Making a difference: Spotlight on sustainable entrepreneurs
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Posted: Wed 23rd Oct 2024
Saturday, 26 October is Make a Difference Day — a wonderful opportunity to celebrate those who positively impact their communities.
At Enterprise Nation, we’re proud to support entrepreneurs who are not just building successful businesses but are doing so in a way that puts the planet and people first.
We’re shining a light on three of our members whose businesses solve problems with a sustainability focus. These inspiring entrepreneurs are showing that business can be a force for good!
Gregory Kinsman Chauvet of Just Grapes
First up is Gregory Kinsman Chauvet, founder of Just Grapes. When Gregory discovered that the wine he was drinking was harming both his health and the planet, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He set up Just Grapes, a natural wine company dedicated to offering affordable, planet-friendly wines for everyone.
But Gregory’s mission goes beyond simply offering natural wines; he also wants to make a tangible difference in the community.
Just Grapes is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, meaning it gives back a share of its profits to environmental causes. Gregory’s ambition doesn’t stop there — he hopes to achieve B-Corp certification as soon as the business can afford it, further cementing his commitment to social and environmental impact.
Umutoni Thuku-Benzinge of Umotoni
Next, we have Umutoni Thuku-Benzinge, founder of Umotoni, an award-winning luxury jewellery brand with a twist.
Committed to ethical and sustainable practices, Umotoni is on a mission to reshape the perception of jewellery as a force for positive societal transformation. Each piece crafted by Umotoni tells a story — one that champions sustainability and ethical sourcing while celebrating beauty and craftsmanship.
Umutoni has been part of the Enterprise Nation community since she was a finalist for our fund last year. Reflecting on her experience, she shared:
“One of the things I’ve found most useful through Enterprise Nation is the network, connecting with other founders, particularly in person. Being a solo founder can be an isolating journey, so this has been invaluable to me.”
Jess Carter of Planet & People CIC
Last but by no means least, we have Jess Carter, co-founder of Planet & People CIC.
Based in Devon, Jess is a dedicated environmentalist and community builder with a background in biology and law. Her company, Planet & People CIC, empowers communities to create a sustainable future through educational workshops and community initiatives. Its Planet Action Workshops have already made a difference in schools across Devon, both in-person and online, inspiring the next generation to be stewards of the environment.
Jess joined Enterprise Nation after applying for our fund last year and has been actively engaging with our community, participating in groups and events. She’s on the lookout for support in sales, marketing and sustainability strategies to further expand the reach and impact of Planet & People CIC.
Watch this webinar to learn what the people-planet-profit approach means and the actions you can take that will benefit your business:
Supporting entrepreneurs making a difference
At Enterprise Nation, we are honoured to support entrepreneurs like Gregory, Umutoni and Jess, who are not just building businesses but are also dedicated to creating a more sustainable and positive future.
To all the changemakers out there — thank you for your incredible work and happy Make a Difference Day!
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