Benefit Corporation Blog Series – Blueprint for a Dream
Ojala Naeem • February 26, 2014
Next in our series of Social Enterprise Stories we feature Christopher Brechlin. Chris is the Principal and Founder of Blueprint for a Dream, a Connecticut based corporation that uses data to give the Social Sector a fresh perspective on society’s most pressing issues. Their custom blueprints are a way to rethink the problem, reboot your project, and scale it to meet the needs of the greater community.In this interview we look at the social impact being created through the work of Blueprint for a Dream.
Why are you operating in Connecticut?
Connecticut is a state with great opportunity for social enterprise. There are powerful emerging support systems for social entrepreneurs and one of the oldest and most established philanthropic sectors in the US, that can eventually become a valuable partner in using commerce to have social and economic impact on the state, the country, or even the world.
Why did you decide to start a Social Enterprise?
I have an inherited entrepreneurial spirit, and I want to use that energy to pursue social impact. However, it is challenging to start and maintain a nonprofit. Social enterprise allows me to compete with a product or service, as well as the impact that it can have on the community.
What is the community you’re trying to have an impact in?
I work with the Social Sector: nonprofits, government agencies, and social enterprises.
How do you/will you achieve that impact?
Blueprint for a Dream uses data to rethink, reboot, scale social impact, by partnering with nonprofit, government, and business leaders. We design interactive web applications that serve as blueprints for community programs and help our partners plan for and communicate their impact.
How do you balance purpose and profit?
We work to reduce the cost of our services, making them more affordable to our partners who often have restrictive budgets. All of our revenue is used to meet our mission, which over time will save money by making community programs more efficient and sustainable.
What have been your biggest challenges thus far?
Designing an effective business model and learning to communicate what Blueprint for a Dream does have been the biggest challenges.
What is the most rewarding thing to you about operating a social enterprise?
The most rewarding part about operating a social enterprise is the opportunity to augment the good work that nonprofits are doing without competing with them for funding or resources.
Why do you want to incorporate as a benefit corporation?
Becoming a benefit corporation would allow me to legally protect my social mission, while remaining a for profit company. It also opens up new avenues for impact investment, talent, and clientele that traditional corporate structures do not.
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Transform Your Business This Fall: Applications Open for reSET's Retail Incubator and Digital Marketing Mastermind Programs Hartford, CT – July 17, 2024 – reSET, the Hartford-based entrepreneur support organization committed to nurturing businesses with a social mission, is excited to announce that applications are now open for two separate programs designed to help entrepreneurs grow with impact: the Retail Incubator and the Digital Marketing Mastermind. Both programs are set to run this fall, providing invaluable resources and mentorship to early-stage and established entrepreneurs alike. Applications close at midnight on July 21, with classes set to start mid-August and run through October. “Both of these programs were developed because of demand from our alumni and local entrepreneurs,” said Sarah Bodley, Executive Director of reSET. “The Retail Incubator has been popular with Hartford-area founders preparing for fall and holiday markets, or opening their own storefronts. We developed the Digital Marketing Mastermind to help local entrepreneurs build an online business presence and stand out in the online world.” Retail Incubator The Floor-Plan Retail Business Incubator is a partnership between reSET and Hartford-based Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, a community venture-building studio. Now in its fourth year, the program is designed to support product-based businesses in their stages of entrepreneurship. Participants will learn to understand customer needs, define pricing strategies, address key legal and financial topics, all to prepare their businesses for fall and winter markets. Entrepreneurs will gain insights from industry experts, access a supportive community, and receive practical tools to enhance their business acumen. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.resetco.org/retail-incubator . Digital Marketing Mastermind The Digital Marketing Mastermind is tailored for entrepreneurs who already have a business and are looking to elevate their digital marketing efforts. This program will provide advanced strategies to boost online presence, engage with target audiences, and convert engagement into sales. Participants will learn from seasoned marketing professionals and peers, gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the digital marketplace. Entrepreneurs interested in more information on the program and application should visit https://www.resetco.org/digital-marketing-mastermind About reSET reSET is a nonprofit organization in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector. reSET specializes in social enterprise ― impact-driven business with a double or triple bottom line. In addition to providing coworking space, accelerator, and mentoring programs, reSET aims to inspire innovation and community collaboration and to support entrepreneurs in creating market-based solutions to community challenges. reSET’s goal is to meet entrepreneurs wherever they are in their trajectory and to help them take their businesses to the next level. Visit reSET | Where Great Companies Grow (resetco.org). # # #
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