The weekend was filled with endless amazing sessions and conversations – here are three that we found to be highlights for us:
GrameenPhone and Iqbal Quadir: Once and awhile you see and hear something that is off the charts, listening to Iqbal Quadir and his story founding the growing GrameenPhone is one of those stories. Started in 1996, Mr. Quadir spearheaded GrameenPhone from zero to $1B in revenues, $250M in profits, with over 300K women in Bangladesh selling cell phones and phone service, making on average double the average daily wage in Bangladesh. Via GrameenPhone, Bangladesh now has virutally universal phone service, with over 10M users. For more information: www.grameenphone.com
California Autism Foundation and the San Francisco Chocolate Company: Another true social entrepreneur story – Matt talked with John Clay, Exec. Director of the CAF, over breakfast and was inspired by the amazing ingenuity and entrepreneurship. As a way to help provide jobs for CAF’s autistic clients and provide a sustainable funding stream for the organization, Mr. Clay launched a series of businesses our of their Richmond, CA home, which has now led to the formation of the San Francisco Chocolate Company, which will soon be featured on the Home Shopping Network. For more information about both orgs: www.sfchocolates.com/about.htm
Finally, as he described to a riveted audience in one of the panel disucssions, Andy Shallal has done an amazing thing in Ward 1, downtown DC – – A few years back he launched Busboys and Poets, a restaurant/book store/bar/performance space that is now a true epicenter of DC and national culture. With poets now performing multiple times per week on Busboy’s own stage, the venue has become a sure stop of the national poets circuit, as well as hosting a weekly slam and other regular readings and events. The name is in honor of the great African American poet, Langston Hughes – check it out when you are in DC: http://www.busboysandpoets.com/
Peace,
Jim and Matt
Posted in: Social Venture Network
