Networking with Purpose: My Experience at SMU SIC Social Pulse 2024

Attending Social Pulse 2024 was an unexpected yet refreshing experience for me. Although I hadn’t initially planned to go, I ended up gaining some meaningful insights into the world of social entrepreneurship. Having worked at a budding social enterprise before, I’d seen firsthand the challenges entrepreneurs face, which led me to think that this path wasn’t for me. But hearing from seasoned entrepreneurs at Social Pulse gave me a new perspective on what it takes to thrive in this field.

Hosted by SMU Social Impact Catalyst, Social Pulse is an annual event that brings together industry leaders and peers to explore the future of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation. It was inspiring to listen from individuals who are as passionate about social impact as they are about their goals, making this event a unique space for learning, networking, and sparking new ideas.

The session started with SMU students from SIC to share about the enterprise idea they have been developing for the past 6 weeks. Although I could not possible write down the details of their projects, but some thoughts remain after listening to their presentations.

Projects:

• rEtrory: Upcycle electronic waste into jewellery and market it to Gen-Z.
• Avocuddle: Develop a mental health application for primary school students to journalize and report their feelings.

My thoughts: A very good comment that I found myself agreeing with one of the speakers, Mr Lim Wei Liang, the Director of ThinkX, is that I have yet to see the demand for these products. How many Gen-Z will be really interested in buying necklaces made out of resistors and microchips? Would primary school students with mental health issues use a journalizing app?

In my opinion, these are the questions that need to be answered in order to lay a good foundation for a successful social enterprise - that is to identify the specific demand that the market is lacking a supply of.

Nevertheless, I was still impressed by the passion that these students have in their projects, and I wish them all the best.

Rehyphen

J.J. Chuan, the founder of Rehyphen, had shared with us how the social enterprise is dedicated to promoting sustainability through innovative upcycling. Their unique initiative called "MusicCloth" transforms discarded cassette tapes and videotapes into woven fabrics. These fabrics are then crafted into a variety of eco-friendly products, including bags, wallets, and artistic pieces. By repurposing outdated media, Rehyphen not only reduces waste but also raises awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability.

From J.J.'s sharing, I have learnt that a social enterprise can always start from something small, or just a spark of idea, such as for her it started from having the thought of upcycling her own box of cassette tape. The idea is then translated into an enterprise by the collaboration with other organisations and integration of new ideas in the following years as the enterprise gets bigger.

Bettr Coffee

Arun Ratnaa, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Bettr Coffee, shared the enterprise's mission of supporting sustainable farms while providing customers with a premium coffee experience. The organization actively conducts training programs to equip marginalized individuals with skills for future employment opportunities. An interesting statistic he mentioned was that over 20% of those trained go on to secure jobs with Bettr.

One key takeaway from Arun's presentation was that no matter how large an enterprise becomes, it can always give back to the community in various ways by leveraging its extensive network of connections.

ThinkX

Mr. Lim Wei Liang, the founder of ThinkX, shared his journey of "Build, Grow & Pass On" in the world of business. He highlighted the various ways a social enterprise can evolve, explaining that it can either start as a business dedicated to a social cause or shift into that role midway through its journey. Another valuable insight I gained was the idea that failures can be transformed into valuable experiences. By sharing what went wrong, entrepreneurs can help others navigate their own paths more effectively.

Will & Well

Elisa Lim, the founder of Will & Well, shared the inspiring journey of her fashion social enterprise, filled with heartwarming stories that showcase creative solutions to the challenges people face when it comes to enjoying fashion. The live demonstrations of shirts and pants with magnetic buttons highlighted how easy it can be for caregivers to help with changing clothes. Other designs, such as suits tailored for individuals with disabilities and dresses designed for scoliosis patients, illustrated how adaptive clothing can truly "provide ease, comfort, and dignity" for those in need.

IASH.SG

Hernping Ang, the founder of IASH.SG, shared his personal journey as a mental health survivor and how overcoming trauma inspired him to create IASH.SG—a social enterprise dedicated to making mental health more approachable and accessible. His work on kayatoastforthesoul.sg has provided comfort and support to many, offering a unique way for people to connect and find solace. Using his connections, he has built a community that provides mental health services, and by steering the team towards a social enterprise model, the project has become more sustainable and impactful, ensuring long-term support for those in need.

Ending Notes

I really enjoyed this event, and I look forward for future SIC networking events to fill myself with valuable ideas from experienced industry speakers. 😁

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