We Are a Social Enterprise
Business as Usual? Most successful entrepreneurs will tell you that making money is easy. No matter how humble your position in life, anyone can make money if they have a good idea, a well thought out plan, a little know-how, some good advisors, and are willing to develop a disciplined work ethic. We agree wholeheartedly.
This is where our path parts in business with most entrepreneurs. We believe that it is not how much money you have in the bank as an entrepreneur that determines your success as an entrepreneur. We believe it is in how an entrepreneur chooses to use their money that defines their character and ultimately their contribution to society, as well as their legacy. In short, true success is never measured by the amount of resources you have, but rather how you choose to use them.
What matters most to us at Soteria Worx, and our pursuit of business and financial success is how much of our time, our talents, and our treasures we are able to invest back into the communities we do business in while providing financially for those who are committed to helping us grow our brand. This is what will become our legacy.
“What matters most to us for the future of Soteria Worx and our pursuit of business success is how much of our time, our talents, and our treasures we are able to invest back into the communities that we serve. This is what will become the legacy of our company.
David and Daniele Ward
As a company that wants to make a positive difference in the world, we believe building our legacy starts with paying a living wage to our employees and helping improve the wellbeing of their families. Beyond this basic fundamental of being a good employer and paying taxes, we desire to do our part in making a lasting positive impact in the world around us. This is why we have chosen to be a social enterprise.
Social Enterprise Defined
Social Enterprise Defined. A social enterprise is a business model with a goal of addressing specific social needs through its day-to-day operations, which includes how it uses its resources for the good of the communities they operate in. Some proponents of making a positive impact on society have redefined the definition of social enterprise since its inception over 30 years ago. Social enterprise is when business enterprise, capitalism, philanthropy, volunteerism, and meeting social needs are fitly joined together in the pursuit of making a lasting positive impact in society through sustainable business models without the help of government. We like this new definition. How about you?
“Social enterprise is when business enterprise, capitalism, philanthropy, volunteerism, and meeting social needs are fitly joined together in the pursuit of making a lasting positive impact in society through sustainable business models without the help of government.”
The Birth of Soteria Worx
The Birth of Soteria Worx. Soteria Worx evolved out of a personal challenge made by a speaker from the Greenhouse Movement. The challenge was to business owners and entrepreneurs to be engaged in business beyond just that of simply making money and enjoying the fruits of our labors. Out of this challenge, Soteria Worx was eventually founded as a social enterprise to be an agent of positive change.
With this purpose-driven ideology at the center of our choice to be a social enterprise, we endeavor to use our time, our talents, and our treasures to bring positive lasting change in every encounter we have in our community – both with our customers and those who we endeavor to help. This mindset lives in the shadow of a quote by Billy Graham – “I never saw a U-Haul behind a hearse.” His statement is a consistent reminder to us to remember that building up treasures on earth will not profit us in the long-term and what we have does not belong to us, but to God. We are only stewards of what we are given.
How We Use Our Time, Our Talents, and Our Treasures
As with all for-profit businesses, we are in business to make a profit. But, as a social enterprise, we seek to maximize our profits while also maximizing our contribution to society by contributing to social good. To us, this means actively addressing social needs and social ills through the giving of our time, our talents, and our resources. Soteria Worx is committed to embedding three social determinations into our company culture.
Giving of Our Time
Our Time. To give of our time through volunteerism. This includes finding and community service projects which use our staff and volunteers who share in our passion for volunteering to help families in need with the problems they are facing. It may be that of repairing a roof or replacing windows in a widow’s home who cannot afford to do it herself. I could also be that of helping an elderly couple with house cleaning or property clean up, planning and planting a neighborhood community garden as a bridge to bring a diverse community together. Building a playground. Sponsoring a food drive to help local food banks with their needs. Serving as volunteer project coordinators and supervisors for projects that other civic organizations may want to see happen but they lack the skillsets that we have to do it. There are always projects in need of our help and assistance. But, at the core of our desire to give of our time, giving towards the three social initiatives we support is where we endeavor to invest most of our time.
Giving of Our Talents
Our Talents. We are good at what we do as a construction, repair, and maintenance services company. The skills we have at our disposal are many. For most people who find that they need our type of service, they are valued skills. Our goal is to use our talents (trade skills) primarily as part of one of our chosen social initiatives that helps low income and minority homeowners with critically needed repairs and improvements on their homes. There is a long list of needs that most low income households have – plumbing, electrical, roofing, wood rot, door and window replacement, and even improved home security. The list is long. We believe that with our help and the support of other local construction and maintenance services companies, local suppliers, and the help of a growing network of volunteers, we can have a profound impact on the lives of those who could lose their homes due to code violations and safety hazards.
Giving of Our Treasures
Our Treasures. We are determined to give up to 20% of our company’s annual net profits towards our chosen social initiatives. It doesn’t sound like much, but to put this ambitious goal into perspective, most Fortune 500 corporations give just over one (1) percent of their pre tax profits to charities, the average individual gives only 2% to charity, and the average Church gives less than 4% towards community outreach and missions. We want to be leaders in the business community when it comes to our financial generosity.
Take a moment and learn about the social initiatives that we are passionate about. We invite you to choose one of them and join us in making a difference in the lives of others in our community who are less fortunate, in need of empowerment and direction, or trapped in the human trafficking industry.
