We started by discussing issues affecting the UAE.
OBESITY
PLASTIC WASTE
ISOLATION cultural
KIDS RAISED BY NANNIES lack of understanding of cultural identity
CONSUMER ADDICTION
DEBT
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
BULLYING
MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA
HIGH DIVORCE RATES
Trends in the UAE
Online learning
Oneline shopping
Social media influencers
Virtual reality
Artificial intelligence
Food Truck/Pop Ups
Current Trend in the UK
Online Learning
Oneline shopping
Pop ups
Upcycling
Activity Choose one social issue and one trend
Create an soc ent
Choose an impact and income stream
Day 1 - Brainstorming ideas for soc ents in the UAE,
BSEP and SSE 2018
Mariam, Khadija, Fatima and I talked about low youth employment and how this could be connected to food trucks and pop ups.
Day 1 - Brainstorming ideas for soc ents in the UAE,
BSEP and SSE 2018
What needs to happen or be in place for me to be successful starting and/or developing a sustainable social venture.
Prompts
Whats needs to happen? e.g. find more time
What do I need? Family support
What needs to change?
What do I need to do differently
What skills do I need to develop?
We started the day by preparing for Jen MacKay's session for Tuesday afternoon.
Questions we had to prepare for Jen's session
What does a leader mean being to you?
Being a leader means being passionate, honesty, dedication, credibility and good health.
What is your biggest leadership strength?
Happy, Organised, Optimistic, Powerful, Satisfied, and Compassion.
What one leadership quality could you benefit from developing?
Being heard and a little more assertiveness and confident.
Imagine it is 10 years into the future
What impact do you want your leadership to have?
Humble, Compassionate and Dedicated.
Expert Session with Alisdair Inglis
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS OF THE MARKETING MASTERCLASS
For this session we were given a marketing handout.
Day 2 - Expert Session with Alisdair Inglis
BSEP and SSE 2018
Your unique proposition - What unique problems do you solve for your customers.
Day 2 - Expert Session with Alisdair Inglis
BSEP and SSE 2018
NOT ALL PROBLEMS ARE EQUAL
What 3 problems are you solving for your consumers.
1. Saving consumers valuable time and effort, by importing and procuring bespoke hand crafted ft products.
2. Raising awareness for fairtade by showcasing products, helping consumers to become ethical responsible consumers.
3. Changing and challenging the mindsets of consumers by sharing producer stories and explaining the benefits of fairtrade, environmentally, socially and economically.
Activity describe a product
Describe 5 features
My product
My Gold BAG
Hand embroidered bag by the Lahu Tribe
The gold bag is unique and special, its hand made not machine made and no-one will have a duplicate
Fair trade and ethical
It made AMY me feel good, She was so happy she was not exploiting anyone. She expressed it was good for her conscience.
Bespoke and beautiful this feature can be related to the bag
Durable
Long lasting, quality, it does encourage repeat purchase and also encourage consumers to purchase other ft products
Activity Page 6
We worked in pairs and filled out page 6
Day 2 - Expert Session with Alisdair Inglis
BSEP and SSE 2018
Worth through the different segments for your business.
Who is the knowledge holder ie. tourist companies/guides, hotels, b2b and wholesale opportunities
PART 2 webinar, October 2018 tbc
Witness Session with Sally Heard
Day 2 - Expert Session with Sally Heard CEO of SSE Cornwall,
Act Hotel, Sharjah 2018
Advisory Session
Advisory Boards
Questions
What's in it for the (specialists advisors) them?
How to select specialists?
When to organise?
Why set this up?
Format of meetings
Background of members?
How to get those on board?
The selection process is key
Vary the skills people can bring to the table, Legal, Marketing or Finance
Do Not to assume they understand your business model
Make it a social event
Your working from trust
4 meetings a year
The session was audio recorded.
Activity 1 - We started the day using postcards to explain what we were bringing to the session. I chose a gentleman smiling which resonated with me.
His smile was a smile of contentment peace of mind and satisfaction.
I wanted to bring happiness, joy and laughter to the group.
We all gave an update about our mentors and our interaction with them.
WITNESS SESSION WITH RABEE ZURELKAT
JORDANIAN SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AND FOUNDER OF ZIKRA INITIATIVE.
http://www.zikrainitiative.org
About Rabee Zurelkat
Studied marketing and advertising in Jordan.
He drove across Jordan when he received his driving license
He said he felt sad and mad due to the marginalization faced by rural communities..
Below are notes about his presentation.
In 2004 there was no Facebook so he couldn't post where he could volunteer.
During Ramadan he approached the Islamic Centre.
We watched a video about Umm Omar and we all valued and appreciated her innovative ways. We all agreed that she was a school of self sufficiency.
Rabee talked us through his slides and presentation.
Umm Ommar is an beautiful example about how to live a better life without modernity and how to be connected to life.
How to productive and responsible and how to make use of resources and your environment.
Exchange to Change
Everyone is giver and receiver.
Every community has something to offer and its not about a hero victim relationship/concept.
Exchange Tourism
Companies and Universities to come to the village
Umm Omar is teaching others how to become sustainability
35 dollars per person (fee) this not charity it is a fee for her services.
No foreign aid
Local resources
Projects are self funded
More sustainable
Wire cars
Physics, Engineering, Mathematics the value of the toy.
Making products from local resources
The kids from villages are teaching children from private school children to make the local cars and products.
We all have something to offer.
Notes referring to Q&A
The Cause will keep you going
Two entities non profit and consultancy
Rabee was an ASHOKA FELLOW and received a stipend for 3 years
A personal passion
Middle Eastern naaee
Arabic instrument was not available in Amann
Reed similar to sugar cane
He ordered one from Syria.
Quality is bad in Jordan.
He visited many valleys and conducted research
His friend was a naeee player
The first nayee working workship
Rabee established with House of the NAYEE Bait al Nayee
Nayee is 7000 years old
Its a local resource
Divide between rural and city.
AFTERNOON SESSION WITH JEN MACKAY
This session was a continuation from our first session in London.
Day 3 Expert Session with Jen MacKay
BSEP and SSE 2018
Day 3 Expert Session with Jen MacKay
Asma Ahmed and Assia BSEP and SSE 2018
On Wednesday we visited Reem who created ENABLE.
Day 4 -Visit to Enable Dubai Festival City,
BSEP and SSE London and Cornwall 2018
Day 4 - Visit to Enable Dubai, BSEP and SSE
London and Cornwall 2018
A beautiful succulent available at ENABLE, DUBAI, UAE
Day 4 - Visit to Enable Dubai,
BSEP and SSE London and Cornwall 2018
Day 4 - Succulent Planter purchased while visiting Enable
Dubai Festival City
This session is a continuation of our session with Reetu in London.
Comparing fashion houses Monsoon and Zara.
Monsoon Value Preposition Analysis
What is the product?
What's the value?
Whats the offer?
Who are they offering?
Differences
Price points
VALUE PROPOSITION
Whats in it for customers, what value are offering them?
It explains how your product solves customers problems or improves their situation.
VALUE PROPOSITION: OVERVIEW
A clear stament of the benefits that you can uniquely offer your customers
Slide photo
Product Centric and Customer Centric
YOU WANT TO BE CUSTOMER CENTRIC not PRODUCT CENTRIC
Customer Centric
Create best solution for customer
Customer culture: searching for new needs to fill
New solution develop: customer experience management
Rewards deep insights into customer
3 COMPONENTS of VP
Customer Avatar
Day 5 Expert Session with Reetu Sood Customer Avatar worksheet
A Day in the Life
LOOK AT EARLY ADOPTERS
CUSTOMER JOBS
Trigger questions
handout
The VALUE PROPOSITION CANVAS
handout
CUSTOMER PAINS
Trigger questions
handouts
Orange post its
CUSTOMER GAINS
trigger questions
refer to your orange post its
THE VALUE PROPOSITION CANVAS
Day 5 - Expert Session, value Preposition with Reetu Sood,
BSEP and SSE London/Cornwall 2018
Pain relievers
Day 5 Expert Session with Reetu Sood pain relievers worksheet
VALUE PROPOSITION TEMPLATE
Day 5 - Expert Session, value preposition template with Reetu Sood,
BSEP and SSE London/Cornwall 2018
ASSESSING VP
handouts
ZOOM CONFERENCE in INDIA with SSE INDIA
We ended the week with a zoom call to SSE India.
FAREWELLS
Day 5 - FAREWELLS, Thursday 20th September 2018
Succulent Gift
Day 5 - Farewells with Amy and Sally of SSE London Cornwall,
BSEP and NAMA Sharjah 2018
Day 5 - Farewells with Khadija,
BSEP and NAMA Sharjah 2018
Day 5 - Farewells with Asma and Maryam Q.
BSEP and NAMA Sharjah, Sept 2018
Day 4 - Visit to Enable Dubai, SSE London,
BSEP NAMA Sharjah September 2018
Due to circumstances beyond my control I was unable to attend the Learning Block 4 in India. I was very disappointed and upset.
Established by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
NAMA is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. Our core philosophy at NAMA is to raise awareness that women are an indispensable human resource for the development of every nation.
NAMA was conceived to go beyond the remit of supporting women and ensuring gender equality to a broader scope that aims to see women become influential key members of society, thereby enabling them to climb the ladder of success.
It encourages policies and legislation to support women and actively pursues programmes that support gender integration into all sectors and abolishes unjust practices and policies that discriminate against the advancement of women.
Its five affiliates, Sharjah Business Women Council, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, NAMA Fund, Badiri Education and Development and Souq Anwan, fall under the umbrella of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment.
Source: NAMA
That’s why the School for Social Entrepreneurs brings together people who want to change things for the better. People tackling urgent issues like poverty, education, inequality, health, climate change and much more.
Every year, we help more than 1,000 people learn how to transform their communities and help people in need.
We support social entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and charity leaders. We run courses that equip them with the skills and networks needed to create lasting change. We help in other ways too, like connecting them with funding and mentoring.
Our 11 schools are changing lives across the UK, Canada and India.
Source: SSE website
We were asked to produce our Reflective Artifacts, a summary of our journey and what we believed assisted us to develop our businesses and which aspects of the course had the greatest impact.
I've attached my reflective artifact below.
Sabeena Ahmed
The Little Fair Trade Shop Brand Logo Butterfly and strap line
Fair Trade Ethical Living
Alistair Wilson - Chief Executive School for Social Entrepreneurs London UK
Failure Quote - Failure is when you stop trying!
Quote - The Greatest Wealth Is Health
Quote - Self-Care Isn't Selfish
Vegard Olson - Life Coach and expert witness for BSEP and SSE London, workshop at the Good Hotel July 2018
Jen MacKay - Business coach and presentation expert witness for BSEP and SSE London, workshop at the Good Hotel July 2018
Quote - Believe in Yourself
Quote - Ben Okri
Reetu Sood - Business Consultant, Social Business Canvas Workshop with Reetu Sood at the Good Hotel, August 2018
Jo Van Osch - Mentor, Life Coach, Birmingham, UK
Visit to ENABLE - Dubai Festival City, September 2018
The BSEP ladies (Badiri Social Enterprise Programme 2018)
Sabeena Ahmed with Ayesha and Najat -
Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall, UK, August 2018
Sabeena Ahmed with Khadijah (BSEP, NAMA and SSE London)
Badiri Social Enterprise Programme Cohort 1 2018
Sabeena Ahmed with Asma and Maryam -
Badiri Social Enterprise Programme Cohort 1 2018 (BSEP, NAMA, SSE London)
The journey has been very special, inspiring and enlightening.
As I end this blog and pioneering programme I would like to take this opportunity to wishes to all the ladies on the programme the very best, may your ideas thrive and flourish.
Sabeena X
School for Social Entrepreneurs
Bees Wax Candles
Vegard Olsen - The Coaching Partner
Reetu Sood - Social Enterprise Consultant
Jennifer MacKay - Jump Training & Development
Jo van Osch - Soulfully Connected.co
Janie Wilson
School for Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall
Charlotte Hill
Tracey Roose
The Poly Falmouth
Louise Treacher - Founder 4GeorgeLtd
Tim Van Berkel - The Cornish Seaweed Company
Charlotte Young
This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
Here is my Easy Fairtrade Cocoa and Fairtrade Bananas Recipe which I baked for Fairtrade Fortnight 2024.
I have tried my best to translate this recipe in Urdu.
یہ ہے میری ایزی فیئرٹریڈ کوکو اور فیئر ٹریڈ کیلے کی ترکیب جسے میں نے فیئر ٹریڈ فورٹ نائٹ 2024 کے لیے پکایا تھا۔
میں نے اس ترکیب کا اردو میں ترجمہ کرنے کی پوری کوشش کی ہے۔
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.